Latest news with #WhalarGroup
Associated Press
16-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
FOX Advertising Launches Enhanced Brand Storytelling Program with Strategic Investment in The Lighthouse
CANNES, France, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FOX Advertising announced today a strategic investment in The Lighthouse (part of the Whalar Group ), the innovative studio and campus space designed specifically for Creators to collaborate and develop content. The investment will also support the launch of FOX's new IP development initiative aimed at fueling Creator-led franchises across its content portfolio. At a time when brands and media companies are seeking immersive, IP-first ecosystems that blend content, commerce and culture, this strategic investment will further strengthen FOX's commitment to Creator-powered innovation and content creation. 'At FOX, we see the future of entertainment and advertising will be driven by bold culture-shaping IP,' said Stephano Kim, Chief Strategy & Operations Officer, FOX Advertising. 'Our investment in The Lighthouse signals our commitment to building original franchises with visionary Creators who are redefining storytelling and influencing culture in real time.' Unveiled at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, FOX and The Lighthouse's future-forward strategic relationship together with the launch of FOX's new IP development initiative will bring together the art of storytelling, brand integration, and new media experiences and will give advertisers the opportunity to collaborate with Creators around brand sponsorships and advertising inventory tied to new properties, as well as access to a pipeline of Creator-led properties designed for maximum cultural relevance and creative impact. On this strategic investment, Jon Goss, President, The Lighthouse, said: 'This partnership with FOX is a defining moment for The Lighthouse. We built this campus at the intersection of media, creativity, and culture, where the next generation of bold, Creator-led IP can be imagined and launched. Together with FOX, we're reimagining how creators and brands don't just show up in culture, they help shape it.' This investment and the launch of FOX's new IP development initiative will be FOX's first steps in building lasting franchises powered by Creator vision, network scale and brand from the start. About Fox Corporation: Fox Corporation produces and distributes compelling news, sports, and entertainment content through its primary iconic domestic brands, including FOX News Media, FOX Sports, FOX Entertainment, FOX Television Stations and Tubi Media Group. These brands hold cultural significance with consumers and commercial importance for distributors and advertisers. The breadth and depth of our footprint allows us to deliver content that engages and informs audiences, develop deeper consumer relationships, and create more compelling product offerings. FOX maintains an impressive track record of news, sports, and entertainment industry success that shapes our strategy to capitalize on existing strengths and invest in new initiatives. For more information about Fox Corporation, please visit About The Lighthouse: The Lighthouse, part of Whalar Group, is the in-real-life (IRL) creative campus and studio playground for the Creator Generation. Offering Creators an IRL platform to Learn, Make, and Belong. With locations opening in Venice, CA (2024), Brooklyn, NY (2025), and London/EMEA (2026), the campuses are designed to empower and support career Creators and creative professionals, providing a dynamic environment explicitly tailored to their needs. Each campus features state-of-the-art, mixed-use content studios and hosts impactful programming that empowers members to collaborate, learn, and grow their businesses within a thriving community. The Lighthouse expands opportunities and creative capabilities, offering Creators a dedicated space to co-create, connect, and lead the businesses shaping creative culture. Learn more: Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as 'may,' 'will,' 'should,' 'likely,' 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'intends,' 'plans,' 'projects,' 'believes,' 'estimates,' 'outlook' and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on FOX and The Lighthouse management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements in this press release due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological, strategic and/or regulatory factors and other factors affecting the operation of FOX and The Lighthouse's businesses, including the impact of COVID-19 and other widespread health emergencies or pandemics and measures to contain their spread. Statements in this press release speak only as of the date they were made, and neither FOX nor The Lighthouse undertakes any duty to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement made in this press release or to report any events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in FOX or The Lighthouse's expectations, except as required by law. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Fox Corporation
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FOX Advertising Launches Enhanced Brand Storytelling Program with Strategic Investment in The Lighthouse
CANNES, France, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FOX Advertising announced today a strategic investment in The Lighthouse (part of the Whalar Group), the innovative studio and campus space designed specifically for Creators to collaborate and develop content. The investment will also support the launch of FOX's new IP development initiative aimed at fueling Creator-led franchises across its content portfolio. At a time when brands and media companies are seeking immersive, IP-first ecosystems that blend content, commerce and culture, this strategic investment will further strengthen FOX's commitment to Creator-powered innovation and content creation. "At FOX, we see the future of entertainment and advertising will be driven by bold culture-shaping IP," said Stephano Kim, Chief Strategy & Operations Officer, FOX Advertising. "Our investment in The Lighthouse signals our commitment to building original franchises with visionary Creators who are redefining storytelling and influencing culture in real time." Unveiled at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, FOX and The Lighthouse's future-forward strategic relationship together with the launch of FOX's new IP development initiative will bring together the art of storytelling, brand