WildBrain, the Canadian animation studio that owns and manages a huge library of family entertainment including Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Yo Gabba Gabba! and Inspector Gadget, has acquired 100% of Personality AI, a generative AI startup focused on bringing character experiences to life.
The immediate purchase price was USD $11 million in cash plus 1 million WildBrain shares. The company didn’t disclose the value of the shares, which closed on the Toronto Stock Exchange Monday at CAD $1.47. Personality stakeholders will receive another $2 million on the first anniversary of closing, payable in up to 1 million WildBrain shares with any balance in cash.
The deal terms also call for additional performance-based cash consideration up to U.S. $56 million in aggregate tied to Personality AI’s business hitting certain revenue targets in 2027, 2028 and 2029 — a move to align the interests of Personality AI’s management, led by founded and CEO John Goscha, with WildBrain shareholders and incentivize continued growth.
Goscha will join WildBrain’s executive leadership team as EVP, Personality AI, reporting to WildBrain president and chief executive Josh Scherba. WildBrain is bringing in Personality’s team of experts in app and product creation under Goscha.
The deal adds a new core capability and category to WildBrain’s global licensing, franchise management and content production, introducing scalable character experiences that can be built once and deployed anywhere. The goal is to enable deeper consumer engagement with entertainment IP beyond traditional licensing and content.
“Our strategy at WildBrain is centred on building long-term value by activating IP on a global scale. As fan engagement continues to evolve, we believe interactive AI experiences represent an important new opportunity for brands to connect with audiences in meaningful ways,” Scherba said. “Personality AI enables more continuous interaction between fans and brands, strengthening our ability to deliver end-to-end franchise solutions to partners” and IP owners.
Personality AI shares “WildBrain’s commitment to children’s wellbeing, which is why we employ rigorous safety standards to ensure appropriate, authentic and trustworthy content and experiences for kids, parents and IP owners alike. I look forward to working with Josh and the WildBrain management team to bring our capabilities to more brands, platforms and audiences around the world,” said Goscha, who launched the AI platform in 2025.
An example of Personality AI’s work includes a generative platform for Amazon Kids+ last year. Projects include Hey Peppa Pig, an interactive voice experience developed with Hasbro that lets kids talk with Peppa Pig through games and activities inspired by the brand’s official series.
WildBrain’s licensing division will handle Personality AI deals with third parties.
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