“This can be a actual ardour venture for me that I’m going to pour my coronary heart and soul into,” mentioned Josh Richards about aligning with the Unrealistic Concepts workforce alongside enterprise accomplice Michael Gruen.
Unrealistic Concepts — the manufacturing firm led by Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson and Archie Gips — is increasing its pursuits by aligning with social media phenom Josh Richards and his enterprise accomplice Michael Gruen to launch CrossCheck Studios.
The brand new manufacturing firm will give attention to Gen Z content material creators throughout all sectors of leisure with an eye fixed on turning into the go-to firm for internet-native creatives. Per as we speak’s announcement, the workforce has put collectively a slate of fabric that’s being saved underneath wraps for now whereas, on the identical time, scouting new tasks. Richards, 19, tells The Hollywood Reporter that the content material covers a variety of genres and can possible kick off within the unscripted and docuseries area.
Unrealistic Concepts will assist CrossCheck tasks by way of growth and manufacturing and assist with staffing and different sources. For the brand new entity, Richards will function CEO with Gruen, Richards’ enterprise accomplice, taking the title of president. In an announcement as a part of as we speak’s information, Wahlberg mentioned he is trying ahead to being in enterprise with Richards and becoming a member of forces on CrossCheck Studios. “I’m impressed with Josh and the entire issues he’s already completed,” he mentioned.
Richards referred to as it an honor to accomplice with Wahlberg and the Unrealistic Concepts workforce. “This can be a actual ardour venture for me that I’m going to pour my coronary heart and soul into. We’re going to have a number of enjoyable alongside the way in which and construct one thing nice collectively. I want to thank Mark, Lev and Archie for believing in a 19-year-old from a small city in Ontario. Now, let’s get to work.”
CrossCheck is the most recent enterprise endeavor for Richards, who’s publicly identified for his social media presence with 24.2 million TikTok followers and seven.4 million Instagram followers. He additionally hosts the BFFs podcast with Barstool Sports activities’ Dave Portnoy. Privately, he is parlayed his success into varied enterprise ventures by way of investments and as proprietor or co-founder of firms akin to Ani Power, Sillybandz and TalentX Entertainment. The latter firm is a expertise illustration agency that was additionally co-founded by Gruen.
“After I met Josh, it was evidently clear that he was destined for greatness,” Gruen mentioned. “Josh continues to defy the norm for social media influencers as he expands into enterprise, finance, leisure and now taking over Hollywood. The duo of Mark and Josh is distinctly distinctive and will likely be invaluable when creating content material to cater in the direction of a number of demographics.”
Added Gips: “Josh and Michael are sensible past their years and really have their finger on the heart beat of their technology. Unrealistic Concepts is happy to work hand in hand with them in creating modern ideas with recent new faces.”
The information comes on the heels of an announcement that Unrealistic is shepherding a restricted docuseries concerning the rise and fall of MoviePass in partnership with Assemble Media and Insider (previously Enterprise Insider). The corporate can also be within the podcast and have documentary area and is understood for McMillions and the upcoming Wahl Road set for HBO Max.
