Dick Cook Studios launched in China on Monday, announcing a $150 million investment from Citic Guoan, aimed at producing family-oriented entertainment.
“I am thrilled to formally announce the launch of Dick Cook Studios,” said Cook, a former chairman of The Walt Disney Studio. “Our mission will always be to provide the very best in family entertainment inclusive of all generations, which inspires, engages, excites and always contributes positively not only to our communities but to the world at large. We will have many more announcements in the coming weeks and months as our long standing plans come together.”
The studio will be based in Los Angeles. Dick Cook Studios, which the Disney veteran has worked toward for the past few years, will focus on the development, production, marketing and distribution of multi-generational family entertainment including live-action and animated motion pictures, television, digital, educational media, stage and other themed entertainment among other avenues.
CITIC Guoan Group Co., Ltd. is the largest industrial subsidiary subordinate to CITIC Group. The company was established in 1987. The main business involves finance, film & television culture, media, tourism, information, real estate, wine industry, resource development and etc. For many years, it has made contributions to promoting the development of Chinese culture and sports industry.
Here is the official announcement:
Los Angeles, California, April 20, 2015 – Dick Cook, chairman and chief executive officer of Dick Cook Studios (DCS), today announced the opening of the Studio. The Studio also announced one of its major investors– Citic Guoan Group Co., Ltd., a division of Citic Group — China’s most comprehensively strengthful conglomerate based in mainland China, Hong Kong and overseas.
Dick Cook Studios, located in Los Angeles, California, is a creative content company focusing exclusively on the development, production, marketing and distribution of multi-generational family entertainment including live-action and animated motion pictures, television, digital, educational media, stage and other themed entertainment among other avenues.
In making the announcement, Cook said, “I am thrilled to formally announce the launch of Dick Cook Studios. Our mission will always be to provide the very best in family entertainment inclusive of all generations, which inspires, engages, excites and always contributes positively not only to our communities but to the world at large. We will have many more announcements in the coming weeks and months as our long standing plans come together.”
Citic Guoan Group Co., Ltd Investment
Additionally, Citic Guoan will make a $150 million investment in Dick Cook Studios. Cook said, “China is very important and this investment will serve as a significant building block in helping us reach our goals. It took us quite awhile to find the right partners that share our vision to create quality content and our passion of family entertainment through telling rich stories that will travel the globe. Citic Guoan is an extremely diverse company with many businesses that range from film and television, publishing, media, to sports, tourism and outsourcing services that will be of great benefit to both of our companies.” We look forward to working with Mr. Li and his amazing team at Citic Guoan.”
“We chose to partner with Dick Cook Studios as Mr. Cook has played a leading role in the entertainment industry for over 38 years along with his expertise and management experience at The Walt Disney Company and his excellent reputation and vast network of resources,” stated CITIC Guoan Group Co., Ltd. Chairman Mr. Li Shilin. “With Mr. Cook and his highly respected team, we are guaranteed that every segment of our cooperation will be of the highest standards. They appreciate and understand traditional Chinese culture, and they look forward to telling Chinese stories that will play to families across the globe. We both believe that cultural works in spreading love and positive energy is the world’s eternal theme.”