Disney Digital, formerly Maker Studios, is an internet video production company co-founded by Shay Carl, Lisa Donovan, KassemG, Danny Zappin, and Ben Donovan. It is currently owned by the Walt Disney Company, more commonly known as Disney.[1] Disney Digital is dedicated to help cultivate new talent, take existing talent to the next level, and build lasting brands with engaged audiences.
The company funded and produced Epic Rap Battles of History through the series' first five seasons, as well as many other popular YouTube channels, including KassemG, Tim Chantarangsu, and has also signed in Snoop Dogg and his YouTube channel, westfesttv. Offerings to partners include development, production, promotion, distribution, sales, marketing, and enterprise.
Current members
- Shay Carl
- Tim Chantarangsu
- KassemG
- Snoop Dogg
- Forrest Whaley
- Sam Macaroni
- Dragan Radic
- Bart Baker
- Philip DeFranco
- The Fine Brothers
- Lindsey Stirling
- Will Keenan
- Hayley Kiyoko
- AJ Rafael
- Kevin Smith
- Tessa Violet
- Will.i.am
- Robert De Niro
Polaris division
- Dodger
- Egoraptor
- CaptainSparklez
- Toby Turner
- Markiplier
MakerGen division (formally RPM)
- Alphacat
- Rebecca Black
- Steve Kardynal
- KSIOlajidebt
Past members
- Ray William Johnson was originally a member, but quit Maker Studios in early November 2012 due to the pressure the company put on him to sign a contract that gave Maker a 40% share of his channel's AdSense revenue and 50% of his show's intellectual property rights. He then finished hosting his famous YouTube series =3 (pronounced as Equals Three) at his own studio, Runaway Planet, with his now ex-girlfriend, Anna Akana, before retiring from hosting in March 2014.
- Founders Lisa Donovan, and her brother, Ben, have also left the company as of August 2014.
- PewDiePie was removed from Maker Studios on February 14th, 2017, following allegations of anti-semitism in recent videos. He has since responded on Tumblr with an apology.
- Nice Peter and EpicLLOYD left Disney Digital as of 2018, and have since formed their own production team to continue ERB and work on other projects.
Trivia
- When Maker Studios was in severe financial trouble, it gave Epic Rap Battles of History a $6,000 loan in the hopes that it could help fix the problem.[citation needed]
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