As the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes rage on, digital native creators are recognizing the need for more organized labor in the online video space. The Creators Guild of America (Cga), a nonprofit organization backed by YouTube legend Justine Ezarik (a.k.a. iJustine), is looking to that need.
The Cga officially launched on August 24. It resembles a labor union, but it’s actually a “professional service organization” that provides a litany of benefits to a varied roster of digital media pros. The Cga does not engage in collective bargaining on behalf of its members, but some of its services — such as creator advocacy and networking opportunities — are decidedly union-esque.
Those benefits are not limited to creators. On its website, the Cga provides a list of creatives who are eligible for guild membership, including videographers, designers, marketers, and editors. By joining up with the org, those professionals can ensure that they...
The Cga officially launched on August 24. It resembles a labor union, but it’s actually a “professional service organization” that provides a litany of benefits to a varied roster of digital media pros. The Cga does not engage in collective bargaining on behalf of its members, but some of its services — such as creator advocacy and networking opportunities — are decidedly union-esque.
Those benefits are not limited to creators. On its website, the Cga provides a list of creatives who are eligible for guild membership, including videographers, designers, marketers, and editors. By joining up with the org, those professionals can ensure that they...
- 8/25/2023
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
The first-ever East Coast edition of VidCon is bulking up its industry track.
VidCon’s industry track is a staple of the annual main convention in Anaheim, Calif., but VidCon Baltimore is putting even more focus on professionals: It’s bringing in industry speakers including Night president Ezra Cooperstein and Karat Financial co-founder Eric Wei, plus is hosting an industry leadership summit it says will be “an exclusive gathering of key stakeholders shaping the future of the Creator Economy.”
Cooperstein will give a main stage presentation about Creators.org, his burgeoning project to unite creators and industry professionals so they can collectively push for things like better platform revenue cuts and more explanation around account bans.
Other industry speakers making appearances include Rich Greenfield, general partner at LightShed Ventures; Meghan Lightcap, principal at Slow Ventures; Meridith Rojas, chief brand officer at Captiv8; and journalists Taylor Lorenz of The Washington Post...
VidCon’s industry track is a staple of the annual main convention in Anaheim, Calif., but VidCon Baltimore is putting even more focus on professionals: It’s bringing in industry speakers including Night president Ezra Cooperstein and Karat Financial co-founder Eric Wei, plus is hosting an industry leadership summit it says will be “an exclusive gathering of key stakeholders shaping the future of the Creator Economy.”
Cooperstein will give a main stage presentation about Creators.org, his burgeoning project to unite creators and industry professionals so they can collectively push for things like better platform revenue cuts and more explanation around account bans.
Other industry speakers making appearances include Rich Greenfield, general partner at LightShed Ventures; Meghan Lightcap, principal at Slow Ventures; Meridith Rojas, chief brand officer at Captiv8; and journalists Taylor Lorenz of The Washington Post...
- 8/17/2023
- by James Hale
- Tubefilter.com
The Chernin Group and Night, Inc. are launching Night Capital, a new investment company with commitments of 100 million, to acquire established consumer-facing companies in partnership with leading talent.
Alexandra Moore, a former executive from Amazon who focused on mergers and acquisitions, will lead Night Capital as its founding managing director.
Tcg has also invested directly in Night, where Tcg co-founder and partner Mike Kerns will be joining the board.
Night Capital directors include Night founder and CEO Reed Duchscher, Night president Ezra Cooperstein, Moore, Kearns and Tcg principal Jacob Smilovitz.
“Night has been at the forefront of the talent ecosystem and the communities built on the internet. Night Capital will be a unique new investment vehicle enabling creators to be true equity owners and participate in building long-lasting enterprise value,” said Duchscher, who is the manager of YouTube megastar Jimmy Donaldson, aka Mr. Beast.
“We are really excited to be working with Reed,...
Alexandra Moore, a former executive from Amazon who focused on mergers and acquisitions, will lead Night Capital as its founding managing director.
