TheSoul Publishing names Retail Monster as U.S. licensing agent for 5-Minute Crafts

Award-winning global digital studio TheSoul Publishing has announced a partnership with brand extension specialist Retail Monster, to develop licensing and retail programmes around its flagship franchise, 5-Minute Crafts.

Known around the globe for its positive, fun and quirky crafts, 5-Minute Crafts is the world’s top DIY brand and the only channel to consistently rank among the top 10 on both YouTube and Facebook. Igniting a creative spark on a daily basis by offering viewers clever solutions to everyday problems, 5-Minute Crafts boasts an audience of 350M+ YouTube combined subscribers, 300M+ Facebook combined followers, 55M+ Instagram subscribers and 25M+ TikTok combined followers.

“As TheSoul Publishing premieres at Licensing Expo for the first time ever, we are incredibly excited to announce our collaboration with Retail Monster, a leader in the consumer product space. They continuously elevate brands with compelling retail and licensing opportunities, and we know they will bring an innovative and fun approach to our flagship brand, 5-Minute Crafts,” says Ines Pacheco, Director of Licensing at TheSoul Publishing. “With successful touch points to our audience already established through digital and streaming video, podcasting, music and more, licensing programmes will now further connect TheSoul to our fans and develop our suite of brands into household names.”

“We are thrilled to be working in partnership with TheSoul Publishing on their immensely popular brand 5-Minute Crafts,” says Michael Connolly, Founder of Retail Monster LLC. “There is an incredible opportunity to connect with U.S. consumers at retail by creating compelling and tangible products which replicate the fun DIY experience of this brand.”

Known as the “powerhouse of positivity”, TheSoul Publishing is diving into the merchandising world as it opens its doors to opportunity at the 2022 Las Vegas Licensing Expo. With over one billion followers and subscribers across social media, the digital studio will be exploring potential licensing partnerships around the studio’s brand portfolio including 5-Minute Crafts, 123 GO!, Baby Zoo, Avocado Couple, La La Life, Polar and more.

TheSoul Publishing has garnered numerous accolades including the ‘Digital Studio of the Year’ at the 2021 Digiday Video & TV Awards, a 2021 Drum Award win, a 2021 Webby Award nomination for 5-Minute Crafts, seven Shorty Award nominations, a pair of 2022 Digiday Video & TV Award nominations including ‘Best Use of YouTube’, and a 2022 Webby Honoree for ‘Best Overall Social Presence in Media/Entertainment’.

For further information about TheSoul Publishing visit the website.

TheSoul Publishing hires BuzzFeed leader to spearhead expansion

Award-winning digital studio TheSoul Publishing is expanding into the consumer product space with the appointment of Ines Pacheco as Director of Licensing. She brings extensive experience to the licensing space as TheSoul looks to bring its more than one billion social media followers a compelling line of products showcasing the studio’s universe of uplifting brands, including 5-Minute CraftsBright Side123Go! and Slick Slim Sam.

“There is a huge opportunity for TheSoul Publishing to bring its fans new and exciting ways to interact with our world class, market leading brands. From the kid-friendly Slick Slime Sam, to the LOL moments on 123 Go!, to the incredible DIY feats on 5-Minute Crafts, our entire offering has proven to both keep up with trends and remain ‘sticky’ to viewers across genres, locations, and age ranges,” says Patrik Wilkens, TheSoul Publishing’s Vice President of Operations. “Bringing in a professional with direct consumer product experience like Ines will help launch this growing aspect of our business and establish TheSoul Publishing brand as a household name.”

Pacheco previously managed global operations for brand licensing as BuzzFeed’s Vice President of Licensing and Brand Design Operations. She has an extensive portfolio of brand experience in categories including kitchenware, toys & games, pets, food & beverage, and apparel. She also developed and executed marketing campaigns for licensed products while building brand guidelines, creating logos, and designing packaging. In addition, Pacheco will draw on experience at The Wall Street Journal where she led the rollout of a new sales organization structure. Pacheco is a graduate of Harvard University.

“I’ve been a fan of TheSoul Publishing’s content for years and I believe there’s a huge opportunity for growth in this space,” says Pacheco. “We’re starting with a massive audience that any marketer would jump to have the opportunity to connect with. Now comes the fun part: figuring out exactly what our audience wants, and how to get it to them wherever they shop!”

In capitalising on crave-worthy consumer trends including cutting-edge 3D technology, stop motion, fun live-action, quirky music videos, craft projects and vibrant animation, TheSoul Publishing is enjoying huge success on social media. Its universally positive channels, including 5-Minute Crafts, 123 GO!, and Slick Slime Sam, are distributed across social media and streaming platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, SnapChat, TikTok, YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Chinese platforms including Xigua, Douyin and Bilibili.

This latest high-profile hire follows TheSoul Publishing surpassing one billion subscribers across all of its social media platforms. Tubular Labs reports TheSoul Publishing has garnered the most online media views every month since October 2020, outpacing legacy creators including ViacomCBS, Sony Pictures, Comcast and The Walt Disney Company.

TheSoul Publishing has garnered numerous accolades including the ‘Digital Studio of the Year’ at the 2021 Digiday Video & TV Awards, a 2021 Drum Award win for Best Use of Pinterest, a 2021 Webby Award nomination for 5-Minute Crafts, a 2020 Streamy Award nomination (Best Brand Engagement), a pair of 2021 Shorty Award nominations (Best YouTube presence, Best Community Engagement), a 2021 Drum Award nomination (Video Team of the Year) and a Media Excellence Award win (Excellence in Original Content).

For further information about TheSoul Publishing visit the website.