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Maker Studios Inc.
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryEntertainment
FoundedMay 1, 2009; 15 years ago (2009-05-01)
FoundersBen Donovan
Danny Zappin
Scott Katz
Lisa Donovan
Shay Carl
Philip DeFranco
Kassem G
Derek Jones
Paul Ballon[1][2]
Dave Days
Ezra Cooperstein
Headquarters
Culver City, California
,
United States
Key people
Andrew Sugerman
ParentDisney Consumer Products and Interactive Media
(The Walt Disney Company)
Websitewww.makerstudios.com

Maker Studios, Inc. is an American multi-channel network co-founded by Lisa Donovan, Danny Zappin, Scott Katz, Kassem G, Shay Carl, Ben Donovan,[3][4] and Philip DeFranco.[5] Shane Dawson was also involved with Lisa Donovan and Shay Carl during their collaboration on The Station.[6]

Outside of the US, Maker has significant audiences in the UK, Brazil and Australia, and aims to expand its Asian operations, where it currently has 700 million monthly unique views. Run by Rene Rechtman, President for International, Maker is building a headquarters in London for its commercial, production and marketing activities outside of the US. An Asian hub has been established in Singapore, offering limited commercial and marketing support until the business is larger.[7]

In December 2015, the company became a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company.[8][9] Since becoming a subsidiary, the company has suffered multiple rounds of layoffs, executive shuffling, and partners cut-offs.[10][11]

On May 2, 2017, Disney moved the studio into the newly formed Disney Digital Network.[9]

History

In June 2012, Maker Studios announced that the over 1,000 channels signed under the network received an accumulated over 1.1 billion views for the month of June 2012.[12][13] YouTube channels under Maker Studios have also collectively earned over 90 million subscribers.[14] In October 2012, Maker Studios surpassed Machinima to become the number one independent YouTube network.[15] However, since that time, according to comScore, in December 2012, Fullscreen passed Maker to become the top ranked YouTube-based network.[16] In December 2012, shortly after the Ray William Johnson controversy, Maker announced that it had closed a $36 million round of financing led by Time Warner Investments.[17] The most popular Maker production is Epic Rap Battles of History, which averages 30 million views an episode.[18] Maker's most successful channel was PewDiePie, the most subscribed user on YouTube, who signed under the Maker sub-network Polaris and later RevelMode, until February 13, 2017, when Maker dropped him due to supposedly anti-semitic jokes used in his videos.[19]

On March 24, 2014, Maker Studios, Inc. agreed to sell itself to The Walt Disney Company for $500 million, rising to $950 million if financial milestones were met.[20][21] On April 14, 2014, Relativity Media submitted a competing bid of up to $1.1 billion, but Maker denied the bid.[22] In December 2015, the company became a subsidiary of Disney Consumer Products and the Disney Interactive division of The Walt Disney Company.[8]

In February 2017, Maker Studios had around 60,000 YouTube partnerships, but announced that it intends to reduce this to about 1,000. Many partnered YouTubers had been unhappy with the terms of their contracts, including difficulty with ending contracts.[23] On May 2, 2017, Disney absorbed the studio into the newly formed Disney Digital Network[9]

Key personnel

Courtney Holt was the Chief Strategy Officer of Maker Studios.[24] Due to Danny Zappin stepping down as the company's CEO, Ynon Kreiz, former CEO and Chairman of Endemol became the CEO of Maker Studios in May 2013.[25] Prior to Kreiz becoming the CEO of Maker, he was the company's chairman.[26] Ryan Lissack is the current CTO of Maker Studios.[27] In December 2015, Courtney Holt replaced Ynon Kreiz as CEO, coming a year after Disney's acquisition of the group.[8]

Content

Maker Studios produces videos for channels on YouTube, including Consider the Source, Tessa Violet, Yves Bole, KassemG, Timothy DeLaGhetto, Peter Shukoff and Lloyd Ahlquist's Epic Rap Battles of History, KingManProds,[28] Sam Macaroni, along with several others[29][30] that have almost as many viewers as Nickelodeon.[4] Maker's first three channels produced for YouTube included Maker Music Network, Tutele, and The Mom's View, with both Maker Music Network and Tutele channels shutting down within six months of their launch.[24][30][31] Maker Studios have also signed celebrities such as famous rapper Snoop Dogg and his YouTube channel WestFestTV,[14][32][33] actor Robert De Niro's Tribeca Enterprises,[34] and Kevin Smith.[35] PewDiePie was also signed under the Maker sub-network Polaris,[36] until Maker dropped him due to alleged anti-semitic jokes made on his channel.[37]

