Carl Brière Named Head of Publishing

Belding, MI | September 20, 2023

Flat River Group, a leading distributor of hobby products, ecommerce strategy, and tabletop game publishing, has the honor of announcing the promotion of Carl Brière to Head of Publishing. In this role, Brière will oversee the development of products published by studios owned by Flat River Group, providing direction on creative and production choices.

Jules Vautour, Vice President of Hobby Distribution, celebrates Brière’s promotion, “This is a continuation of the growth Flat River Group has seen over the last year and a half. Carl has a wealth of knowledge about the international hobby markets and will guide us in those channels in a more streamlined way. He will help consolidate our teams’ efforts and ensure we’re all headed in the same direction.”

Brière will continue to hold the position of President of Synapses Games (Yokohama: Second Edition, Pyramido, Cóatl) and lean on his extensive professional experience within the industry to elevate existing and upcoming titles to new heights, raising the bar for the standard within Flat River Group and even the hobby gaming industry.

Since 2009, Brière has held influential positions throughout the industry, such as Sales Director at Scorpion Masqué, CMON, and Asmodee, which fortified his expertise in publishing, distribution, and production across international markets. His experience and passion is reflected throughout the Synapses Games catalog, with games that boast incredible table presence and have received success in dozens of languages and countries.

“I would like to thank Flat River for trusting me to manage the group’s various publishing studios. This will be an amazing opportunity for me to combine the talents of each different team to benefit the entire gaming community,” says Brière about his promotion.

This promotion takes effect immediately and pushes Flat River Group forward in their commitment to provide the highest quality products to retailers and distributors and exceptional service to their publishing partners.

For more information:

Jules Vautour, VP of Hobby Distribution – jules@flatrivergroup.com 

About Flat River Group:

Established in 2011, Flat River Group has 12 years of experience as a leading 1st party ecommerce partner. They take their vendors’ businesses to the next level by owning their inventory and accelerating rapid sales growth, all while maintaining vendors’ brand integrity and elevating reputation. Flat River Group buys inventory, warehouses it, sells it to 20+ major ecommerce retailers, manages product listings and inventory, and fulfills dropship and distribution center orders. They are truly a unique partner, with 1st Party Seller (1P) status and best-in-class dropship capability. They specialize in partnering with consumer goods manufacturers including Toys & Games, Sports & Outdoors, Pet, Home and Patio, Lawn & Garden. The company is based in Belding, Michigan, US and has three other locations in Michigan, Illinois and Missouri. Flat River Group has earned the honor of being listed as one of Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies in America four times, in 2016, 2017, 2021 and 2022. For more information, visit www.flatrivergroup.com.

People on the Move: Flat River Group Hires Danni Loe

Flat River Group has hired Danni Loe to become their new Hobby Product Marketing Manager.

Loe is an industry veteran who has spent the last ten years working for a number of companies in the industry. She most recently the Marketing Manager for Hachette Boardgames USA (see ” Danni Loe Leaves Hachette”) where she spent a year and three months. Loe has also worked at Pandasaurus Games (see “Pandasaurus Games Hires Danni Loe”), the Games Manufacturers Association, Renegade Game Studios (see “People On The Move”), and IELLO.

“Danni Loe has spent the past ten years honing her craft with some of the strongest brands in our industry, and she is a great addition to the Flat River Group team,” said Jules Vautour, Vice President of Hobby and Business Development. “She is a real leader, and her ability to build both brand awareness and community are strengths we want to give a greater platform to.”

In her new role, she will continue to lead the develop marketing campaigns that will help expand FRG’s hobby channel presence in the games industry.

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Flat River Group acquires games publisher Synapses Games and distributor Luma Imports, Expands Publishing and Distribution

Flat River Group is acquiring two Canadian companies, expanding its publishing and distribution capabilities and team, the company announced. Flat River Group, a 1st party e-commerce partner which also serves the hobby trade through its Impressions Game Distribution unit, now adds distributor and publisher Luma Imports and publisher Synapses Games. Luma Imports provides North American distribution and marketing for Horrible Guild, Bombyx Studios, Sit Down Games, Holy Grail Games, and others.

