Toronto – 9 Story Media Group is pleased to announce that its Toronto animation studio is being rebranded Brown Bag Films while 9 Story Media Group remains the parent company. Also housed under the 9 Story Media Group umbrella is the company’s distribution arm, 9 Story Distribution International.

9 Story Media Group acquired Dublin and Manchester based Brown Bag Films in 2015 and since that time, has been undergoing a process to integrate its three animation studios. Brown Bag Films will operate as the company’s creative hub for both 2D and 3D animation across Toronto, Dublin and Manchester. Tanya Green remains VP, Production for Brown Bag Films Canada, while Gillian Higgins continues as VP, Production for Brown Bag Films Europe with Sarah McQuire as Director of Operations UK. Darragh O’Connell remains as Creative Director for Brown Bag Films, working with Directors across each of its locations while Cathal Gaffney continues as Managing Director for Brown Bag Films, and as Chief Operating Officer for 9 Story Media Group.

Brown Bag Films is known for its high-end work on series such as Doc McStuffins, Octonauts, Nella The Princess Knight and Peter Rabbit.  9 Story’s Toronto studio has been known for its popular 2D series, such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood, Peg + Cat, Wild Kratts, 3 Amigonauts and the recently premiered The Magic School Bus: Rides Again.

“Renaming our Toronto studio Brown Bag Films is an important step in our integration,” said Vince Commisso, President and CEO of 9 Story Media Group. “Since becoming our group COO in 2016, Cathal Gaffney has been harmonizing our three studios to operate under a unified set of standards. All three locations have benefited tremendously from sharing best practices, talent and infrastructure. The combined studio entity becomes a powerful creative hub from which to produce some of the best animation in the world.”

“We are thrilled to announce this new direction for our Toronto studio,” said Cathal Gaffney, COO 9 Story Media Group / Managing Director Brown Bag Films. “9 Story has an incredible history of producing best-in-class animation, and pushing the boundaries of technology. Brown Bag Films now is a global force with the best talent in the industry across 2D and 3D animation. We are committed to putting the creative first, and producing the highest-quality, cross platform animation with strong stories and engaging characters.”