PocketWatch, Inc.

PocketWatch evolved out of the Social media influencer movement {{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-rise-of-social-media-influencers/|title=The rise of social media influencers|date=May 6, 2018|publisher=CBS News|access-date=March 12, 2019}} and focuses on Generation Alpha (individuals born after 2013) who are migrating towards digital media platforms like YouTube.{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/video/pocket-watch-ceo-business-kidfluencers-022251975.html|title=Pocket.watch CEO on the business of kidfluencers|date=February 16, 2019 |publisher=Yahoo! Finance|access-date=March 12, 2019}} Allen DeBevoise of Third Wave Digital proclaimed that the goal of the company is to "transform the kids’ digital entertainment space".{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/chris-williams-albie-hecht-jon-moonves-announce-pocketwatch-new-media-brand-1202048309/|title=Chris Williams, Albie Hecht & Jon Moonves Announce Pocketwatch, New Media Brand Catered To Kids|last=Calvario|first=Liz|date=March 22, 2017|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 12, 2019}}

The company was founded by Chris M. Williams, the former Chief Audience Officer of Maker Studios and former GM of Disney Online Originals.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/chris-williams-albie-hecht-jon-moonves-announce-pocketwatch-new-media-brand-1202048309/|title=Chris Williams, Albie Hecht & Jon Moonves Announce Pocketwatch, New Media Brand Catered To Kids|last=Calvario|first=Liz|date=March 22, 2017|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}}

Variety named Williams as one of their Digital Innovators in 2019 and he was a finalist in the 2019 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ey.com/en_us/news/2019/06/ey-announces-finalists-for-the-eoy-2019-award-in-greater-los-angeles|title=EY announces finalists for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2019 award in Greater Los Angeles|website=www.ey.com|language=en-US|access-date=July 17, 2019}}

PocketWatch executive team consists of former kids and family entertainment and other industries and include Albie Hecht, the former head of Nickelodeon Studios as Chief Content Officer, Kerry Tucker, the former CEO of Hello Sunshine and lead marketing executive at Martha Stewart Living and Victoria's Secret, as Chief Marketing Officer,{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/kerry-tucker-pocket-watch-cmo-1203239496/|title=Kerry Tucker Joins Pocket.watch as First CMO for Kids Media Startup|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=June 12, 2019|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}} as well as Hollywood veterans Brian Robbins, President of Kids and Family entertainment at Paramount Global, and Beatriz Acevedo, founder of online video network Mitu{{Cite web|last=Jean-Louis|first=Jardley|date=2017-04-11|title=The Key to Getting Millennials to Love Your Brand|url=https://www.inc.com/video/beatriz-acevedo/the-key-to-getting-millennials-to-love-your-brand.html|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Inc.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Mitú's Beatriz Acevedo Wants To Be Voice of Millennial Generation|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/mitus-beatriz-acevedo-wants-be-voice-millennial-generation-n396381|access-date=2021-09-27|website=NBC News|date=July 24, 2015 |language=en}} as Board Members for the company.{{Cite web|title=About|url=https://pocket.watch/about|access-date=2021-09-27|website=pocket.watch|language=en-US}}{{Cite press release|title=Ryan's Mystery Playdate and Hobby Kids Adventures Success Keys pocket.watch Slate Expansion|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ryans-mystery-playdate-and-hobby-kids-adventures-success-keys-pocketwatch-slate-expansion-300938514.html|access-date=2021-09-27|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en}}{{Better source needed|date=September 2021}}

In April 2017, PocketWatch signed HobbyKidsTV as their first creator partner.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/pocketwatch-hobbykidstv-1202393887/|title=Startup Pocket.watch Signs YouTube's HobbyKidsTV as First Creative Partner|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=April 26, 2017|website=Variety|access-date=April 9, 2019}} HobbyKids specializes in toy play, outdoor activities and other family-oriented content across 10 YouTube channels that have generated 7.5 billion views.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/kids-hobbykidstv-youtube-child-stars/|title=HobbyKidsTV, YouTube, and the New World of Child Stars|last=Ellis|first=Emma Grey|date=May 20, 2019|magazine=Wired|access-date=July 17, 2019|issn=1059-1028}}

In August 2017, PocketWatch, Viacom, and SNL star, Kenan Thompson developed Skoogle, a live-action scripted children's comedy show.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/kenan-thompson-skoogle-albie-hecht-pocket-watch-all-that-1202138764/|title=Kenan Thompson To Produce New Kids Comedy Sketch Show 'Skoogle' With 'All That' Team|last=Ramos|first=Dino-Ray|date=August 1, 2017|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}} Later that year, PocketWatch partnered with the creator of The Fairly OddParents, Butch Hartman, to develop three original animated series, including one based on HobbyKidsTV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.awn.com/news/butch-hartman-create-three-series-pocketwatch|title=Butch Hartman to Create Three Series for pocket.watch|website=Animation World Network|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}}

