Cathal Gaffney and Darragh O’Connell (founders of Brown Bag Films): Episode 145

Cathal Gaffney and Darragh O’Connell are the two founders of Dublin-based Brown Bag Films - the Oscar nominated animation company behind Give Up Yer Aul Sins, Granny O’Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty, Noddy, Henry Hugglemonster and Doc McStuffins. Cathal and Darragh discuss the evolution of Brown Bag in a nineties Ireland which offered no support (6:00/52:00) before growing to become one of the world's most respected animation companies.

 

Cathal and Darragh explain the workings of their relationship having met in a college which they were subsequently kicked out of and the various business decisions behind their success. Cathal discusses valuing persistence in business (14:00), choosing satisfaction over money (17:00) and how the success of Give Up Yer Aul Sins caused the phone to stop ringing (26:00). Darragh speaks about overcoming a crippling shyness before later confidently pitching to Disney and Netflix (49:00), turning down Boyzone (55:00) while also outlining the importance of resisting greed and reinvesting profits in the company (01:02:00).

 

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