Criticism

Maker Studios formerly produced Ray William Johnson's Equals Three and Your Favorite Martian.[15] In October 2012, Johnson announced he would be leaving Maker Studios in an episode of Equals Three.[38][39] Johnson had also formed his own production studio, Runaway Machine (formerly Runaway Planet).[40][41] Johnson has stated online that he left Maker Studios due to the pressure the company put on him into signing a contract which gave Maker a 40% share of his channel's AdSense revenue and 50% of his show's intellectual property rights. Johnson stated that they were using "thuggish tactics" to pressure him into signing the contract, one of which was allegedly leveraging his AdSense account for the intellectual property rights to YourFavoriteMartian. He also claimed that Maker Studios CEO, Danny Zappin, is a convicted felon, which he was not made aware of, when teaming up with Maker Studios. Zappin later publicly admitted to this claim.[42][43][44][45]

On March 10, 2017, YouTuber Cr1tikal, a former partner of Maker, posted a video entitled "Maker Studios PSA", wherein he provided criticism of Maker and their business practices.[46]

Sub-networks

  • Maker Music: Maker Studios started a sub-network called Maker Music. The network specializes in undiscovered music, online and offstage.[47]
  • Polaris : Formerly known as The Game Station,[48] It includes channels such as Angry Joe, Plush Time Wins, and CaptainSparklez.
  • MakerGen: A sub-network designed to promote small or growing channels. Originally called RPM Network but is now called MakerGen. RPM Network was responsible for a large increase in Maker's overall views which continued with MakerGen. Maker Gen has two channel featuring shows on the Maker Gen YouTube channel, one is called Sup Maker Gen and the other is The Still Rendering Podcast.

