In a move that will surely have the internet talking, global influencer marketing agency Viral Nation has acquired content production company Eight Seven Media. Eight Seven Media, founded in 2018 by Dylan Scance, has worked with professional athletes like Julio Rodriguez, Tyreek Hill, Sydney McLaughlin, and Tyler Cameron, as well as with brands such as UFC, DraftKings, and ASRV.
The acquisition will see Eight Seven Media rebranded as “VN Studio” and become a hub for content creation, distribution, and monetization across brands, creators, athletes, and talent. This is a savvy move by Viral Nation that will no doubt help the agency expand its reach and influence.
The new studio will be run by Scance (Scance is an executive at Viral Nation) and Brandon Lentino, an early employee and Executive Vice President at Eight Seven Media.
The new studio will focus on producing content for brand and talent partners. It currently includes 30 employees serving brands such as Coca-Cola and Walmart, as well as a growing roster of athletes and talent partners.
What Does The Acquisition Mean For Viral Nation?
The acquisition is a clear indication that Viral Nation is looking to expand its operations into the realm of content creation. The new “VN Studio” will give the agency a much-needed boost in this area, as well as provide it with a solid base from which to distribute and monetize content. This is a smart move by Viral Nation, as it will help the agency keep up with the ever-changing landscape of the internet and social media.
What Does The Acquisition Mean For Eight Seven Media?
For Eight Seven Media, the acquisition is an opportunity to tap into Viral Nation’s sizable network of influencers and creators. This will no doubt help the production company grow its reach and influence. Additionally, being rebranded as “VN Studio” will give Eight Seven Media a more polished and professional image that could attract more high-profile clients.
“I started Viral Nation in the sense that I wanted to do a service to the influencer space that was not just about the content, but also about building relationships. We’ve been able to help build those relationships because of our data and insights. We’re now helping them build their social streams,” said Joe Gagliese the Co-Founder.
According to Viral Nation, their content strategy is based on “creative transformation”—every week it’s looking at how they can make sure their campaigns are engaging across platforms and channels that matter most to non-fans.
The acquisition of Eight Seven Media by Viral Nation is sure to have big implications for both companies. For Viral Nation, it signals a move into content creation that will help the agency keep up with the ever-changing landscape of social media. For Eight Seven Media, being rebranded as “VN Studio” gives the company a more polished image that could attract bigger clients. Only time will tell how this all plays out but we are definitely excited to see what comes next from these two companies!
The company, which has been making waves in the world of digital advertising since its founding in 2012, received a whopping $198 million funding round this last April.
That’s right: Viral Nation is worth $515 million now—and it’s getting even more valuable, with Todd Boehly’s Eldridge Industries leading the way by contributing more than half of that amount.
Boehly, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lakers—and one of the preferred bidders for Chelsea FC—is now a part of Viral Nation’s board.
The company will use the funds to expand into Europe and Brazil as well as Israel. This will allow them to grow their total revenue by more than 50% this year.
In a world where consumer tastes are changing faster than ever before, Viral Nation’s mission is to create a new paradigm for how brands can engage with consumers—by working with the best creators on YouTube and Instagram who will help them build meaningful relationships with their audiences. By leveraging technology that allows them to identify the most influential creators at scale, Viral Nation helps brands identify key talent and work with them to develop campaigns that are tailored to their target audience.