Tcg has also invested directly in Night, where Tcg co-founder and partner Mike Kerns will be joining the board.
Night Capital directors include Night founder and CEO Reed Duchscher, Night president Ezra Cooperstein, Moore, Kearns and Tcg principal Jacob Smilovitz.
“Night has been at the forefront of the talent ecosystem and the communities built on the internet. Night Capital will be a unique new investment vehicle enabling creators to be true equity owners and participate in building long-lasting enterprise value,” said Duchscher, who is the manager of YouTube megastar Jimmy Donaldson, aka Mr. Beast.
“We are really excited to be working with Reed,...
- 9/13/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
As Night Media hunts for new opportunities on behalf of its partner creators, it is looking to spend a hefty sum on consumer-facing companies. The management firm has teamed up with The Chernin Group to announce Night Capital, an investment company with 100 million at its disposal.
Night Capital will focus on “acquiring established consumer-facing companies in partnership with leading talent,” according to a press release. Translation: Night will use its nine-digit war chest to pick up majority stakes in the companies it backs. Then it will connect those entities to creators, who will help guide “the strategic vision and future business growth” of Night Capital’s assets.
The establishment of Night Capital comes at a key inflection point for the creator economy. Influencers are becoming investors, and several companies — including Karat, Creative Juice, and CreatorDAO — are providing platforms that facilitate that trend. Other creators, such as the D’Amelios, have...
Night Capital will focus on “acquiring established consumer-facing companies in partnership with leading talent,” according to a press release. Translation: Night will use its nine-digit war chest to pick up majority stakes in the companies it backs. Then it will connect those entities to creators, who will help guide “the strategic vision and future business growth” of Night Capital’s assets.
The establishment of Night Capital comes at a key inflection point for the creator economy. Influencers are becoming investors, and several companies — including Karat, Creative Juice, and CreatorDAO — are providing platforms that facilitate that trend. Other creators, such as the D’Amelios, have...
- 9/13/2022
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
An upstart provider of financial services for creators is getting juiced up.
Creative Juice, founded last year by former Plaid exec Sima Gandhi and Night Media president Ezra Cooperstein, has announced a 15 million Series A funding round. And the buck doesn't stop there -- Creative Juice is also adding 50 million to its Juice Funds, which it uses to invest in creators and their companies.
The fresh funding arrives at a moment of rapid growth for Creative Juice; four digital media and financial services veterans recently joined the company's executive team. Ex-Pinterest employee Colleen Stauffer will run Creative Juice's marketing and communications; Ian McDaniel, formerly of Nova Credit, will head up the engineering department; LendUp vet Jon Liu is now Creative Juice's head of product; and Dustin Blank will steer the company's investments and creator partnerships.
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Creative Juice, founded last year by former Plaid exec Sima Gandhi and Night Media president Ezra Cooperstein, has announced a 15 million Series A funding round. And the buck doesn't stop there -- Creative Juice is also adding 50 million to its Juice Funds, which it uses to invest in creators and their companies.
The fresh funding arrives at a moment of rapid growth for Creative Juice; four digital media and financial services veterans recently joined the company's executive team. Ex-Pinterest employee Colleen Stauffer will run Creative Juice's marketing and communications; Ian McDaniel, formerly of Nova Credit, will head up the engineering department; LendUp vet Jon Liu is now Creative Juice's head of product; and Dustin Blank will steer the company's investments and creator partnerships.
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- 4/5/2022
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Talent management company Night Media and user-generated content licensing business Jukin Media are launching joint venture Views, which will mint and vend non-fungible tokens (NFTs) from digital content creators. “YouTube video such as David After Dentist, Pizza Rat, or Ok Boomer are some of the most important pieces of internet history,” Ezra Cooperstein, president of […]
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- 4/27/2021
- by James Hale
- Tubefilter.com
Management firm Night Media has tapped veteran digital executive Ezra Cooperstein as president.
