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Cookie Jar Group

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Cookie Jar Group
FormerlyCinar (1976-2004)
Company typeIn-name-only unit of DHX Media
IndustryTelevision production, animation
PredecessorCinar (1976-2004)
Founded1976; 48 years ago (1976)
FoundersMicheline Charest and Ronald A. Weinberg
Defunct2012; 12 years ago (2012)
FateAcquired by DHX Media
SuccessorDHX Studios
HeadquartersToronto, Ontario, Canada
Key people
Michael Hirsh (CEO)
DivisionsCookie Jar Entertainment
Cookie Jar Education
Cookie Jar Consumer Products
Horn Rims Productions
KidsCo
Copyright Promotions Licensing Group
Websitewww.cjar.com

Cookie Jar Group was a Canadian media production and distribution company. The company was first established in 1976 as Cinar, a Montreal-based studio that was heavily involved in children's entertainment. The company's business model, which included the licensing of its properties into educational markets, had a significant impact on its success; by 1999, Cinar held CDN$1.5 billion of the overall children's television market.[1]

In the 2000s, Cinar became the subject of multiple business scandals, including accusations that the company had used offshore accounts to transfer money out of the company, had plagiarized the concept of one of its series, and had obfuscated the involvement of American screenwriters in its productions in order to continue receiving Canadian tax credits for domestic productions. Over a decade later, these scandals would result in criminal charges, convictions, and fines for co-founder Ronald Weinberg, and three other suspects.

Cinar was sold in 2004 for $190 million to a group led by Nelvana founder Michael Hirsh, and re-named Cookie Jar Group. The company went to acquire the American animation studio DiC Entertainment in 2008. On August 20, 2012, DHX Media announced its intent to acquire Cookie Jar Group, in a deal that would make DHX the largest independent owner of children's television programming. The sale completed on October 22, 2012. Cookie Jar Group continues to operate as an in-name-only unit of DHX Media.

History

Cinar

Cinar's logo variation used in the early 2000s.

After their 1976 meeting in New Orleans, future spouses Micheline Charest and Ronald A. Weinberg organized an event for a women's film festival, and worked at distributing foreign films to US theatres. The couple moved to New York City and formed Cinar, a film and television distribution company.

In 1984, Cinar changed their focus from media distribution to production and moved operations to Montreal, where they concentrated on children's television programming (including Animal Crackers, Emily of New Moon, Mona the Vampire, and The Wombles), as well as the English and French dubs of the anime series Adventures of the Little Koala and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the Spain-originating TV series The World of David the Gnome, and the English dub of Ultra Seven. As a production company, Cinar was also involved in the work of Are You Afraid of the Dark?, The Busy World of Richard Scarry, Madeline, The Real Story of Happy Birthday to You, The Adventures of Paddington Bear, Space Cases, The Shoe People and its most famous work, Arthur, Zoboomafoo and Caillou.

The firm became a public company in September 1993. By 1999, Cinar boasted annual revenues of $150 million (CAD) and owned about $1.5 billion (CAD) of the children's television market. In 1996, Cinar acquired the library of the British animation studio FilmFair, and closed it in 1998. In February 1999, Cinar acquired the film library of Leucadia Film Corporation.[2]

Scandal

The success of Charest, Weinberg, and Cinar ended in March 2000, when an internal audit revealed that about $122 million (US) was invested into Bahamian bank accounts without the board members' approval.[3] Cinar had also paid American screenwriters for work while continuing to accept federal grants and tax credits for the production of Canadian content. The names of Canadian citizens (generally non-writers connected to Cinar, including Charest's sister Helene) were credited for the works. While the province of Quebec did not file criminal charges, Cinar denied any wrongdoing, choosing instead to pay a settlement to Canadian and Quebec tax authorities of $17.8 million (CAD) and another $2.6 million (CAD) to Telefilm Canada, a Canadian federal funding agency. The value of Cinar's stock plummeted, and the company was soon delisted.[4]

There was some speculation that Hasanain Panju, CFO was the mastermind behind the investment scheme along with John Xanthoudakis of Norshield Investment Group and Lino Matteo of Mount Real Corporation. It was alleged that Charest and Weinberg (and later Panju) used Cinar as a 'piggy bank' and schemed to transfer funds out from the company through a series of complicated transactions to their own offshore holding companies.[5]

In 2001, as part of a settlement agreement with the Commission des Valeurs Mobilières du Québec (Quebec Securities Commission) Charest and Weinberg agreed to pay $1 million each and were banned from serving in the capacity of directors or officers at any publicly traded Canadian company for five years. There was no admission of guilt and none of the allegations has been proven in court. Charest never lived to see a possible outcome, as she died on April 14, 2004.