In August 2017, PocketWatch signed CaptainSparklez, a video game and entertainment channel created and run by Jordan Maron, a YouTube personality.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/captainsparklez-evantube-pocketwatch-1202621779/|title=YouTube Creators CaptainSparklez, EvanTube Sign With Kid-Media Startup Pocket.watch|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=November 22, 2017|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}}

In September 2017, the studio signed a long-term partnership with Ryan ToysReview. Ryan ToysReview is a well-known kids and family creator channel on YouTube in the United States and, according to Forbes magazine, was YouTube's highest-earning influencer in 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2018/12/03/how-this-seven-year-old-made-22-million-playing-with-toys-2/|title=How This 7-Year-Old Made $22 Million Playing With Toys|last=Berg|first=Madeline|website=Forbes|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}}

In September 2017, PocketWatch signed EvanTubeHD and his family, primarily focused on the brother-sister combination of Evan and Jillian, the stars of the channel.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/captainsparklez-evantube-pocketwatch-1202621779/|title=YouTube Creators CaptainSparklez, EvanTube Sign With Kid-Media Startup Pocket.watch|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=November 22, 2017|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}} Their videos have evolved since originally launching as a toy channel and an example of the toy unboxing trend, in which kids open up new toys on camera.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/making-sense-of-the-strange-youtube-unboxing-trend/|title=Making Sense of the Strange YouTube Unboxing Trend|last=Eror|first=Aleks|date=November 24, 2017|website=Vice|language=en-asia|access-date=July 17, 2019}} Now the channel primarily consists of challenges, gameplay and other formats that feature the comradery and rivalry between Evan and Jillian. Their parents also frequently appear in videos as well.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

PocketWatch expanded its reach beyond YouTube into publishing, television, film, and consumer goods. In November 2017, PocketWatch partnered with Simon & Schuster to publish children's books under a PocketWatch branded imprint and launched their first two books, Watch this Book! and Meet Ryan! in the winter of 2018.{{Cite book|url=https://www.simonandschuster.com/series/pocket-watch|title=pocket.watch|language=en}}

In February 2018, PocketWatch collaborated with Ryan ToysReview to create Ryan's World, a consumer products brand based on Ryan and a portfolio of characters created by Ryan and his parents. The first consumer products licensees for Ryan's World were The Bentex Group and Bonkers Toys.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetoyinsider.com/ryans-world-toy-review/|title=Return to Ryan's World with These New Mystery Toys|date=January 9, 2019|website=The Toy Insider|language=en-US|access-date=July 17, 2019}} PocketWatch has also secured international licensing deals with licensing agencies and media companies in the U.K., Australia, and other countries expanding the line globally.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nickelodeon-strikes-ryan-toysreview-consumer-products-deal-1215463|title=Nickelodeon Strikes Ryan ToysReview Int'l Merchandise Deal Amid Bet on Social Media Influencers|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=June 5, 2019 |language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}}

In August 2018, Ryan's World, launched exclusively at Walmart. The line included a giant golden mystery egg that sold out in 10 minutes on Black Friday 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/walmart-scores-lucrative-win-7-year-old-millionaire-youtube-star-155505411.html|title=Walmart scores lucrative win with 7-year-old millionaire YouTube star|website=finance.yahoo.com|date=December 8, 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=July 17, 2019}}

In October 2018, PocketWatch launched 90 22-minute episodes of repackaged content from their YouTube creator partners on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video and partnered with Paramount Pictures to license them to international distributors.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/pocketwatch-hulu-amazon-youtube-kids-shows-1202976653/|title=Hulu, Amazon Stream Pocket.watch Kids Shows Featuring YouTube Stars (Exclusive)|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=October 11, 2018|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}}

PocketWatch unveiled 40 new licensing partnerships. The expansion of Ryan's World's licensing program was anchored by new licensees, including Just Play, Jada Toys, Kids Preferred, American Greetings, and Zak Designs and spanned new categories, including Halloween costumes, party goods, social expressions, sleepwear, backpacks, lunch kits and accessories, hydration, furniture, and home goods.{{Cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pocketwatch-grows-ryans-world-licensing-program-to-include-over-40-licensees-worldwide-300786974.html|title=Pocket.watch Grows Ryan's World Licensing Program To Include Over 40 Licensees Worldwide|publisher=pocket.watch|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}}

In January 2019, PocketWatch launched its gaming division P.W Games with their first mobile game in partnership with WildWorks,{{Cite web|url=http://www.cynopsis.com/02-05-19-fx-orders-post-apocalyptic-series-y/|title=02/05/19: FX orders post-apocalyptic series Y|date=February 5, 2019|website=Cynopsis Media|access-date=March 12, 2019}} Tag With Ryan, a free-to-play, endless runner game featuring the likeness of Ryan and the many characters of Ryan's World.{{Cite web|url=https://superparent.com/article/508/tag-with-ryan-a-superparent-first-look|title=Tag with Ryan: A SuperParent First Look|website=SuperParent|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}} The game has been downloaded more than 5 million times since launching.

