Base79

About Base79

Founded in 2007 by Ashley MacKenzie, Base79 carved a significant niche in the burgeoning online video market as a multi-channel network (MCN). The company, whose name is derived from the atomic number for gold (79), was established to simplify the complexities of YouTube for content creators and rights holders. MacKenzie, with a background as a sales director at Talksport, guided the company to become a major player in the EMEA region.

Base79's core business was providing rights management, audience development, and monetization services for video content on platforms like YouTube. The firm's business model revolved around taking a share of the advertising revenue generated by the content it managed, a standard practice for MCNs. It catered to a diverse client base, ranging from major sports organizations like The Football Association and France's FFF, to music labels such as Ministry of Sound and Domino Records, and prominent individual YouTube creators. The company's service involved using proprietary technology and expertise to optimize video distribution, engage audiences, and maximize revenue for its partners. By 2014, it managed over 1,000 partners.

A significant milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by the publicly-traded digital video company Rightster in July 2014. The deal, valued at a base of £25 million ($42.7 million) with a potential to rise to £50 million ($85 million), marked a major consolidation in the UK's MCN space. At the time of the acquisition, Base79 had offices in several countries and was generating over 750 million video views per month. The acquisition was part of a larger trend of MCNs being acquired by larger media entities, as seen with Disney's purchase of Maker Studios. Following the transaction, Base79's operations were integrated into Rightster, aiming to create a global leader in online video distribution and monetization.