Film content business joins Once Upon A Time group

Marketing group Once Upon A Time has got its corporate chequebook out once more with the acquisition of film content specialist The Special Treats Production Company for an undisclosed sum.

Founded by former radio producer Colin Burrows over 30 years ago, Special Treats has a worldwide footprint through established partnerships in all the major territories.

The agency specialises in video production, events filming, media training, broadcast documentaries and post production. Head of production Lisa Fass, who has been with the business for 20 years, will become managing director, succeeding Burrows who is taking up a part-time director role.

Special Treats consults on all aspects of film content from concept to creation, and has a number of clients in common with Once Upon A Time, including Walt Disney Pictures, Warner Bros, Universal and Netflix.

The agency is the group’s ninth acquisition and aligned with its strategy to offer specialist audio visual and advertising services in the entertainment, music, gaming and hospitality sectors. The directors believe that the agency greatly bolsters its film production and post production capabilities.

Once Upon A Time’s previous acquisitions include New York-based IdeaWork Studio Inc and health and beauty specialist, Storm DFX.

Special Treats’ adds film production capabilities, in line with Once Upon A Time’s focus on expanding its capabilities in the audio visual arena.

Once Upon A Time CEO Joe Garton, who co-founded the group with Diane Charlton in 2014, commented: “Special Treats’ directors and staff bring with them a wealth of production expertise as well as access to a worldwide network in major territories.”

Burrows commented: “Along with my fantastic team, we have spent almost four decades building one of the most respected production companies in the entertainment sector, so I was frankly, beginning to despair about finding the right partner to take us to the next level, until I met with Once Upon A Time.

“The synergy between our two companies means that the partnership can deliver an increased range of skills to our clients across the combined business and I am very excited about the future.”