Mediawan Pays Partly in Stock, and Adds Hello Sunshine to the Pile

Mediawan is buying Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine, the latest addition to a portfolio assembled quickly: Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment in 2022, Peter Chernin's North Road earlier this year, and now Witherspoon's company.

The structure is more interesting than the price. As with its earlier acquisitions, this one is financed partly through stock, and Witherspoon is joining Mediawan's shareholder base, alongside a roster of talent and producers. Paying a founder in equity rather than cash keeps her invested in what the buyer does next — and lets Mediawan keep acquiring without paying entirely in cash.