Falling in line with its strategy to significantly expand its distribution business, Toronto’s 9 Story Entertainment has finalized a deal with indie producer CCI Entertainment for the underlying rights to its CCI Kids children’s and family library.

The deal also sees 9 Story acquire distribution rights from CCI Releasing for additional kids and family titles totalling more than 1,000 half hours of content, more than doubling 9 Story’s portfolio.

As a result of the distribution growth, Natalie Osborne (pictured) has been upped to managing director of 9 Story Enterprises, a newly created position in the company’s distribution division.

In her new remit, Osborne will continue to report to 9 Story CEO and president Vince Commisso, and will oversee all global sales, consumer products and strategic partnerships. Osborne helped launch 9 Story Enterprises when she joined the company in 2006.

Meanwhile, 9 Story has added three new members to its sales team. Moving over from CCI is VP of distribution Jill Keenleyside (formerly CCI’s EVP of distribution), sales director Federico Vargas and consumer products director Kristin Lecour, who will all report to Osborne.

9 Story initially signed a deal with CCI in April to rep CCI’s kids and family catalogue, which includes Artzooka, Harry and His Bucketful of Dinosaurs, Turbo Dogs, Extreme Babysitting, Erky Perky and GeoFreakZ, as well as the classic Sharon, Lois & Bram’s Elephant Show.