Sony acquires Pixomondo
Sony Pictures Entertainment has acquired virtual production studio Pixomondo.
Pixomondo has three LED stages and seven offices in the UK, Germany, US, and Canada, with its London hub opening last year. Sony has acquired 100% of the company from Mayfair Equity Partners.
CEO Jonny Slow will continue to lead Pixomondo, now reporting to Ravi Ahuja, chairman of global TV studios and SPE corporate development. Pixomondo will work alongside Sony Pictures Imageworks and Sony Innovation Studios on virtual production, with Sony Electronics supporting their collaboration. Sony Innovation Studios unveiled its first LED sound stage on the Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City, US, earlier this month.
The Raine Group served as the financial advisor to Pixomondo, and Goodwin Procter LLP served as their legal counsel. Hogan Lovells LLP was legal counsel for Sony.
Ahuja said: “Pixomondo’s impressive end-to-end virtual production technology, software and solutions further build Sony’s leadership in high quality visual effects and virtual production. And, for our TV studios, Pixomondo’s capabilities will make the hundreds of shows we produce for our streaming and network partners even more exceptional.”
Slow added: “We could not be more excited to be joining the SPE team at this tipping point in the evolution of PXO.
“Sony’s legacy, and creativity-driven technology strategy, mean that our company has found a home where it can truly thrive. We look forward to continuing to innovate in the virtual production and VFX space with our clients over many years to come.”
Bertie Aykroyd, partner at Mayfair Equity Partners, commented: “We are proud to have partnered with the Pixomondo team, supporting the company’s evolution and growth since 2018.
“Pixomondo was an early mover in virtual production and has successfully diversified its offering to allow filmmakers to make tech-enabled creative decisions from the very early stages of production. With the ever-increasing demand for high-quality content, PXO’s innovative team will undoubtedly be a great success when partnered with Sony’s global offering.”