LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Candle Media (“Candle”), the next-generation media company run by Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, today announced the acquisition of Exile Content Studio, a global entertainment company creating premium content for the more than 550 million Spanish-speakers worldwide.
Exile’s mission is to create content featuring the experiences and voices of diverse Spanish-speaking communities from around the world. Exile was founded in 2019 by Isaac Lee – who previously served as Chief Content Officer for Univision and Televisa – and has quickly grown into a first-class studio producing feature film, scripted and unscripted television, music and audio storytelling and innovative commerce activities with deeply engaged digital communities. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Mexico City, Madrid, and Miami. Lee and Exile’s senior management team will continue to oversee Exile’s day-to-day operations.
“We are thrilled to partner with Isaac and the talented Exile team,” said Candle Co-Founders and Co-CEO’s Mayer and Staggs. "Exile has established itself as an emerging leader in Spanish-language content, with deep relationships with exceptional artists and creators, broad cross-platform production, audience engagement and social commerce expertise. We’re excited to be a part of the tremendous growth they have ahead.”
“Exile’s vision is to create content that not only resonates with Spanish-speakers, but also with universal audiences. We have spent the last three years building a network of creative talent and compelling IP, and partnering with Candle will allow us to accelerate our strategy,” said Lee. “Kevin, Tom, and Blackstone have an inspiring vision for Candle, and their commitment to invest in properties that are highly dedicated to creator communities and audiences aligns perfectly with Exile’s mission. It is an honor to join the Candle family of storytellers who represent diverse cultures and communities.”
Recent Exile projects include the series Todo Va A Estar Bien, co-produced with Diego Luna for Netflix, docu-series Un Sueño Real in partnership with journalist Ana Pastor for HBO, true-crime podcast Sacred Scandal in partnership with iHeartMedia, and the launch of Lil’ Heroes NFT collection in partnership with Spanish artist Edgar Plans. Upcoming projects include Gente Sana, a six-part docu-series hosted by J Balvin for NBC Studios for Peacock, scripted series The Illusionist Club in partnership with Moxie 88, and feature film The Coup in partnership with AP productions. Exile also holds the IP for the celebrated character Manolito Gafotas, whose books have been translated into more than twenty languages in twenty-two countries. Additionally, Exile recently announced a development deal with Academy Award-winner Benicio del Toro, acquired Dixo, a Spanish-language podcast network and production company, and launched two new divisions – Exile Music, backed by world-renowned Colombian artist Fonseca, and Exile Kids, focused on Spanish-language animation and family entertainment.
About Candle Media
Candle is an independent, creator-friendly home for cutting-edge, high-quality, category-defining brands and franchises that is built for the digital age. By bringing together elite talent operating at the intersection of content, community, and commerce, it helps position leading entertainment businesses for accelerated, sustainable growth in the current market and beyond. Candle is run by its Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs, leading entertainment executives Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs, and backed by investment capital from funds managed by Blackstone’s flagship private equity business.
About Exile Content Studio
Exile Content Studio creates content in Spanish and English for a global audience across multiple platforms — TV, Film, Audio and Digital. Exile’s team has led content production for the largest Spanish-language media companies in the world with responsibility for film studios, OTT service, broadcast and cable networks, music, news and digital. The company’s current slate includes award-winning talent across genres and formats. To stay up to date on Exile’s projects, follow @ExileContent on Twitter and Instagram.
