News / Film and TV
Aardman expand to New York
Aardman is to set up its first permanent production studio outside the UK as part of a takeover of a New York animation company.
The creators of Wallace and Gromit and Shaun the Sheep have taken a majority stake in Nathan Love, animators who have worked for Kellogg’s, Pepsi and Kraft.
The move will see the 43-year-old Bristol firm build on their advertising business, best known for the Creature Comforts series for the Electricity Board in the 1990s.
“Teaming up with an existing company gives us the opportunity to hit the ground running and build a solid base from which to grow,” said David Sproxton, co-founder and executive chairman of Aardman.
“It’s about building a new business in New York for American agencies and we feel we can do this more effectively by being there.”
The eight-year old New York company will be rebranded Aardman Nathan Love following the takeover, which is being presented as a merger.
Joe Burrascano, founder of Nathan Love, said: “The partnership feels very natural, our values and philosophy are closely aligned, and the potential for what we can do together is incredibly inspiring.”
Aardman made a pre-tax profit of £2m in 2013 after suffering losses on the back of blockbuster film Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists! This year’s Shaun the Sheep: The Movie grossed more than $100 million at the box office, with a budget of less than $25 million.
A second Shaun the Sheep film is now in development, joining caveman comedy Early Man, due to be released in 2018.
Read our behind-the-scenes feature on Shaun the Sheep: The Movie.
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