Defy Media raises $70 million to ramp up Smosh and more
 

Defy Media raises $70 million to ramp up Smosh and more
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Almost 11 years ago, Ian Hecox and Daniel Padilla uploaded their first video to YouTube, a *****y lip sync to the Power Rangers theme song.*

Last year, the comedy duo starred in their first film, Smosh: The Movie. The production values were slightly higher.

In between, Hecox and Padilla became an internet sensation, k**wn as Smosh, and signed on with Defy Media, one of the many companies that sprung up to produce and promote the rising wave of YouTube talent that has drawn young audiences away from TV.

**w, Defy Media has raised $70 million as it looks to expand production and make content that reaches far beyond YouTube. Keith Richman, president of Defy, said the investment would help the company take advantage of what he sees as billions of dollars in television money that is headed online.* Read more...

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