Acquisition Positions Cinram As The Industry’s First True End-to-end
Physical To Digital Entertainment Ecosystem

PHOENIX, Ariz. and TORONTO, Sept. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ – Cinram, a Najafi
Companies affiliate, has acquired Saffron Digital, a specialty firm
that provides and manages digital media content, for $47 million from
HTC.

With offices in London and Beverly Hills, Calif., Saffron Digital
specializes in the global management and delivery of premium
multi-platform video services. Saffron’s Stage platform provides all the tools needed for Over-The-Top (OTT) or
UltraViolet services and powers more than 30,000 premium movies on more
than 100 million devices including smartphones, tablets and other
online channels.

Toronto-based Cinram is a leading service provider to the entertainment
industry and one of the largest global manufacturers and distributors
of Blu-rays, DVDs and CDs for the world’s leading motion picture
studios, record labels and game publishers.

Cinram, acquired by Najafi Companies earlier this year, also provides
digital and creative services through its Los Angeles-based digital
media agency, 1K Studios. 1K is known for its award-winning work in
digital book and app development, enhanced user experience and consumer
engagement.

Saffron Digital complements the current portfolio companies of 1K
Studios and Cinram by providing a complete physical to digital delivery
platform.

“Saffron Digital is an ideal partner to add to our Cinram portfolio,”
said Najafi Companies CEO Jahm Najafi. “Its cloud-based digital content
delivery and usage is industry-leading and adds further depth to our
entertainment related investments and holdings.”

“We are excited to welcome Saffron Digital into the Cinram group of
companies,” comments Cinram CEO Steve Brown. “In the field of Digital
Rights Management, Saffron Digital has led the way, delivering a
superior viewing experience across the spectrum of online devices. This
acquisition enables Cinram to build on its reputation as a complete
end-to-end supply chain provider to the entertainment industry within
the digital, as well as physical space.”

“Being part of such a successful international entertainment company
like Cinram is a great move for Saffron Digital,” commented Jason
Keane, Saffron Digital President. “It will enable us to significantly
scale our existing digital business and build a unique premium content
delivery platform that works seamlessly from physical through digital
to the end user.” Saffron Digital is a great fit within Cinram’s
growing digital ecosystem and this acquisition will compliment both
companies nicely as well as the needs of our industry.”

“Cinram’s acquisition of Saffron Digital will provide a truly aligned
solution to consumer demand, enabling an easy transition for the
consumer from the stunning experience of Blu-ray to storing favorite
movies, music and books in the cloud and accessing them from anywhere,”
said Brown.

Saffron Digital will be exhibiting at IBC in Amsterdam from 13-17
September on Connected World stand 14.154.

About Saffron Digital
Founded in 2006, Saffron Digital removes the complexity and reduces the
cost of managing and delivering premium OTT or UltraViolet (UV)
services. Its Stage platform combines in one place all the tools
necessary to create a compelling multi-platform entertainment
experience across all connected devices – content preparation, content
management, storefront design, flexible payment and a secure player.
With offices in Europe, Asia and the US, Saffron Digital powers
end-to-end premium video solutions on a global scale for clients
including KDDI, Sky and HTC. It has received international recognition
for its work and has won multiple awards including: four Mobile
Entertainment Awards for Best Video and TV Service Provider (2009,
2010, 2011, and 2012); inclusion in the Guardian Top 100 Tech Media
Invest Companies in the UK; a MEFFY for Best TV & Video Service (2011)
and two Media Momentum Awards (2010, 2011).

About Cinram Group Inc.
Cinram Group Inc. (CGI), a wholly-owned affiliate of Najafi Companies
(Najafi), is one of the world’s largest providers of media development
and delivery services. Located in North America and Europe, the company
has worked with some of the biggest names in home entertainment and
retail. With a full range of supply chain services, which include
optical disc manufacturing (DVD, Blu-ray and CD), packaging,
distribution and business solutions, Cinram guarantees products flow
smoothly and profitably to consumers around the world.

About Najafi Companies
Najafi Companies is an international private investment firm based in
Phoenix, Arizona, with offices in New York, Paris, Toronto and holdings
in sectors including consumer, media, technology, industrial, energy
and real estate across seven countries. The firm makes highly-selective
investments in companies with strong management teams across a variety
of industries, often in areas undergoing rapid technological
transformation. The firm takes a long-term view on its investments and
focuses its efforts to create value through growth and superior
performance. Najafi Companies funds its investments with internally
generated capital, not through a fund. Free from the restrictions of a
fund, the firm is able to move quickly and decisively when investing,
and with no requirements to return capital to outside partners, Najafi
Companies is able to make investments that create maximum value for the
long-term.

SOURCE Cinram Group Inc.