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Brave Bison
Type of businessPublic
Type of site
Social Media Marketing, Media Brands, YouTube Channel Management, Influencer Marketing
Traded asLSE: BBSN
Founded2011 (2011)
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
Area servedWorldwide
Founder(s)Charlie Muirhead
Key peopleOli Green (Chairman) Theo Green (Chief Growth Officer)
IndustrySocial media
RevenueIncrease £22 million (2021)[1] Increase £32 million (2021)
Employees280
URLbravebison.com
Current statusActive

Brave Bison is a digital advertising and technology services company. The company provides a range of digital advertising and technology services to brand advertisers, and operates a digital media network of over 650 channels and 158 million followers. The company is headquartered in London with hubs in Manchester, New York, Singapore, Bulgaria, Egypt and South Africa.

History

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The company was founded under the name Rightster in May 2011 by British entrepreneur Charlie Muirhead with the vision of enabling media businesses to “overcome huge fragmentation in the online video market with a single technology platform for engaging audiences and transacting with optimal efficiency”.[2] The initial focus of the business was on the fashion industry, Rightster's first customer being the British Fashion Council (BFC).[3]

IPO

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In November 2013, Rightster raised £22.4 million ($36 million) via an IPO on London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM), making it the first YouTube MCN to go public. Rightster said it intended to use money raised via the IPO to fund platform upgrades and acquisitions.[4][5][6]

In May 2016, it was announced that the company was relaunching under the name Brave Bison.[7]

In June 2019, UK entrepreneurs Oli & Theo Green acquired a 27% shareholding in Brave Bison through their digital media and technology group, Tangent. Oli Green joined the board of Brave Bison in December 2019 and in January 2020 it was announced that Oli would take over from Sir Robin Miller as Chairman. Theo Green joined as chief growth officer soon afterwards. [8]

Acquisitions

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VML

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In October 2012, Rightster acquired approximately 25 percent of the share capital of VML. VML operates under the brandname ‘Viral Spiral' and connects third party brands, agencies, production companies and publishers with the owners of viral content. Rightster entered into an agreement with VML such that it is the exclusive global syndication distribution and monetisation partner for all VML content being uploaded to third party publishers platforms, including YouTube.[9]

Preview Networks

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In February 2013, Rightster acquired Preview Networks, a European distributor of film trailers and branded content.[10][11][12][13][14]

"The deal extends Rightster's YouTube services across Europe and makes Rightster the leading distributor of movie trailers in this region. Preview Networks brings over 300 content rights holders and 2500 publishers to Rightster's global community and broadens Rightster's geographic presence in key European markets including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Nordics."

Sport Syndicator

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In September 2013, Rightster acquired Sport Syndicator, a UK display advertising sales agency,:[15][16]

The Hook

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In April 2020, Brave Bison acquired The Hook Group, a social marketing and publishing company, for £0.15m. The company was acquired out of administration.[17]

Greenlight

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In August 2021, Brave Bison acquired digital advertising and technology company Greenlight for just over $9 million. With more than 120 employees in the UK and across Eastern Europe, Greenlight works with blue-chip brands and omni-channel retailers on digital advertising and eCommerce technology systems. Greenlight clients include Dixons Carphone, Muller, GAP, Furniture Village and New Balance.

Social Chain

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In February 2023, it was confirmed that Brave Bison purchased Social Chain founded by Steven Bartlett for a total sum of £7.7 million, but this could increase if Social Chain meets certain earnings targets.[18]

Clients

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Brave Bison has worked with clients including:[19][20]

Television appearances

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  • Toast TV (2013–2014)
  • Alex Strangelove (2018)
  • World's Worst Flights: Landings (2019)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Brave bison group plc" (pdf). Brave Bison. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Rightster Group plc First Day of Dealings". corp.rightster.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  3. ^ Platt, Ryan (12 November 2013). "Online video marketing platform Rightster raises £20m in AIM IPO". startups. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Rightster Group plc First Day of Dealings". Rightster. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  5. ^ McGrath, Steve (12 November 2013). "Rightster Shares Rise After AIM IPO, Just Retirement Prices Its IPO". London South East. Alliance News. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  6. ^ Plesser, Andy (21 November 2013). "Rightster CEO: Post-IPO, Acquisition Talks Already Under Way". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  7. ^ Briel, Robert (10 May 2016). "Rightster becomes Brave Bison". Broadband TV News. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  8. ^ "Tangent invests in social video group Brave Bison". The Drum. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  9. ^ "Rightster Admission Document" (PDF). Rightster. 11 November 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  10. ^ Lomas, Natasha (11 February 2013). "Video Distribution Startup Rightster Buys Content Marketing Platform Preview Networks To Push Its YouTube Services Across Europe". TechCrunch. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  11. ^ Edgecliffe-Johnson, Andrew. "Rightster in deal for Preview Networks". Financial Times. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  12. ^ Briel, Robert (11 February 2013). "Rightster acquires Preview Networks". Broadband TV News. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Rightster Acquires Preview Networks to Accelerate Pan-European Expansion of YouTube Services across France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Nordics" (Press release). Rightster. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013 – via Business Wire.
  14. ^ "Rightster Acquires Preview Networks to Accelerate Pan-European Expansion of YouTube Services across France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Nordics" (Press release). Rightster. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  15. ^ "Rightster Buys Business and Assets of Sportsyndicator" (Press release). Rightster. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  16. ^ Nias, Simon. "Rightster acquires Mediasyndicator sports portfolio". Campaign. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  17. ^ "The Hook enters administration, Brave Bison acquires IP and channels". The Drum. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  18. ^ "Steven Bartlett-founded Social Chain agrees £7.7m sale to rival". 3 February 2023.
  19. ^ "Home | Brave Bison". bravebison.com. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  20. ^ "News". The Drum. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
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