Maker Studios, the multichannel network owned by Disney, is currently in the process of laying off less than 30 employees, TheWrap has learned from an individual familiar with the cuts.
Disney acquired Maker in 2014 in a $500 million deal — with up to $450 million more if incentives were met. Maker has failed to meet those targets, receiving only about $200 million.
The multichannel network hosts Internet hits like “Epic Rap Battles of History,” and one of the channel’s subnetworks is home to PewDiePie, a gaming commentator who is behind the world’s most-subscribed YouTube channel. But the company has hit some speed bumps since the acquisition, as synergies with Disney have been slow to take shape, and several executives departed from the company.
Also Read: What's Behind Maker Studios' Dilemma: Executive Exits, Missed Revenue Targets
In January, Courtney Holt replaced Ynon Kreiz as the head of the multichannel network.
TheGrill NYC: Vice's Shane Smith, Mariska Hargitay, Red Bull's Werner Brell, Maker Studios' Erin McPherson (Photos)
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Wrap CEO & Founder Sharon Waxman welcomes the crowd at TheGrill NYC
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Red Bull media exec Werner Brell and TheWrap's CEO and Editor-in-Chief Sharon Waxman at TheGrillGetty Images
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Werner Brell, head of Red Bull Media House USA, interviewed by Sharon Waxman at TheGrill NYCGetty Images
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Maker Studios Chief Content Officer Erin McPhersonGetty Images
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Ken Strnad, Director, Branded Content and Entertainment for PepsiGetty Images
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Sharon Waxman interviews Unilever Skincare GM and VP, Marketing Robert CandelinoGetty Images
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Gail Becker of Edelman presents the latest trends in eight years of consumer entertainment research
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Gail Becker, President, Edelman Strategic Partnerships Global IntegrationGetty Images
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"Law and Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay and husband Peter Hermann at the closing cocktail partyGetty Images
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Peter Hermann, Sharon Waxman and Mariska Hargitay take a selfieGetty Images
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Sharon Waxman and VICE Founder and CEO Shane SmithGetty Images
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Vice CEO Shane Smith
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Attendee Rob Barnett poses a question for panelists
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The audience at Time Warner's 10 On the Park
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Greg Clayman, General Manager of Audience Networks at Vimeo talks to attendees
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Attendees chat after the panel
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Funny or Die's Chris Bruss, LeeAnne Stables of Paramount Pictures branded content division and Chrysler's Melissa Garlick discuss the landmark "Anchorman 2" branded content campaignGetty Images
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(L-R) Sharon Waxman, Lucas Shaw, Chris Bruss, LeeAnne Stables and Melissa GarlickGetty Images
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The Maker Studios and Pepsi panel
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TheWrap's Film Reporter Lucas Shaw and Chris Bruss of Funny or DieGetty Images
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Shane Smith and Sharon Waxman take a selfieGetty Images
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LeeAnne Stables: President, Consumer Products Paramount Pictures, Chris Bruss: Vice President Branded Entertainment Funny or Die, and Melissa Garlick: Head of Brand Advertising Chrysler
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Mark Shambura of Chipotle discusses their "Farmed and Dangerous" campaign on Hulu, with WaxmanGetty Images
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Greg Clayman of Vimeo gets Grilled by TheWrap's Tim MolloyGetty Images
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Greg Clayman interviewed on branded strategy by Wrap TV editor Tim Molloy
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Mariska Hargitay checks out her cover photo in EmmyWrap magazine
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Guests mingle after the talk
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Mark Shambura of Chipotle, Sharon Waxman, and Rob Candelino, Unilever's VP of Marketing for their Dove Men+Care US brand
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Attendees listen to the panelists
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The Maker Studios and Pepsi panel
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Attendee Steven Rosenthal poses a question to the panelists
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Mark Shambura chats with attendees after the panel
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Gail Becker addresses the crowd
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An attendee poses a question for the panelists
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Werner Brell, Managing Director of Red Bull
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Entrance to the conference room
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Grill attendee grab lunch before the conference begins
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Grill attendees network in the wings
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Epix executive Norah Ryan poses a question for the panelists
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Shane Smith and Sharon Waxman
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Gail Becker, Sharon Waxman, and Ed Koller
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Attendees chat after the panel
TheWrap’s conference welcomed a broad swath of brand leaders and content creators, from Dove to the ”Anchorman 2“ Campaign