Dive summary:
- Silicon Beach-based Maker Studios, which promotes, manages and sells ads for a stable of YouTube talent, just secured $26 million in a new round of funding.
- The funding tops off what has been an exceptional year for Maker, as the company, which handles 60,000 YouTubers, acquired Blip, hired a new CEO, lost a CEO, got sued by a former CEO, fought and split with one of its biggest stars and is rumored to be taking on YouTube.
- Maker Studios plans to invest in more of its own video technology and original programming, and the majority of the new funding will likely go to expanding internationally as half of the viewership is already outside of the U.S.
From the article:
"Maker's new $26 million in funding was raised by Canal +, Astro, SingTel Innov8, Lakestar, Northgate Capital and previous investor Upfront Ventures. Besides Time Warner Ventures, round one investors included Greycroft Partners, Downey Ventures, Daher Capital and others."
