Sister Group Buys UK Digital Production Company After Party Studios

Sister Group, Jane Featherstone and Elisabeth Murdoch‘s growing transatlantic powerhouse, has added to its portfolio of acquisitions by taking a majority stake in British digital-first production company After Party Studios.

Founded in 2016, After Party was set up by YouTuber Callum McGinley (best known by the name Callux), film director Ben Doyle (who goes by Rvbberduck), CEO Joshua Barnett (formerly of YMU and ITV), and Base79 founder Richard Mansell.

The company has become known for original content, branded entertainment and social productions spanning platforms, brands and online talent. Series and formats from After Party include Sky Sports docuseries “Scenes” (150 million+ views), Channel 4.0 shows “Don’t Get Catfished,” “Find The…” and “Hear Me Out,” the sell-out annual Sidemen Charity Match at Wembley Stadium; and digital content supporting Netflix’s “House of Guinness,” “Stranger Things” and “Being Gordon Ramsay.” They’ve also made wider campaigns for the likes of Red Bull and Just Eat.

Upcoming projects include “In Search of Peace” with Jordan Stephens for MTV UK; “Race To The Top,” the docuseries following KSI’s takeover of Brit soccer team Dagenham & Redbridge FC; and the ongoing social rollout of the “SNL U.K.” digital series “Five To Live” for Sky One.

“The After Party Studios team occupy a unique space — a digital-native creative company driven by creator instincts and built on deep relationships with talent, brands and platforms and first-class execution,” said Sister Group CEO Lucinda Hicks. “Our partnership enables them to continue to do what they do so brilliantly, originating groundbreaking IP, deepening direct relationships with audiences and shaping the next era of digital storytelling.”

According to the companies, the Sister acquisition fuels After Party’s ambitions to “supercharge” its slate, with the potential for collaboration across other entities under the Sister Group umbrella.

Among these entities are Sister Pictures, the multi-award winning TV and film production banner behind shows such as “Chernobyl,” “This is Going to Hurt” and “Black Doves” (the second series of which is currently in production). Also in the TV and film sphere are Dorothy St Pictures, Yes Yes Media, Locksmith Animation, South of the River and Unanimous Media. On the podcasting side, Sister Group has a majority stake in Campside Media, with publishing it has backed Zando and AWA and it has even invested in London nightlife venue Koko. After Party marks Sister’s first foray into digital media.

“Over the last decade, we’ve built After Party Studios alongside some of the best talent in front of and behind the camera, making work that is creatively ambitious and always striving to push internet culture forward. We’ve always cared deeply about storytelling, craft and originality in a space that has historically rewarded the opposite, because we believe the future of entertainment is online,” said After Party co-founders Callum McGinley and Ben Doyle. “Joining the Sister family feels like a natural next step for us. Their track record of backing bold, distinctive storytelling makes them an ideal partner as we take the company into its next chapter.”

Added Sister’s Murdoch, co-founder and executive chairman, and Jane Featherstone, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer: “Sister Group has always stood for excellence in storytelling in all its forms, enabling exceptional creative entrepreneurs to do their best work and where every company is additive to the whole. Callum, Ben, Josh and their ridiculously talented team are exactly that… relevant, engaging storytellers committed to excellence and to connecting with audiences wherever they are. We welcome them wholeheartedly into the Group where there are many like minds and many opportunities for new, impactful collaborations.”

The deal was brokered by Sister Group COO Chris Fry and Joshua Barnett, CEO and Kevin Deeley, CFO for After Party Studios. After Party Studios were advised by Waypoint Partners. Sister Group were represented by CMS and After Party Studios by Harbottle & Lewis.