VAS Acquires Koastal Media Distribution

mike lewis

October 30 2009
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VAS Entertainment has acquired Koastal Media Distribution, a main player in the surf video sector, and will operate Koastal as a subsidiary of VAS.

Founded in 2005, Koastal Media Distribution handled distribution and production of surf films and represented producers for films including Taylor Steele (Poor Specimen Productions), The Drive Thru Series, One California Day, Rip Curl and Reef.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the VAS family. By combining efforts we create a unified media delivery platform that will greatly streamline the surf industry. For producers and brands, they will they continue to have their films represented in the core market through a consolidated sales team, in addition, they garner access to all of the global distribution platforms maintained by VAS ranging from broadcast to digital. Retailer partners also stand to benefit as they now have a “one stop shop for all of their surf DVD needs” states Kent Kreutzer former President of Koastal Media.

“As VAS looks to scale our media catalog, partners like Koastal will play an increasing role in our evolution, I think we accomplished our goal here by creating clarity in the Surfing Film and Television category. The filmmakers are the real winners here, with Koastal and VAS working together they will now have the best of all worlds” commented Michael Lythcott, CEO of VAS Entertainment. “We have been excited to work with Koastal since we discovered their capabilities in global surf core distribution, and from what we knew of their experience and relationships, it was clear they were the right fit for VAS.”
Koastal owners James Ravenel and Kent Kreutzer will continue to manage the VAS Surf Division from their office in Encinitas, CA. VAS is headquartered in San Luis Obispo, CA and also has offices in Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Sydney, Tokyo, British Columbia and the United Kingdom. The first VAS/KM launch for the 2009 holiday season includes The Drifter (Rob Machado and Taylor Steele), Modern Collective (Poor Specimen directed by Kai Neville) and Lost Prophets (a film by Nathan Apffel), in addition to the robust catalogue offering from both VAS and Koastal.