Studios

• Fullscreen’s Talent Unit Signs 10 Creators, Including Sierra Schultzzie, Josh Ovalle
• Viacom Taps ‘Bleacher Report’ Vet Rory Brown To Serve As MTV’s Head Of Digital, Social

  Viacom has recruited Rory Brown, the former president of Turner-owned digital sports brand Bleacher Report, to serve as the new head of digital and social media for MTV, VH1, CMT, and Logo.

  
• Here’s How The Warp Zone Survived Defy Media’s Collapse — And Regained Control Of Its Content

  When Defy Media abruptly shuttered in November, it left dozens of creators, hundreds of employees, and millions of dollars stranded in limbo. Like most people who worked with and for Defy, the folks behind The Warp Zone (a sketch-and-musical smorgasbord for fans of all things geek) had no idea the company was going down until it was already gone.

  
• Brittany Furlan Launches ‘Worst Firsts’ Podcast With Studio71

  Early Vine star Brittany Furlan has announced her next venture -- a podcast called Worst Firsts inspired by a former YouTube series of the same name that ran through 2017.

  
• Studio71 UK Builds Out Podcast Slate With True Crime Comedy ‘Mystery On The Rocks’
• Studio71 Launches Weekly Reaction Series With Tal Fishman, Caylus Cunningham On ‘Caffeine’
• It’s Official: Smosh Has Been Acquired By Rhett & Link’s Mythical Entertainment
• Queen Naija, BlameItOnKway Nominated At Second Annual ‘BET Social Awards’
• Sports-Centric Whistle Appoints Refinery29’s Alison Meyer VP Of Marketing
• Studio71’s Talent Management Unit Will Invite 5 Emerging Creators To Collaborate In London Mansion
• Defy Media’s Smosh, ClevverTV Brands Finding New Owners After Abrupt Shutdown
• Matthew Patrick Slams Defy Media’s Bank For Comparing Itself To YouTubers Who Lost Money