Flat River Group acquires games publisher Synapses Games and distributor Luma Imports

BELDING, MI March 14, 2022 – Flat River Group, a 1st party ecommerce partner, announced today the acquisition of Luma Imports, a game distributor and Synapses Games, a tabletop game publisher and design house.


Founded in 2018 and based in Delaware, Luma Imports represents the English-language catalogues for a roster of European publishers such as Horrible Guild, Bombyx Studios, Sit Down, Holy Grail Games, and many others. They also distribute Synapses Games, which was founded in 2018 and is based in Montreal, Canada. They publish the award-winning Cóatl, as well as the upcoming Betta and Draw the Line, and are distributed in more than 40 countries.

“My relationships with Matt and Carl go back through many organizations and many years,” said Jules Vautour, president and founder of Luma Imports. “FRG has been a key partner in Luma’s success. The synergy that already exists between the Luma, FRG, and Synapses teams promises a smooth transition and ensures the continuation of growth between our teams and the publishers we represent.” 


“My team and I are thrilled to join the Flat River Group and continue working with the Luma Imports team,” said Carl Brière, publisher and founder of Synapses Games. “The board game industry has been expanding rapidly over the past few years and this marriage of companies will allow us to achieve even greater heights thanks to our complementary strengths.”


Jules and Carl have worked together previously at both Asmodee USA and CMON and have collaborated extensively with their existing companies. Both are very excited to bring their respective companies into Flat River Group and resume their long-standing working relationship.


“We’ve worked with Jules and Carl for almost a decade, and we place a great value on their skills and relationships in the industry,” said Matt Stahlin, president of Flat River Group. “We are excited about what this means for our ability to find great games earlier in their life cycle and get them into the hands of consumers through both hobby and mass retail channels. This fits in well with our recent acquisition of Greater than Games.”


About Synapses Games
Synapses Games is a Canadian board game publisher that was founded in 2018. The company develops and publishes games that are easy to learn, user-friendly, quick to explain and that can be enjoyed by beginners and more strategic players alike. Synapses Games wishes to create games that elicit emotions and connect players.


About Luma Imports
Founded in 2018, Luma Imports is a board game publisher and wholesaler that serves a family of publishers including Horrible Guild, Bombyx Studios, Sit Down Games, Holy Grail Games, and many others. Luma provides distribution, retail, and marketing services for the United States and other English-language territories.


About Flat River Group
Established in 2011, Flat River Group has over a decade of experience as a leading 1st party ecommerce partner. They take their vendors’ businesses to the next level by owning their inventory and accelerating rapid sales growth, all while maintaining vendors’ brand integrity and elevating reputation. Flat River Group buys inventory, warehouses it, sells it to 15+ major ecommerce retailers, manages product listings and inventory, and fulfills dropship and distribution center orders. They are truly a unique partner, with 1st Party Seller (1P) status and best-in-class dropship capability. They specialize in partnering with consumer goods manufacturers including toys & games, pets, baby, outdoor sporting goods and more. The company is based in Belding, Michigan, US and has three other locations in Michigan, Illinois and Missouri. Flat River Group has earned the honor of being listed as one of Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies in America three times, in 2016, 2017 and 2021. For more information, visit www.flatrivergroup.com. 

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Flat River Group Media Contact     
Katie Kett
Marketing Manager | Flat River Group
kkett@flatrivergroup.com | (616) 794-5496 x181

 
Flat River Group acquiert l’éditeur de jeux Synapses Games et le distributeur Luma Imports

BELDING, ÉTATS-UNIS, 14 mars 2022 – Flat River Group, distributeur spécialisé dans le e-commerce sans intermédiaire, annonce aujourd’hui l’acquisition de Luma Imports, un distributeur de jeux, et de Synapses Games, un studio de création et éditeur de jeux de société.

