Digital Pioneer Michelle Phan and Endemol Beyond Launch ICON Network
First Global Premium Lifestyle Network Debuts Simultaneously in U.S. and UK Today
Los Angeles, CA(31 Mar 2015)
Endemol Shine Group, the newly launched global content creator, producer and distributor, and its Endemol Beyond Premium Content Network, have teamed with digital pioneer and entrepreneur Michelle Phan for the creation of ICON, the first worldwide Premium Lifestyle Network.
The ICON global vertical network launches today in the U.S. and the UK simultaneously, with rollouts across Western Europe and Asia to follow in the summer and fall.
Creatively led by Phan, ICON and ICON UK, will now be the online global destination for the empowerment of viewers through inspirational premium content, conversation and community. ICON serves a multi-cultural demographic and features an extensive slate of original programming in beauty, fashion, wellness, DIY, food, human interest stories and travel.
The network features original new series and content from some of the hottest up-and-coming digital influencers and lifestyle experts that collectively come to ICON with more than 2.4 billion views on YouTube alone.
ICON is a global multi-platform network available across a wide variety of outlets, including YouTube (www.youtube.com/ICONnetwork // www.youtube.com/ICONnetworkUK) Dailymotion, Roku, Pluto TV, multiple connected TV platforms and major social media services Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest and Tumblr. ICON is also proud to launch in New York City in partnership with Twitter, using its new Periscope and Video functionalities, which are viewable at twitter.com/iconnetwork.
ICON programming is also syndicated to premium digital distributors AOL, the largest premium syndication network, and Scripps Networks Interactive's ULIVE Lifestyle Network. The ICON app will feature programming exclusives and is available for iOS and Android devices. Additional information can be found at www.ICON.network.
Commented Michelle Phan: “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Endemol Beyond. They are the fastest-growing premium content network in the world, and have demonstrated creative leadership across a wide range of lifestyle categories. I am first a creator, but my ongoing objective is to leverage my personal success, to help mentor new and existing talent, and further help them achieve their goals. Endemol Beyond shares this vision, and together, we will drive the future of original content for generations to come.”
“Last year Endemol Shine successfully developed the world’s first premium content network with Endemol Beyond, which has given us the perfect foundation for the launch of ICON, the first global premium lifestyle network,” said Charlie Corwin and Cris Abrego, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs, Endemol Shine North America. “With the creative vision of Michelle Phan, an extraordinary collection of lifestyle talent and the worldwide reach of Endemol Beyond, ICON is poised to make an immediate impact on the worldwide digital landscape.”
Endemol Beyond President Will Keenan added, “There is no one better with whom to partner on the world’s first online premium lifestyle network than Michelle Phan, who’s not only a successful entrepreneur and a creative visionary, but also an extraordinary human being. With Michelle, Jamie Greenberg, Sonya Esman, Kassie Isabella, Jessica Standley and all of the other great talent starring in ICON's new shows, we couldn’t ask for a stronger group of influencers and lifestyle experts to launch this pioneering new network. Just like Michelle herself, ICON is for dreamers and its possibilities are limitless.”
“By collaborating with Michelle Phan and some of the hottest new YouTube stars from both sides of the Atlantic, ICON is set to become a go-to destination for millennials across the full spectrum of beauty, lifestyle and fashion,” added Georg Ramme, Managing Director, Endemol Beyond International. “This is the latest example of Endemol Beyond partnering with international talent to create a global entertainment brand that can be adapted in any market and on any platform.”
In addition to Michelle Phan, other influential lifestyle talent premiering news series on the ICONnetwork include YouTube stars Ann Le (AnneorShine), Cassey Ho (Blogilates), Promise Phan (Dope2111), beauty chameleon Charis Lincoln (CharismaStarTV), Anisa Noor and popular beauty vlogger Rae from The Raeviewer.
New ICON network talent includes Russian/Canadian digital superstar Sonya Esman (Classisinternal and thatsophiakid), Kassie Isabelle (Cloudy Apples), JkissaMakeup, and celebrity make-up artist Jamie Greenberg (JamieMakeupGreenberg), whose client list includes Kirsten Dunst, Lizzy Caplan, Kaley Cuoco and Rashida Jones.
Other featured talent in ICON’s U.S. and UK initial slate of premium content include dancer, model and Instagram sensation Danielle Peazer, beauty star Kaushal Beauty, whose recent makeup tutorial went viral with over 4.3 million views (and counting) and SunbeamsJess, whose unique personal style and stunning cinematography has attracted a loyal fanbase of super fans on the lookout for the latest trend news.
Original new series set to debut on ICON include:
Pretty Little Pranksters: Celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg and her team of pranksters, surprise a mix of celebrities and digital dignitaries with things one just doesn’t expect to happen during a makeover.
Trash to Fab: Ann Le of AnneorShine breathes new life into items headed for the dumpster in this DIY make-over series.
Fascinating Women: Charis Lincoln (CharismaStarTV) leads this comedic history lesson on the ground-breaking women whose achievements paved the way for today’s opportunities.
The FAQs: An advice show for the digital age, featuring commentary, tips and experiences from digital celebrities and rising stars where ICON influencers engage with the audience to give answers on just about anything.
She’s Gotta Have It: What if you had lipstick that didn’t smudge or nail polish that won’t crack? Promise Phan and today’s leading digital lifestyle stars empower millennials to solve 100 of their beauty, makeup and fashion problems with fun, never-before-seen products.
Skinside Out: Eat your way to better skin, with easy recipes and skin care treats that you can make in your own kitchen. Holistic skin expert Anisa Noor teaches the food prescription to great skin.