integration, and new media experiences and will give advertisers the opportunity to collaborate with Creators around brand sponsorships and advertising inventory tied to new properties, as well as access to a pipeline of Creator-led properties designed for maximum cultural relevance and creative impact. On this strategic investment, Jon Goss, President, The Lighthouse, said: "This partnership with FOX is a defining moment for The Lighthouse. We built this campus at the intersection of media, creativity, and culture, where the next generation of bold, Creator-led IP can be imagined and launched. Together with FOX, we're reimagining how creators and brands don't just show up in culture, they help shape it." This investment and the launch of FOX's new IP development initiative will be FOX's first steps in building lasting franchises powered by Creator vision, network scale and brand from the start. About Fox Corporation:Fox Corporation produces and distributes compelling news, sports, and entertainment content through its primary iconic domestic brands, including FOX News Media, FOX Sports, FOX Entertainment, FOX Television Stations and Tubi Media Group. These brands hold cultural significance with consumers and commercial importance for distributors and advertisers. The breadth and depth of our footprint allows us to deliver content that engages and informs audiences, develop deeper consumer relationships, and create more compelling product offerings. FOX maintains an impressive track record of news, sports, and entertainment industry success that shapes our strategy to capitalize on existing strengths and invest in new initiatives. For more information about Fox Corporation, please visit About The Lighthouse:The Lighthouse, part of Whalar Group, is the in-real-life (IRL) creative campus and studio playground for the Creator Generation. Offering Creators an IRL platform to Learn, Make, and Belong. With locations opening in Venice, CA (2024), Brooklyn, NY (2025), and London/EMEA (2026), the campuses are designed to empower and support career Creators and creative professionals, providing a dynamic environment explicitly tailored to their needs. Each campus features state-of-the-art, mixed-use content studios and hosts impactful programming that empowers members to collaborate, learn, and grow their businesses within a thriving community. The Lighthouse expands opportunities and creative capabilities, offering Creators a dedicated space to co-create, connect, and lead the businesses shaping creative culture. Learn more: Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "projects," "believes," "estimates," "outlook" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on FOX and The Lighthouse management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements in this press release due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological, strategic and/or regulatory factors and other factors affecting the operation of FOX and The Lighthouse's businesses, including the impact of COVID-19 and other widespread health emergencies or pandemics and measures to contain their spread. Statements in this press release speak only as of the date they were made, and neither FOX nor The Lighthouse undertakes any duty to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement made in this press release or to report any events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in FOX or The Lighthouse's expectations, except as required by law. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Fox Corporation Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Insider
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Marc Benioff-backed influencer agency Whalar Group is buying a creator startup for $20 million as M&A ramps up
Influencer agency Whalar Group is expanding its education tools and offerings for creators by acquiring the platform Business of Creativity in a deal worth $20 million, the company told Business Insider. The acquisition is the influencer marketing and talent management company's first since Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and other investors bought a stake in the company at a $400 million valuation earlier this month. Whalar Group has not disclosed the size of that investment. Business of Creativity hosts online courses run by marketing and advertising industry leaders. The UK-based startup was founded in 2022 by Ben Lee, Immy Groome, and advertising veteran John Hegarty, who is an investor in Whalar Group and has been its chairman since 2017. The broader creator economy recorded a flurry of mergers and acquisitions since 2024. Publicis Groupe announced in July that it was buying influencer marketing company Influential and earlier this month acquired a similar company, Captiv8. VidCon, one of the creator industry's largest events, was bought by the UK media firm Informa in 2024. In October, Whalar Group also acquired Sixteenth, a talent management firm. Business of Creativity is Whalar Group's third acquisition to date. "It feels like our industry has gone from the fringe to a boardroom priority," Whalar Group co-CEO Neil Waller said about the creator economy. "It's just part of mainstream culture now, given the level of professionalism, the level of consumption, the level of impact that it has on building and shaping culture." Waller said he expects more M&A deals in the creator economy as the space matures and consolidates further. Whalar Group's acquisition of Business of Creativity is meant to help the company roll out more courses and events, particularly in the US. "We've done things with creators in the past, but primarily our audience has been speaking to businesses," Business of Creativity's CEO Ben Lee said. "As we roll out future courses, there's definitely going to be one specifically around best practices, how large companies can work with creators." Lee pointed to a recent example of an event Whalar Group and Business of Creativity hosted at Whalar Group's Los Angeles-based creator hub, The Lighthouse, where chief marketing officers and creators got together. Waller thinks that education, through courses and other events, will have a lasting impact on the sustainability of the creator economy. He described the Lighthouse as a "college campus that we built to help creators learn," which has brought in partners from brands to Hollywood to athletes. "Through this, we gain learnings of how creators could potentially also build their own courses for their audiences," Waller said. "We're learning about this side of the business as well."
