Vice Media announced the acquisition of Cuba Pictures, an award-winning UK based television and film production company, from Curtis Brown Group, the leading talent and literary representation company.
Cuba Pictures will become a label within Vice Studios, expanding the company’s successful UK scripted content business. Vice Studios is behind the hit television franchise "Gangs of London," the adrenaline-charged new series "Atomic" set to premiere on Sky, and the upcoming film "Bad Apples" with Paramount, starring four-time Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan. Cuba Pictures will continue to be led by Dixie Linder; she will report to Vice Studios Co-President Jamie Hall. Cuba founder Nick Marston will remain active with the company, working closely with the Vice Studios team.
Dixie Linder said: “I couldn’t be more excited for the next chapter for Cuba alongside Jamie and the brilliant team at Vice Studios. Their passion and vision make them the perfect partners for this journey, and I can’t wait to see what we create together—while continuing
our very special relationship with Curtis Brown.”
“Dixie and the team at Cuba Pictures have an exceptional track record in the scripted space, and I am thrilled to welcome them to Vice Studios,” said Hall. “Together we will produce incredibly compelling scripted content and extend Vice Studios’ global reach.”
The acquisition of Cuba Pictures follows Vice Media’s distribution deal with ITV Studios and recent acquisition of London Alley Entertainment, which combined with Pulse Films, creates one of the world’s largest commercials and music video production studios.
Cuba Pictures works with an extensive line-up of both established and up-and-coming writers and directors to produce distinctive, innovative content that appeal to international audiences. Among its television credits are "Coalition" which aired on Channel 4, winning the RTS award for Best Single Drama; BAFTA winning BBC One’s "Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell" adapted from Susanna Clarke’s best-selling novel, BBC Two and RTÉ’s thriller "Paula," as well as BBC1 and Amazon Prime ratings hit "McMafia," inspired by journalist Misha Glenny's highly successful book and starring James Norton. The UK-based indie recently announced production of a brand-new drama, "The Walsh Sisters," an adaptation of novels by the worldwide best-selling author Marian Keyes’ novels, set to air on the BBC and RTE. Cuba’s films include BAFTA winning "Boy A" and BIFA winning "Broken."
“We are impressed by the innovative shows that Cuba Pictures produces with global appeal, and this acquisition accelerates our Studios’ growth strategy in scripted content,” said Bruce Dixon, CEO of Vice Media. “This is the latest example of Vice’s momentum and successful
turnaround.”
“I am very proud to have founded Cuba Pictures and to have been involved with such a great list of productions,” said Nick Marston, Founder of Cuba and Chairman of Curtis Brown’s Television, Film and Theatre Department. “From our first film, the remarkable 'Boy A' in 2008, to 'The Walsh Sisters' (currently filming), the distinguishing feature of Cuba Pictures has always been a fierce intelligence and an independent spirit, with some great clients of Curtis Brown at the heart of the creative process. I am sure that Vice Studios will continue this tradition, and I look forward to fruitful collaborations in the future.”
“We were proud to be the first literary agency to build a production company and after 17 successful years of partnership and many award-winning productions we are delighted to see Cuba move to its next phase of growth with Vice Studios,” said Jonny Geller, CEO of Curtis Brown Group. “We will be continuing to work with our friends at Cuba who have brought so many of our clients’ projects to the screen.”
Vice Media is owned by Fortress Investment Group, Soros Capital Management, and Monroe Capital. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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