Cinar
| File:Cookie JAR Group logo.svg Final logo utilized from 2004 until 2014 | |
| Cookie Jar Group | |
| Formerly |
|
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| TSX: CIF.A (Class A) (1993–2000) TSX: CIF.B (Class B) (1993–2000) Nasdaq: CINRF (until 2000) | |
| Industry | |
| Predecessors | |
| Founded | July 20, 1976 |
| Founders | |
| Defunct | Template:End date and age |
| Fate | Integrated into DHX Media |
| Successor | DHX Media |
| Headquarters | Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Global offices: Montreal, Quebec, Canada Burbank, California, U.S. |
Number of locations | 3 (2006) |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people |
|
| Parent | DHX Media (2012–2014) |
| Divisions |
|
| Website | thecookiejarcompany.com (archived April 27, 2006) |
The Cookie Jar Group, originally operating under the name CINAR, was a Canadian company specializing in animation and media production and distribution from its inception in 1976 until its absorption into DHX Media (currently known as WildBrain) on December 25, 2014. Established as CINAR Films Inc. in Montreal, the firm concentrated on children's programming with a strategic focus on licensing content to educational sectors. By the close of the 1990s, CINAR held control over CDN$1.5 billion worth of the children's television market.
During the early 2000s, CINAR became embroiled in controversies involving offshore financial accounts, accusations of plagiarism, and falsifying the participation of American screenwriters to maintain eligibility for Canadian tax incentives. These controversies culminated in criminal indictments, convictions, and penalties imposed on executives including co-founder Ronald A. Weinberg and chief financial officer Hasanain Panju.
In 2004, CINAR was acquired for $190 million by an investor group led by Michael Hirsh, founder of Nelvana, after which it was rebranded as Cookie Jar Group. The company broadened its content portfolio through the acquisition of DIC Entertainment in 2008. On August 20, 2012, DHX Media declared its intention to purchase Cookie Jar, thereby forming the largest independent entity owning children's television programming; the merger was completed by December 25, 2014.
As CINAR
In 1976, after their initial meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, Micheline Charest and Ronald A. Weinberg organized a women's film festival and distributed international films within U.S. cinemas. Subsequently relocating to New York City, they founded CINAR as a film and television distribution enterprise.
By 1984, CINAR transitioned toward production activities and moved its base to Montreal, Quebec, focusing on family-friendly television series including The Little Lulu Show, Animal Crackers, Emily of New Moon, Mona the Vampire, and The Wombles. The company also produced English and French language adaptations of Japanese shows such as Adventures of the Little Koala and Ronin Warriors, along with Spanish-language series like The World of David the Gnome. Notable productions encompassed Are You Afraid of the Dark?, The Busy World of Richard Scarry, specials from Madeline, plus flagship programs including Arthur, Zoboomafoo, and Caillou.
CINAR became a publicly traded company in September 1993.
On November 1, 1996, CINAR purchased the animation division and programming catalog of London-based FilmFair from Caspian Group for $10.5 million. This acquisition resulted in the revival of FilmFair and establishment of CINAR Europe in March 1997, with objectives to rejuvenate existing properties such as The Wombles and The Adventures of Paddington Bear while expanding FilmFair's library internationally. Due to financial difficulties coupled with scandal-related challenges, CINAR Europe was placed on sale in September 2001 and subsequently ceased operations by February 2002; this prompted European collaborators like Alphanim to seek alternative co-production partners.
By 1999, CINAR reported annual revenues amounting to CAD $150 million and dominated roughly CAD $1.5 billion within the children's television sector. That year also saw CINAR acquire the film library belonging to Salt Lake City-based Leucadia Film Corporation, followed by an additional purchase of 55 titles from the WonderWorks collection. These rights were later divested to Feature Films for Families in 2003.
Additionally, CINAR owned Fandango Studios, a dubbing facility located in Mexico City.
Controversy
CINAR benefited from over $50 million in tax incentives provided by the Canadian government but faced allegations in 1999 of improperly attributing Canadian credits for work actually completed by American professionals. Notably, Hélène Charest, sibling of Quebec Liberal Party leader Jean Charest, was credited as a writer on more than 100 episodes she did not author.
The company’s prosperity abruptly ended in March 2000 when an internal review uncovered approximately $167 million (CAD) had been funneled into Bahamian bank accounts without board consent. CINAR compensated U.S.-based screenwriters while simultaneously claiming federal grants and tax credits designated for Canadian content, falsely crediting individuals like Hélène Charest who had no writing involvement. Although Quebec authorities chose not to pursue criminal charges, CINAR denied any misconduct yet agreed to pay settlements totaling $20.4 million (CAD) to tax agencies and Telefilm Canada. Following these revelations, CINAR's share price collapsed, resulting in its removal from the stock exchange.
There was speculation that CFO Hasanain Panju, alongside John Xanthoudakis of Norshield Investment Group and Lino Matteo from Mount Real Corporation, orchestrated the offshore fund transfers. Allegations suggested that Charest, Weinberg, and Panju exploited CINAR as a financial conduit to relocate money abroad through intricate transactions.
