Funny Or Die has entered into a strategic partnership with Turner Broadcasting System that links its fortunes with its TBS and Adult Swim entertainment networks.
The deal gives Turner a minority stake in the comedy destination property along with the exclusive rights to sell advertising with Funny Or Die, meaning Turner’s ad team can offer larger packages and opportunities across all platforms.
“We’re investing in Funny Or Die because we can take their great content and give it a wider audience through the incredible reach of TBS,” said Steve Koonin, president of Turner Entertainment Networks. “TBS and Funny Or Die will give people a laugh anywhere, anytime and on any device.”
The partnership further intends to grow Funny Or Die even further and faster than it has already achieved since it was founded in 2007 by Will Ferrell, writer/director Adam McKay and writer Chris Henchy. Funny Or Die has over 16 million unique users per month and more than 60 million video views per month.
“While we are incredibly excited about how this partnership will catalyze our growth and make Funny Or Die an even better place for comedic talent, we are even more excited about the opportunities this will open up to brands and advertisers to create far-reaching, hilariously funny cross-platform content and messaging,” said Dick Glover, president and CEO of Funny Or Die.
Funny Or Die’s founders are Gary Sanchez Productions (Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Chris Henchy), Creative Artists Agency (CAA), Randy Adams and Michael Kvamme. Judd Apatow is also a principal partner in Funny Or Die.
“We’re thrilled by our acquisition of Turner,” McKay said. “We’re now taking a long hard look at Viacom. These are heady days over here at Funny Or Die.”
Related links:
Funny Or Die – official site
Turner Broadcasting and Funny Or Die – press release
AdAge – Turner Takes Stake in Funny or Die, Will Manage Site’s Ad Sales
Lost Remote – Turner Broadcasting invests in social video site Funny or Die
TechCrunch – Funny Or Die Gets Strategic Investment From Turner, Looks To Accelerate Growth
New York Times – Turner Broadcasting Invests in Funny or Die
Photo shows Will Ferrell and Dana Carvey, as George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush respectively, in Funny Or Die’s tour de force, “Presidential Reunion”
