Winnipeg: Regina-based producer Partners In Motion, parent company of Harmony Entertainment, has merged a part of its operations with multimedia and Internet production firm Digital Wizards Ontario.

Under the terms of the deal, Harmony, a finance and distribution company 97% owned by Partners In Motion, takes a 50% stake in Digital Wizards, which in turn takes a 50% stake in Harmony.

Several months ago, Harmony acquired controlling interest in Toronto distributor Compass International.

Ron Goetz, ceo of Partners in Motion, says the merger is designed to position both companies for future Web and Internet opportunities. ‘Partners In Motion and the Harmony group of companies can be the content providers and Digital Wizards can provide the technical know-how.’

The strategic alliance, Goetz continues, will allow the Harmony group of companies to produce film and tv programming, provide international distribution (through Compass) and produce Internet and cd-rom materials.

Harmony will act as the holding company for the group of companies and will handle all their interests. ‘We are positioning Harmony as a group of companies, each with its own identity,’ says Goetz.

Partners In Motion, Compass and Digital Wizards will all invest in Harmony, which will provide financing for the film, tv and Web-based projects. Goetz also plans to raise money from other private investment sources through the company.

The board of Harmony consists of Goetz, Partners In Motion president Chris Triffo, Digital Wizards president Diane Williamson and Compass president Patricia Scarlett.

Digital Wizards has produced Canadianparks.com and Historylands.com.

Partners In Motion’s programming includes Beyond Medicine for wtn and Survivors for The Learning Channel. Compass represents domestic and foreign children’s, documentary and light entertainment programming.