MONTREAL—Gay affiliate network Stunner Media has joined forces with longtime partner Jean Bourne Group to purchase one of Europe’s largest DVD distribution companies, Prowler Distribution.
The DVD business, founded in 1993 in the VHS days, is a well-known carrier of major gay brands like Bel Ami, UK Naked Men, BlakeMason, BoyNapped and Butch Dixon and has licensing deals with the likes of Falcon and Raging Stallion, among others.
Prowler Distribution will continue under its current name. The new team is working closely with former owner Millivres Prowler Group (MPG) to guarantee a smooth transition.
Stunner first became familiar with MPG during its search for a distributors to handle BlakeMason DVDs. Prowler was the only R18 DVD distributor in the United Kingdom. The two companies continued to work closely together, and when MPG decided to sell the distribution side of the business, Stunner was a natural fit.
The Prowler Distribution sale was prompted by MPG’s decision to focus its efforts on Gay Times, DIVA, Expectations, and the retail side of Prowler. Stunner and MGP will continue to collaborate, especially on the Prowler retail stores, which are the leading stores for gay DVDs in the U.K.
Jean Bourne Group CEO Benjamin Willis said, "it is our strong long-running relationship with Simon Topham, CEO at MPG, and Jay Michaud, president at Stunner Media, that made this deal possible. We are already in a very successful partnership with Stunner as co-owners of the brand BlakeMason.com and with MPG as co-sponsors of the annual Prowler Porn Awards, this year to be in London on May 11. I am delighted with the purchase and look forward to working closely with all our customers, suppliers and partners."
Majority owner Stunner Media stated, “Prowler Distribution has long been the best European distributor of gay porn’s top brands and it’ll be business as usual after the ownership change. We want customers and studios to be confident knowing that Prowler Distribution’s great service won’t change.”
MPG’s Prowler Products Wholesale (which deals in herbal viagras, poppers, calendars and more) was not part of the deal and will continue to function as a separate business.
All Prowler Distribution inquiries can be directed to [email protected] or +44 (0) 16 1850 2503.
All Prowler Products Wholesale orders will be handled by Antony Van Garrett: [email protected] or +44 (0) 20 7424 7487.
