Blue Ant Media Goes Public via Reverse Takeover of Boat Rocker Media, Eyes Global Expansion

Blue Ant Media, the Canadian media company founded by Michael MacMillan, has officially gone public through a reverse takeover of Boat Rocker Media — a move that marks a transformative moment for the company’s global growth ambitions.

Announced in March and now closed, the reverse merger deal enables Blue Ant to begin trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) next week under the ticker “BAMI.” The company, previously operating as Blue Ant Media Inc., will now be known as Blue Ant Media Corp.

With the acquisition, Blue Ant inherits three of Boat Rocker’s leading Canadian production houses:

• Insight Productions

• Jam Filled Entertainment

• Proper Television

These producers collectively generated C$118 million in revenue in 2024 (unaudited). Meanwhile, the remaining Boat Rocker Studios assets — including its scripted, unscripted, kids and family divisions — have been acquired by Boat Rocker co-founders Ivan Schneeberg, David Fortier, and CEO John Young, who have launched a new entity, IDJCo, to operate under the Boat Rocker Studios name.

Leadership and Shareholder Structure

• Michael MacMillan will serve as CEO of the new Blue Ant Media Corp.

• Brad Martin has been named Chairman.

• The new board of directors includes industry veterans such as Robb Chase, Richard Wernham, Phyllis Yaffe, Lisa Hsia, and Ellis Jacob.

• Post-merger, Blue Ant shareholders will own 73.5% of the combined entity, with Boat Rocker shareholders holding the remaining 26.5%.

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Financial Highlights

• Blue Ant Media reported C$196 million in revenue for the fiscal year ending August 31, 2024, reflecting 16% year-over-year growth.

• The company posted C$18 million in net income.

• The newly public company receives a minimum of C$25.5 million in cash and working capital, and C$11.6 million from The Initial Group’s stake.

• Fairfax Financial Holdings, a key Blue Ant backer, has pledged a C$20 million backstop and will acquire Boat Rocker’s minority stake in The Initial Group for C$17 million.

Strategic Outlook

MacMillan called the transition a “strategic opportunity to unlock long-term value.” The new public listing, strong balance sheet, and financial backing position Blue Ant to pursue profitable global expansion, both organically and via mergers and acquisitions.

“With a proven content model, strong capital position, and operations across major international markets, we’re ready to scale,” MacMillan stated. “This deal strengthens our IP ownership, platform reach, and global distribution.”

About the New Boat Rocker Studios

The restructured Boat Rocker Studios, led by Schneeberg, Fortier, and Young, will continue to focus on content creation and IP management with offices in Toronto, LA, NYC, London, and Hong Kong. The founders emphasized a leaner, more agile structure, aiming to invest more directly in premium content and deepen industry partnerships.

“We’ll be more responsive, more strategic, and better equipped to champion projects we believe in,” the trio said in a joint statement. “This gives us the independence and flexibility to be the best studio partner globally.”