Holler, creator of popular sticker and gif characters which have been used by more than 70 million users worldwide via Venmo and popular messaging apps, is ready to bring these digital communicators to new platforms. The outfit is reintroducing itself as full-service animation shop Holler Studio, teaming up with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to shepherd its characters through new avenues of animated storytelling.
Founded by Group Black’s co-founder and CEO, Travis Montaque, Holler was launched with a mission to “enrich conversations everywhere,” focused on developing relatable content that helps diverse people around the world express themselves authentically. Based on data showing deep user engagement with its characters, Holler developed an in-house animation studio to serve fans across all platforms and expand its audience.
“The powerful thing about animation is that we can use our imaginations to help create the world that we want to see,” said Montaque. “Holler Studios is blazing a trail with its focus on increased diversity and inclusion in animation, which will impact the screens, toys, metaverse and experiences that generations will interact with in the future.”
Leading the new venture is EVP and Head of Studio Pat Giles, the creative lead behind some the advertising industry’s most recognizable icons, from the latest Green Giant to Lucky the Leprechaun to McGruff the Crime Dog. Gils has also executive produced several popular animated web-series, including Lili and Torto’s Opposite Show for Sesame Studios. Under Giles’ leadership, Holler’s characters have already started to move from stickers to stories.
Recently, the company started producing animated shorts for its own channels, including Romeon, Simone & Jordan and Epic Tails, which have already amassed millions of views. With the animation industry expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.7% through 2028 (per Industry Research), Holler Studios aims to meet increased demand for animated content with a slate of long-form animated content based on existing and new IP for both kids and adults, under a mandate to uplift “diverse voices telling universal stories.”
Over the past year, Holler Studios has assembled a team of industry veterans who have worked at industry majors like Nickelodeon to Sesame Workshop with deep expertise in 2D & 3D animation, CGI, puppetry, gaming and more.
“At Holler Studios we have all the ingredients to make a story unforgettable,” said Giles. “We have developed hundreds of relatable characters over the years and we can’t wait to share their stories with the world.”
Holler Studios has also signed with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), who will advise on Holler’s brand positioning within the marketplace, digital content distribution strategy, monetization models and a go-to-market approach for selecting IP for exploitation in television, film and beyond. Strategic partnerships, such as one with historian and educator Blair Imani to animate her popular IG series Smarter In Seconds, have already helped to reach a different facet of the animation audience.
“When we first met with Travis Montaque and the entire Holler Studios team, we were immediately drawn to their vision for telling universal, diverse, and inclusive multicultural stories through the medium of animation and their vision to leverage all digital mediums and platforms to get these stories to the world,” said Frank Jung, Co-Head of CAA Digital Media.
Having already worked extensively through its messaging platform with agencies and premium brands, such as Starbucks, McDonalds, Honda, IKEA and many others, Holler Studios also plans to expand its roster of services and leverage its animation capabilities to help brands connect with consumers in new ways.
