Wiip, the studio behind series such as HBO’s Mare of Easttownand Apple’s DickinsonFurther investment has been secured by the company.
Paul Lee, former ABC boss, has received additional funding from Atwater Capital, a private equity firm. The terms of this deal were not disclosed.
Atwater Capital first invested in the studio in 2020 with Atwater’s Founder and Managing Partner, joining wiip’s advisory board at the time.
CAA later sold a majority share to South Korean company Studio LuluLala. (SLL), formerly known as JTBC Studios. CAA is still a minority shareholder. Atwater will be the second largest shareholder of wiip, after SLL.
Atwater supported wiip as well, which was started in 2018 with a loan facility in 2020.
Other projects for wiip include FX’s limited series Pistol, Amazon’sThe Summer I Turned Pretty, from Jenny Han, and HBO’s The White House PlumbersWoody Harrelson & Justin Theroux star in the film. The studio will also produce. Bodkin, the first scripted drama series from Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground productions starring Will Forte.
Atwater’s other investments include Germany’s Leonine Studios and France’s Mediawan Studios, MadRiver Pictures and a development partnership with Channing Tatum’s Free Association.
Paul Lee, CEO and founder of wiip said: “We love working with Vania and Atwater, and are thrilled that the team is committed to continuing this partnership with wiip. We look forward to bringing our creative vision and projects to audiences around the world amplified by Jeongin’s brilliant leadership at SLL.”
Vania Schlogel is Founder and Managing Partners at Atwater Capital. “We are delighted to continue on as a supportive shareholder of wiip, a studio that’s fiercely focused on genre-defining, globally impactful content. It is an exciting time to work with one of the only independent purveyors of the premium episodic content that global OTT players and their audiences are demanding, and a studio with an incredible focus on empowering top creatives to tell authentic, compelling stories. We look forward to supporting wiip during its next chapter of growth, as it continues to drive transformational change both on and off-screen.”
Jeongin Hong is the CEO of Contentree JoongAng and a board member of SLL. “Throughout our time working with wiip and Atwater Capital, our shared passion for authentic and impactful storytelling has been evident. Atwater brings exceptional experience and strategic insight, and we believe that this strengthened partnership will position wiip for further growth and continued creative success .”