Invisible Narratives announced that it has secured long-term capital partnerships with Verance Capital and funds managed by affiliates of BC Partners Credit. The new capital partnerships are expected to support accelerated M&A activity and franchise development.
Invisible Narratives is an entertainment company focused on helping digital creators build global franchises. The company helps creators and IP owners expand their stories, characters, and worlds beyond their original platforms into enduring entertainment businesses.
Founded in 2018 by Adam Goodman, former head of Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Studios, with producer and director Michael Bay serving as creative advisor, Invisible Narratives also announced the appointment of Mark Shedletsky as President. Shedletsky brings more than 25 years of experience building businesses at the intersection of entertainment and digital media.
Invisible Narratives uses the term “tradigital” to describe its studio model, which combines the creative freedom and speed of digitally native content with the franchise-building discipline and infrastructure associated with traditional Hollywood studios. The company is actively evaluating new creator partners, formats, gaming opportunities, and brand partnerships with a focus on passionate audiences, repeatable formats, and defensible characters or worlds.
The growth capital will enable Invisible Narratives to invest in or acquire more IP and formats, helping creators scale their properties into lasting entertainment franchises. BC Partners Credit envisions deploying more than $300 million of capital into the creator economy through the Invisible Narratives platform. And alongside Verance Capital, BC Partners Credit has made an initial $25 million investment tied to Invisible Narratives’ majority acquisition of Skibidi Toilet.
Goldthorpe has also joined Invisible Narratives’ board of directors. The firms will provide capital, media and entertainment expertise, and access to a broader deal ecosystem.
As President, Shedletsky will lead business operations and M&A strategy, identifying creator and IP partners, YouTube channels, brands, and games with the potential to scale into global franchises. He previously built and sold several high-growth startups and held senior executive roles at MTV and Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment.
Invisible Narratives’ previous work includes a Telly Award-winning livestream format produced for Twitch, “Crimson,” a horror film led by FaZe Clan creators, and projects with HBO Max and STX Studios. The company has also grown Skibidi Toilet into a multi-platform entertainment franchise spanning consumer products, gaming, film, and television, with more than 47 million subscribers, 20 billion views, over $150 million of consumer spending, and 8.7 billion visits across licensed Roblox experiences.
KEY QUOTES:
“BC Partners sees a significant opportunity in the creator economy and has strong conviction in platforms with deeply engaged, loyal audiences. Invisible Narratives has demonstrated an ability to cultivate and scale creator-led businesses. We look forward to working with the team to deploy additional capital as they build a billion-dollar studio that extends the confines of traditional film and television. Following our investment in other digital IP platforms, we are doubling down on the creator economy with Invisible Narratives as our platform of choice.”
Ted Goldthorpe, Partner and Head of BC Partners Credit
“Invisible Narratives has developed an incredibly exciting platform for creator properties. It’s undeniable that these new mediums are where the next generation of IP is being developed, and they have the right DNA and playbook to partner with creators to increase the opportunity for everyone. The team is best-in-class with a proven background of identifying talent and building billion-dollar franchises, and we’re thrilled to partner with them to scale existing projects and acquire new, exciting content.”
Lyle Ayes, Managing Partner of Verance Capital
“Mark is the rarest kind of operator — someone who has repeatedly and successfully scaled companies across film, TV, music, digital media, talent management, and live entertainment. As Invisible Narratives becomes the defining studio of the creator era, there is no one more uniquely qualified to serve as President.”
Adam Goodman, Founder and CEO of Invisible Narratives
“Audiences have definitively migrated to platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Steam, and Roblox where visionary creatives are building the most valuable IP. Adam and Michael Bay are two of the most talented creative executives in Hollywood who have already established a successful track record of partnering with the top talent in the creator economy. Along with our capital partners Verance and BC Partners, Invisible Narratives is uniquely positioned to become the studio of the future.”
Mark Shedletsky, President of Invisible Narratives
