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Portfolio Entertainment

Portfolio Entertainment is a Canadian media company specializing in the creation, production, distribution, and animation of content across children's programming, family entertainment, factual series, lifestyle shows, and drama. Founded in 1991 by Lisa Olfman and the late Joy Rosen in , , the company initially focused on children's content before expanding into primetime factual and scripted programming for international broadcasters. Over its three decades, Portfolio built a library exceeding 550 half-hours of premium content, including notable children's series such as Knows a Lot About That! and , as well as live-action family projects like Homeschooled and animated primetime comedies like . In February 2024, acquired Portfolio's entire library, production slate, and development pipeline, integrating it into its global portfolio of nearly 5,000 half-hours and enhancing its capabilities in kids and family . The founders' leadership earned recognition, including the 2015 & Television – Toronto Crystal Award for Outstanding Achievement in Business and the Rotman Canadian Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Under its new ownership, Portfolio continues to develop innovative entertainment properties for worldwide audiences.

History

Founding and early years

Portfolio Entertainment was founded in 1991 in , , by Lisa Olfman and Joy Rosen, two media professionals with backgrounds in television and film. Rosen, born in in 1957, held a in Television, Radio, and Film from Syracuse University's , providing her with foundational expertise in media production relevant to children's content. Olfman, her longtime business partner, brought complementary experience in content development and distribution within the entertainment sector. The duo launched the company from a bedroom using a borrowed typewriter, driven by a vision to create engaging family-oriented programming amid Canada's emerging market for children's television in the early . From its inception, Portfolio Entertainment focused on the and of children's programming, emphasizing animated and educational content for television broadcast. As a small outfit, the company faced challenges typical of startups in the competitive Canadian kids' TV landscape, including limited resources and the need to navigate funding from public broadcasters and co-production partnerships. Despite these hurdles, early successes came through strategic deals with Canadian networks, establishing Portfolio as a nimble player in the growing sector fueled by demand for homegrown educational shows. The company's first major production was (1994–1997), an original puppet-based children's series set in a magical swamp inhabited by hybrid creature characters, designed to teach environmental and social lessons. Co-produced with YTV in , along with partners including J.A. Delmage Productions, , and Groundling Marsh Productions, the show aired on YTV and later on and in the U.S., marking Portfolio's breakthrough in securing international visibility and broadcaster support. This project exemplified the company's early commitment to innovative, puppetry-driven storytelling for young audiences. Co-founder Joy Rosen passed away on June 8, 2023, at the age of 65, after a battle with cancer, leaving a profound impact on the company's direction and culture. Described by Olfman as a "sister-in-arms" and integral to Portfolio's creative and business ethos, Rosen's death represented a significant loss, prompting reflections on her legacy while Olfman continued to steer the firm through its ongoing operations.

Growth and key developments

In the early 2000s, Portfolio Entertainment shifted its focus beyond children's programming, diversifying into primetime reality drama series and family-oriented content to capitalize on trends. This strategic expansion allowed the company to produce and distribute a broader range of factual, lifestyle, and drama titles alongside its established kids' slate, enhancing its portfolio with projects aimed at wider family audiences. Key milestones in the company's growth included its entry into the U.S. market through strategic partnerships, notably co-productions with stations such as for educational series like in the late 2010s. By the mid-2010s, Portfolio had significantly expanded its international distribution footprint, reaching over 90 countries with its content library. To bolster in-house capabilities, Portfolio launched its dedicated division, Portfolio Animation, in in , occupying a 9,000-square-foot facility to handle full-scale for both kids' and primetime projects. This move supported greater control over creative and technical processes, aligning with the company's growing emphasis on original content. Throughout the and , Portfolio secured notable global licensing deals for educational programming and ramped up co-productions with international studios, including partnerships with in Ireland for the sci-fi series (2005–2011). Additional deals, such as the 2007 licensing agreement with Russia's Red Media Group for factual titles, underscored its increasing presence in emerging markets. By the , Portfolio had achieved approximately 80% in-house productions within its catalogue, reflecting matured operational scale, with its headquarters situated at 901 King Street West in .

Acquisition and transition

On February 5, , announced and completed the acquisition of Entertainment's library—comprising over 550 half-hours of content—along with its production slate and development projects, effectively integrating the Toronto-based company into its operations as a . This full acquisition aimed to bolster 9 Story's in kids' and family entertainment by expanding its content offerings and leveraging synergies in and . As part of the transition, Portfolio co-founder and former CEO Lisa Olfman joined 9 Story as an , reporting to President and CEO Vince Commisso, while also taking on the role of Head of at 9 Story's animation division, . This leadership shift facilitated the seamless integration of Portfolio's assets, with Olfman overseeing the continuation of active broadcaster-led development projects and broader opportunities within 9 Story's ecosystem. The acquisition directly impacted ongoing productions, such as the adult Breaking Bear (8 x 22 minutes), which transitioned to 9 Story's oversight while in pre-production for Originals in association with Entertainment and To The Stars; the brand was preserved for select titles during this integration. As of 2025, Portfolio continues to operate under 9 Story's umbrella, emphasizing enhanced animation capabilities and distribution synergies, as evidenced by 9 Story's active slate announcements at industry events like .

