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Cookie Jar Group was a Canadian media production and distribution company that created and produced television programs, commercials, title sequences, video/PC game cutscenes, feature films, TV anime, anime films, CGI animation, model animation, traditional animation, digital ink & paint, short films, cel animation (until 1983), foreign distribution & special effects/VFX work.
History[]
CINAR[]
After their 1968 meeting in New Orleans, Micheline Charest, a native of London, England and resident of Quebec, Canada; and Ronald A. Weinberg, born in New York, organized an event for a women's film festival, and worked at distributing children's films to nationwide theatres until 1975. The couple moved to New York City and formed CiNAR Productions, Inc., a film and television distribution company.
In 1983, CINAR changed their focus from media distribution to production and moved operations to Toronto, where they concentrated on children's television programming (including Animal Crackers, Emily of New Moon, Mona the Vampire, and The Wombles), as well as the English and French dubs of the anime series Adventures of the Little Koala , and the English dub of Pokemon until 2012. As a production company, CiNAR was also involved in the work of Kid vs. Cat, Baby Looney Tunes, Poochini's Yard, Phineas and Ferb, The Adventures of Paddington Bear, Space Goofs and The Oz Kids, the Germany-originating film The Adventures of Wabu the Little Raccoon, Happy Tree Friends, Dinosaur Train and its most famous work, Arthur, Zoboomafoo, Caillou, Dragon Tales, Oggy and the Cockroaches, LarryBoy: The Cartoon Adventures & the LeapFrog videos until 2012 (their last big DTV successes).
The firm became a public company in September 1993. By 1999, CINAR boasted annual revenues of $150 million (CAD) and owned about $1.5 billion (CAD) of the children's television market. In 1996, CINAR acquired the library of the British animation studio FilmFair, and closed it in 1998. In February 1999, CINAR acquired the film library of Leucadia Film Corporation.
In March 2000, they released their first theatrical film, Oggy and the Cockroaches: The Movie, which didn't do well at the box office.
Scandal[]
The success of Charest, Weinberg, and Cinar ended in June 2000, when an internal audit revealed that about $122 million (US) was invested into Bahamian bank accounts without the board members' approval.[1] Cinar had also paid American screenwriters for work while continuing to accept federal grants and tax credits for the production of Canadian content. The names of Canadian citizens (generally non-writers connected to Cinar, including Charest's sister Helene) were credited for the works. While the province of Quebec did not file criminal charges, Cinar denied any wrongdoing, choosing instead to pay a settlement to Canadian and Quebec tax authorities of $17.8 million (CAD) and another $2.6 million (CAD) to Telefilm Canada, a Canadian federal funding agency. The value of Cinar's stock plummeted, and the company was soon delisted.
There was some speculation that Hasanain Panju, CFO was the mastermind behind the investment scheme along with John Xanthoudakis of Norshield Investment Group and Lino Matteo of Mount Real Corporation. It was alleged that Charest and Weinberg (and later Panju) used Cinar as a 'piggy bank' and schemed to transfer funds out from the company through a series of complicated transactions to their own offshore holding companies.
In 2001, as part of a settlement agreement with the Commission des Valeurs Mobilières du Québec (Quebec Securities Commission) Charest and Weinberg agreed to pay $1 million each and were banned from serving in the capacity of directors or officers at any publicly traded Canadian company for five years. There was no admission of guilt and none of the allegations has been proven in court. Charest never lived to see a possible outcome, as she died on April 14, 2004.
