Paramount Global is selling its creator conference VidCon to UK-based media and events company Informa.
Sources familiar with the matter have told Business Insider that Informa, which owns the Toronto Comicon and other pop-culture conventions under its Fan Expo HQ division, is expanding its events portfolio.
The company recently offered to acquire Ascential, owner of the Cannes Lions Festival, for approximately £1.2 billion ($1.6 billion).
VidCon, founded by YouTubers Hank and John Green in 2010 and acquired by Viacom (now part of Paramount) in 2018, has been a cornerstone event in the creator economy.
The conference hosts annual gatherings in Anaheim, California, and has expanded to other cities globally.
In 2023, VidCon’s 12th annual show in Anaheim drew 55,000 attendees.
However, industry insiders note that this year’s Anaheim event saw reduced participation from creator-economy startups and platforms, with some opting for conferences like SXSW and Cannes Lions.
Traditional media companies like Disney have increased their presence at the event.
Insiders Optimistic
Some observers express optimism about the potential sale, suggesting that Informa’s focus on events could reinvigorate VidCon.
“The idea of VidCon sitting inside a company that lives and breathes events all day is probably a good thing,” a third person told Business Insider under the condition of anonymity.
Paramount reportedly hired Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips earlier this year to explore a sale of the business.
Paramount itself is in talks to be acquired by Skydance Media in an $8 billion deal.
The terms of the deal between Paramount and Informa have yet to be disclosed. Neither VidCon, Informa, nor Paramount have responded to BI’s requests for comment.
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Paramount Global is selling its creator conference VidCon to UK-based media and events company Informa.
Sources familiar with the matter have told Business Insider that Informa, which owns the Toronto Comicon and other pop-culture conventions under its Fan Expo HQ division, is expanding its events portfolio.
The company recently offered to acquire Ascential, owner of the Cannes Lions Festival, for approximately £1.2 billion ($1.6 billion).
VidCon, founded by YouTubers Hank and John Green in 2010 and acquired by Viacom (now part of Paramount) in 2018, has been a cornerstone event in the creator economy.
The conference hosts annual gatherings in Anaheim, California, and has expanded to other cities globally.
In 2023, VidCon’s 12th annual show in Anaheim drew 55,000 attendees.
However, industry insiders note that this year’s Anaheim event saw reduced participation from creator-economy startups and platforms, with some opting for conferences like SXSW and Cannes Lions.
Traditional media companies like Disney have increased their presence at the event.
Insiders Optimistic
Some observers express optimism about the potential sale, suggesting that Informa’s focus on events could reinvigorate VidCon.
“The idea of VidCon sitting inside a company that lives and breathes events all day is probably a good thing,” a third person told Business Insider under the condition of anonymity.
Paramount reportedly hired Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips earlier this year to explore a sale of the business.
Paramount itself is in talks to be acquired by Skydance Media in an $8 billion deal.
The terms of the deal between Paramount and Informa have yet to be disclosed. Neither VidCon, Informa, nor Paramount have responded to BI’s requests for comment.