YouTube superstar Felix Kjellberg (better known to his 41 million subscribers as PewDiePie) is undeniably the most famous influencer under the Disney-owned Maker Studios banner. Now, Kjellberg and the MCN are putting that popularity to the test with the launch of Revelmode, a digital network that offers a home for established and emerging influencers in the gaming and pop culture genres.
Revelmode, which will exist under the Maker Studios umbrella, will focus not just on creating original multiplatform content, commercial partnerships and merchandising, but also on fundraising programs (a popular pursuit of many young digital infuencers), as well as original gaming development for its members. And the network’s first programming initiative is an animated series featuring the voice talent of Revelmode’s inaugural members.
Creators already signed onto Revelmode include indie and horror gamer Ken Morrison (CinnamonToastKen), pop culture and gaming vlogger Brooke Lawson (Dodger), British gamer, singer and comedian Emma Blackery, gaming commentator Mark Fischbach (Markiplier), and fashion and beauty expert Marzia Bisognin (CutiePieMarzia, Kjellberg’s frequent collaborator and girlfriend).
Revelmode’s inaugural group of talent has a combined reach of 35 million subscribers, and that number expands to more than 100 million when factoring in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat followers.
Kjellberg says he views Revelmode as an opportunity to pass the torch to other creators, enabling them to reach a broader global audience and receive the same partnerships and merchandising opportunities that he has enjoyed.
Thanks to his legions of loyal subscribers and high-profile side projects (which include the New York Times bestselling book This Book Loves You), Kjellberg has been ranked as YouTube’s top-earning creator, pulling in an estimated US$12 million in 2015. He was also recently included among Forbes’ Top 30 Under 30 in the gaming category for 2015.