SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KIN, a leading global digital media company that empowers lifestyle creators to do what they love, today closed a $12 million Series C round of funding, led by Corus Entertainment Inc. with participation by Emil Capital. The round also includes existing investors Mayfield Fund, General Catalyst Partners and Rustic Canyon Partners.
KIN, which owns KIN Community, the number one female-focused lifestyle network on YouTube, will use the funding for overall talent acquisition and support, expansion of its advertising sales team, original programming and new business development opportunities. In addition, KIN and Corus, a Canada-based media and entertainment company, will partner to launch KIN Canada, bringing the company’s multichannel network, lifestyle creators, award-winning programming and advertising opportunities to the Canadian marketplace. KIN’s sales team will work in collaboration with Corus to leverage KIN’s existing advertising and marketing platforms to create custom opportunities for brands to reach Canadian consumers.
“This new round of funding will further accelerate our vision to be the global leader in lifestyle by empowering the best lifestyle creators,” said Michael Wayne, Co-Founder and CEO of KIN. “We’re thrilled that Corus recognizes the unique value KIN Community brings creators, brands and consumers as a lifestyle platform, and we are looking forward to working with them as a partner.”
In addition to its premium and lifestyle entertainment offerings like W Network, ABC Spark, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), and CosmoTV among others, Corus has a portfolio of kid-focused assets that include television networks; an animation business, Nelvana; and a book publishing business, Kids Can Press.
“Corus Entertainment is committed to building its digital media presence to complement our strong portfolio of market leading brands and content,” said John Cassaday, President and CEO, Corus Entertainment. “KIN is a clear leader in the digital lifestyle space and is the right strategic partner for us, given their deep understanding of the industry and proven track record for working with creators and advertisers. We look forward to bringing KIN Community to Canada and helping them build their business globally.”
Through its owned and operated brands and network of inspiring and savvy lifestyle creators, KIN attracts more than 25 million unique viewers each month and has over 4 billion lifetime video views.
Other prominent KIN brands include Rosanna Pansino, Wayne Goss, The Ellen Show, Byron Talbot and the Emmy Award winning series the Lizzie Bennet Diaries.
About Corus Entertainment Inc.
Corus Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children’s book publishing and children’s animation. The Company’s multimedia entertainment brands include YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon (Canada), ABC Spark, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), CosmoTV, Sundance Channel (Canada), Movie Central, HBO Canada, Nelvana, Kids Can Press and radio stations including CKNW AM 980, 99.3 The FOX, Country 105, 630 CHED, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. Corus creates engaging branded entertainment experiences for its audiences across multiple platforms. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B). Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.
About KIN/KIN Community
Founded in 2007, KIN is the global leader in lifestyle, empowering lifestyle creators around the world to do what they love. Based in Santa Monica, CA, KIN is backed by Corus Entertainment, Mayfield Fund, General Catalyst Partners, Rustic Canyon Partners, Atomico and Emil Capital.
KIN Community is the number one lifestyle network on YouTube, delivering high-quality, female-focused video content across verticals including food, health, beauty, parenting, home and entertainment. KIN Community reaches consumers in honest and inspiring ways through world-class original lifestyle video and Emmy award-winning scripted series. In addition, KIN Community incubates new online video talent and produces custom content programs with major brand advertisers. Since 2011, KIN Community has attracted more than 20 million network subscribers and over 4 billion lifetime video views. More information can be found at: www.kincommunity.com