Aftermath[]
On August 26, 2009, in a separate case, the Superior Court of Quebec ruled that Cinar had plagiarized the work of Claude Robinson for its animated series Robinson Sucroe. The series was based on a concept he had pitched to Cinar in 1986, but had been turned down. Robinson was awarded $5.2 million in damages, in a suit that resolved a 14-year dispute between the two parties.[2][3]
On January 17, 2014, former CFO Hasanain Panju pleaded guilty to undisclosed crimes. The judge noted these crimes were "disgraceful" and placed a publication ban on details surrounding the trial. Panju was sentenced to four years in prison.[4]
On May 12, 2014, co-founder Ronald Weinberg, John Xanthoudakis of Norshield Financial Group and Lino Matteo of Mount Real Corp. were charged with 26 counts of fraud in Montreal Superior Court.[5] They were convicted on most of the counts on June 2, 2016, and in the trial Panju acted as a key Crown witness.[6] On June 22, 2016, Weinberg was sentenced to 8 years and 11 months in prison, and the other two received sentences of 7 years and 11 months each.[7]
The Cinar affair was described thus by The Globe and Mail:
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As Cookie Jar Group[]
In March 2004, CiNAR was purchased for more than CA$190 million by a group led by Nelvana founder Michael Hirsh, and former Nelvana president Toper Taylor.[8] The company was subsequently renamed Cookie Jar.[9]
On June 20, 2008, the Cookie Jar Group announced a deal to acquire DIC Entertainment.[10] On July 23, 2008, the acquisition was completed,[11] and eventually DIC was folded into Cookie Jar's entertainment division. When Cookie Jar acquired DIC Entertainment, Cookie Jar also acquired Copyright Promotions Licensing Group and a one-third interest in international children's television channel, KidsCo. Cookie Jar now has more than 6,000 half-hours of programming as well as rights to several children's brands. Also it was announced that Cookie Jar was in negotiation with American Greetings to buy the Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, and Sushi Pack franchises. The deal was not finalized yet in late 2008 and with the current scenario, the transaction did not progress.[12][13] On March 30, 2009, Cookie Jar made a $76 million counter bid for Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake. Cookie Jar had until April 30, 2009 to complete a deal with American Greetings.[14] In May 2009, American Greetings filed a $100 million lawsuit against Cookie Jar and Cookie Jar filed a $25 million lawsuit against American Greetings over the Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake deal.[15]
In April 2009, the company hired Tom Mazza, formerly of TriStar and Paramount Television, as its executive vice president of worldwide television. Mazza planned to broaden Cookie Jar's slate by pursuing Canadian co-productions intended for global saley.[16] In February 2011, Cookie Jar announced a new imprint known as The Jar, which it intended to use on series targeting U.S. primetime television, as well as a slate including Lori Kirkland Baker's All Over You for Lifetime, Blah Girls for MTV, Andrew Orenstein's Lords of the Playground for CBS, and Steven E. de Souza's Spyburbia for Fox and Global.[17]
Acquisition by DHX Media[]
On August 20, 2012, DHX Media announced that they would acquire Cookie Jar Group for $111 million; the purchase made DHX the world's largest independent owner of children's television programming.[18][19][20] The acquisition was completed on October 22, 2012.[21][22]
Television[]
Cookie Jar TV[]
- Main article(s): Cookie Jar TV
At the time of Cookie Jar's acquisition of the company, DIC had been programming a weekend morning block for CBS known as KEWLopolis. On February 24, 2009, it was announced that CBS had renewed its contract with Cookie Jar for the block through 2012.[23][24] For the 2009-10 television season, the block was re-branded as Cookie Jar TV.[25][26] Cookie Jar TV was discontinued after the 2012-13 television season; it was succeeded in 2013-14 by CBS Dream Team, which is programmed by Litton Entertainment.[27]
Cookie Jar Toons[]
- Main article(s): Cookie Jar Toons
On November 1, 2008, This TV launched airing Cookie Jar's daily children's programming block Cookie Jar Toons which provided children's and E/I-oriented programming.[28][29]
Cookie Jar Kids Network[]
- Main article(s): Cookie Jar Kids Network
Cookie Jar Kids Network (formerly CiNAR Kids Network) was a children's programming block that aired selected Cookie Jar programs on local FOX, MyNetworkTV, and independent stations to provide them with a source of Educational/Informational (E/I) programming required by American broadcast standards. Syndicated by Ascent Media, it ceased broadcasting on September 15, 2015.
Television series[]
CiNAR Productions[]
- Busytown Mysteries
- Dark Oracle
- Deadtime Stories
- Debra!
