ViacomCBS International Studios and Wattpad Webtoon Studios, recently initiated a global partnership to garner content creatives from around the world, to come together for the development of an original series catalog based on Wattpad and Webtoon stories. “ViacomCBS International Studios is committed to telling authentic, local stories from emerging creatives from all corners of the world, and through this mission, we’ve expanded to become one of the leading creators of content globally,” said Ari Tan, Vice President, Head of Strategy, ViacomCBS International Studios. “Now through our partnership with Wattpad Webtoon Studios, we’ll have the opportunity to use this exciting, data-driven approach to inform our storytelling and amplify new creative talents through our global platforms.”
As the company manages more than 100 projects in development or production worldwide, the two companies will work alongside each other to identify stories from Wattpad and WEBTOON’s deep global IP libraries of digital comics and stories, as well as Indie authors. The titles produced through the initiative will result in various co-productions for global premium streaming service Paramount+, as well as other ViacomCBS-owned platforms.
Serving as the first major global partnership from Wattpad Webtoon Studios since merging the entertainment and publishing division, the venture will also grant ViacomCBS access to audience geography and sentiment insights, which will help it preserve the ability to identify local and regional hits with global appeal, spanning Latin America, Europe, the UK, and other international markets. To date, VIS has announced more than 30 Paramount+ Original greenlights, to fuel the streamer as it continues its global rollout, with its European expansion set for 2022. The deal positions VIS to develop some of the most exciting and unique IP in the world from WEBTOON and Wattpad, spanning a range of genres, and with built-in Gen Z and millennial global fandoms.
“Wattpad WEBTOON Studios is home to some of the most exciting new voices in comics and literature," said Aron Levitz, President of Wattpad Webtoon Studios. “Between our massive global IP catalogue with built-in fandoms, and a roster of superstar comic artists and indie authors, we’re fueling a new era of data-backed entertainment. We’re thrilled to work with ViacomCBS International Studios, a company that shares our vision to transform entertainment by elevating the creativity and fandoms of a new generation of storytellers. Working together with ViacomCBS International Studios, we’ll bring more diverse, original voices to screens all over the world.”
ViacomCBS International Studios is committed to telling authentic, local stories from emerging creatives from all corners of the world, and through this mission, we’ve expanded to become one of the leading creators of content globally. Now through our partnership with Wattpad Webtoon Studios, we’ll have the opportunity to use this exciting, data-driven approach to inform our storytelling and amplify new creative talents through our global platforms.” Ari Tan Vice President, Head of Strategy, ViacomCBS International Studio