Company profile

Leadership and key personnel

Portfolio Entertainment was co-founded in 1991 by Lisa Olfman and Joy Rosen, who together built the company from a spare bedroom into a prominent player in children's and family entertainment , distribution, and . Olfman served as CEO, leveraging her expertise in and global distribution to expand the company's reach through key international partnerships and deals. Rosen, also a CEO, focused on creative development, guiding the early direction toward innovative kids' content that emphasized engaging storytelling for young audiences. Rosen passed away in June 2023 at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer, leaving a legacy as a visionary entrepreneur in the and programming sectors. Under Olfman's leadership, Portfolio continued to secure international distribution agreements, enhancing its portfolio of award-winning series targeted at global markets. In February 2024, acquired Portfolio's library, production slate, and development projects, marking a significant transition for the company. As part of the deal, Olfman transitioned to an role at 9 Story, where she reports to President and CEO Vince Commisso and oversees the ongoing Portfolio projects to maintain continuity in creative and business operations. This acquisition integrated Portfolio's assets into 9 Story's structure, with key personnel like associate producer Lauren Evans-Bell also joining to support development and production efforts. Prior to the acquisition, Portfolio maintained a lean executive team centered on the co-founders, fostering a between creative and strategic business growth in family-oriented .

Operations and divisions

Portfolio Entertainment operates as a multifaceted focused on the creation, , and of animated and live-action primarily for children and audiences. Its core activities encompass developing educational and entertaining programming suitable for television broadcasts and streaming platforms, with a strong emphasis on original that blends fun with learning elements. The 's distribution network facilitates sales to broadcasters and outlets, enabling global accessibility for its of over 550 half-hours of programming across genres including kids, , factual, and lifestyle. A primary division within the company is Portfolio Animation, an in-house studio established in 2015 to handle the full spectrum of and . This division operates from a dedicated 9,000-square-foot facility in Toronto's King West , which also functions as the , supporting end-to-end creative processes from concept to execution. Portfolio Entertainment maintains partnerships with international co-producers and studios to facilitate co-productions, localization efforts, and expanded , allowing for of content to diverse cultural contexts. The business model prioritizes in-house original productions while leveraging collaborative opportunities to diversify its portfolio, ensuring a steady pipeline of content for markets. Revenue streams are derived from licensing deals, sales to broadcasters in multiple regions, and initiatives tied to popular titles, which extend the commercial lifecycle of its intellectual properties. This integrated approach underscores the company's scale as a Toronto-headquartered entity with a worldwide operational footprint.

Productions and distribution

Notable produced series

Portfolio Entertainment has produced a range of , primarily focused on educational and animated content for young audiences, often in collaboration with broadcasters like and . These productions emphasize themes such as , , and problem-solving, contributing to early childhood learning through engaging storytelling and visual formats. One of the company's early notable productions is (1994–1997), a puppet-based aimed at preschoolers that aired on YTV in . The show featured characters in a magical marsh setting, incorporating songs and animated segments to teach environmental awareness and , and was co-produced with J.A. Delmage Productions and Children's Television Workshop. The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! (2010–2018) is an animated series broadcast on , adapted from Dr. Seuss's books and spanning five seasons with 80 episodes. Produced in partnership with Collingwood O'Hare Productions and Children's Entertainment, it follows the Cat guiding children Nick and Sally on adventures that explore science and nature topics, blending whimsy with curriculum-based learning funded by a U.S. Department of Education Ready to Learn grant. Doki (2013–2017), an animated adventure series for , ran for three seasons and promoted global exploration through the escapades of a curious and his international team of friends solving real-world questions. Portfolio Entertainment led production in association with Discovery Kids Latin America, with later seasons developed to expand the show's educational scope on and . Hero Elementary (2020–2022), a superhero series co-produced with , consisted of two seasons totaling 38 episodes and targeted children aged 4–7 with stories emphasizing scientific problem-solving and social-emotional growth. The series follows young heroes at a school for superpowered kids, integrating hands-on investigations and diverse representation to foster resilience and curiosity. Among other highlights, (2016) was a short-form series of 52 eleven-minute episodes, marking Portfolio's first in-house project and following quirky monster characters in humorous misadventures broadcast on . Additionally, Portfolio handled production for season 4 of (2017–2018), a sci-fi series originally created by , contributing to its transition to television with 13 episodes on VRV in the United States and in . The company also produced the adult-oriented (2020–2021), a post-apocalyptic co-produced with N12 Productions.

Distributed titles and collaborations

Portfolio Entertainment has served as the international distributor for several educational and animated children's series, handling global sales and licensing outside primary markets. One prominent example is (2002–2017), a PBS math-education series produced by Thirteen/WNET and Nelvana, for which Portfolio managed international distribution, including deals for new episodes to markets like and . The company's efforts extend to co-productions where it played a key role in development and worldwide release. Carl² (2005–2011), an animated sci-fi about a teenager and his , was a co-production with and , with overseeing production and . 's broader portfolio encompasses over 100 titles, focusing on children's factual and content. Notable examples include Animal Miracles (2001–2003), a factual kids' series exploring human-animal bonds, which joined 's animal-themed slate under its worldwide rights, and Heads Up! (2005–2008), a sports series distributed to broadcasters such as Thailand's True Visions. Another key title is Bump! (2004–2013), a series for which acted as exclusive distributor, securing deals with U.S. network and France's Pink TV. Key collaborations have bolstered Portfolio's distribution reach, particularly with U.S. networks like , through co-productions such as for , and , via sales and partnerships in . Co-productions with animation studios like have also been central, as seen in and other animated projects. These efforts have driven significant international impact, with Portfolio's content sold to more than 90 countries, including localized versions for Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Examples include adaptations of Cyberchase for Asian markets and Heads Up! for Southeast Asia, enhancing accessibility through dubbing and cultural tailoring.

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