Ballantyne Strong, Inc. (NYSE American: BTN) (the “Company” or
“Ballantyne”), announced today the launch of
Strong
Studios, which will operate as part of the Company’s
Strong Entertainment division.
The Company also announced it has appointed
David Ozer as President of Strong Studios. Mr. Ozer was formerly
CEO of Landmark Studio Group, a division of Chicken Soup for the
Soul Entertainment, Inc (Nasdaq: CSSE).
Strong Studios, which will be based in New York,
will develop and produce original feature films and television
series, as well as acquire third party rights to content for global
multiplatform distribution. The new studio launches with an IP
slate acquisition and an initial distribution agreement with
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment’s Screen Media. Under terms
of the deal, two new scripted series, Safehaven
and Flagrant, have been officially greenlit for
production this year. Screen Media will distribute both series,
with their streaming services Crackle, Popcornflix, and Chicken
Soup for the Soul having first rights to premiere.
- Safehaven, is a
supernatural horror series based on the graphic novel about a
female comic book artist whose drawings come alive to haunt her.
Safehaven is produced by James Seale (Throttle), Kevin Duncan
(Juncture) and Michael Bay’s 451 Media. Production is anticipated
to begin in Canada mid-2022.
-
Flagrant, is an original dramedy
series in partnership with actor and comedian, Michael Rapaport
(Atypical, White Famous, Public Morals, Justified). Rapaport will
appear in and executive produce Flagrant. Screenwriter Peter Hoare
(Standing Up, Falling Down, Down Under Cover), and actor,
broadcaster, stand-up comedian, and writer Pete Correale (The Pete
and Sebastian Show on SiriusXM and Kevin Can Wait) will serve as
co-writers and showrunners. Production is anticipated to begin
mid-2022.
Additional projects shepherded by Ozer at
Landmark Studio Group to now be developed and produced by Strong
Studios as part of the content acquisition deal include
Shadows in the Vineyard, starring Judith Light and
Noah Wyle; the drama series, Heartbeat, co-created
by legendary DJ couple Kiss and M.O.S.; the horror series
MidNightMares, and more.
“The launch of Strong Studios is a natural but
also potentially transformative next step for our entertainment
business,” commented Mark Roberson, Chief Executive Officer of
Ballantyne Strong. “Going forward, we will deliver not only the
industry’s best movie screens and technical services, but also
feature films and series for media platforms around the world.
Strong Studios will have a head start with two pre-sold and
greenlit series ready to start production right away. We plan to
employ a disciplined and conservative approach to development of
new projects, utilizing co-production and pre-licensing to limit
financial exposure while building a content library with high
potential for commercial success. We welcome David and his team and
look forward to working with them to grow the business into a
leading media studio with top original content.”
“With the growing worldwide demand for content
and the acceleration of new streaming services, the environment is
ripe for Strong Studios to thrive,” said David Ozer. “With the IP
acquisition of a robust slate of content and distribution deal with
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, we are able to hit the
ground running with two series ready to head into production, while
we begin developing our own pipeline of original IP. I am thrilled
with the opportunity to launch Strong Studios and further expand
Ballantyne Strong’s position in the global media marketplace.”
“We congratulate Strong Studios on this new
venture and are excited to be able to continue to work with David
Ozer and distribute their pipeline of exciting programming,” said
William J. Rouhana Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of
Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment.
Prior to joining Strong Studios, Ozer served
from 2018 - 2022 as CEO of Landmark Studio Group, overseeing the
production and development of a slate of projects, including
Willy’s Wonderland, starring Nicolas Cage; and Trigger Point,
directed by Brad Turner and starring Barry Pepper; as well as
Safehaven, Flagrant, Shadows in the Vineyard, Heartbeat,
MidNightMares and others. From 2013 - 2018, he served as
Founding President of IDW Entertainment, where he oversaw the
independent mini-studio’s overall operations and focused on
developing, producing, and distributing content that appeals to a
broad global audience. Ozer is credited with the independent
mini-studio’s expansion, and the success of its two most prominent
series, overseeing the development and production of three seasons
of Wynonna Earp for Syfy, and two seasons of Dirk Gently for BBC
America. He also oversaw the development of Locke & Key and
V-Wars for Netflix. Ozer has also held executive level positions at
multinational media corporations, including executive vice
president of television at Starz Media; senior vice president of
domestic television at RHI Entertainment; head of worldwide
distribution at Sonar; senior vice president of sales at DIC
Entertainment and vice president of sales at Sony Pictures
Television.
