Merger deal for Fulwell 73 and SpringHill Company

Award-winning film company Fulwell 73 has announced a major merger with The SpringHill Company.

The makers of Sunderland Til I Die, who picked up their latest industry award last week, say they are joining forces with another multi-award winning company to create a global entertainment company and a powerhouse of content creation and storytelling.

The combined companies’ initial business focus will be in television and film content, digital content through its owned network business, live events and brand strategy through The SpringHill Company’s New York-based brand consultancy firm Robot. 

Fulwell, which created and produced the global viral sensation Carpool Karaoke, recently announced plans to build Crown Works Studio in Sunderland, one of Europe's largest film and television studios, which will break ground this year and SpringHill Company, founded by LeBron James and Carter, is a leader in entertainment, culture, and sports, rooted in impactful and community-building conversations that empower and entertain. 

In a joint statement, Fulwell 73 partners Ben Winston, Leo Pearlman, Ben Turner, Gabe Turner and James Corden, said: "Since Fulwell 73’s inception, we've tried to make content that entertains, informs, and excites, while sparking conversations around the world.

“That’s the mantra at The SpringHill Company as well. Together, we’ll continue doing what we do best, and now we'll do it as a global entertainment studio with more to offer our partners. 

“We recognise the major shifts underway in entertainment and the world and we're excited to build a company with The SpringHill Company that's designed for the future."

The deal brings together leaders in media, entertainment and sports, whose programming includes a wide range of genres and formats, alongside deep talent relationships, transatlantic production capabilities, expansive strategic and creative expertise and direct-to-consumer offerings.

This merger, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year, positions the new company to meet the challenges of a complex market environment while simultaneously building for the future of the industry, ensuring it serves the evolving needs of individual creators, consumers, buyers and brands with a unique and innovative offering.

The combination of Fulwell 73’s strength in creating pop culture moments through event-level and talent-driven entertainment and The SpringHill Company’s strength in creating consumer-facing, culturally relevant programming, experiences, products, and brand partnerships will provide the foundations for a diversified entertainment company purpose-built for the future.

Maverick Carter, chief executive officer at The SpringHill Company, said: “We’ve always given athletes, artists and brands a platform to tell meaningful and diverse stories in all forms and formats, from digital-native shows and IRL experiences to streamed series and theatrically released movies.

“We found like-minded partners in Fulwell 73, partners who understand this business and the critical importance of building opportunities for talent across the media and entertainment landscape. 

“Like everyone, we see the ways audience behavior is shifting and the demands on storytellers are evolving. We are excited for those changes and feel ready to adapt alongside the Fulwell 73 team."

Fulwell 73 is a multi-Emmy award-winning company and known for pop culture moments like the recent Paris-to-Los Angeles Olympics hand-over, starring a globetrotting Tom Cruise. They have reimagined high-profile entertainment programs like “The GRAMMYS,” which saw a 34 per cent uptick in the ratings this year, Hulu’s “The Kardashians,” and MAX’s “Friends: The Reunion.” 

They are a premiere shop for talent, having produced award-winning specials for Adele and Sir Elton John, the latter of which completed John's EGOT and was Disney’s first-ever global live stream and are renowned in the documentary space with acclaimed shows including “Ed Sheeran: Sum Of It All” and “Sunderland ‘Til I Die.” 

With feature films and TV series, YouTube shows, live tours, apparel and consumer goods, box-office hits and award-winning brand campaigns, The SpringHill Company is a diversified media and entertainment business. 

Marquee productions include Emmy Award-winning series “The Shop,” Paramount Plus' "How Music Got Free," upcoming docu-series, "On The Rise: JuJu Watkins” and holiday special, “A Motown Christmas" for NBC and Peacock, and Netflix's “Starting 5,” “Rez Ball," "Hustle" and BAFTA TV Award-winning series “Top Boy." 

The company partners with Fortune 500 brands across technology, gaming, sports and entertainment and more to bring cultural storytelling and experiences to new audiences and talent partners.

The combined companies will be backed by a dynamic group of partners including Fenway Sports Group, RedBird Capital Partners, UC Investments, Nike, Epic Games, Main Street Advisors and Eldridge Industries. As part of the transaction, existing shareholders will invest $40 million of primary capital to fuel the companies’ growth initiatives.

The SpringHill Company was advised by leading LA-based media & entertainment investment and advisory firm Main Street Advisors as well as law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. Fulwell 73 was advised by the London-based investment team at NewShore Partners as well as Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz for United States legal and tax matters and Wiggin and Saffreys for United Kingdom legal and tax matters.

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