Zealot Gets Into Comedy, Acquires J.B. Smoove’s Converge Media Group

Zealot, the “multi-company network” founded by former Maker Studios CEO Danny Zappin, continues to branch out its investments. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Zealot has acquired Converge Media Group, a management firm co-founded by comedian J.B. Smoove.

Converge works with its clients by matching them up to relevant digital and branded projects. Smoove, known for bringing the ruckus to the comedy world, is the most well-known entertainer partnered with the company.

For Zealot, Converge’s production capabilities are a key asset. The management company will team up with other Zealot investments, including music licensing company AudioMicro and sports management film Premier Sports & Entertainment. By working together, these companies will create a collaborative network that utilizes similar principles to the ones Zappin practiced at Maker Studios. “This is an MCN but it’s a multi-company network, not a multi-channel network,” Zappin told THR. “The idea is that all these companies are synergistically working together.”

Converge, which is based in New York, also gives Zealot a presence on the East Coast; both AudioMicro and Premier Sports are based in the Los Angeles area. “They’re really great at spotting and discovering talent,” said Zappin. “Converge gives us a lot of opportunities to expand the business and have a footprint on the East Coast.”

Zappin founded Zealot in August 2014, more than a year after his acrimonious departure from Maker Studios. Later in 2014, Zealot announced an investment from British broadcaster ITV, which valued Zappin’s startup at $100 million. The company’s spending spree is not yet complete; as Zappin told THR, Zealot is also looking to acquire music firms and brand agencies.