Jellysmack Spins Off Original Content Business, Launches Blue Foxes
In a significant move within the creator economy landscape, Jellysmack, a prominent startup, has announced the spin-off of a portion of its original content business. The newly formed entity, Blue Foxes, will be helmed by former Jellysmack executives Maxime Horbez and Paula Layoun.
Blue Foxes is set to take over management of several of Jellysmack’s social brands, including popular YouTube channels and social media accounts. This development comes amid recent strategic shifts at Jellysmack, which has seen layoffs and the sale of its catalog-licensing business.
The spin-off will operate as an independent company, retaining a number of Jellysmack staff members. Blue Foxes’ portfolio includes well-known brands such as Beauty Studio, Oh My Goal, Gamology, and House of Bounce. Jellysmack cofounder Michael Philippe expressed optimism about the transition, stating his satisfaction with the original content team’s continuation under the Blue Foxes banner.
While divesting these properties, Jellysmack will maintain control of the Law&Crime Network and refocus its efforts on US-based intellectual property and YouTube content. This strategic pivot follows a significant investment from SoftBank in 2021 and comes as part of a broader restructuring aimed at concentrating on more profitable initiatives.
The spin-off reflects wider trends in the creator economy startup ecosystem, which has experienced a cooling period after attracting considerable venture capital interest. Many startups in this space have been forced to consolidate or downsize in response to changing market conditions.
Blue Foxes marked its official launch with a party in Paris, signaling the commencement of its operations. Despite the new branding, the core operations and team structure remain largely unchanged from their time under Jellysmack.
Maxime Horbez, co-leader of Blue Foxes, expressed enthusiasm about the venture, stating, “We are proud to lead Blue Foxes alongside Paula Layoun and our talented global team, continuing our mission to create engaging content for audiences worldwide.”
As the creator economy continues to evolve, the launch of Blue Foxes represents a notable development in the ongoing restructuring of major players in the digital content space.
