Omnilab Media Group Acquires Oktobor

For immediate release

Omnilab Media Group Acquires Oktobor
Continues strategic Asia Pacific acquisition and expansion plan

SYDNEY, 21 March 2007 – Continuing their acquisition and expansion strategy across the Asia Pacific region, the Omnilab Media Group, the Regions largest, privately owned, vertically integrated content development and media service business, today announced it had acquired Oktobor, New Zealand’s leading visual effects (VFX) company. The purchase of Oktobor will be fully backed by the resources of Omnilab Media Group to maintain and grow its status as one of the top 20 VFX companies in the world.

Christopher Mapp, Managing Director of Omnilab said, “The acquisition of Oktobor is an important strategic investment by the Omnilab Media Group and furthers our long term commitment to growth in New Zealand and across Asia Pacific. We already have a strong presence in the New Zealand market through AAV and DubSat New Zealand and we will be looking to bring Oktobor together with these Omnilab brands to provide significant extra value to our clients and give Oktobor tremendous new capabilities in asset management and delivery.”

Oktobor founder Geoff Dixon, one of New Zealand’s most highly regarded commercials directors said, “I feel very proud with the creative achievements that Oktobor has enjoyed. I am positive that as part of such an exciting new family, these creative achievements will continue. I would like to convey my gratitude to the staff and all our clients that have supported us thus far helping make Oktobor the great company that it is. We are all looking forward to a very bright future.”

Oktobor’s General Manager Patrick McAteer described the acquisition by Omnilab as a ‘fantastic and very positive move for the staff and the New Zealand market, providing the backing to enable Oktobor to reach a new level of creative service that will maintain our presence as a high end visual effects company, both locally and globally. We’re excited about the opportunities being part of the Omnilab Media Group creates to extend our work with current clients and attract new business opportunities.’

The New Zealand market responded positively to the news with Marty Collins Head of TV for Clemenger BBDO commenting, ‘this is the best news in what has already been a turbulent year. We are of course delighted that Oktobor will continue to operate in NZ, providing the same outstanding level of expertise and creativity they have sustained since inception. NZ needs a strong competitive post production environment that meets world class standards.”

Jen Story Head of TV for Colenso BBDO said ‘We've enjoyed doing some great work with Oktobor in the past and it now sounds like we can look forward to a positive future with the clever creative people that make Oktobor what it is.”

Ian Gibbons managing Director of Exile Films said ‘Great news about the Omnilab Media Group acquiring Oktobor, in my opinion it couldn’t be a better marriage. Not only is it encouraging knowing we still have a competitive top end market in post production in Auckland, but we will certainly be looking forward to the advancements in technology. I am looking forward to our continuing working relationship with the great team at Oktobor.”

Christopher Mapp concluded, “I am very impressed with the strength of the Oktobor brand, its creative reputation and the commitment and passion of its entire staff. We are delighted that Oktobor is now a key part of the Omnilab Media Group and look forward to growing Oktobor’s capability in the advertising, entertainment and corporate markets. We will be working closely with Geoff Dixon and Patrick McAteer to help realize the further growth potential for the company.”

ENDS

ABOUT OMNILAB MEDIA GROUP
The Omnilab Media Group is a privately owned vertically integrated media company that has four key business lines; content creation, professional services, infrastructure and sales and distribution.

The Omnilab Media Group’s professional services companies, based in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland specialise in content creation, production, visual effects, post-production, animation, music composition, media asset management, distribution and playout

Their mission is to achieve world-class standards by fusing the best creative artists, producers and technicians, with state-of-the-art facilities. The Groups award-winning personnel work intimately with clients, bringing superior expertise, creativity and passion, to every assignment.

Omnilab have recently worked on film projects such as Charlottes Web, Happily N’Ever After, House of Flying Daggers and Australian features such as Ten Canoes, Candy, Kenny, Unfolding Florence, Book of Revelation, Rabbit Proof Fence and Japanese Story.

The Omnilab Media Group is a key investor in the Film and Television Industry. They have recently secured the UK, Australian and New Zealand distribution rights to the “The Bank Job”, a film directed by Roger Donaldson (World’s Fastest Indian, Cocktail) and starring Jason Statham (Transporter 1 and 2, Italian Job, Crank)

For more information www.oktobor.com

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