Complexly

Not to be confused with Complex Networks.
Complexly
FormerlyEcoGeek LLC
IndustryVideo and audio production
GenreEducational entertainment
Founded2012; 12 years ago (2012)
FounderHank Green and John Green
Headquarters
Key people
Brands
Number of employees
Over 70[1] (2024)
Websitecomplexly.com

Complexly is an American online video and audio production company, based in Missoula, Montana, and Indianapolis, Indiana. Its founders are brothers John and Hank Green (who acted as CEO until late 2023), who began their Vlogbrothers YouTube channel in 2007.[2] In 2012, the Greens began producing educational video content with the YouTube channels Crash Course and SciShow, and in the years since have created many other channels and podcasts which have been folded into the company.[3] Originally named EcoGeek LLC, it was founded by Hank Green to support his blog on environmental and science issues and was renamed in 2016.[4] Also associated with the Green brothers, but separate from Complexly's operations, are DFTBA Records, the Project for Awesome, VidCon (acquired by Viacom),[5] and Subbable (acquired by Patreon).[6][7] The company's strengths in educational content has led to production funding from Google,[8] PBS,[9][10] and the Poetry Foundation[11] among other corporations and charitable foundations.[12]

Julie Walsh Smith became acting CEO of the company in September 2023.[13][14]

  1. ^ "Breaking News: Complexly Signs Major Tetris Athlete". YouTube. 23 January 2024.
  2. ^ Pierce, Jennifer Burek (2020). Narratives, Nerdfighters, and New Media. University of Iowa Press. doi:10.2307/j.ctv16x2c1r.6. ISBN 978-1-60938-718-1. JSTOR j.ctv16x2c1r. S2CID 241893288.
  3. ^ "About Complexly". Complexly. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  4. ^ Green, Hank (7 October 2016). "Changing Our Business a Bit". Vlogbrothers. YouTube. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
  5. ^ Spangler, Todd (2018-02-07). "Viacom Announces Acquisition of VidCon Internet-Video Conference". Variety. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  6. ^ Patel, Nilay (2 August 2022). "Why Hank Green can't quit YouTube for TikTok". The Verge. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  7. ^ Pham, Alex. "Patreon Acquires Subbable, Aligning the YouTube Stars". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  8. ^ "YouTube Reveals Original Channels". Tubefilter. 2011-10-29. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  9. ^ "PBS Digital Studios and Complexly Announce New Paleontology Series EONS". About PBS – Main. Retrieved 2021-12-28.
  10. ^ Erickson, David (December 18, 2018). "'A show about life': Missoula science communicators produce PBS show 'Eons'". Missoulian. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  11. ^ Johnson, Steve (September 11, 2019). "How to reach people with poetry? 'Fault in Our Stars' author John Green, Chicago Poetry Foundation are trying YouTube". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  12. ^ "Partner with Us – Complexly". complexly.com/. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  13. ^ Spangler, Todd (17 October 2023). "Hank and John Green's YouTube Studio Complexly Taps Julie Walsh Smith as Acting CEO, Gabriel Blanco as First Content Chief". Variety. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  14. ^ "About Us". Complexly. Retrieved 29 August 2023.