About Ballantyne Strong,
Inc.Ballantyne Strong, Inc. is a diversified holding
company with operations and holdings across a broad range of
industries. Ballantyne’s Strong Entertainment segment currently
includes one of the largest premium screen suppliers in the United
States and also provides technical support services and other
related products and services to the cinema exhibition industry,
theme parks and other entertainment-related markets. Ballantyne
holds a $13 million preferred stake along with Google Ventures in
privately held Firefly Systems, Inc., which is rolling out a
digital mobile advertising network on rideshare and taxi fleets.
Finally, Ballantyne holds a 9% ownership position in GreenFirst
Forest Products Inc. (TSX: GFP), a forest-first business focused on
sustainable forest management and lumber production, and an 18%
ownership position in FG Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: FGF), a
reinsurance and investment management holding company focused on
opportunistic collateralized and loss capped reinsurance, while
allocating capital to SPAC and SPAC sponsor-related
businesses.
Forward-Looking
Statements This press release may contain
“forward-looking statements.” All statements, other than statements
of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Ballantyne or
Strong Global Entertainment may, in some cases, use words such as
“project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,”
“intend,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “potentially,” “will” or
“may,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or
outcomes, to identify these forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements are based on management’s current
expectations, but actual results may differ materially due to
various factors. There can be no guarantees that the initial public
offering of Strong Global Entertainment, Inc. will be consummated
on the timeline anticipated or at all, or that Ballantyne or Strong
Global Entertainment will achieve the anticipated benefits of such
a transaction. Ballantyne’s and Strong Global Entertainment’s
ability to consummate and achieve the anticipated benefits of the
potential initial public offering of Strong Global Entertainment
may be materially affected by certain factors outside their control
that could affect the advisability, pricing and timing of the
potential initial public offering of Strong Global Entertainment,
as well as a number of risks and uncertainties regarding the
business, results of operation or financial condition of Ballantyne
or Strong Global Entertainment, including but not limited to those
discussed in the “Risk Factors” section contained in Item 1A in
Ballantyne’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2020, filed with the SEC on March 10, 2021, as supplemented by
Ballantyne’s Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on
April 28, 2021, and Ballantyne’s subsequent filings with the SEC,
in addition to and including the following risks and uncertainties:
the negative impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has already had, and
may continue to have, on the Company’s business and financial
condition; the Company’s ability to maintain and expand its revenue
streams to compensate for the lower demand for the Company’s
digital cinema products and installation services; potential
interruptions of supplier relationships or higher prices charged by
suppliers; the Company’s ability to successfully compete and
introduce enhancements and new features that achieve market
acceptance and that keep pace with technological developments; the
Company’s ability to successfully execute its capital allocation
strategy or achieve the returns it expects from these investments;
the Company’s ability to maintain its brand and reputation and
retain or replace its significant customers; challenges associated
with the Company’s long sales cycles; the impact of a challenging
global economic environment or a downturn in the markets (such as
the current economic disruption and market volatility generated by
the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic); economic and political risks of
selling products in foreign countries (including tariffs); risks of
non-compliance with U.S. and foreign laws and regulations,
potential sales tax collections and claims for uncollected amounts;
cybersecurity risks and risks of damage and interruptions of
information technology systems; the Company’s ability to retain key
members of management and successfully integrate new executives;
the Company’s ability to complete acquisitions, strategic
investments, entry into new lines of business, divestitures,
mergers or other transactions on acceptable terms, or at all; the
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s portfolio
companies; the Company’s ability to utilize or assert its
intellectual property rights, the impact of natural disasters and
other catastrophic events (such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic);
the adequacy of insurance; the impact of having a controlling
shareholder and vulnerability to fluctuation in the Company’s share
price. Given the risks and uncertainties, readers should not place
undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should
recognize that the statements are predictions of future results
which may not occur as anticipated. Many of the risks listed above
have been, and may further be, exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19
pandemic, its impact on the cinema and entertainment industry, and
the worsening economic environment. Actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements
and from historical results, due to the risks and uncertainties
described herein, as well as others not now anticipated. New risk
factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for
management to predict all such risk factors, nor can it assess the
impact of all such factors on the Company’s business or the extent
to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual
results to differ materially from those contained in any
forward-looking statements. Except where required by law, we
undertake no obligation to publicly update, withdraw, or revise any
forward-looking statements to reflect actual results or changes in
factors or assumptions on which any statement is based.
For Investor Relations
Inquiries:Mark RobersonBallantyne Strong, Inc. - Chief
Executive Officer704-994-8279IR@btn-inc.com
John Nesbett / Jennifer BelodeauIMS Investor
Relations203-972-9200jnesbett@institutionalms.com
For Media Inquiries:Michelle
OrsiThree.Sixty Marketing +
Communications310-418-6430michelle@360-comm.com
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