CJZ acquires New Zealand’s indie production company Greenstone TV
Cordell Jigsaw Zapruder has announced its acquisition of New Zealand production company Greenstone TV just one week after Matt Campbell joined as CEO.
The acquisition adds Greenstone TV’s raft of over 100 titles such as The Zoo, Highway Patrol, and Coastwatch, to its raft of drama, documentaries and factual entertainment including the Gruen series and Go Back to Where You Came From.
CJZ was formed by the merger of Zapruder’s Other Films, founded by Andrew Denton and Anita Jacoby, and Cordell Jigsaw, the independent production company founded by Nick Murray and Michael Cordell, less than two years ago. Denton announced his departure from CJZ and television in June, as Murray stayed on as managing director and Cordell the creative director of CJZ.
Greenstone TV was founded by producer John Harris in Auckland 19 years ago and currently has 14 shows in production. Harris stay on in an advisory capacity while leaving Greenstone’s GM Bryan Hall, head of production Andrea Lamb and financial controller Glenda Paterson at the helm.
Murray said the acquisition is an important step for both companies.
“We have a huge amount of respect for John Harris and his team and the quality of Greenstone’s programs,” he said. “Their creative output dovetails perfectly with the successful and original content we provide networks here in Australia and internationally. This deal gives us the platform to build the CJZ group for the future.”
Cordell added: “New Zealand is one of the great creative hothouses for new programming and bold programming. The size of the market encourages innovation and lateral thinking. We’re thrilled to be joining creative forces with the fantastic team at Greenstone to develop new shows for the international market across all genres. Plus the Kiwis do brilliant pinot noir.”
Greenstone founder John Harris said: “It felt like the right time to make this move. I have a high regard for the CJZ team and the new relationship will allow Greenstone to continue to grow in its own right. We share similar values, high standards and a deep respect for our production staff. It‘s a perfect fit.”