Fondé en 2018 et basé dans le Delaware, Luma Imports représente les catalogues anglophones de plusieurs éditeurs européens tels que Horrible Guild, Bombyx Studios, Sit Down, Holy Grail Games et bien d’autres. Il distribue également Synapses Games, qui a été fondé en 2018 et est basé à Montréal, au Canada. Le studio, dont les jeux sont distribués dans plus de 40 pays, publie notamment le jeu primé Cóatl, ainsi que les prochains titres à paraître cette année : Betta et Fous à Lier.

«Mes relations avec Matt et Carl remontent à de nombreuses années et dans plusieurs organisations», déclare Jules Vautour, président et fondateur de Luma Imports. «FRG a été un partenaire clé de la réussite de Luma. La synergie qui existe déjà entre les équipes de Luma, FRG et Synapses promet une transition en douceur et assure la poursuite de la croissance entre nos équipes et les éditeurs que nous représentons.»

«Mon équipe et moi sommes ravis de rejoindre Flat River Group et de continuer à travailler avec l’équipe de Luma Imports», mentionne Carl Brière, éditeur et fondateur de Synapses Games. «L’industrie du jeu de société est en pleine expansion depuis quelques années et ce mariage d’entreprises nous permettra de réaliser nos grandes aspirations grâce à nos forces complémentaires.»

Jules et Carl ont précédemment travaillé ensemble chez Asmodee USA et CMON en plus de collaborer étroitement depuis la création de leur companie respective. Ils sont tous deux très enthousiastes à l’idée de faire entrer Luma Imports et Synapses Games dans Flat River Group et de reprendre leur relation de travail de longue date.

«Nous travaillons avec Jules et Carl depuis près de dix ans et nous accordons une grande valeur à leurs compétences et à leurs relations dans l’industrie», déclare Matt Stahlin, président de Flat River Group. «Nous sommes ravis d’accroître notre expertise à trouver de grands jeux, dès leur création, et à les offrir aux consommateurs par le biais des boutiques spécialisées et des magasins à grande surface. Cela s’inscrit parfaitement dans le cadre de notre récente acquisition du studio Greater Than Games.»

À propos de Synapses Games

Synapses Games est un éditeur canadien de jeux de société qui a été fondé en 2018. L’entreprise développe et publie des jeux faciles à apprendre, conviviaux, rapides à expliquer et qui peuvent être appréciés autant par les néophytes que les joueurs fins stratèges. Ce que Synapses Games cherche à créer, c’est de l’émotion et des connections entre les joueurs, exactement comme les synapses des neurones !

À propos de Luma Imports

Fondé en 2018, Luma Imports est un éditeur et un distributeur de jeux de société qui offre des services à plusieurs éditeurs, notamment Horrible Guild, Bombyx Studios, Sit Down Games, Holy Grail Games et bien d’autres. Luma assure la distribution, la vente au détail et le marketing des jeux pour les États-Unis et d’autres territoires anglophones.

À propos de Flat River Group

Fondé en 2011, Flat River Group a plus de dix ans d’expérience en tant que partenaire de premier plan dans le domaine du e-commerce. Il amène les entreprises au niveau supérieur en étant propriétaire de leur inventaire et en accélérant la croissance rapide des ventes, tout en maintenant l’intégrité de la marque et en élevant la réputation de leurs clients. Flat River Group achète les inventaires, les entrepose, les vend à plus de 15 détaillants majeurs du e-commerce, gère les listes de produits et les inventaires et exécute les commandes de livraison et de centres de distribution. Flat River Group est vraiment un partenaire unique grâce à son statut de revendeur sans intermédiaire et détient la meilleure capacité de livraison directe de sa catégorie. La société est spécialisée dans les partenariats avec les fabricants de biens de consommation, notamment pour les catégories de jouets et les jeux, les animaux de compagnie, les articles de bébés, les articles de sport et de plein air, etc. La société est basée à Belding, dans le Michigan, aux États-Unis, et dispose de trois autres sites dans le Michigan, l’Illinois et le Missouri. Flat River Group a eu l’honneur de figurer dans la liste des sociétés Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 des entreprises privées américaines à la croissance la plus rapide à trois reprises, soit en 2016, 2017 et 2021. Pour plus d’informations, visitez le www.flatrivergroup.com.

