COSCIENT BUYS BITS OF OWL
By Adnews Staff
Montreal-based Coscient Group Inc. yesterday announced its acquisition of the production and distribution divisions of Toronto-based Owl Communications Inc., publisher of children's magazines such as OWL and Chickadee, as well as children's television shows such as The Big Comfy Couch. "One key element of our strategic plan is to establish ourselves as an important player in the North American markets in sectors in high demand," said Yves Moquin, chairman and CEO of Coscient. "The acquisition of the production activities of Owl Communications combined with our purchase of Astral Distribution last December, solidifies our commitment to this goal." Annabel Slaight, co-founder and head of Owl Communications, will move to a position at Coscient. Coscient will produce over 170 hours of children's and youth programs this year through two of its subsidiaries, SDA Productions and Cactus Animation. Owl's publishing division was recently been acquired by Bayard Presse.