In his new role, the former Rooster Teeth executive will oversee business operations, including strategy and business development. This is a new position for five-year-old Night Media, which works with more than 20 YouTube creators including stunt guru MrBeast and customizer Zhc.
“After more than 12 years of building companies in the online creator space, I believe that digital talent management will play an important part in the future of the media landscape,” Cooperstein said in a statement. “There is no company doing it better than Night Media.”
Cooperstein was the founding CEO of YouTube multi-channel network Maker Studios. He then teamed up with YouTube veteran George Strompolos to build competitor Fullscreen, later selling the business to Otter Media. The UCLA grad then joined Rooster Teeth as president, a role he exited in spring 2019.
“Ezra’s entrepreneurial track record...
In his new role, the former Rooster Teeth executive will oversee business operations, including strategy and business development. This is a new position for five-year-old Night Media, which works with more than 20 YouTube creators including stunt guru MrBeast and customizer Zhc.
“After more than 12 years of building companies in the online creator space, I believe that digital talent management will play an important part in the future of the media landscape,” Cooperstein said in a statement. “There is no company doing it better than Night Media.”
Cooperstein was the founding CEO of YouTube multi-channel network Maker Studios. He then teamed up with YouTube veteran George Strompolos to build competitor Fullscreen, later selling the business to Otter Media. The UCLA grad then joined Rooster Teeth as president, a role he exited in spring 2019.
“Ezra’s entrepreneurial track record...
- 8/19/2020
- by Natalie Jarvey
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
After spending more than six years as one of Fullscreen's top executives, Ezra Cooperstein is moving on to a new gig. Cooperstein has been named as the president of Rooster Teeth, the media company known for its highly-engaged audience of gaming, sci-fi, pop culture, and animation fans.
Cooperstein is not exactly leaving Fullscreen, since his former employer acquired his new one back in 2014. In his new role, he will oversee the business side of Rooster Teeth, while CEO Matt Hullum and Cco Burnie Burns will continue to lead the company's content operations. The Austin-based enterprise makes its money through a breadth of revenue streams, include pre-roll ads that play before its videos, subscription fees from diehards who join its premium First program, and ticket sales from live events across the country. It also engages with its fans during Rtx, an annual convention that features panels, performances, and other events.
Cooperstein is not exactly leaving Fullscreen, since his former employer acquired his new one back in 2014. In his new role, he will oversee the business side of Rooster Teeth, while CEO Matt Hullum and Cco Burnie Burns will continue to lead the company's content operations. The Austin-based enterprise makes its money through a breadth of revenue streams, include pre-roll ads that play before its videos, subscription fees from diehards who join its premium First program, and ticket sales from live events across the country. It also engages with its fans during Rtx, an annual convention that features panels, performances, and other events.
- 1/26/2018
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
This story first appeared in the Dec. 11 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe. A year after selling a majority stake in Fullscreen to Otter Media — a joint venture of the Chernin Group and At&T — CEO George Strompolos' long-term vision for his digital media business is beginning to take shape. Strompolos revealed Nov. 30 that he had appointed former Hulu executive Andy Forssell as COO. (Former COO Ezra Cooperstein remains Fullscreen's president.) The move gives the architect of Hulu's original programming push jurisdiction over day-to-day operations
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- 12/2/2015
- by Natalie Jarvey
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fullscreen has added an experienced online video executive to its leadership team. Andy Forssell, who served as the acting CEO of Hulu for the majority of 2013 and most recently held the CEO position at ShowYou, is the online video network’s new Chief Operating Officer.
As Fullscreen’s COO, Forssell will be in charge of the day-to-day functions of the company’s creator, brand, and consumer-focused divisions. He will work alongside Fullscreen’s other top executives, including CEO George Strompolos and President Ezra Cooperstein. "Andy is a proven leader who not only understands the new world of online video, he helped build it," said Strompolos in a press release. "As COO, Andy will help us scale and manage our operation as we prepare for even more growth and innovation."
