Anthony Padilla has returned to Smosh — and he and Smosh co-founder Ian Hecox have teamed up to buy back the YouTube comedy brand that they launched 18 years ago.
The duo have reunited as onscreen comedy partners and offscreen business associates to acquire a majority ownership stake in Smosh from Mythical Entertainment, the production company of YouTube talk show stars Rhett & Link. Padilla and Hecox have not appeared together in videos or in public since Padilla — citing his loss of creative inspiration — left Smosh in 2017 and branched out on his own. Hecox remained with Smosh and shepherded the business through the collapse of then-parent company Defy Media and Smosh’s subsequent acquisition in 2019 and revitalization under Rhett & Link’s Mythical.
“By the time Anthony left Smosh, our friendship was not really that good,” said Hecox. A year ago, the two of them reconnected “and we really hit it off,” he said. Hecox added, “It’s kind of freaky how well this has all fallen into place. Our friendship had to end to be able to come back together.”
Padilla, addressing the rift in their relationship, said that their “communications style was kind of stuck at the age of 17… When we reconnected, we both had done a lot of growing.”
On a whim, one day, Hecox turned to Padilla and said, “What if we bought Smosh?”
They got excited about getting back together — and now they’re returning to writing, directing and starring in comedy sketches on the main Smosh channel. Their first collab in more than six years will hit Smosh’s main channel on June 30, and they plan to release a new comedy video every two weeks. “I really want to return to our roots, and part of that is owning the company so we can really take Smosh in any creative direction,” Padilla said.
The Reunion of Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox:
The reunion of Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox marks a significant moment for fans of Smosh. We delve into the reasons behind their reunion, examining the shared vision and goals that brought them back together. From their initial rise to fame to their individual endeavours during the hiatus, we explore the factors that led to their decision to reunite and embark on this new venture.
The Acquisition of the Comedy Brand:
This section focuses on the details surrounding the acquisition of the comedy brand from Rhett & Link. We delve into the strategic significance of this move for Anthony Padilla, Ian Hecox, and Smosh as a whole. Exploring the potential synergies and opportunities that arise from this acquisition, we analyse the implications it holds for the future growth and development of Smosh.
Conclusion:
The reunion of Smosh co-founders Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox, combined with their acquisition of a renowned comedy brand from Rhett & Link, marks a game-changing moment in the entertainment industry. As they join forces once again, the possibilities for innovation, collaboration, and growth are endless. Fans eagerly await the next chapter in the Smosh story, anticipating exciting new content and ventures that will solidify their position as comedic powerhouses in the digital landscape.
