A YouTube alum's next move: turning viral cartoons into big business
Visional Pop will invest in and partner with animation creators, including those making comic-style and short-form videos on X and Instagram. It plans to help creators cultivate a presence on YouTube and other platforms and monetize mostly via consumer products, including toys and apparel.
Visional Pop was founded by Ben Grubbs, a YouTube and Turner Broadcasting alum and longtime investor in the creator economy. A firm he cofounded, Creator Sports Capital, recently led a $45 million investment into Good Good Golf.
Shortly after Visional Pop was founded late last year, it acquired YoBoHo — a 15-year-old, Mumbai-headquartered YouTube network that owns and operates over 150 channels in the kids' space.
Grubbs declined to share the acquisition price, but said YoBoHo will play a key role in the company's mission.
Visional Pop will harness YoBoHo's content distribution and audience development expertise, as well as its production infrastructure, to build YouTube channels for the creators it's working with.
YoBoHo reaches more than 200 million unique viewers monthly. In addition to incubating its own channels, it has developed YouTube channels for third parties, said founder and CEO Hitendra Merchant.
Selling products is one way creators can turn their content into a big business. Many influencers make money from the sales of items like T-shirts, keychains, and chocolate bars. However, Trump's tariffs have squeezed some pockets of the creator merch industry, such as plushies, and they have had to adapt.
Visional Pop will be based in Los Angeles, but Grubbs said he's assembling a team in Japan focused on product design and manufacturing.
Visional Pop will announce the first slate of creators it's investing in in the coming months. Grubbs said it's seeking family-friendly characters that appeal to children and adults alike.
Grubbs said he's been particularly inspired by the animated character IP market in Japan. One example is Chiikawa — a character that originated on X and has spawned dedicated retail stores in Tokyo.
"Our aspiration is to have IP that we develop and that we partner with and invest in that's going to be recognized by our grandkids," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Screen Geek
3 hours ago
- Screen Geek
Salma Hayek Dances In White String Bikini In Instagram Video
Salma Hayek is captivating her Instagram followers once again — this time with a video of her dancing in a white bikini. Radiating confidence and joy, Salma Hayek moves effortlessly, showing off not only her signature style but her natural charisma. The video has quickly racked up millions of views and likes, with fans flooding the comments to praise her energy and timeless beauty. In her caption, Hayek expresses gratitude for the people in her life, including her family, friends, team, and even animals and nature — a reflection of her grounded, appreciative spirit. As you can see in the video, which now has over a million views, Hayek exudes confidence and joy as she dances effortlessly in a white bikini. Her carefree movements and radiant smile have captured the attention of fans around the world, sparking a wave of admiration in the comments. Viewers are praising not only her timeless beauty but also the positive energy she brings to every post. The setting adds to the charm — sunlit, serene, and perfectly matched to her relaxed, vibrant vibe. It's a moment that feels both personal and celebratory, reminding fans why she continues to be such a beloved figure. SALMA HAYEK… I'M SPEECHLESS — (@sirencrave) July 23, 2025 Here's hoping we see more of Salma Hayek's infectious energy and talent on screen soon. Be sure to stay tuned to ScreenGeek for more updates on Salma Hayek and other trending moments as they happen. For now, it's just great to see her enjoying life and sharing these joyful glimpses with fans. Here's to seeing even more of Hayek, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes, in the months to come.