Forssell became Hulu’s CEO in 2013 after the platform’s longtime leader, Jason Kilar, decided to step down from his position.
As Fullscreen’s COO, Forssell will be in charge of the day-to-day functions of the company’s creator, brand, and consumer-focused divisions. He will work alongside Fullscreen’s other top executives, including CEO George Strompolos and President Ezra Cooperstein. "Andy is a proven leader who not only understands the new world of online video, he helped build it," said Strompolos in a press release. "As COO, Andy will help us scale and manage our operation as we prepare for even more growth and innovation."
Forssell became Hulu’s CEO in 2013 after the platform’s longtime leader, Jason Kilar, decided to step down from his position.
- 11/30/2015
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Stream Con NYC has just added several big names to its schedule. The three-day event hosted by Tubefilter and centered around digital creators and content announced YouTube celebrities Grace Helbig and Mamrie Hart, as well as Joey Graceffa, iJustine, Connor Franta, and GloZell, will join the Stream Con lineup of attending talent.
These six YouTube stars will appear for signings, panels, and various get-togethers at Stream Con from October 30 through November 1, 2015 at the Javits Center in New York City. Helbig and Hart in particular plan to host their two-woman show, “This Might Get Weird, Ya’ll,” on October 30. Joining these digital creators at the Stream Con festivities will be MediaLink CEO and Chairman Michael Kassen, Fullscreen President and COO Ezra Cooperstein, and Google Preferred’s Beau Avril.
All the new additions to Stream Con NYC’s talent list join previous stars and influencers who will be making appearances at the event.
These six YouTube stars will appear for signings, panels, and various get-togethers at Stream Con from October 30 through November 1, 2015 at the Javits Center in New York City. Helbig and Hart in particular plan to host their two-woman show, “This Might Get Weird, Ya’ll,” on October 30. Joining these digital creators at the Stream Con festivities will be MediaLink CEO and Chairman Michael Kassen, Fullscreen President and COO Ezra Cooperstein, and Google Preferred’s Beau Avril.
All the new additions to Stream Con NYC’s talent list join previous stars and influencers who will be making appearances at the event.
- 9/16/2015
- by Bree Brouwer
- Tubefilter.com
Fullscreen Live is bringing digital stars in front of thousands of their fans. The touring and events division of the YouTube multi-channel network, owned by At&T and Chernin Group’s Otter Media, will feature YouTube celebrities like MyLifeAsEva (real name Eva Gutowski) and Meredith Foster in an upcoming live tour dubbed “Girls Night In.”
Lifestyle and fashion vloggers Meghan Rienks, Alisha Marie, Mia Stammer, and musician Andie Case will join Gutowski and Rienks on stage during the live event. Fans will experience performances and musical sets during “Girls Night In,” and will also be able to meet the six female YouTubers. The tour will be organized by industry veteran and Fullscreen Live lead Vito Iaia.
“These young women are entertainment powerhouses who each have incredible and unique connections with a passionate fanbase of over 23 million followers,” said Fullscreen President Ezra Cooperstein in a release. “Through tours and live events like this,...
Lifestyle and fashion vloggers Meghan Rienks, Alisha Marie, Mia Stammer, and musician Andie Case will join Gutowski and Rienks on stage during the live event. Fans will experience performances and musical sets during “Girls Night In,” and will also be able to meet the six female YouTubers. The tour will be organized by industry veteran and Fullscreen Live lead Vito Iaia.
“These young women are entertainment powerhouses who each have incredible and unique connections with a passionate fanbase of over 23 million followers,” said Fullscreen President Ezra Cooperstein in a release. “Through tours and live events like this,...
