Creator platform Tongal, established with a mission to democratize content creation through its network of 160,000 creators for hire across 175 countries, announces it has surpassed $100 million in earnings for its members. The “studio on demand” was notably tapped to help produce the Pharrell Williams animated biopic Piece By Piece.
“As a platform built on the principle of meritocracy, hitting the $100M milestone is more than a number — it’s a testament to the incredible talent of our community and the industry’s growing recognition of their power,” Co-Founder & CEO James DeJulio told Deadline. “Tongal has been transforming the who and how of production, giving creators the opportunities, tools and connections to build the future of content and storytelling.”
The exec added that 10 of Tongal’s most successful creators have earned over $1 million each through the platform, while hundreds more have earned over $100,000 through their collaborations with studios, producers and brands.
Piece By Piece was the first major film made with Tongal, enlisting 100 of its creators to work with Pharrell’s I Am Other, Focus Features and director Academy Award-winner Morgan Neville. Tongal talent helped create the film from the initial storyboard and pitch stages through to development and marketing.
Tongal creators have also contributed to notable projects including the LEGO World Builder creation platform (2020), Disney/Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: Go Rogue miniseries (2016) and recreations of iconic Jurassic Park scenes for its 25th anniversary (2018).
The platform was established in 2009, and its first major studio project was Universal’s MacGruber at SXSW in 2010. On the heels of this $100M earnings milestone, the company is poised to enter IP creation next year.
[Source: Deadline]