PocketWatch created, produced and launched their first television series Ryan's Mystery Playdate, a live-action show for preschoolers on Nickelodeon April 19, 2019.{{cite press release|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/03/27/nickelodeon-unboxes-playful-new-preschool-series-ryans-mystery-playdate-starring-youtube-superstar-ryan-of-ryan-toysreview-friday-april-19-at-1230-pm-et-pt-93202/20190327nickelodeon01/|title=Nickelodeon Unboxes Playful New Preschool Series "Ryan's Mystery Playdate," Starring YouTube Superstar Ryan of Ryan Toys|publisher=Nickelodeon|via=The Futon Critic|date=March 27, 2019|access-date=May 15, 2019}} Ryan's Mystery Playdate launched to successful ratings and was renewed for a second season five days after the premiere on April 24.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/ryans-mystery-playdate-renewed-season-2-youtube-star-nickelodeon-ratings-1202601302/|title='Ryan's Mystery Playdate' Renewed For Season 2 By Nickelodeon Amid Strong Ratings|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=April 24, 2019|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}} It has since become the number one series on television for preschoolers in the U.S.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190214005576/en/Nickelodeon-Unveils-Ryan%E2%80%99s-Mystery-Playdate-Brand-New-Preschool|title=Nickelodeon Unveils Ryan's Mystery Playdate, Brand-New Preschool Series Starring YouTube Superstar Ryan of Ryan ToysReview|date=February 14, 2019|website=www.businesswire.com|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}}

In May 2019, PocketWatch signed deals with YouTube channels MarMar and Onyx Family to launch new programming.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/pocket-watch-marmar-onyx-family-youtube-1203211967/|title=Pocket.watch Sets Projects With MarMar, Onyx Family and Other YouTube Creators|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=May 13, 2019|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=July 17, 2019}}

In June 2019, PocketWatch launched HobbyKids Adventures, an original animated series created by Butch Hartman and based on their creator partners HobbyKidsTV, on YouTube.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/05/21/pocket-watch-series-products-hobbykids-adventures/|website=www.tubefilter.com|title=Pocket.watch Plans Animated Series, Product Licensing Barrage For HobbyKidsTV Brand|date=May 21, 2019 |access-date=July 17, 2019}}

In June 2019, PocketWatch partnered with Hardee's, as they relaunched their Star Pals kids meals after an eight-year hiatus with Ryan's World themed meals and a line of toys designed by Ryan ToysReview.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/11/business/hardees-youtube-partnership-ryan-toysreview/index.html|title=First on CNN Business: Hardee's partners with child YouTube star to relaunch kids' meals|last=Wiener-Bronner|first=Danielle|website=CNN|date=June 11, 2019 |access-date=July 17, 2019}}

In July 2019, PocketWatch, under their P.W Games division, and Outright Games announced a partnership to release Race With Ryan the first console game to be released as part of Ryan's World, on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PC in November 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://nintendosoup.com/first-ryans-world-video-game-race-with-ryan-coming-to-switch/|title=First Ryan's World Video Game Race With Ryan Coming To Switch|date=February 4, 2019|website=NintendoSoup|language=en-US|access-date=July 17, 2019}}

In February 2020, PocketWatch launched their advertising agency Clock.work, focused on child-targeted advertising across YouTube, mobile gaming and OTT channels.{{cite web|last=Tuchow|first=Ryan|title=Pocket.watch launches ad agency|url=https://kidscreen.com/2020/02/25/pocket-watch-launches-ad-agency/|website=Kidscreen|date=February 25, 2020|access-date=February 25, 2020}}

In July 2018, Viacom raised $15 million in Series B for PocketWatch.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/features/digital-innovators-media-1203108929/|title=Variety's Digital Innovators 2019: The Trailblazers Pushing Media Boundaries|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=January 16, 2019|website=Variety|access-date=March 13, 2019}}

• HobbyFamilyTV{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/pocketwatch-hobbyfamilytv-1202393887/|title=Startup Pocket.watch Signs YouTube's HobbyFamilyTV as First Creative Partner|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=April 26, 2017|website=Variety|access-date=March 12, 2019}}
• EvanTubeHD{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-evantubehd-2014-9|title=This 8-Year-Old Makes $1.3 Million A Year By Posting YouTube Videos|last=Moss|first=Caroline|website=Business Insider|access-date=March 12, 2019}}
• JillianTubeHD{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/3045807/meet-the-father-son-team-making-13-million-on-youtube|title=Meet The Father-Son Team Making $1.3 Million On YouTube|last=Grothaus|first=Michael|date=May 4, 2015|website=Fast Company|access-date=March 12, 2019}}
• Lilly Singh{{Cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=2021-02-04|title=Lilly Singh Animated Princess LGBTQ Film in the Works at Digital Kids' Studio Pocket.watch|url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/lilly-singh-animated-princess-film-pocketwatch-1234900578/|access-date=2021-09-27|website=Variety|language=en-US}}

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• {{official website|https://pocket.watch/}}

Category:Companies based in Culver City, California

Category:American companies established in 2017

Category:Talent agencies of the United States