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SOURCE :

Flat River Group

Katie Kett

Directrice marketing

kkett@flatrivergroup.com | (616) 794-5496 x181

IELLO appoints Flat River exclusive distributor

French board game company IELLO has appointed Flat River Group LLC as its exclusive distributor to the English-speaking market in the U.S. and Canada, the companies announced.  The new deal was effective January 1, 2022.  Flat River Group has been selling IELLO products to mass retailers for the past nine years; the new deal expands the relationship to other channels.  Flat River Group division Impressions Game Distribution Services handles distribution to hobby distributors.

IELLO forms exclusive distributor partnership with Flat River Group

HEILLECOURT, France, Jan. 20, 2022 – IELLO, board game publisher based in Heillecourt, France, has entrusted Flat River Group LLC (FRG) as its exclusive distributor for the United States and Canada as of January 1, 2022.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Flat River Group,” said Cédric Barbé, managing director of IELLO. “We’ve known Matt Stahlin, president of Flat River Group, for a long time. FRG’s high ambitions for our flagship King of Tokyo and Bunny Kingdom lines by Richard Garfield convinced us that we shared the same vision and strategy.”  

The distribution agreement covers the U.S. and Canada (for English language versions of the games.)

“2022 will be an exciting year, with many new releases,“ added Laurence Grau, international sales manager at IELLO, “starting with King of Tokyo Monster Box, Get on Board – which is eagerly awaited, and Distant Suns in the first semester, Animals of Baker Street, and King of Monster Island in October, a new stand alone in the King of Tokyo universe.”

“Flat River Group has sold IELLO products to mass retailers for the last nine years and we have always admired their products. We are proud to be selected as the exclusive North American English language distributor,” said Matt Stahlin, president of Flat River Group.

About IELLO

Publisher and distributor of board games, IELLO is a French company that is recognized worldwide and active on all five continents. Party games, puzzle games, cooperative games, kids’ games, strategy games – IELLO’s offering can be enjoyed by all audiences. With more than a hundred games published, including its flagship titles such as King of Tokyo, Bunny Kingdom and more recently Khôra, Rise of an Empire, the French-based publisher has become a major player on the national and international scene.

IELLO Media Contact
Vincent Capdevielleddd
IELLO
vincent.capdevielle@iello.fr | (33) 367 249 676

About Flat River Group

Established in 2011, Flat River Group has over ten years of experience as a leading end-to-end e-commerce Partner. They take their vendors’ businesses to the next level by owning their inventory and accelerating rapid sales growth, all while maintaining vendors’ brand integrity and elevating reputation. Flat River Group buys inventory, warehouses it, sells it to 15+ major e-commerce retailers, manages product listings and inventory, and fulfills dropship and distribution center orders. They are truly a unique partner, with 1st Party Seller (1P) status and best-in-class dropship capability. They specialize in partnering with consumer goods manufacturers including toys & games, pets, baby, outdoor sporting goods and more. The company is based in Belding, Michigan, US and has three other locations in Michigan, Illinois and Missouri. Flat River Group has earned the honor of being listed as one of Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies in America three times, in 2016, 2017 and 2021. For more information, visit www.flatrivergroup.com.

Flat River Group Media Contact               

Katie Kett

Marketing Manager | Flat River Group

kkett@flatrivergroup.com | (616) 794-5496 x181

Flat River Group acquires games publisher

An e-commerce business acceleration company acquired a tabletop games publisher. Belding-based Flat River Group said Thursday, Dec. 2, it acquired St. Louis, Missouri-based Greater Than Games, a tabletop game publisher, design house and consolidator. Founded in 2011, Greater Than Games is known for publishing games such as Sentinels of the Multiverse, Spirit Island and Medium.