Brash Entertainment today announced its launch as a new video game company focused solely on the creation of high-quality games based on "tent-pole" movie releases, television, and music properties. Funded with $400 million from a syndicate led by ABRY Partners LLC, and including New York Life Capital Partners III, LP, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance, PPM America Private Equity Fund II, LLP, Brash operates with a new business model for bringing licensed games to market.
Brash says that it will transform the way great film creativity is brought to life in games using a business model that relies on matching each licensed project with the skills of the best independent development studios, top writers and creative talent. This collaboration will be guided by an internal team of experienced producers, under the leadership of video game industry veterans. Brash currently has more than 40 licenses through partnerships with five major film studios, and twelve games in production. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group will act as the distribution arm for Brash's video games.
Brash was founded by Mitch Davis, Nicholas Longano, Thomas Tull and Bert Ellis. Brash Chairman and CEO Davis and President and COO Longano are most recently known for developing the world's first and largest in-game advertising network while at Massive Incorporated. Tull, Chairman and CEO of Legendary Pictures, conceived of and facilitated the Brash financial structure. Ellis, a leading media and technology industry entrepreneur, currently serves as President and CEO of Ellis Communications Group, a diversified media holding company.
The Brash leadership team is rounded out by a roster of video game and entertainment industry veterans Bill Chardavoyne, Chief Financial Officer; Yasmin Naboa, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing; Larry Shapiro, Chief Creative Officer ; Patrick Sweeney - Senior Vice President; and Tiffany Spencer, Vice President, Communications.
The company has also gathered an internal team of skilled producers whose resumes include dozens of popular original and licensed games, including God of War, F.E.A.R., Mercenaries, Silent Hill, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butchers Bay, Star Wars: Battlefront, Tony Hawk Underground, Justice League Heroes, Medal of Honor, The Incredibles, SOCOM II, Twisted Metal, Gran Turismo 4, and Spider-man 2.
Finally Brash has licenses to develop games for films that include upcoming children's animated films, action-packed thrillers and even horror films. Brash Entertainment's first project to be revealed are games based on the blockbuster horror franchise "Saw" from Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF).
Expect to hear a lot more about this company in the days weeks and months ahead.
