Latest in Maker Studios

Disney has laid off fewer than 20 employees at the Disney Digital Network, the unit in Glendale that includes Maker Studios. While it doesn’t affect a large number of workers, the move is the latest of several job reductions tied to reorganizations ahead of Disney’s acquisition of most of 21st Century Fox. The Digital…

Ynon Kreiz, known in Hollywood circles for his exec stints at Maker Studios and Endemol Group, has been named CEO of Mattel. Already a board member of the toymaker and poised to become board chairman pending a shareholder vote on May 17, Kreiz will officially take the CEO reins on April 26. Margo Gerogiadis, who…

Disney unveiled the Disney Digital Network, which utilizes creators and brands from its Maker Studios, at the IAB Digital Content NewFronts Tuesday in New York. The network, which Disney says reaches over one billion followers, combines more than 300 social media channels and includes Disney's in-house branded content…

Disney's Maker Studios is in the midst of another round of layoffs today, which follows a round in July that claimed about 30 employees. A source close to the situation says the total number of layoffs now underway is around 80, at various levels of the operation. In December, Disney folded Maker’s digital operation in…

UPDATE, 11 AM:  A day after Disney’s Maker Studios severed ties with PewDiePie (aka Felix Kjellberg) after anti-semitic jokes surfaced in videos posted on his YouTube channel, the streaming service has also distanced itself from Kjellberg. In a statement Tuesday morning, YouTube said it has canceled the release of Scar…

The situation at Maker Studios shifted into a new mode today with parent company Disney now melding the digital operation into its content and media business division and boss Courtney Holt now being made an EVP Media and Strategy at the House of Mouse. "In the weeks to come, you'll hear more about how the teams will…

In the wake of Adult Swim’s 15-minute length series Childrens Hospital rallying two wins and four noms in recent Emmy history, the short form categories have become a popular place to be with such companies as AOL and NBC jumping into the fray. This year, the Television Academy expanded the short form slot to variety…

EXCLUSIVE: Disney’s Maker Studios confirmed today it’s in the midst of layoffs. The digital operation isn’t saying what prompted the changes, but we heard the number of employees affected is about 30. “Maker Studios' business is constantly evolving, and after careful thought, we have decided to make some strategic…

Unlike most other major digital platforms, Disney’s Maker Studios turned down the volume of hype for its Newfront presentation today — unveiling its programming plans at what it describes as “an intimate breakfast with brand clients.” Today’s theme, it says, was “focus.” Maker plans to pay attention to core genres…

UTA has hired Maker Studios executive Sam Wick as an exec in its Digital Media department, where the industry veteran will focus on building new businesses for the agency’s client roster. At Disney-owned Maker, he was EVP and GM, Enterprise, overseeing enterprise P&L, corporate and business development, and strategic…

Ynon Kreiz is on his way out as president of Disney’s Maker Studios, and will be replaced by Courtney Holt, the company says today. The change will take place on January 11. Holt, who had been Chief Strategy Officer, will have the title of EVP and Head of the digital video powerhouse, reporting to Disney Interactive…

Disney plans to sprinkle a little of its Star Wars and Marvel magic dust on go90, Verizon’s new, free short-form video streaming platform for iOS and Android devices. The entertainment giant’s Maker Studios is working on eight exclusive, original series for go90, the companies said today. The service also has Maker's…