Rainn Wilson Company Acquired by Participant Media

LOS ANGELES: Participant Media has acquired the digital entertainment media company SoulPancake, which was founded by actor Rainn Wilson (The Office, Six Feet Under) in 2009.

SoulPancake has created scripted and unscripted specials and series that have aired on such networks as The CW, MTV, VH1, Freeform, OWN and Discovery Family. The company provides thought-provoking, funny and uplifting programming, including the popular web series Kid President and The Science of Happiness. It has amassed more than 300 million video views and reaches more than 8.8 million social media fans, including 1.7 million YouTube subscribers.

SoulPancake’s current leadership and staff will remain located at its existing Los Angeles headquarters and operate under Participant’s corporate structure. Wilson will continue to lead the creative direction of the company, and provide broader creative input on Participant’s digital content and impact campaigns.

“We would never have considered an acquisition were it not Participant sitting across the table from us—we are truly professional soul mates,” noted SoulPancake CEO Shabnam Mogharabi, who will become general manager of SoulPancake and report to Participant COO Sam Neswick. “Participant’s content speaks for itself—their films are meaningful, important and powerful. We at SoulPancake know how to tackle ‘stuff that matters’ in an uplifting, unapologetically positive way. Combined, our companies will truly be a force for good in the global content landscape.”

“SoulPancake truly aligns with Participant’s model of creating inspiring entertainment that compels global awareness and action,” said Participant CEO David Linde. “Rainn, Shabnam and their team have thrived by creating immensely popular, shareable and optimistic properties that connect with a large audience, and together we look forward to integrating and expanding their digital video content into a global platform that is thematically and mission aligned and thus stronger and more successful together.”

“I created SoulPancake seven years ago with some friends to produce inspiring content and explore what it means to be human,” added Wilson. “I’m proud of what we’ve built and thrilled to begin working with Participant in SoulPancake’s next chapter. Plus, they gave me a reusable, BPA-free water bottle and introduced me to Al Gore.”