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Whalar Group Secures Strategic Investment From Marc Benioff, Shopify, and Neal H. Moritz to Power the Next Era of the Creator Economy
LOS ANGELES, May 16, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Whalar Group, the global Creator company on a mission to liberate the creative voice, announced today that they have secured strategic investment from a group of powerhouse investors: Marc Benioff the visionary founder of Salesforce, Shopify, and Neal H. Moritz the acclaimed Hollywood producer & founder of Original Film. Neil Waller, Co-CEO & Co-Founder, Whalar Group, said: "The Creator Economy is now mainstream. What started as mostly part-time influencers has evolved into a professionalized industry. Creators are hiring teams, embracing new technologies and new ways of working to create valuable IP, build thriving communities and develop businesses with diverse revenue streams. This investment validates that we're just scratching the surface of what's possible. We're doubling down on building infrastructure that lets Creators operate like major entertainment companies, but with the agility to rapidly adopt new ways of thinking and creating that give them a distinct competitive advantage. The future isn't just about content, it's about Creators building the next generation of entertainment and media powerhouses." This investment marks a significant milestone in Whalar Group's journey as the company continues to scale its ecosystem, which is built entirely around Creators. Whalar Group has built a fully integrated ecosystem to support them, spanning brand partnerships, talent management, product incubation, digital operating system, physical campuses, and gaming innovation. Whalar Group's unique ecosystem consists of six companies: Whalar: the world's leading independent Creator and social agency. Sixteenth: a leading, global, 360° Creator talent management company. The Lighthouse: the first-of-its-kind IRL campus for Creators and their teams to Learn, Make, and Belong. Foam: the operating system for managing digital talent. Moby Ventures: a venture studio that brings Creators' ideas for brands and products to life. Umi Games: a gaming studio that connects brands to Creators, building the most immersive experiences within Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft. The backing from these three investors is an important step in the company's growth, reflecting its long-term vision and the immense potential of the Creator Economy. Each investor brings a unique, equal contribution to the story of where Whalar Group is going next. Shopify, through its internal venture team, brings a shared belief in community-led commerce and the rise of Creators as the next generation of entrepreneurs. This investment is a full-circle moment for Whalar Group, which was incorporated shortly after the founders were Build A Business winners of Shopify in 2015. Harley Finkelstein, Shopify President said: "Creators are powerhouses of commerce. They've built an entire ecosystem around their communities - an ecosystem that's built on Shopify, and supercharged by Whalar Group. We're arming creators with the tools they need to turn their communities into businesses from day one." And with Neal H. Moritz, the founder of Original Film and one of the most prolific producers working in Hollywood today, with more than $12 billion in global box office earnings, he ranks as the fifth highest-grossing producer of all time. The partnership strengthens Whalar Group's deepening bridge into the entertainment world, helping Creators accelerate their opportunities to work with existing IP as well as develop and build value in their IP. Neal H. Moritz, Founder of Original Film, said: "Creators today have the power, reach, and originality that used to be reserved for studios and networks. We're excited to partner with Whalar Group on the infrastructure for Creators to help them scale that power into lasting IP." This investment round signals the beginning of the next chapter for Whalar Group. With the backing of leaders in tech, commerce, and entertainment, Whalar Group is poised to unlock a new wave of innovation and impact, with more to come. About Whalar Group:Whalar Group is a global Creator company on a mission to liberate the creative voice. Our proximity, understanding, and trust of Creators evolved into a first-of-its-kind Creator ecosystem that includes the leading independent Creator and social agency, a 360° Creator talent management company, a first-of-its-kind IRL campus for Creators and teams, an operating system for managing digital talent, a venture studio, and a ground-breaking gaming studio. With a team of 300+ people around the world, we bring brands and businesses into value-driven, Creator-led communities. Whalar Group melds entrepreneurship, technology, and creativity to unlock limitless possibilities. For more information, visit: View source version on Contacts MEDIA CONTACT: Courtney BartholomewGlobal Head of Marketing + Communications, Whalar Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
