CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Maker Studios, the most viewed independent network on YouTube per comScore with more than 2 billion views online per month, announced today that it has closed $36 million in the initial closing of its Series C financing led by Time Warner Investments. Additional participants include existing investors Greycroft Partners; GRP Partners; Downey Ventures, the investment company for Robert Downey Jr.; Elisabeth Murdoch; FUEL: M+C, the investment company for Jon Miller and Jimmy Yaffe; and Ynon Kreiz, Maker’s chairman; along with new investors which include Daher Capital and Academy Award®-winning producer Jon Landau. Rachel Lam, who heads the Time Warner Investments group, will join the board. The funding will be used to further accelerate Maker’s rapid growth as a global platform for online programming while continuing to build brand and partner relationships.
Maker is a next-generation, talent-first media company and the only network to offer its partners a full range of vertically integrated services including development, production, promotion, distribution, sales and marketing. Maker is home to many of online video’s top digital stars and content including KassemG, Nice Peter’s “Epic Rap Battles of History,” the Shaytards, SnoopDogg’s WestFestTV, The Yogscast, The Gregory Brothers, Bad Lip Reading and Mike Tompkins, among many others.
“We’re extremely excited and grateful to have the support of Time Warner and our other investment partners, who are some of the most respected names in media and entertainment, and are thrilled that we will be able to provide even more resources and opportunities to our valued network partners,” said Danny Zappin, co-founder and CEO, Maker Studios. “We founded Maker because, as YouTube content creators ourselves, we recognized there was a need for a new type of studio and network that could support artists on any platform. We remain committed to providing the best possible environment for creators and look forward to further expanding our offerings to our extremely talented partners around the globe.”
“In just a few short years, Maker has established itself as the go-to network on YouTube for top creative talent, and the combination of outstanding creative with formidable audience reach has translated into Maker’s phenomenal growth as a company,” said Rachel Lam, SVP and Group Managing Director, Time Warner Investments. “Our investment in Maker gives us insight into next generation video content and the ever evolving online video landscape, as well as access to new producers of content for Time Warner’s existing television, film and cable network operations. We are thrilled to be working with the Maker team.”
Maker was founded in 2009 to provide the best environment for artists to create, distribute, and monetize their original content on YouTube. The company recently expanded its multi-vertical approach, focusing on comedy, music, gaming, beauty/fashion and mom’s programming both domestically and internationally, especially in Europe.
This year, Maker completed a 40,000 square foot campus in Culver City, which includes a world-class production facility with sound stages, production offices, prop and wardrobe areas, editing bays, recording booths and more. The company employs some of the most talented producers, directors, editors, animators, costume designers and makeup artists in the industry.
About Maker Studios
Maker Studios is the leading independent multi-channel network on YouTube and a next-generation talent first media company which is home to many of online video’s top digital stars and content including KassemG, Nice Peter’s “Epic Rap Battles of History,” the Shaytards, The Yogscast, Mike Tompkins, and LisaNova, among others. Maker Studios has 2 billion views online per month with over 5,000 channels and more than 140 million subscribers. Maker Studios is the only network to offer partners development, production, promotion, distribution, sales, and marketing services. Maker Studios is headquartered in Culver City, Calif. To learn more, visit www.makerstudios.com and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
About Time Warner Investments
The Time Warner Investments group was founded in 2003 and focuses on investment opportunities that directly enhance Time Warner’s ability to meet specific strategic goals. These strategic goals include the delivery of new services, enhancement of an existing product, entry or expansion into a key strategic market, completion of a strategic partnership, and critical research and development.