EXCLUSIVE: Blink49 Studios has set up a joint venture with iconic Canadian comedy brand Yuk Yuk’s.
The pair will work together to develop and produce a slate of live and digital comedy projects, tapping into Yuk Yuk’s five decades as a major player in the Canadian comedy landscape. The company is considered to have played a key role in launching the careers of Jim Carrey, Howie, Mandel, Norm MacDonald and Russell Peters among others, and has opened a network of comedy clubs.
Blink49, which has offices in Canada and the U.S., will serve as the studio partner on all projects developed under the JV. The focus will be on live stand-up pop-up events across Canada and original digital and online content.
“This partnership represents a natural alignment between two companies deeply committed to championing great comedic voices,” said John Morayniss, CEO, Blink49 Studios. “Yuk Yuk’s has an unmatched legacy in Canadian comedy, and together we see a significant opportunity to build a modern, scalable comedy pipeline that connects live performance with premium digital storytelling.”
“I’ve been admiring Blink49 for some time and I’m excited to develop a slate of programming with them which will lead to untold riches and fame,” added Mark Breslin, CEO and founder of Yuk Yuk’s.
Blink49 and Yuk Yuk’s have both been focusing building comedy content based around live experiences with digital projects that bring talent discovery together with development and production. The strategic focused has aligned them for the JV.
Yesterday, Blink49, which has backing from Fifth Season and Bell Media, launched a global creator studios unit, hiring producer and digital industry veteran Mickey Meyer to run it. The unit will partner with creators to scale their brands into IP in scripted, unscripted and digital-first formats.
Blink49 has credits for shows such as Wild Cards, Beast Games, Age of Attraction and Late Bloomer, while Yuk Yuk’s, which stand-up Breslin and Joel Axler launched in 1976, is a key player in the Canadian stand-up scene. It produces programs such as Yuk Yuk’s Great Canadian Laugh Off and other specials. The deal with Blink49 will see a concerted effort to bring its stand-up talent to screens.