16-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Whalar Group Secures Strategic Investment From Marc Benioff, Shopify, and Neal H. Moritz to Power the Next Era of the Creator Economy
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Whalar Group, the global Creator company on a mission to liberate the creative voice, announced today that they have secured strategic investment from a group of powerhouse investors: Marc Benioff the visionary founder of Salesforce, Shopify, and Neal H. Moritz the acclaimed Hollywood producer & founder of Original Film. Neil Waller, Co-CEO & Co-Founder, Whalar Group, said: 'The Creator Economy is now mainstream. What started as mostly part-time influencers has evolved into a professionalized industry. Creators are hiring teams, embracing new technologies and new ways of working to create valuable IP, build thriving communities and develop businesses with diverse revenue streams. This investment validates that we're just scratching the surface of what's possible. We're doubling down on building infrastructure that lets Creators operate like major entertainment companies, but with the agility to rapidly adopt new ways of thinking and creating that give them a distinct competitive advantage. The future isn't just about content, it's about Creators building the next generation of entertainment and media powerhouses." This investment marks a significant milestone in Whalar Group's journey as the company continues to scale its ecosystem, which is built entirely around Creators. Whalar Group has built a fully integrated ecosystem to support them, spanning brand partnerships, talent management, product incubation, digital operating system, physical campuses, and gaming innovation. Whalar Group's unique ecosystem consists of six companies: Whalar: the world's leading independent Creator and social agency. Sixteenth: a leading, global, 360° Creator talent management company. The Lighthouse: the first-of-its-kind IRL campus for Creators and their teams to Learn, Make, and Belong. Foam: the operating system for managing digital talent. Moby Ventures: a venture studio that brings Creators' ideas for brands and products to life. Umi Games: a gaming studio that connects brands to Creators, building the most immersive experiences within Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft. The backing from these three investors is an important step in the company's growth, reflecting its long-term vision and the immense potential of the Creator Economy. Each investor brings a unique, equal contribution to the story of where Whalar Group is going next. Shopify, through its internal venture team, brings a shared belief in community-led commerce and the rise of Creators as the next generation of entrepreneurs. This investment is a full-circle moment for Whalar Group, which was incorporated shortly after the founders were Build A Business winners of Shopify in 2015. Harley Finkelstein, Shopify President said: 'Creators are powerhouses of commerce. They've built an entire ecosystem around their communities - an ecosystem that's built on Shopify, and supercharged by Whalar Group. We're arming creators with the tools they need to turn their communities into businesses from day one.' And with Neal H. Moritz, the founder of Original Film and one of the most prolific producers working in Hollywood today, with more than $12 billion in global box office earnings, he ranks as the fifth highest-grossing producer of all time. The partnership strengthens Whalar Group's deepening bridge into the entertainment world, helping Creators accelerate their opportunities to work with existing IP as well as develop and build value in their IP. Neal H. Moritz, Founder of Original Film, said: 'Creators today have the power, reach, and originality that used to be reserved for studios and networks. We're excited to partner with Whalar Group on the infrastructure for Creators to help them scale that power into lasting IP.' This investment round signals the beginning of the next chapter for Whalar Group. With the backing of leaders in tech, commerce, and entertainment, Whalar Group is poised to unlock a new wave of innovation and impact, with more to come. About Whalar Group: Whalar Group is a global Creator company on a mission to liberate the creative voice. Our proximity, understanding, and trust of Creators evolved into a first-of-its-kind Creator ecosystem that includes the leading independent Creator and social agency, a 360° Creator talent management company, a first-of-its-kind IRL campus for Creators and teams, an operating system for managing digital talent, a venture studio, and a ground-breaking gaming studio. With a team of 300+ people around the world, we bring brands and businesses into value-driven, Creator-led communities. Whalar Group melds entrepreneurship, technology, and creativity to unlock limitless possibilities. For more information, visit:
