Tag Acquires the Gate Films to Expands Its Production Services Capabilities

Tag, the global production powerhouse for brands and agencies, today announces that it has finalised its acquisition of The Gate Films, a Manchester-based film production company. The acquisition will allow Tag to provide enhanced production services including virtual production capabilities to its global client base. Becoming part of the Tag family opens up a global client & agency base to The Gate. This is Tag’s second acquisition in 2022, following the acquisition of L&A Social in August, and a continuation of its strategy to offer its global client base market leading strategic, digital and content led production at scale.

The Gate Films is an award-winning premium production business working with agencies and clients including The Very Group, House of Fraser, Tommee Tippee, McCann, Manifest & Cheetham Bell. Established in Manchester in 1997, the team is led by CEO, Simon Lewis and Joint heads of Production Rhiannon Lewis and James Shannon. The business employs over 25 staff made up of film producers, film directors, photographers, VFX artists, animators, editors, social media managers, studio professionals and innovation architects. Lewis continues in his role for The Gate alongside a broader role of Head of Film for Tag and will be responsible for film production across EMEA.

Tag is a global production business that turns big ideas into high-impact marketing from shoot management to post-production, content amplification and in-store activation. Powered by deep digital expertise and advanced data analytics, Tag partners with the world’s leading brands across the FMCG, CPG, Beauty, Retail, Auto, Finance and Life Sciences sector for brands including Arla, Heineken, L’Oreal, Lego and Unilever, to name just a few.  The acquisition of The Gate means that Tag can offer its clients enhanced production services including premium hero & content film production, virtual studio production, animation, with access to a roster of A-list directors and wholly owned studios in Salford Quays.

Andria Vidler, CEO, EMEA, commented on the acquisition: “We have been really impressed with how The Gate has built a successful business by providing its clients with first class production and post-production services. Our acquisition means we can extend our offer to all Tag clients. Being based in Manchester also allows Tag to access a large creative talent pool outside London.”

Simon, who will be responsible for all film production across Tag Collective Arts, EMEA added: “I have been blown away by the leadership’s vision for the world of production. Becoming part of the Tag family means that we are now part of one of the top tier of production companies globally, not only giving us access to Tag’s production hubs around the world but also helping us to attract an even broader range of talent from directors to creative producers and post production staff.”

The Gate will continue to operate under its own brand and its senior leadership team will remain with the business.