Toronto- and Winnipeg-based indie producer Original Pictures (OP), Regina-based multi-platform producer Partners in Motion (PIM), and Saskatoon-based Veria Search Media Marketing have partnered to create national multimedia company called Shift Media Group, they announced Tuesday.

Shift Media Group will produce both factual and drama projects for all platforms, with offices in Langley, B.C., Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Toronto.

“This move is a major expansion for both PIM and OP. The combination of OP’s expertise in drama and PIM’s history in factual production produces a powerhouse of creatively that strengthens both companies. The addition of Veria catapults the combined group into the fastest growing sections of digital media,” said PIM exec VP Ron Goetz in a statement.

“In many ways, Shift Media Group will be a microcosm example in what needs to happen in the convergent space – digital meets tradition in mutual respect to create opportunity, tell great stories and find a sustainable business model,” said Veria partner Annelise Larson in her own statement.

PIM will move its broadcast production staff from Regina and set up corporate offices in Langley, B.C. Its corporate and commercial division Gyro Productions will remain in Regina.

Original Pictures will retain its head office in Winnipeg, as well as its Toronto offices, while Veria will continue to operate out of its offices in Saskatoon and Vancouver.

“Shift is great for OP,” said OP founder and president Kim Todd in the statement. “We opened our office in Toronto to be close to broadcasters and distributors and to take advantage of its attractions as a production centre. The new company puts us on the national stage in both drama and factual production in a way we could not have done on our own,” he added.