- The Doodlebops
- Ella the Elephant
- Johnny Test
- Kung Fu Dino Posse
- Magi-Nation
- Mudpit
- The New Adventures of Nanoboy
- Scan2Go
- Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures
- Team Umizoomi
- Will and Dewitt
- World of Quest
Cookie Jar Entertainment Group/Cookie Jar Cartoon Productions[]
- Arthur (Seasons 9–15)
- Busytown Mysteries
- Caillou (Seasons 4–5)
- Dark Oracle
- Deadtime Stories
- Debra!
- The Doodlebops
- Ella the Elephant
- Johnny Test
- Kung Fu Dino Posse
- Magi-Nation
- Mudpit
- The New Adventures of Nanoboy
- Pinky Dinky Doo
- Postcards from Buster
- Scan2Go
- Spider Riders
- Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures
- Team Umizoomi
- Will and Dewitt
- World of Quest
Divisions[]
CiNAR Productions[]
CiNAR Productions, Inc. (main company)
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
(1968-2012)
CiNAR Feature Animation Co. Ltd.
Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada
(1998-2011)
CiNAR Distribution, Inc. (domestic distribution)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
(1994-2008)
CiNAR Television Animation
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
(1990-2012)
CiNAR International (worldwide distribution)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
(1993-2007)
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ Swift, Allan. "Cinar Co-Founders Fined $1 Million Each, Banned From Company For Five Years", Canadian Press Newswire, March 15, 2002.
- ↑ "Cinar to pay $5.2M for plagiarizing cartoon", CBC News, August 26, 2009. Retrieved on August 27, 2009.
- ↑ "Montreal animator wins $5.2M in copyright battle", Montreal Gazette, August 26, 2009. Retrieved on August 27, 2009.
- ↑ "Former CA sentenced to four years in jail". Retrieved on November 8, 2015.
- ↑ "Fraud trial of Cinar founder Ronald Weinberg and investment execs begins in Quebec Superior Court".
- ↑ "Cinar founder Ronald Weinberg, two others found guilty on fraud charges", June 2, 2016.
- ↑ Marotte, Bertrand. "Cinar founder Weinberg given nearly nine years in fraud case", June 22, 2016.
- ↑ "Cinar sold for $143.9 million US; new owner outlines growth strategy", CBC News, October 31, 2003. Retrieved on September 7, 2006.
- ↑ "Cinar turns into Cookie Jar". https://variety.com/2004/scene/markets-festivals/cinar-turns-into-cookie-jar-1117902396/. Retrieved March 14, 2017.
- ↑ "Cookie Jar and DIC Entertainment to merge, creating independent global children's entertainment and education powerhouse". Cookie Jar Group. June 20, 2008. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090531232059/http://www.cjar.com/press/cj_press_20080620.php. Retrieved December 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Cookie Jar Entertainment expands brands portfolio, talent and global reach with closing of DIC transaction". Cookie Jar Group. July 23, 2008. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090531231944/http://www.cjar.com/press/cj_press_20080723a.php. Retrieved December 20, 2008.
- ↑ "Cookie Jar Entertainment to Acquire American Greetings' Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears Properties" (Press release). Cookie Jar Group. July 23, 2008. http://www.thecookiejarcompany.com/news2.php?id=129. Retrieved July 29, 2008.[dead link]
- ↑ "American Greetings 2Q profit falls 73 pct on costs", San Francisco Chronicle, September 26, 2008. Retrieved on October 10, 2008.
- ↑ "Bid puts 'Care Bears,' 'Shortcake' back in play", The Hollywood Reporter, April 2, 2009. Retrieved on April 3, 2009.
- ↑ "Brooklyn-based American Greetings accuses Cookie Jar Entertainment of bad faith in Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears deal", Cleveland.com, May 12, 2009. Retrieved on May 12, 2009.
- ↑ "Mazza to have a hand in Cookie Jar" (in en). https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mazza-hand-cookie-jar-83140.
- ↑ "Kids Series Producer Cookie Jar Expands Into Primetime With Development Slate". http://deadline.com/2011/02/kids-series-producer-cookie-jar-expands-into-primetime-with-development-slate-104924/. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
- ↑ Vlessing, Etan. "DHX Media expands by buying Cookie Jar Entertainment", KidScreen, August 20, 2012. Retrieved on December 26, 2012.
