Pig of a deal completed by Gateley

A CROSS-discipline team at Birmingham-based law firm, Gateley has advised TV production company Astley Baker Davies on the sale of a controlling stake in the global brand Peppa Pig.
 
Entertainment One (eOne) is increasing its ownership of the hit pre-school franchise.

As part of the deal, creators, directors and producers Mark Baker, Neville Astley and Phil Davies are producing an additional 52 episodes of Peppa Pig.
 
Since 2007, Peppa Pig has been co-owned and distributed globally by eOne.  With the new episodes of Peppa Pig in production, eOne will look to maximise value through the centralised management of the brand’s worldwide exploitation across all platforms.      
 
eOne specialises in the acquisition, production and distribution of film and television content. It has offices throughout Europe, Asia, America and Africa.
 
ABD has produced more than 200 episodes over six series of Peppa Pig, which have been broadcast in more than180 territories. Peppa Pig took home BAFTAs in 2005, 2011 and 2012, among its numerous accolades.
 
Gateley’s commerce, technology & media (CTM) team in London advised the selling shareholders on the deal, alongside its tax and corporate teams in London, Birmingham and Leeds.

Law firm Mayer Brown provided legal advice to the buyers.
 
CTM partner and head of media & entertainment Lisa Logan led the team supported by corporate partner Nick Emmerson and tax partner James Gopsill, as well as CTM solicitors Oyinade Adebiyi and Rebecca Pedrick and corporate solicitor Natalie Georgiou.
 
Phil Davies, founding director of Astley Baker Davies, said: “We are immensely proud of the success the Peppa Pig series has had so far. With co-producer eOne taking a bigger stake it creates a promising future for Peppa Pig, allowing further expansion.”
 
Logan at Gateley added: “This is a major deal for Astley Baker Davies, as it opens the door for further growth. As long standing clients of the firm, we’ve been able to develop an understanding of their creative and business requirements, and concentrate on a solution that best meets their needs.”

Gateley recently made history when it became the first UK commercial law firm to float on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.