Disney Digital Network

Disney Digital Network
FormerlyMaker Studios Inc. (2009–2017)
Company typeMulti-channel network
IndustryEntertainment
Founded2009; 15 years ago (2009)
Founders
DefunctApril 30, 2019; 5 years ago (2019-04-30)
Headquarters
Culver City, California
,
U.S.
Key people
  • Andrew Sugerman (CEO)
ParentDisney Media and Entertainment Distribution
SubsidiariesPolaris (formerly The Game Station)
Websitemakerstudios.com (Redirects to disneyadvertising.com)
ddn.disney.com (Redirects to disneyadvertising.com)
Footnotes / references
[1][2]

Disney Digital Network was an American multi-channel network located in Culver City, California. It was originally the successor to Maker Studios, co-founded by Lisa Donovan, Danny Zappin, Scott Katz, Kassem Gharaibeh, Shay Carl, Rawn Erickson II, Ben Donovan,[3][4] Philip DeFranco, Glasgow Phillips, Michael Gallagher, Matthew Clawson, and Paul Ballon in 2009. Maker Studios was originally conceived as an incubator for YouTube talent through the use of Super Channels like The Station. Maker Studios adopted the multi-channel network (MCN) model after the initial model failed to take root.[5][6] Maker Studios was acquired by The Walt Disney Company in 2014 for $500 million,[7][8] and was absorbed into the newly formed Disney Digital Network in 2017.[8]

Outside the United States, the former Maker Studios had significant audiences in the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Australia, and was aiming to expand its Asian operations, where it once had 700 million monthly unique views. Run by René Rechtman (who now runs Moonbug Entertainment), president for the international division, Maker had plans to build a headquarters in London for its commercial, production and marketing activities outside the USA. An Asian hub had been established in Singapore, which offered limited commercial and marketing support before the company was sold to The Walt Disney Company.[9]

Following the Disney acquisition, the company suffered multiple rounds of layoffs, executive shuffling, and partner cut-offs.[10][11]

  1. ^ Todd Spangler (June 26, 2013). "Maker Studios Founder Danny Zappin Sues Company Over 'Ouster'". Variety. Retrieved July 14, 2013.
  2. ^ Eriq Gardner (June 27, 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. ^ Claire Cain Miller (April 10, 2011). "Actors in Smaller Studios, Making Pictures for the Smaller Screen". New York Times. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  5. ^ Rosen, Christine (September 30, 2022). "'Like, Comment, Subscribe' Review: Watching YouTube Rise". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  6. ^ "DRAW MY LIFE – Philip DeFranco". The Philip DeFranco Show. YouTube. April 10, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  7. ^ Mike Shields (December 15, 2015). "Maker Studios Head to Step Down". The Wall Street Journal.
  8. ^ a b "Disney Reveals Digital Network Combining Maker Talent With Editorial Brands". The Hollywood Reporter. May 2, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  9. ^ Will Haskins (June 4, 2014). "Maker Sets Sights on Asian Talent". Media Business Asia. Retrieved June 10, 2014.
  10. ^ Roettgers, Janko (February 14, 2017). "Disney's Maker Studios Drops PewDiePie Because of Anti-Semitic Videos". Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  11. ^ "Report: Disney's Maker Studios cutting support for more than 55,000 YouTubers". Polygon. February 23, 2017. Retrieved May 18, 2017.