# PocketWatch, Inc.

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**PocketWatch, Inc.** (stylized as **pocket.watch**) is a privately-owned media production company that specializes in talent management, project financing, and merchandising for [Generation Alpha](/source/Generation_Alpha)-familiar [influencers](/source/Influencers), with most originating from [YouTube](/source/YouTube).[1] Its offices and studio are based in [Culver City](/source/Culver_City,_California), [California](/source/California). The company was founded in 2017 by former [Maker Studios](/source/Maker_Studios) officer Chris M. Williams.[2]

## History

PocketWatch was founded in 2017 as a firm designed to provide merchandising services alongside production funding for influencers familiar to Generation Alpha, with a targeted audience of children and tweens who are fans of partnered YouTubers. Of the many influencers signed include [Ryan's World](/source/Ryan's_World), HobbyKidsTV, and [EvanTubeHD](/source/EvanTubeHD). The company's signed creators hold over a billion subscribers combined, with over 855 billion combined views in a month.[3]

PocketWatch's executive team consists of former players in kids and family entertainment, private equity funding, and other industries, included are [Albie Hecht](/source/Albie_Hecht), the former head of [Nickelodeon Studios](/source/Nickelodeon_Studios) as Chief Content Officer, [Brian Robbins](/source/Brian_Robbins), President of Kids and Family entertainment at [Paramount Global](/source/Paramount_Global), and [Beatriz Acevedo](/source/Beatriz_Acevedo), founder of online video network Mitu[4][5] as Board Members for the company.[6]

[Variety](/source/Variety_(magazine)) named founder Williams as one of their Digital Innovators in 2019, with Williams additionally nominated for the [Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year](/source/Ernst_%26_Young_Entrepreneur_of_the_Year_Award) competition that same year.[7]

### 2017

In April 2017, PocketWatch signed HobbyKidsTV as their first creator partner.[8] HobbyKids specializes in toy play, outdoor activities and other family-oriented content across 10 YouTube channels that have generated 7.5 billion views.[9]

In August 2017, PocketWatch, [Viacom](/source/Viacom_(2005%E2%80%932019)), and [SNL](/source/Saturday_Night_Live) star, [Kenan Thompson](/source/Kenan_Thompson) developed *Skoogle*, a live-action scripted children's comedy show.[10] Later that year, PocketWatch partnered with the creator of *[The Fairly OddParents](/source/The_Fairly_OddParents)*, [Butch Hartman](/source/Butch_Hartman), to develop three original animated series, including one based on HobbyKidsTV.[11]

In August 2017, PocketWatch signed [CaptainSparklez](/source/CaptainSparklez), a video game and entertainment channel created and run by [Jordan Maron](/source/Jordan_Maron), a YouTube personality.[12]

In September 2017, the studio signed a long-term partnership with [Ryan ToysReview](/source/Ryan_ToysReview). Ryan ToysReview is a well-known kids and family creator channel on YouTube in the United States and, according to *[Forbes](/source/Forbes)* magazine, was YouTube's highest-earning influencer in 2018.[13]

In September 2017, PocketWatch signed EvanTubeHD and his family, primarily focused on the brother-sister combination of Evan and Jillian, the stars of the channel.[14] Their videos have evolved since originally launching as a toy channel and an example of the [toy unboxing](/source/Toy_unboxing) trend, in which kids open up new toys on camera.[15] Now the channel primarily consists of challenges, gameplay and other formats that feature the comradery and rivalry between Evan and Jillian. Their parents also frequently appear in videos as well.[citation needed]

PocketWatch expanded its reach beyond YouTube into publishing, television, film, and consumer goods. In November 2017, PocketWatch partnered with [Simon & Schuster](/source/Simon_%26_Schuster) to publish children's books under a PocketWatch branded imprint and launched their first two books, *Watch this Book!* and *Meet Ryan!* in the winter of 2018.[16]

### 2018

In February 2018, PocketWatch collaborated with [Ryan ToysReview](/source/Ryan_ToysReview) to create [Ryan's World](/source/Ryan's_World), a consumer products brand based on Ryan and a portfolio of characters created by Ryan and his parents. The first consumer products licensees for Ryan's World were The Bentex Group and Bonkers Toys.[17] PocketWatch has also secured international licensing deals with licensing agencies and media companies in the U.K., Australia, and other countries expanding the line globally.[18]

In August 2018, Ryan's World, launched exclusively at [Walmart](/source/Walmart). The line included a giant golden mystery egg that sold out in 10 minutes on [Black Friday](/source/Black_Friday_(shopping)) 2018.[19]

In October 2018, PocketWatch launched 90 22-minute episodes of repackaged content from their YouTube creator partners on [Hulu](/source/Hulu) and [Amazon Prime Video](/source/Amazon_Prime_Video) and partnered with [Paramount Pictures](/source/Paramount_Pictures) to license them to international distributors.[20]

### 2019

PocketWatch unveiled 40 new licensing partnerships. The expansion of Ryan's World's licensing program was anchored by new licensees, including Just Play, [Jada Toys](/source/Jada_Toys), [Kids Preferred](/source/Kids_Preferred), [American Greetings](/source/American_Greetings), and Zak Designs and spanned new categories, including Halloween costumes, party goods, social expressions, sleepwear, backpacks, lunch kits and accessories, hydration, furniture, and home goods.[21]

In January 2019, PocketWatch launched its gaming division P.W Games with their first mobile game in partnership with [WildWorks](/source/WildWorks),[22] *Tag With Ryan*, a free-to-play, endless runner game featuring the likeness of Ryan and the many characters of Ryan's World.[23] The game has been downloaded more than 5 million times since launching.

