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Epic Story Media appoints Steve Couture as Co-CEO

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Independent content creation, distribution and licensing company Epic Story Media Inc. (ESM) has appointed Steve Couture as Co-CEO of the company, effective immediately. Couture has worked closely with Ken Faier, El Presidente and CEO of Epic Story Media, since the company’s inception and has played a key role in its growth and development.

As Co-CEOs, Steve and Ken will aim to strengthen collaboration between the Anglophone and Francophone sectors of Canada, particularly in the field of children’s entertainment and 360-degree strategy. Steve will support Ken in the next stages of the company’s expansion as it adapts to the evolving needs of the entertainment industry.

Steve will continue to be based in Quebec City, Canada, and he will also remain CEO of Epic Story Media’s sister company, Epic Storyworlds. The two companies continue to operate collaboratively across projects with a focus on the benefits for creators and brand owners, which is at the heart of Epic’s mission.

Ken Faier said, “Steve’s vision and leadership has been crucial to our growth, and his appointment comes at a key moment in our journey to bring epic content and experiences to fans around the world. Steve has always had innovation in his DNA and throughout his career. For Steve, good enough has never been his mantra. We are stronger together.”

Steve Couture added, “I’m excited to continue shaping the group’s activities, while leading strategic initiatives in both Canada and with many of our partners internationally. Our industry has been going through a very disruptive period as kids have broadened the ways they consume content and this is something we think about every day. Launching our Roblox game development studio, Freeground, and our 2D animation studio, Loomi Animation, is evidence of how we have been working together over the last few years. This has been and will continue to be a true collaboration – two companies working together to be a stronger and more agile force.”

Since the launch of ESM, the company has built an ecosystem to serve kids’ brands, which has already generated success, with highlights including:

  • Over 14 animated series produced or in production.
  • Epic Story Distribution has sold and launched content in over 135 countries and territories and also distributes globally to digital platforms.
  • The company’s CAVCO accredited YouTube Channel called ‘Epic Story Junior’ is a hub channel for many of Epic’s IPs, including Bubble’s Hotel, Piper’s Pony Tales, Luna Chip & Inkie as well as third party properties such as OmNom and Clawlolo. The channel has now generated over 100 million views.
  • ESM’s mobile game studio subsidiary, Night Market Games, develops and produces kids’ games, including for iconic brands Beyblade and WildBrain’s Slugterra, and it has surpassed 100 million downloads.
  • Freeground – its Roblox development studio – has released six experiences in 2024 and has generated more than 10 million visits to date.
  • ESM recently launched a new series with Jakks Pacific titled Wild Manes. The new horse-themed entertainment IP has launched on YouTube along with an associated Roblox experience from Epic’s Freeground.
  • ESM has launched Epic Story Toys under which it has developed toys for its IPs, including Bubble’s Hotel and Piper’s Pony Tales, and also for WildBrain’s Slugterra.
  • Epic has launched an e-commerce business with products now available on Amazon.com and Shopify.

Previously, Steve was the Founder and CEO of Frima, growing the company to reach an audience of over 100 million kids through gaming experiences. Frima’s electronic lab contributed to creating connected toys and game experiences for major toy companies, including Lego, Mattel and Hasbro, and its animation and VFX branch, Frima FX, worked across several global blockbusters.