Program:
Jim Evans introduced Trevor Treweeke, Director of Capital Markets for Network Entertainment Inc.
Trevor is a Vancouver native who grew up in the Dunbar area. He’s a graduate of the University of Calgary, Economics. He then worked for a boutique merchant bank, ended up working at stock exchange, and 2 years ago joined Network Entertainment. He’s been around the entertainment business for a number of years.
Network Entertainment is a Vancouver based company. It specialized in documentaries that have been successful, taken up by a variety of networks, e.g., Crave, Apple, etc.
Derek Murray, Network’s Founder & CEO, is out there constantly showing and selling their productions. The one key theme of all their work: premium quality. This is what the various streaming platforms are looking for and that is what Network can deliver.
In the film and TV area, it is typical to enter an output deal. For example, Netflix, would put forward significant capital so they can have first dibs on what comes along. The same phenomena exists in the documentary environment with major production houses. However, Network is a small production house that will not give up its intellectual property. Netflix is not one of their clients as they want to own the intellectual property.
The process is that Network first goes to the international market, sell license to them for a % of the budget. Then they go to Canadian market with the same request. Then finally go to large organizations, e.g., YouTube, Apple, for exclusive US market to cover balance of budget.
Facing Ali, was the first film Network produced. It chronicles the life and times of the legendary Muhammad Ali through the powerful words of his most formidable opponents including Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Ken Norton, George Chuvalo, Earnie Shavers, Sir Henry Cooper, Ron Lyle, Leon Spinks, Larry Holmes and Ernie Terrell. A critical darling and crowd favorite at film festivals throughout the U.S. and Canada, the film was honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences as one of the films shortlisted for the 2010 Academy Award for Best Documentary.
Since that first production, Network’s business has been maturing. They have over 15 productions, including I Am Heath Ledger, I Am JFK Jr., I Am Bruce Lee, I Am Heath Ledger, and docu-series Facing, and The Age of A.I. hosted by Robert Downey Jr.
About a decade ago the industry was only television, now the industry has pivoted to streaming. They, Apple, NBC, Epix/MGM (Punk), Crave, YouTube, and others, spend a tremendous amount of money on premium content for streaming. Network Entertainment delivers having won numerous awards.
Network owns the intellectual property for all of their works perpetually. They are creating multiple films and docuseries every year now, up from one per year in the early days.
A lot of films have had to face disruptions due to COVID. There have been a lot of protocols put into place. Most interviews, given the material is factual documentaries, don’t have large crews on set. 6-10 people on set at a time. Most of the filming is not done in BC, it follows the talent for the interviews, going to them and working around their schedules. Certainly, it’s a bit of a challenge with the current restrictions. Contractors are used to film – therefore, can use local people who can easily follow local protocols. Post production and offices are here.
All the work being done right now is pre-production for upcoming works, and post-production for those works that have finished filming. Network has been given the green light for three new films this spring.
The management team at Network includes:
- Derik Murray, Founder & CEO, who has spent his entire life in this business. He is an artistic genius.
- Paul Gertz, is President and COO. Paul used to work for Hannah Barbera.
- Darren Battersby, another Vancouver native, CFO
- Kent Wingerak, Sr. Vice President, Business Affairs
- Ali Pejman, investment banker, Chairman of the Board
- Greg Zeschuk, harkened from Electronic Arts, another creative genius
- Steve Kotlowitz, was a sports agent
- Mike McIsaac, equity market
Network Entertainment is debt free, very profitable, with strong insider ownership. Continues to produce award winning products. It is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (NTE).
Kyle has been with RBC for over 13 years in a variety of roles focused on working with RBC personal and business clients to successfully achieve their investment management and financial planning goals. In his current role at Canada’s largest investment management firm, RBC Global Asset Management, Kyle brings his passion for economics, capital markets and successful long-term investing to advisors and clients across British Columbia.