PocketWatch created, produced and launched their first television series *[Ryan's Mystery Playdate](/source/Ryan's_Mystery_Playdate)*, a live-action show for preschoolers on [Nickelodeon](/source/Nickelodeon) April 19, 2019.[24] Ryan's Mystery Playdate launched to successful ratings and was renewed for a second season five days after the premiere on April 24.[25] It has since become the number one series on television for preschoolers in the U.S.[26]

In May 2019, PocketWatch signed deals with YouTube channels MarMar and Onyx Family to launch new programming.[27]

In June 2019, PocketWatch launched *[HobbyKids Adventures](/source/HobbyKids_Adventures)*, an original animated series created by Butch Hartman and based on their creator partners HobbyKidsTV, on YouTube.[28]

In June 2019, PocketWatch partnered with [Hardee's](/source/Hardee's), as they relaunched their Star Pals kids meals after an eight-year hiatus with Ryan's World themed meals and a line of toys designed by [Ryan ToysReview](/source/Ryan's_World).[29]

In July 2019, PocketWatch, under their P.W Games division, and Outright Games announced a partnership to release *Race With Ryan* the first console game to be released as part of Ryan's World, on [PlayStation 4](/source/PlayStation_4), [Nintendo Switch](/source/Nintendo_Switch), [Xbox One](/source/Xbox_One) and PC in November 2019.[30]

### 2020

In February 2020, PocketWatch launched their advertising agency Clock.work, focused on child-targeted advertising across YouTube, mobile gaming and OTT channels.[31]

## References

1. ["Pocket.watch CEO on the business of kidfluencers"](https://finance.yahoo.com/video/pocket-watch-ceo-business-kidfluencers-022251975.html). Yahoo! Finance. February 16, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.

1. Calvario, Liz (March 22, 2017). ["Chris Williams, Albie Hecht & Jon Moonves Announce Pocketwatch, New Media Brand Catered To Kids"](https://deadline.com/2017/03/chris-williams-albie-hecht-jon-moonves-announce-pocketwatch-new-media-brand-1202048309/). *Deadline*. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. ["Creators"](https://pocket.watch/creators). *PocketWatch Inc.*. Retrieved May 27, 2026.

1. Jean-Louis, Jardley (2017-04-11). ["The Key to Getting Millennials to Love Your Brand"](https://www.inc.com/video/beatriz-acevedo/the-key-to-getting-millennials-to-love-your-brand.html). *Inc.com*. Retrieved 2021-09-27.

1. ["Mitú's Beatriz Acevedo Wants To Be Voice of Millennial Generation"](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/mitus-beatriz-acevedo-wants-be-voice-millennial-generation-n396381). NBC News. July 24, 2015. Retrieved 2021-09-27.

1. ["About"](https://pocket.watch/about). *pocket.watch*. Retrieved 2021-09-27.

1. ["EY announces finalists for the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2019 award in Greater Los Angeles"](https://www.ey.com/en_us/news/2019/06/ey-announces-finalists-for-the-eoy-2019-award-in-greater-los-angeles). *ey.com*. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. Spangler, Todd (April 26, 2017). ["Startup Pocket.watch Signs YouTube's HobbyKidsTV as First Creative Partner"](https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/pocketwatch-hobbykidstv-1202393887/). *Variety*. Retrieved April 9, 2019.

1. Ellis, Emma Grey (May 20, 2019). ["HobbyKidsTV, YouTube, and the New World of Child Stars"](https://www.wired.com/story/kids-hobbykidstv-youtube-child-stars/). *Wired*. [ISSN 1059-1028](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/1059-1028). Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. Ramos, Dino-Ray (August 1, 2017). ["Kenan Thompson To Produce New Kids Comedy Sketch Show 'Skoogle' With 'All That' Team"](https://deadline.com/2017/08/kenan-thompson-skoogle-albie-hecht-pocket-watch-all-that-1202138764/). *Deadline*. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. ["Butch Hartman to Create Three Series for pocket.watch"](https://www.awn.com/news/butch-hartman-create-three-series-pocketwatch). *Animation World Network*. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. Spangler, Todd (November 22, 2017). ["YouTube Creators CaptainSparklez, EvanTube Sign With Kid-Media Startup Pocket.watch"](https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/captainsparklez-evantube-pocketwatch-1202621779/). *Variety*. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. Berg, Madeline. ["How This 7-Year-Old Made $22 Million Playing With Toys"](https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2018/12/03/how-this-seven-year-old-made-22-million-playing-with-toys-2/). *Forbes*. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. Spangler, Todd (November 22, 2017). ["YouTube Creators CaptainSparklez, EvanTube Sign With Kid-Media Startup Pocket.watch"](https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/captainsparklez-evantube-pocketwatch-1202621779/). *Variety*. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. Eror, Aleks (November 24, 2017). ["Making Sense of the Strange YouTube Unboxing Trend"](https://www.vice.com/en/article/making-sense-of-the-strange-youtube-unboxing-trend/) (in en-asia). *Vice*. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. [*pocket.watch*](https://www.simonandschuster.com/series/pocket-watch)