Aftermath

On August 26, 2009, in a separate case, the Superior Court of Quebec ruled that Cinar had plagiarized the work of Claude Robinson for its animated series Robinson Sucroe. The series was based on a concept he had pitched to Cinar in 1986, but had been turned down. Robinson was awarded $5.2 million in damages, in a suit that resolved a 14-year dispute between the two parties.[6][7]

On January 17, 2014, former CFO Hasanain Panju pleaded guilty to undisclosed crimes. The judge noted these crimes were "disgraceful" and placed a publication ban on details surrounding the trial. Panju was sentenced to four years in prison.[8]

On May 12, 2014, co-founder Ronald Weinberg, John Xanthoudakis of Norshield Financial Group and Lino Matteo of Mount Real Corp. were charged with 26 counts of fraud in Montreal Superior Court.[9] They were convicted on most of the counts on June 2, 2016, and in the trial Panju acted as a key Crown witness.[10] On June 22, 2016, Weinberg was sentenced to 8 years and 11 months in prison, and the other two received sentences of 7 years and 11 months each.[11]

The Cinar affair was described thus by The Globe and Mail:

Mr. Weinberg and Ms. Charest set out to make non-violent, non-sexist children's programming because they wanted to foster socially progressive attitudes and feelings of self-worth in their own sons and a generation of kids with far too many bad TV choices. But by the time their own kids had outgrown Cinar's shows, the couple's motivations seemed to have slid down the well-greased path of basic greed and avarice. If it took breaking the rules to enrich themselves, so be it. Success had gone to their heads. They acted (if not felt) invincible.[12]

In March 2004, Cinar was purchased for more than CA$190 million by a group led by Nelvana founder, Michael Hirsh and former Nelvana President, Toper Taylor.[13] The company was subsequently renamed Cookie Jar.[14]

On June 20, 2008, Cookie Jar Group announced a deal to acquire DIC Entertainment.[15] On July 23, 2008, the acquisition was completed,[16] and eventually DIC was folded into Cookie Jar's entertainment division. When Cookie Jar acquired DIC Entertainment, Cookie Jar also acquired Copyright Promotions Licensing Group and a one-third interest in international children's television channel, KidsCo. Cookie Jar now has more than 6,000 half-hours of programming as well as rights to several children's brands. Also it was announced that Cookie Jar was in negotiation with American Greetings to buy the Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, and Sushi Pack franchises. The deal was not finalized yet in late 2008 and with the current scenario, the transaction did not progress.[17][18] On March 30, 2009, Cookie Jar made a $76 million counter bid for Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake. Cookie Jar had until April 30, 2009 to complete a deal with American Greetings.[19] In May 2009, American Greetings filed a $100 million lawsuit against Cookie Jar and Cookie Jar filed a $25 million lawsuit against American Greetings over the Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake deal.[20]

In February 2011, the company announced a slate of primetime series in development under a new imprint known as The Jar, including Varsity for TeenNick, All Over You for Lifetime, Know It Alls for The Hub in the United States and Family in Canada, Blah Girls for MTV, Lords of the Playground for CBS, and Spyburbia for Fox in the United States and Global in Canada.[21]

Acquisition by DHX Media

On August 20, 2012, DHX Media announced that they would acquire Cookie Jar Group for $111 million; the purchase made DHX the world's largest independent owner of children's television programming.[22][23][24] The acquisition was completed in October 22, 2012.[25][26]

Television

Main article: Cookie Jar TV

At the time of Cookie Jar's acquisition of the company, DIC had been programming a weekend morning block for CBS known as KEWLopolis. On February 24, 2009, it was announced that CBS had renewed its contract with Cookie Jar for the block through 2012.[27][28] For the 2009-10 television season, the block was re-branded as Cookie Jar TV.[29][30] Cookie Jar TV was discontinued after the 2012-13 television season; it was succeeded in 2013-14 by CBS Dream Team, which is programmed by Litton Entertainment.[31]

Main article: Cookie Jar Toons

On November 1, 2008, This TV launched airing Cookie Jar's daily children's programming block Cookie Jar Toons which provided children's and E/I-oriented programming.[32][33]

Main article: Cookie Jar Kids Network

Cookie Jar Kids Network (formerly DiC Kids Network) was a children's programming block that aired selected Cookie Jar programs on local FOX, MyNetworkTV, and independent stations to provide them with a source of Educational/Informational (E/I) programming required by American broadcast standards. Syndicated by Ascent Media,[34][35] it ceased broadcasting on September 17, 2011.