- 7/29/2015
- by Bree Brouwer
- Tubefilter.com
Fullscreen's newest development will extend a greater helping hand to the network's more corporate partners. The multi-channel YouTube network has launched a separate business division for Channel+, its analytics platform catered toward helping brands and media companies engage audiences on YouTube. Through Channel+, brands can recruit the help of strategists who can take the reins on YouTube and provide crucial optimization and analysis. The service also gives brands access to a personal dashboard containing an arsenal of tools, many of which are similar to the ones Fullscreen provides for its non-brand partners through its Creator Platform. Channel+ had previously been offered by Fullscreen, but only now will it become its own division. “Over the past two years, we’ve been working to help brands garner the maximum possible return from YouTube. With this update we seamlessly facilitate brands to create a thriving community and achieve exponential growth,” said Ezra Cooperstein,...
- 10/29/2013
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Stars: Caitlin Gerard, Melanie Papalia, Shane Dawson, Andrew James Allen, Liza Weil, Keith David, Toby Turner | Written by Ezra Cooperstein, Michael J. Gallagher, Glasgow Phillips | Directed by Michael J. Gallagher
Smiley follows Ashley, a young woman freshly arrived at university, who finds herself caught up in the online urban legend of Smiley, a mysterious, seemingly supernatural killer who kills via a social networking site… After testing out the urban legend for herself, Ashley becomes paranoid and starts to think she sees Smiley everywhere, stalking her. But how can that be if he’s not real?
Literally a slasher movie for the internet age, Smiley features of cast of YouTube “celebrities” including Shane Dawson and Toby (Tobuscus) Turner and comes from writer Ezra Cooperstein, who also happens to be the head of sales for Maker Studios, one of the premiere producers of YouTube content. The plot is a riff on the classic ‘Bloody Mary’ urban legend,...
Smiley follows Ashley, a young woman freshly arrived at university, who finds herself caught up in the online urban legend of Smiley, a mysterious, seemingly supernatural killer who kills via a social networking site… After testing out the urban legend for herself, Ashley becomes paranoid and starts to think she sees Smiley everywhere, stalking her. But how can that be if he’s not real?
Literally a slasher movie for the internet age, Smiley features of cast of YouTube “celebrities” including Shane Dawson and Toby (Tobuscus) Turner and comes from writer Ezra Cooperstein, who also happens to be the head of sales for Maker Studios, one of the premiere producers of YouTube content. The plot is a riff on the classic ‘Bloody Mary’ urban legend,...
- 10/3/2013
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
One of the online video industry's most forward-thinking creatives is heading to a top multi-channel YouTube network. Brendan Gahan, who previously helped create innovative video marketing campaigns for Mekanism, is headed to Fullscreen as the McN's new VP of Brand Strategy. While at Mekanism, Gahan served as Director of Social Media, where he worked to foster relationships with the agency's unique clientele, which notably includes authors such as Tim Ferriss and Seth Godin, for whom Mekanism created groundbreaking 'book trailers'. Gahan will try to apply Mekanism's successful strategies at Fullscreen, where execs would love to see more videos go viral. “Brendan is truly an expert in online video,” said Fullscreen COO Ezra Cooperstein. “He has an impressive track record of pushing the boundaries of viral video marketing with enormous success. We’re very excited to have him join Fullscreen and elevate our clients’ content and distribution strategies on YouTube.” Gahan...
- 3/13/2013
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Maker Studios has been relatively quiet as it ramps up its staff in its new Venice, CA homebase, building out a veritable powerhouse of top YouTube creative talent. Now word comes that the studio has raised around $1.5 million in funding in a round led by Greycroft Partners and Grp partners. Mark Suster, a partner at Grp partners (and host of web show This Week in Venture Capital) is also listed as a Board member in a recent SEC filing for Maker Studios. The company confirmed the funding round to us, and it’s now already listed as an active part of Greycroft’s investment portfolio, alongside recent investments like Ad.ly, Klout and Vuze. It didn’t confirm the exact size of the round, though in the SEC Form D filing from January, the company stated it plans on raising $1,524,999, with five directors listed including founders Ben Donovan, Lisa Donovan (aka LisaNova), Daniel Zappin,...
- 4/21/2011
- by Marc Hustvedt
- Tubefilter.com
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