Time Business News
3 hours ago
- Time Business News
Naidu Sammeta
A quick Google search for Naidu Sammeta brings up a clear and consistent personal brand across platforms: LinkedIn introduces him as a Digital Marketing Specialist with expertise in SEO, social media marketing, and brand strategy , helping businesses grow through customized online solutions. introduces him as a with expertise in , helping businesses grow through customized online solutions. On Instagram (@naidu_sammeta) , his profile stands out with personal flair — a passionate creator, admirer of Pawan Kalyan, and someone who builds brands with 'passion & purpose' . , his profile stands out with personal flair — a passionate creator, admirer of Pawan Kalyan, and someone who builds brands with . His blog and other search results reflect his entrepreneurial journey, content marketing insights, and dedication to empowering others through digital transformation. At the heart of Naidu Sammeta's journey is Srimediadigitals, a growing digital agency focused on delivering strategic marketing solutions for startups, local businesses, and personal brands. From social media growth to brand consulting, Srimediadigitals aims to bridge the gap between businesses and their digital audiences with creativity, analytics, and storytelling. Naidu is not just another marketer – he brings a 360-degree understanding of the digital ecosystem. His key strengths include: SEO and traffic growth strategies Brand building through authentic storytelling Content creation and distribution Paid ad campaigns and performance tracking Engaging audience management on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube His approach is data-backed yet people-focused, blending performance with personalization. What sets Naidu Sammeta apart is his commitment to value-driven growth. He stands by his core principles — consistency, integrity, and creativity — and believes in uplifting others while building his own brand. As seen in his Instagram bio, he's not just a strategist, but a community builder and someone deeply inspired by real-life role models like Pawan Kalyan. His content often reflects positive thinking, entrepreneurship, and the mindset shift needed to grow in today's competitive world. From being listed among top digital professionals on LinkedIn to gaining traction through organic branding on Instagram and Blogger, Naidu's name now appears on multiple digital platforms — a sign of a well-managed personal brand that resonates with both clients and followers alike. Whether it's helping a startup scale or inspiring young marketers through his journey, Naidu Sammeta is a name to watch in 2025 and beyond. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
Vatican to host ‘hot priests' influencers who spread word of God to younger faithful as numbers slump
They're hot under the collar. The Vatican is set to host influencers and missionaries to discuss spreading the church's message through social media — and is looking for help from some 'hot priests' who are turning heads with their bountiful internet followings. Over 1,000 priests and friars will flock to Rome on Monday to advance efforts to reach the younger generation of would-be worshippers as congregations decline — with some ungodly good-looking priests who are already doing the Lord's work set to attend, The Telegraph reported Saturday. Advertisement One of them is Father Giuseppe Fusari, a bodybuilding silver fox from Brescia, Italy, who has more than 60,000 Instagram followers on Instagram, some of whom are thirsty for more than just communion wine. 'I hope it will bring people closer to the church, there is a lot of curiosity, and I am convinced that social media is one way to attract people,' the tattooed Fusari told the outlet. 5 Father Giuseppe Fusari has amassed a following as broad as his chest on social media, a pulpit where the 58-year-old spreads the Gospel, his reflections on life and beefy pics. Giuseppe Fusari/Instagram Advertisement 5 The bodybuilding 58-year-old regularly flexes his tattooed biceps on Instagram. Giuseppe Fusari/Instagram The 58-year-old uses his large online pulpit to not only flex his tattooed biceps and toned chest — but also spread the Gospel and share personal reflections on life. Most of his followers are between the ages of 25 and 55, according to the Telegraph. The ruggedly handsome Father Cosimo Schena, Italy's 'most beloved' priest, has seen his flock double in size since he started posting on TikTok and Instagram, the British outlet reported. Advertisement 5 Father Cosimo Schena, 46, has become Italy's 'most beloved' priest after years of posting positive messages on social media. doncosimoschena/Instagram The 46-year-old from Brindisi, Italy, boasts over 454,000 followers on Instagram, where he posts tons of photos of himself flashing his pearly whites and manicured beard. Schena also regularly posts photos with his rescue beagle Storm and advocates for his fellow Italians to adopt pets from local shelters. Offering a softer palate for clergy admirers is Father Ambrogio Mazza. Advertisement 5 Father Ambrogio Mazza, 34, shows off both his active lifestyle and his priestly duties on social media. Don Ambrogio Mazzai, /Instagram Mazza, 34, is a guitar-playing, bike-riding poet who gives his more than 460,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok glimpses of his life as a priest. The dashing clergyman shares tons of selfies and snaps of himself conducting his priestly duties — much to the delight of online admirers. 'What a beautiful guy our Father is,' one follower wrote, according to the Telegraph. 5 The strikingly handsome man of God regularly posts selfies online, much to the approval of online admirers. Don Ambrogio Mazzai, /Instagram 'You are very beautiful and elegant,' another chimed in. These vow-testingly attractive priests are at the vanguard of the Catholic Church's social media mission laid out by the late Pope Francis and continued by his successor, Pope Leo XIV. Advertisement Since taking office, Pope Leo has made regular use of social media apps such as X to spread the Catholic message to his nearly 19 million followers. The Vatican has previously attempted to turn attractive priests into community outreach — setting pulses racing with a calendar of gorgeous men of God back in 2022.