- ↑ Clarke, Steve. "DHX grabs Cookie Jar: Canuck kids' entertainment companies combine", Chicago Tribune (Variety), August 20, 2012. Retrieved on December 26, 2012.
- ↑ "DHX MEDIA CLOSES ACQUISITION OF COOKIE JAR ENTERTAINMENT" (Press release). DHX Media. October 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131014174641/http://www.dhxmedia.com/press-room/315-dhx-media-closes-acquisition-of-cookie-jar-entertainment.html. Retrieved December 26, 2012.
- ↑ Sylvain, Matthew. "DHX purchase of Cookie Jar completed", KidScreen, October 23, 2012. Retrieved on December 26, 2012.
- ↑ "CBS renews Cookie Jar Entertainment's saturday morning block for three more seasons", Cookie Jar Group, February 24, 2009. Retrieved on July 7, 2009.
- ↑ "CBS Reups With Kids Programmer Cookie Jar", Broadcasting & Cable, February 24, 2009. Retrieved on February 26, 2009.
- ↑ "Zeroing in", kidscreen, May 8, 2009. Retrieved on July 14, 2009.
- ↑ "CBS Sets Lineup for Cookie Jar Block", WorldScreen, September 4, 2009. Retrieved on September 10, 2009.
- ↑ Meg James. "CBS partners with Litton Entertainment for Saturday teen block", Tribune Publishing, July 24, 2013. Retrieved on July 25, 2013.
- ↑ "About Cookie Jar Entertainment". Cookie Jar Group. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130128232653/http://www.cjar.com/cj_about_ent.php. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
- ↑ "MGM launches this TV Network", MGM, July 28, 2008. Retrieved on July 14, 2009.
External links[]
- Official website
- Jaroo Official Streaming Episodes Site
- Cinar on IMDb
- Cookie Jar Entertainment on IMDb
- DIC Entertainment on IMDb
- A history of the studio (1998) from the Canadian Encyclopedia
- DIC Entertainment Cartoons at the Big Cartoon Database
| WildBrain |
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| Divisions WildBrain Studios | WildBrain CPLG | DHX Brands | House of Cool Studios | WildBrain Spark | Sunset Animation Studio | Peanuts Worldwide (41%) 1 | Jay Ward Productions (Bullwinkle Studios) (75%) WildBrain Television Defunct/Former Notes |
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|---|---|
| Active companies | 9 Story Media Group • a.k.a. Cartoon • Arcana Studio • Atomic Cartoons • Bardel Entertainment • Big Bad Boo • Breakthrough Entertainment • CinéGroupe • Cinesite Animation • Clyde Henry Productions • Cuppa Coffee Studios • Fresh TV • Frima Studio • Global Mechanic • Guru Studio • House of Cool • HOT Animation • Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment • Image Engine • Image Entertainment Corporation • Jam Filled Entertainment • Mercury Filmworks • MLDPS Canada • National Film Board of Canada • Nelvana • PiP Animation Services • Portfolio Entertainment • Rodeo FX • Skycron • Slap Happy Cartoons • Smiley Guy Studios • Snowball Studios Toronto • Sony Pictures Imageworks • ToonBox Entertainment • WildBrain (WildBrain Studios Vancouver) • Wow Unlimited Media (Rainmaker Studios/Mainframe Studios) • Yowza! Animation |
| Defunct companies | Arc Productions • Atkinson Film-Arts • C.O.R.E. • Collideascope • Cookie Jar Group • DIC Entertainment • Fatkat • Funbag Animation Studios • Gordon Stanfield Animation • Kennedy Cartoons • Krantz Films • Lacewood Productions • March Entertainment • Meteor Studios • MokkoStudio • Nitrogen Studios • Phoenix Animation Studios • Pixar Canada • Studio B Productions • The Embassy Visual Effects • Tooncan • WildBrain Entertainment |
| Related topics | Canadian comics • Quebec comics |