1. ["Return to Ryan's World with These New Mystery Toys"](https://www.thetoyinsider.com/ryans-world-toy-review/). *The Toy Insider*. January 9, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. ["Nickelodeon Strikes Ryan ToysReview Int'l Merchandise Deal Amid Bet on Social Media Influencers"](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nickelodeon-strikes-ryan-toysreview-consumer-products-deal-1215463). *The Hollywood Reporter*. June 5, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. ["Walmart scores lucrative win with 7-year-old millionaire YouTube star"](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/walmart-scores-lucrative-win-7-year-old-millionaire-youtube-star-155505411.html). Yahoo Finance. December 8, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. Spangler, Todd (October 11, 2018). ["Hulu, Amazon Stream Pocket.watch Kids Shows Featuring YouTube Stars (Exclusive)"](https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/pocketwatch-hulu-amazon-youtube-kids-shows-1202976653/). *Variety*. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. ["Pocket.watch Grows Ryan's World Licensing Program To Include Over 40 Licensees Worldwide"](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pocketwatch-grows-ryans-world-licensing-program-to-include-over-40-licensees-worldwide-300786974.html). pocket.watch. PR Newswire. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. ["02/05/19: FX orders post-apocalyptic series Y"](http://www.cynopsis.com/02-05-19-fx-orders-post-apocalyptic-series-y/). *Cynopsis Media*. February 5, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.

1. ["Tag with Ryan: A SuperParent First Look"](https://superparent.com/article/508/tag-with-ryan-a-superparent-first-look). *SuperParent*. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. ["Nickelodeon Unboxes Playful New Preschool Series "Ryan's Mystery Playdate," Starring YouTube Superstar Ryan of Ryan Toys"](http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/03/27/nickelodeon-unboxes-playful-new-preschool-series-ryans-mystery-playdate-starring-youtube-superstar-ryan-of-ryan-toysreview-friday-april-19-at-1230-pm-et-pt-93202/20190327nickelodeon01/). Nickelodeon. March 27, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2019. – via The Futon Critic.

1. Petski, Denise (April 24, 2019). ["'Ryan's Mystery Playdate' Renewed For Season 2 By Nickelodeon Amid Strong Ratings"](https://deadline.com/2019/04/ryans-mystery-playdate-renewed-season-2-youtube-star-nickelodeon-ratings-1202601302/). *Deadline*. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. ["Nickelodeon Unveils Ryan's Mystery Playdate, Brand-New Preschool Series Starring YouTube Superstar Ryan of Ryan ToysReview"](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190214005576/en/Nickelodeon-Unveils-Ryan%E2%80%99s-Mystery-Playdate-Brand-New-Preschool). *businesswire.com*. February 14, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. Spangler, Todd (May 13, 2019). ["Pocket.watch Sets Projects With MarMar, Onyx Family and Other YouTube Creators"](https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/pocket-watch-marmar-onyx-family-youtube-1203211967/). *Variety*. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. ["Pocket.watch Plans Animated Series, Product Licensing Barrage For HobbyKidsTV Brand"](https://www.tubefilter.com/2019/05/21/pocket-watch-series-products-hobbykids-adventures/). *tubefilter.com*. May 21, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. Wiener-Bronner, Danielle (June 11, 2019). ["First on CNN Business: Hardee's partners with child YouTube star to relaunch kids' meals"](https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/11/business/hardees-youtube-partnership-ryan-toysreview/index.html). CNN. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. ["First Ryan's World Video Game Race With Ryan Coming To Switch"](https://nintendosoup.com/first-ryans-world-video-game-race-with-ryan-coming-to-switch/). *NintendoSoup*. February 4, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2019.

1. Tuchow, Ryan (February 25, 2020). ["Pocket.watch launches ad agency"](https://kidscreen.com/2020/02/25/pocket-watch-launches-ad-agency/). *Kidscreen*. Retrieved February 25, 2020.

## External links

- [Official website](https://pocket.watch/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [PocketWatch, Inc.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PocketWatch%2C_Inc.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PocketWatch%2C_Inc.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.