Berlin’s Drive Beta Joins Forces with Rosebank Entertainment in Cologne

EXCLUSIVE: Berlin-based digital studio Drive beta has announced a partnership with Cologne-based production company Rosebank Entertainment.

Rosebank, a subsidiary of the prominent German production and distribution group Beta Film, will acquire a minority stake in Drive beta. Despite the inclusion of ‘beta’ in its name, Drive beta operates independently and is not owned by Beta Film. Hannes Jakobsen, the founder and CEO of Drive beta, was previously involved in establishing an AI-focused joint venture with Beta Film called Chapter41, as reported last November.

Rosebank Entertainment covers both drama and unscripted content, encompassing production labels such as Bantry Bay, Dreamtool, and Brot & Butter Entertainment.

The collaboration between Drive and Rosebank aims to leverage Drive’s expertise in distribution and social media for projects originating from Rosebank’s various production entities. In return, Rosebank will assist Drive in areas such as development and back-office operations.

“From the outset, our aim with Drive beta was to produce contemporary media with a clear signature and great appeal,” Jakobsen stated. “The partnership with Rosebank enables us to build on this success, and, with the help of the holding company’s structures, to focus even more strongly on developing new projects and genres, as well as on entrepreneurial development.”

Jointly, Jan Kromschröder and Stefan Oelze, Managing Partners at Rosebank, commented, “With its clear focus on on-demand content and distribution, Drive beta complements Rosebank’s existing creative portfolio – and thus also has a promising unique position within the entire Beta Group. We are also looking forward to the creative exchange between the teams at Drive beta and the Rosebank companies.”