EXCLUSIVE: Fremantle and Viral Nation are teaming up. Production and distribution giant Fremantle and social media specialists Viral Nation will join forces on creator-led shows. The deal was announced here in Cannes at MIPCOM as the market skews towards all things creator economy.
The agreement will position Viral Nation’s creator network alongside Fremantle’s stable of labels and talent and make the most of it international sales infrastructure. On the Fremantle side, the deal is led by the Beach House Pictures label, which has several YouTube-first unscripted projects in development.
These include social star-making competition format Model Creator and true crime series Cr1me C0de, which were both announced at MIPCOM. Model Creator is a modeling format worked up in association with agency Ford Models. Set in New York, the series will see contestants compete in creative challenges led by mentors from Ford’s network, with the winner earning representation with Ford Models and Viral Nation.
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“At Ford, our purpose has always been to empower exceptional individuals — not just as models, but as storytellers and entrepreneurs,” said Décio Restelli Ribeiro, President of Ford Models. “Model Creator embodies that vision. This partnership allows us to celebrate that evolution and expand what representation means in the modern era.”
Cr1me C0de , meanwhile, will delve into unsolved mysteries, tapping into obscure but shocking true-crime cases.
Viral Nation will bring its audience growth smarts to the new partnership, providing data insights, SEO, and digital marketing, while Fremantle will bring scale and said its AI toolkit will accelerate production.
Paul Telner, Head of Programming at Viral Nation, said: “Fremantle shares our belief that creators belong at the center of entertainment, and together we can develop shows that are relevant, fearless, and built for the platforms where culture is happening.”
Speaking about the partnership, Donovan Chan, Co-Founder and Creative Director at Beach House Pictures, said: “Developing several trailblazing new projects together, like Model Creator and Cr1me C0de, we’re taking some of the most popular themes for young audiences today and actively building them from within creator culture.”
Danny Rowlands, SVP Global Development at Fremantle, added: “Viral Nation gives us a social-first lens on understanding, creative development and audience engagement. Digital creators are fast becoming today’s cultural drivers – shaping tastes, trends, and conversations across platforms.”