Dentsu Aegis Network makes investment in Gleam Futures

Dentsu Aegis Network today announces an agreement to invest in Gleam Futures, the global leader in digital-first talent management.

This strategic partnership will see the two companies work together to enhance Gleam Futures’ global offering and create key growth opportunities in new markets through Dentsu Aegis Network’s entertainment content division, The Story Lab.

Founded in 2010 and headquartered in London, Gleam Futures represents more than 40 of the world’s most prominent digital-first talent. Its roster features the stars behind more than half of the top 10 talent-led YouTube channels, such as Zoella, Jim Chapman, Tanya Burr and Pixiwoo, who reach more than 60 million subscribers.

This partnership will accelerate and enhance Gleam Futures' national and global representation of its digital-first talent, the content they create, and the large audiences they entertain. As a result, Gleam Futures’ talent will be able to develop deeper commercial partnerships and enhance their cross-channel syndication and reach.

The strong synergies between Gleam Futures and The Story Lab will further strengthen Dentsu Aegis Network's market-leading capabilities in development, distribution and marketing of original entertainment intellectual property across territories, platforms and devices.

Dominic Smales, CEO and founder of Gleam Futures, and his team will continue to spearhead the company’s growth from its current headquarters on Charlotte Street, London. They will also continue to represent the company’s entire roster of talent independently in each market. Gleam Group subsidiaries, meanwhile, will also benefit from frictionless access to global markets.

Tracy De Groose, CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network UK & Ireland said: “The way people are consuming content has fundamentally changed as more people turn to trusted online content producers. This is the digital economy in action and few businesses have led from the forefront of the digital talent revolution like Gleam Futures. Its roster transcends the vast audience they command across platforms like YouTube. We now have a massive opportunity to support the growth of this truly unique talent business by creating powerful collisions between content, creative, and media distribution.”

Dominic Smales CEO and Founder, Gleam Futures said: ”I am hugely excited to begin the next chapter in our evolution with Dentsu Aegis Network. This partnership will give our roster unrivalled access to the highly populated and fast developing markets around the world, as well as strenghthening our already established representation in the UK and US. We will continue to develop the careers of our entire roster by helping them build their intellectual property way ahead of the traditional talent management trajectory.” 

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

‑ ENDS ‑

For further information contact:

Josh Colley
Corporate Communications Manager
T: +44 (0)7894 595614
E: Josh.Colley@dentsuaegis.com

Anna Lake
Global Communications Manager
T: +44 (0)207 070 7713
E: Anna.Lake@dentsuaegis.com

Notes to Editors:

About Dentsu Aegis Network

Part of Dentsu Inc., Dentsu Aegis Network is made up of ten global network brands - Carat, Dentsu, dentsu X, iProspect, Isobar, mcgarrybowen, Merkle, MKTG, Posterscope and Vizeum and supported by its specialist/multi-market brands. Dentsu Aegis Network is Innovating the Way Brands Are Built for its clients through its best-in-class expertise and capabilities in media, digital and creative communications services. Offering a distinctive and innovative range of products and services, Dentsu Aegis Network is headquartered in London and operates in 145 countries worldwide with more than 38,000 dedicated specialists.