Everyday LUXE: This style-logue series hosted by luxury beauty expert Rae from The Raeviewer, travels the world in search of luxury in everyday life (Launching in June).
Decade Beauty: Charis Lincoln of CharismaStarTV explores iconic beauty looks from each decade (Launching in September).
Michelle Phan is a digital pioneer, who trail-blazed her way in the world of fashion and beauty on YouTube. With a growing global community of over 7.5 million, Michelle’s videos have been viewed more than 1 billion times, making her one of the most watched talents in the digital space. She is an award winning content creator, and was recently honored with the first-ever Streamy Icon award, as well as Forbes 30 Under 30 in the category of Art and Style.
In addition to her immensely successful YouTube channel, Michelle is the co-founder of ipsy.com, a destination for beauty devotees to network, try new products, and watch and upload beauty tutorials. In 2013, Michelle teamed up with L’Oreal to launch her make-up line em Michelle Phan.
Most recently, Michelle has joined forces with Cutting Edge Group to launch Shift Music Group, a unique model for a recording and music publishing company that leverages the power of social media to spread awareness for new and existing artists. Michelle also launched a book in October 2014, called “Make Up: Your Life Guide to Beauty, Style, and Success – Online and Off."
On Thursday May 7, Endemol Beyond will unveil additional ICON U.S. and UK star talent and original content at the upcoming Digital Content Upfronts (“NewFronts”) on Thursday, May 7 at noon EST.
ABOUT ENDEMOL BEYOND
Endemol Beyond is an award winning Premium Channel Network (PCN) with content available across more than 20 platforms including YouTube, Yahoo, AOL, Roku, TiVo, DailyMotion and Amazon Fire TV. Having become one of one of the fastest-growing digital networks of 2014, Endemol Beyond currently has 500 million monthly views.
Endemol Beyond is the first PCN with hubs in the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Brazil and The Netherlands and is now part of the newly formed Endemol Shine Group.
Endemol Beyond USA produces and distributes premium-quality online content starring influential talent such as Michelle Phan, Pitbull, Brittany Furlan, Drea De Matteo and Andy Milonakis across lifestyle, comedy, reality and music-themed digital networks.
Major releases from Endemol Beyond UK so far include sports channels Rule'M Sports, featuring superstar YouTuber KSI and Legends of Gaming fronted by top YouTube gamer
ABOUT ENDEMOL SHINE NORTH AMERICA
Endemol Shine North America delivers world-class content and compelling storytelling to multiple platforms in the U.S. and across the globe. Endemol Shine North America is part of Endemol Shine Group, the newly launched global content creator, producer and distributor with a diverse portfolio of companies in the U.S. that are behind some of the most prominent hit television formats and series in the world. Subsidiary production companies include Authentic Entertainment, Original Media, True Entertainment and 51 Minds Entertainment. Also part of the Endemol Shine Group family in North America is CORE Media Group, which has a separate capital structure and incorporates world-class development and production operations including 19 Entertainment and Sharp Entertainment.
Endemol Shine Group’s companies in North America are behind hit series including American Idol (FOX), Below Deck (Bravo), Big Brother (CBS), The Biggest Loser (NBC), Fake Off (TruTV) Hell on Wheels (AMC), Ink Master (Spike), It Takes a Church (GSN), Kingdom (DirecTV), Knife Fight (Esquire), Man v. Food (Travel), MasterChef (FOX), MasterChef Junior (FOX), Restaurant Startup (CNBC), Swamp People (History), The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Bravo), So You Think You Can Dance (FOX), Steve Harvey (NBCU), T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle (VH1), Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge (CMT), Wipeout (ABC) and many more.
Endemol Beyond USA, one of the fastest-growing and award-winning digital networks of 2014, is part of the Endemol Shine Group. As a Premium Channel Network, Endemol Beyond USA content is available across more than 20 platforms including YouTube, AOL, Roku, TiVo, DailyMotion and Amazon Fire TV. Endemol Beyond is the first Premium Content Network with hubs in the US, UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, with plans to expand into Asia, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe. Endemol Beyond USA produces and distributes premium-quality online content starring influential talent such as Pitbull, Brittany Furlan, Drea De Matteo and Andy Milonakis across lifestyle, comedy, reality and music-themed digital networks. Together Endemol Beyond and digital pioneer Michelle Phan have recently launched ICON, the first worldwide Premium Lifestyle Network. ICON is an online global destination featuring a prolific slate of original programming in beauty, fashion, wellness, DIY, food, human interest stories and travel.
ABOUT ENDEMOL SHINE UK
Endemol Shine UK is behind a diverse range of hits including Big Brother, Black Mirror, Broadchurch, Deal or No Deal, Grantchester, Masterchef, Mr. Bean, One Born Every Minute, Peaky Blinders, Pointless, Sunday Brunch, The Fall, The Island, The Million Pound Drop, Vicious, 8 out of 10 Cats and many more.
Labels within the UK Group include Artists Studio, Brown Eyed Boy, Cave Bear Productions, DSP, Dragonfly, Fifty Fathoms, House of Tomorrow, Initial, Kudos, Lovely Day, Princess Productions, Remarkable Television, Shine North, Shine Soho, Shine TV, Tiger Aspect, Tigress and Zeppotron.
The company is part of Endemol Shine Group – the global global content creator, producer and distributor with creative operations in over 30 markets, with a portfolio of over 600 revenue generating formats across scripted and non-scripted genres; coupled with digital, gaming, and distribution operations.