In 2001, Charest and Weinberg reached a settlement with the Quebec Securities Commission, each paying $1 million and receiving five-year prohibitions from holding director or officer roles within publicly traded Canadian corporations. They neither admitted guilt nor faced court-proven accusations. Charest passed away in 2004 prior to any legal resolution.
On March 10, 2011, Weinberg was apprehended on charges of securities fraud. Subsequently, on June 22, 2016, he received a prison sentence nearing nine years; the other two involved individuals were sentenced to nearly eight years each. Weinberg was granted full parole on May 3, 2019.
Transition to Cookie Jar Group
Following interest from entities such as DreamWorks, it was declared in October 2003 that CINAR would be acquired by an investment consortium led by Nelvana founder Michael Hirsh, former Nelvana president Toper Taylor, and private equity firm TD Capital for upwards of CA$190 million. The company was privatized and shifted its headquarters to Toronto, where Hirsh resided. The transaction finalized on March 15, 2004.
Two weeks later, Hirsh revealed plans to rebrand and relaunch the company as Cookie Jar, merging an entertainment division (comprising CINAR and FilmFair) with an educational division (including Carson-Dellosa Publishing and HighReach Learning). This restructuring emphasized developing original intellectual properties to maximize cross-divisional synergies. Cookie Jar’s inaugural project was Dark Oracle. In May, the company established a Japanese office and introduced the preschool series The Doodlebops in August for broadcast on Kids' CBC beginning January 2005, positioning it as a cornerstone franchise.
On June 20, 2008, Cookie Jar announced its intention to acquire DIC Entertainment, with the deal closing on July 23, 2008. DIC was assimilated into Cookie Jar's entertainment division. This acquisition encompassed Copyright Promotions Licensing Group and a one-third ownership interest in the international children’s channel KidsCo. As a result, Cookie Jar’s library expanded to over 6,000 half-hours of programming featuring numerous children’s brands. The former DIC headquarters in Burbank became Cookie Jar's new offices. Negotiations were initiated with American Greetings to purchase the Care Bears, Strawberry Shortcake, and Sushi Pack franchises; however, by late 2008 no agreement had been reached.
On March 30, 2009, Cookie Jar submitted a $76 million counteroffer for Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake with a closing deadline of April 30. In response during May 2009, American Greetings filed a $100 million lawsuit against Cookie Jar; Cookie Jar countered with a $25 million suit concerning the franchise dispute.
In April 2009, Cookie Jar appointed Tom Mazza—formerly of TriStar Television and Paramount Television—as executive vice president of worldwide television to broaden its production slate via Canadian co-productions targeting international audiences. By February 2011, Cookie Jar introduced The Jar imprint aimed at U.S. primetime television development projects 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 both Fox and Global.
Acquisition by DHX Media
On August 20, 2012, DHX Media revealed its purchase of Cookie Jar Group for $111 million, positioning DHX as the largest independent proprietor of children's television content worldwide. The transaction was completed on October 22, 2012. By December 25, 2014, DHX Media discontinued the Cookie Jar brand to consolidate all operations under the DHX identity.
Cookie Jar TV
Prior to the acquisition, DIC was responsible for programming CBS's weekend morning segment KEWLopolis. On February 24, 2009, CBS extended its agreement with Cookie Jar through to 2012. For the 2009–10 broadcast season, the block was rebranded as Cookie Jar TV. Beginning with the 2011–12 season, it was marketed as Team Toon beyond the block itself. In the 2013–14 season, Cookie Jar TV was succeeded by CBS Dream Team, which was programmed by Litton Entertainment.
Cookie Jar Toons
On November 1, 2008, This TV introduced Cookie Jar Toons, a daily block dedicated to children's programming featuring Cookie Jar's educational and informational (E/I) content aimed at young audiences.
Cookie Jar Kids Network
The Cookie Jar Kids Network—previously known as DIC Kids Network—served as a syndicated children’s programming block showcasing select Cookie Jar series on local Fox, MyNetworkTV, and independent stations. It offered educational/informational content designed to comply with U.S. broadcast standards. Distributed by Ascent Media, this block ceased operations on September 18, 2011.
Works cited
External links
- Official website (archived April 27, 2006)
- Official CINAR website (archived February 21, 2003)
- Jaroo website
- Studio history (1998) from the Canadian Encyclopedia
- Pages with broken file links
- Defunct Canadian animation studios
- Mass media companies established in 1976
- WildBrain
- OMERS
- Television production companies of Canada
- Defunct American animation studios
- Entertainment companies established in 1976
- Canadian brands
- Companies based in Toronto
- Scandals in Canada
- Children's television
- Privately held companies of Canada
- 1976 establishments in Quebec
- 2012 mergers and acquisitions
- Companies based in Montreal
- Companies formerly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange
- Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq
- 1993 initial public offerings
- Canadian companies disestablished in 2004