Silvergate Launches Distribution Arm

Independent entertainment company Silvergate Media has launched its own TV distribution arm, which will be helmed by new senior vice president, global TV distribution and consumer products (the Americas and France), Geraint Marsh.

Marsh will be responsible for the global exploitation of rights across television and digital media, as well as consumer products in the Americas and France for Silvergate’s key brands including Peter Rabbit and Octonauts.

Marsh joins Silvergate from France Télévisions Distribution, where he was executive vice president of television and consumer products.

“‘Peter Rabbit’ and ‘Octonauts’ continue to resonate with audiences worldwide and we are thrilled to take on the responsibility for their continued expansion into new territories,” says Mary Durkan, chief executive officer, Silvergate Media. “Geraint has a terrific track record in international sales and he will be a great asset to our growing team as we continue to forge relationships in key global markets.”

Co-produced by Penguin U.K. and Nickelodeon U.S., the new “Peter Rabbit” series has launched in the U.S., U.K., France and Australia, with additional debuts planned for later in the year. Penguin is supporting the animation with a full publishing program.

Silvergate Media holds worldwide licensing and merchandising rights for the classic “Peter Rabbit” series and also holds worldwide audiovisual, licensing and merchandising rights for the new CGI version, excluding the Americas and India which are controlled by Nickelodeon USA.

“Octonauts” combines a classic team action-adventure with dazzling CGI animation to transport preschoolers into a world they can’t ordinarily visit, the ocean. Silvergate Media holds all audiovisual and worldwide licensing and merchandising rights to the series.