Snap Inc. and NBCUniversal are joining forces to create scripted programming for Snapchat

Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, and NBCUniversal have announced they are joining forces to create a new digital content studio, which will be owned equally between the two companies. Based in Santa Monica, California, the as-yet-unamed studio will create scripted programming designed to be viewed on mobile devices, specifically Snapchat. NBC's Lauren Anderson, who oversaw The Office and Parks and Recreation, has been named chief content officer of the studio. 

The initial programming will be created by the Duplass Brothers, the first creatives to sign with Snap Inc. and NBCUniversal. Known for their HBO series Togetherness and Netflix original film Blue Jay, the brothers recently formed a branded content production house named Donut Studios.

Although, they revealed they have six different show ideas across multiple genres including comedy, drama, horror, and documentary, they face the challenge of shooting the shows in vertical-frame format. "For us, shooting in that vertical mobile format is a terrifying and thrilling creative challenge, " brother Mark admits.  The shows are expected to be 8-10 minutes long. The first show is expected to debut in 2018.

For more details on the joint venture, read the official press release. 

In other social media news, Twitter is developing a ‘Save for Later’ bookarking feature. 

SOURCE: NBCUniversal