Television programs

See also

References

  1. ^ "The MAN who Brought Down CINAR". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  2. ^ Kelly, Brendan (February 9, 1999). "Cinar gets library, grows Viacom pact". Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  3. ^ Swift, Allan (March 15, 2002). "Cinar Co-Founders Fined $1 Million Each, Banned From Company For Five Years". Canadian Press Newswire. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "In Depth: Micheline Charest". CBC News Online. April 14, 2004. Retrieved September 7, 2006.
  5. ^ "Norshield CEO led 'cleanup'". Investorvoice.ca. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  6. ^ "Cinar to pay $5.2M for plagiarizing cartoon". CBC News. August 26, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2009.
  7. ^ "Montreal animator wins $5.2M in copyright battle". Montreal Gazette. August 26, 2009. Retrieved August 27, 2009.
  8. ^ "Former CA sentenced to four years in jail". The Gazette. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2015. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ Delean, Paul. "Fraud trial of Cinar founder Ronald Weinberg and investment execs begins in Quebec Superior Court". The Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on May 13, 2014. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Marotte, Bertrand; Van Praet, Nicolas (June 2, 2016). "Cinar founder Ronald Weinberg, two others found guilty on fraud charges". The Globe and Mail.
  11. ^ Marotte, Bertrand (June 22, 2016). "Cinar founder Weinberg given nearly nine years in fraud case". The Globe and Mail.
  12. ^ Yakabuski, Konrad (June 23, 2016). "The tattered Cinar legacy is a lesson in humility". The Globe and Mail.
  13. ^ "Cinar sold for $143.9 million US; new owner outlines growth strategy". CBC News. October 31, 2003. Retrieved September 7, 2006.
  14. ^ "Cinar turns into Cookie Jar". Variety. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
  15. ^ "Cookie Jar and DIC Entertainment to merge, creating independent global children's entertainment and education powerhouse". Cookie Jar Group. June 20, 2008. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved December 20, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "Cookie Jar Entertainment expands brands portfolio, talent and global reach with closing of DIC transaction". Cookie Jar Group. July 23, 2008. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved December 20, 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "Cookie Jar Entertainment to Acquire American Greetings' Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears Properties" (Press release). Cookie Jar Group. July 23, 2008. Retrieved July 29, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  18. ^ "American Greetings 2Q profit falls 73 pct on costs". San Francisco Chronicle. September 26, 2008. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved October 10, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ "Bid puts 'Care Bears,' 'Shortcake' back in play". The Hollywood Reporter. April 2, 2009. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "Brooklyn-based American Greetings accuses Cookie Jar Entertainment of bad faith in Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears deal". Cleveland.com. May 12, 2009. Retrieved May 12, 2009.
  21. ^ "Kids Series Producer Cookie Jar Expands Into Primetime With Development Slate". Deadline.com. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  22. ^ Vlessing, Etan (August 20, 2012). "DHX Media expands by buying Cookie Jar Entertainment". KidScreen. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  23. ^ Clarke, Steve (August 20, 2012). "DHX grabs Cookie Jar: Canuck kids' entertainment companies combine". Chicago Tribune (Variety). Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  24. ^ "DHX MEDIA CLOSES ACQUISITION OF COOKIE JAR ENTERTAINMENT" (Press release). DHX Media. October 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved December 26, 2012. {{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ Sylvain, Matthew (October 23, 2012). "DHX purchase of Cookie Jar completed". KidScreen. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
  26. ^ "CBS renews Cookie Jar Entertainment's saturday morning block for three more seasons". Cookie Jar Group. February 24, 2009. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "CBS Reups With Kids Programmer Cookie Jar". Broadcasting & Cable. February 24, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2009.
  28. ^ "Zeroing in". kidscreen. May 8, 2009. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  29. ^ "CBS Sets Lineup for Cookie Jar Block". WorldScreen. September 4, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2009.
  30. ^ Meg James (July 24, 2013). "CBS partners with Litton Entertainment for Saturday teen block". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
  31. ^ "About Cookie Jar Entertainment". Cookie Jar Group. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved July 14, 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ "MGM launches this TV Network". MGM. July 28, 2008. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved July 14, 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ "Documents for "Cookie Jar Kids.net. a busy world"". Ascent Media. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
  34. ^ "Documents for "Cookie Jar Kids Network B"". Ascent Media. Retrieved March 11, 2010.
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