L.A. Biz reports that Jukin Media, the company behind popular viral Internet videos such as Chewbacca Mask Mom, is expanding its production space in Culver City. The new facility will be 14,000 square feet and will be built next to its current headquarters. According to the Los Angeles Times, the new construction will contain two sound stages, sound mixing suites, video-editing suites, a screening room, and a green room.
Jukin Media resides at the corner of Jefferson and La Cienega Boulevards in Culver City, which is a part of the Culver City Real Estate area. Martin Feinberg, Culver City Realtor, notes that Culver City has been popular with entertainment and technology companies for years. The community is also home to Sony Picture Studios, Fullscreen, Maker Studios, Crackle, and WeWork.
Mike Skogmo, Jukin’s Vice President of Communications and Marketing, told Variety that the company is planning on using the studio to expand its operations. Jukin Media wants to translate its expertise in user-generated videos to shows in television and other online distribution platforms. It plans to produce documentary, travel, lifestyle, and competitions and other original programming.
According to Jukin’s founder and chief executive Jonathan Skogmo, the expansion has always been part of the company’s future. “For us, building a studio has always been part of our long-term plan. This is a great time to be a content producer.”
Jonathan Skogmo started Jukin Media out of his West Hollywood apartment in 2009. The company has done well in the Internet age. It recently announced that one of its “People are Awesome” videos was named the most viewed video uploaded on Facebook. The video is a montage of people doing amazing things and has been viewed 384 million times so far.
Construction on the new Culver City space will begin on October 1st and will increase Jukin’s presence in the city from 16,000 square feet to 30,000. Martin Feinberg, Realtor, hopes the expansion goes well. The company also has offices in London, New York, and Sydney and has a workforce of 175 employees.