Los Angeles – AwesomenessTV, a multi-platform media company serving the global teen community, announced on April 2 that it has agreed to acquire the YouTube multi-channel network Big Frame, a pioneer in digital talent and influencer management. Together, AwesomenessTV and Big Frame will become an even more powerful presence in YouTube’s most popular verticals, including beauty, fashion, fitness and music.
Known throughout the industry for its discerning approach to talent development, Big Frame has amassed an impressive stable of top-tier influencers with more than 300 talent-run channels, which deliver more than 39 million YouTube subscribers and 3.4 billion views. Combined, AwesomenessTV and Big Frame will deliver 80 million subscribers and close to a billion views a month.
Through this deal, AwesomenessTV gains Big Frame’s talent roster, strong executive team and talent managers. Big Frame’s founders Sarah Penna and Steve Raymond are recognised throughout the industry for cultivating and building top talent. For Big Frame talent, AwesomenessTV will deliver a multi-platform approach to building brands and monetising content.
“With AwesomenessTV committed to aggressive growth, the acquisition of Big Frame enables us to bring on expertise in talent development as well as a great group of YouTube stars,” said AwesomenessTV Chief Operating Officer Brett Bouttier. “Sarah and Steve have a great track record for identifying and developing talent and we believe that working together we can build talent brands that will transcend YouTube,” added Brian Robbins, CEO and Co-Founder AwesomenessTV.
“We believe that Big Frame’s unique ability to build online communities combined with the Awesomeness team’s ability to create premium content and tell great stories will be a winning formula for the next stage of the entertainment industry’s evolution,” said Raymond, CEO, Big Frame.
Added Penna, Chief Creative Officer, Big Frame: “We’re so grateful to have worked with online video’s greatest creators for many years and we’re excited about all the new opportunities this merger will bring them.”
AwesomenessTV has agreed to acquire Big Frame for total consideration of $15 million in cash (including repayment of outstanding debt). The transaction is subject to various closing conditions and is expected to be completed in April 2014.
