Funny or Die is a comedy website and production company known for original series such as Between Two Ferns, Billy on the Street, and Drunk History. The company has produced IFC series including The Spoils of Babylon and the upcoming Brockmire. It was founded in 2007 by Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, and Chris Henchy. Earlier this year Mike Farah was promoted from President of Production to CEO. A few months later the company laid off 37 staffers and closed its Silicon Valley office as it refocused on producing comedy content. The recent sale of a minority stake to AMC Networks is intended to strengthen ties with AMC’s IFC channel and includes an IFC executive joining Funny or Die’s board. Funny Or Die is an independent online video company that distributes content across online, mobile, and TV platforms. The company struck a strategic partnership with Turner Broadcasting, which took a small minority stake; terms were not disclosed. The deal will involve collaboration on multiplatform video content and allow Funny Or Die to leverage Turner properties such as TBS and Adult Swim for promotion and reach. Funny Or Die said there will be no real change in how the company is run or the type of content it produces and it will continue developing for a multiplatform audience. For 2012 the company was averaging around 14–16 million uniques per month and reported roughly 60% year-over-year growth. The Turner partnership is expected to catalyze further growth while the company’s existing HBO deal for Funny Or Die Presents remains in place. Funny Or Die is a slapstick video hub cofounded by former Saturday Night Live cast member Will Ferrell. The site is best known for viral videos such as The Landlord, in which a baby verbally abuses Will Ferrell. Gary Sanchez Productions and filmmaker Adam McKay are heavily involved with the company. Funny Or Die currently employs about 30 staff and is developing a model to compensate users who submit viral content. The company plans to use the newly raised funds to hire engineering and creative talent. Sequoia has backed Funny Or Die since it started around April 2007.

Total raised

$15M

Funding rounds

3

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Dec 2007