SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Whalerock Industries today announced a significant expansion of its digital media business to include direct-to-consumer digital Media Hubs. Whalerock is partnering with global influencers to develop over-the-top Media Hubs through which audiences can connect and interact directly with artists, brands and their content. First partnerships include cultural icons and influencers: Kim Kardashian West, Khloe Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Howard Stern and Tyler, The Creator. Additional Media Hubs will be announced and launched in the months ahead.
Media Hubs will be interactive and include original and licensed content in all forms. Media Hubs will leverage advancements in technology and evolving consumer behavior to create direct-to-consumer media offerings with both transactional and ad-supported revenue streams.
“Today's digital world gives influential brands the opportunity to connect directly with their audience and consumers,” said Lloyd Braun, founder and CEO of Whalerock Industries. “Whalerock is providing influential brands the platform, production infrastructure and other capabilities required to create and program unique and innovative direct-to-consumer Media Hubs."
The first Media Hub will be an app from Tyler, The Creator and will launch in the first half of 2015. The app will include original and curated content and allow Tyler to interact directly with his most passionate fans.
Whalerock also announced that GF Capital has acquired a minority stake in the Company to provide capital to support these and future initiatives. GF Capital, based in New York, focuses on making growth capital investments in branded consumer product and media companies. The firm provides operational support and a deep network to help build its portfolio companies. Moelis & Company LLC acted as exclusive placement agent to the Company in connection with the transaction.
Whalerock and MGM announced that their television and film agreement has been extended into 2017. MGM is distributing internationally Whalerock’s new series Battlebots, to air this summer on ABC. Other MGM/Whalerock projects include the film I Am Pilgrim (based on the Terry Hayes best-selling novel) and series development across multiple television outlets.
Whalerock Industries, formerly BermanBraun, was founded eight years ago and is a media and technology company blending Hollywood’s talent and content focus with Silicon Valley’s lean, meritocratic, platform-driven approach to create innovative premium content experiences. Whalerock’s digital properties including Wonderwall, Mandatory, Mom.me and Moviefone (in partnership with Aol) reach approximately 70 million consumers per month across their touchpoints.
