NBCUniversal has agreed to team up with Snapchat to create a digital content studio that will focus on made-for-mobile programming on the image messaging app.

The joint venture, which both NBCU and Snap have equal equity stakes in, will focus on developing and producing scripted Shows for Snapchat. It will be led by former NBC Entertainment SVP of primetime programming, Lauren Anderson, who had been named chief content officer of the studio.

“As mobile audiences continue to grow, we’re excited to expand the type of content we can develop,” said Anderson. “By combining the best-in-class creative expertise of NBCUniversal with the broad digital reach of Snapchat, we have the unique ability to take mobile programming to the next level, creating compelling shows for both viewers and advertisers.”

As part of the launch of the partnership, the pair have struck their first deal with the Donut Studios creative shop of Mark and Jay Duplass, two US film director brothers. Donut was founded to collaborate with platforms and brands to create entertainment content.

“We see scripted as the next exciting chapter to dive into, and are thrilled to be charting this path with NBCUniversal, who have been amazing collaborators from the start, and with the leadership of Lauren, who has a fantastic track record in this space,” said Sean Mills, head of original content for Snap Inc. “We’re huge fans of Mark and Jay, and can’t wait to see how they bring their innovative storytelling to Snapchat.” 

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