Maker Studios yanks Erin McPherson away from Yahoo

McPherson was Yahoo's Head of Video, will join Maker as chief content officer

YouTube network Maker Studios has made a big new hire, one that could transform the company and help it branch out beyond simply making videos for YouTube.

The company has poached away Erin McPherson, Yahoo's Head of Video, it has been confirmed to VatorNews.

"I can confirm that Erin McPherson is leaving Yahoo. We thank Erin for her many contributions to Yahoo and wish her all the best," Bahareh Ramin, Senior Communications Manager at Yahoo, told VatorNews.

Maker Studios and McPherson also confirmed the hire via Tweets they sent out:

@mootron @erin_mcpherson Welcome to the family!

— Maker Studios (@MakerStudios) November 11, 2013

@mootron @MakerStudios So excited to be joining Ynon, Courtney and the incredible team at Maker-transforming the media space!

— Erin McPherson (@erin_mcpherson) November 11, 2013

McPherson will become the chief content officer at the company, and will be reporting directly to executive chairman Ynon Kreiz, according to AllThingsD, who first reported the story on Monday. 

VatorNews has reached out to Maker Studios to confirm these details and we will update if we learn more.

During her time at Yahoo, McPherson oversaw Yahoo series, including Burning Love, which is set to debut on the E! Network. She also oversaw the deal that Yahoo struck to gain exclusive access to 38 years of Saturday Night Live video.

This departure could be a big blow for the company, which has put a big emphasis on video under Marissa Mayer's leadership.

“Expect to see us making investments in video over the next year,” Mayer said in a conference call following the company's earning report in July.

But that plan has recently taken two big blows: in addition to McPherson's departure, Micke Rosen, the company's media head, left in July. 

Meanwhile, Yahoo's loss is Maker's gain.

Founded in 2009, Maker Studios offering tools to YouTube performers, in order to help maximize their potential by creating, distributing, and monetizing their original content on YouTube.

Maker is the home to many of online video stars and content including KassemG, The Game Station, Nice Peter’s “Epic Rap Battles of History,” the Shaytards, Andrea’s Choice, The Yogscast, Snoop Lion, The Gregory Brothers, Mike Tompkins and celebrity actress/comedian LisaNova, among many others.

Maker now has over 4 billion views online a month, with 60,000 channels and roughly 260 million subscribers. 

The company recently raised $62 million in Series C funding from Canal+ Group, Astro Overseas Limited, SingTel Innov8, Lakestar, Northgate Capital and Upfront Ventures in September. 

The company, which Vator included in its list of Los Angeles start ups to watch, has recently begun looking outside of YouTube as a distribution channel, buying up Blip, a video maker and distributor, last month.  Gaining someone with as much experience in the video space as McPherson will no doubt help Maker branch out to other portals.

(Image source: https://blip.tv)