See also

References

  1. ^ Todd Spangler (June 26, 2013). "Maker Studios Founder Danny Zappin Sues Company Over 'Ouster'". Variety. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  2. ^ Eriq Gardner (June 26, 2013). "Maker Studios Power Struggle Detailed in Former CEO's Lawsuit". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  3. ^ Laura Sydell (June 18, 2012). "Lights, Camera, YouTube: Studio Cashes In On An Entertainment Revolution". NPR. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  4. ^ a b Claire Cain Miller (April 10, 2011). "Actors in Smaller Studios, Making Pictures for the Smaller Screen". New York Times. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  5. ^ "DRAW MY LIFE - Philip DeFranco". The Philip DeFranco Show. YouTube. April 10, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  6. ^ David Doe (August 28, 2009). "YouTube Stars Join Forces for "The Station"". TubeMogul. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  7. ^ Will Haskins (June 4, 2014). "Maker Sets Sights on Asian Talent". Media Business Asia. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c Mike Shields (December 15, 2015). "Maker Studios Head to Step Down". The Wall Street Journal.
  9. ^ a b c "Disney Reveals Digital Network Combining Maker Talent With Editorial Brands". Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  10. ^ Roettgers, Janko (14 February 2017). "Disney's Maker Studios Drops PewDiePie Because of Anti-Semitic Videos". Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  11. ^ "Report: Disney's Maker Studios cutting support for more than 55,000 YouTubers". Polygon. 23 February 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  12. ^ Joshua Cohen (June 30, 2012). "Maker Studios Gets One Billion Views ...a Month". Tubefilter. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  13. ^ Matthew Manarino (June 28, 2012). "Maker Studios: 1 Billion YouTube Views in One Month". NewMediaRockstars. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  14. ^ a b Marc Graser (July 30, 2012). "'Fistful' of online content". Variety. Retrieved August 9, 2012.
  15. ^ a b Benny Luo (October 19, 2012). "Updated: Maker Studios Beats Machinima – Now Ranked the #1 Independent YouTube Network on Comscore". New Media Rockstars. Retrieved October 20, 2012.
  16. ^ Ed Carrasco (January 15, 2013). "Fullscreen Now The #1 Independent YouTube Network According to ComScore". New Media Rockstars. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  17. ^ Ryan Lawler (December 20, 2012). "With 2 Billion Video Views A Month, Maker Studios Raises $36 Million Round Led By Time Warner". TechCrunch. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  18. ^ Degen Pener (March 11, 2013). "SXSW: Maker Studios Execs on Turning Down TLC and How Mobile Views Threaten Revenue". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  19. ^ Roettgers, Janko (13 February 2017). "Disney's Maker Studios Drops PewDiePie Because of Anti-Semitic Videos". Variety. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  20. ^ Fritz, Ben (March 25, 2014). "Disney to Buy Online-Video Network Maker Studios". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 25, 2014. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Barnes, Brooks (March 24, 2014). "Disney Buys Maker Studios, Video Supplier for YouTube". New York Times. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  22. ^ Spangler, Todd (14 April 2014). "Maker Studios Says Disney Acquisition Is Approved by Shareholders, Who Reject Relativity Bid". Variety. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  23. ^ Cecilia D'Anastasio (March 1, 2017). "Some YouTubers are overjoyed that Maker Studios is firing them". Kotaku. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
  24. ^ a b Glenn Peoples (October 31, 2011). "Courtney Holt, Former MySpace Music President, Named CEO of Maker Studios, Maximillian DeStefano, stock marketer for maker". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  25. ^ Peter Kafka (May 7, 2013). "Maker Studios CEO Danny Zappin Steps Down, Replaced by Endemol Vet Ynon Kreiz". All Things D. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
  26. ^ Daniel Miller (June 26, 2012). "Ynon Kreiz Joins Maker Studios as Chairman (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  27. ^ Michael Carney (April 10, 2012). "Maker Studios Hires Former Salesforce Exec Ryan Lissack as CTO". Pando Daily. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  28. ^ Chaz Kangas (March 1, 2012). "Maker Studios Is Flush With YouTube Cash". LA Weekly. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  29. ^ Mike Shields (February 15, 2012). "YouTube Natives Topping Big Names Early On Mom, science channels off to solid starts; eggheads, Demand Media struggle". Adweek. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
  30. ^ a b Daniel Miller (January 11, 2012). "Maker Studios". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  31. ^ Michael Humphrey (November 7, 2011). "Maker Studios: The YouTube Savants Talk Channel Expansion". Forbes. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  32. ^ Drew Baldwin (June 29, 2012). "Maker Studios CEO Danny Zappin On Signing Snoop Dogg". Tubefilter. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  33. ^ Daniel Frankel (June 29, 2012). "Maker Studios fires up Snoop Dogg partnership". Paidcontent. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  34. ^ Joshua Cohen (May 2, 2012). "Robet De Niro's Tribeca Enterprises Partners with Maker Studios on YouTube Channel". Tubefilter. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  35. ^ Joshua Cohen (January 14, 2013). "Kevin Smith Signs with Maker Studios". Tubefilter. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  36. ^ Graser, Marc (January 8, 2013). "Maker Studios Hits Reset on The Game Station, Renames it Polaris". Variety. Retrieved March 16, 2014. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  37. ^ РУКИ МАСТЕРА (2017-01-12), PewDiePie | I've Discovered The Greatest Thing Online..., retrieved 2017-02-17
  38. ^ Ray William Johnson (October 16, 2012). "World's Greatest Ninja!! - Ray William Johnson". Equals Three. YouTube. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  39. ^ Logan Rapp (December 11, 2012). "Maker Studios And Ray William Johnson Battle". SourceFed News. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  40. ^ Sam Gutelle (December 11, 2012). "Maker and Ray William Johnson Still Feuding As Backstory Is Revealed". Tubefilter. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  41. ^ Sam Gutelle (November 27, 2012). "RayWilliamJohnson Starting His Own Studio With Help From Julian Smith". Tubefilter. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
  42. ^ Ray William Johnson (December 11, 2012). "RAY WILLIAM JOHNSON: Why I Left Maker Studios". New Media Rockstars. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  43. ^ Editorial Staff (December 11, 2012). "BREAKING: Maker Studios CEO Sends Company-Wide Letter Addressing Ray William Johnson Allegations". New Media Rockstars. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  44. ^ Joshua Cohen (December 12, 2012). "Maker Studios CEO Sends Letter to Employees, Addresses Past and Ray William Johnson". TubeFilter. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  45. ^ Tessa Stuart (January 10, 2013). "YouTube Stars Fight Back". LA Weekly. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
  46. ^ penguinz0 (10 March 2017). "Maker Studios PSA". Retrieved 18 May 2017 – via YouTube.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  47. ^ Gutelle, Sam. "Maker Studios Will Organize All Of Its Partners Across Four Huge Units". TubeFilter. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  48. ^ Graser, Marc. "Maker Studios Hits Reset on The Game Station, Renames it Polaris". Variety. Retrieved 2016-03-06.

External links

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