Game Theory launched on independent gaming website, Screwattack.com and quickly became one of the most successful series on the site, despite only being a member-made series
Game Theory moves to Los Angeles and Matthew Patrick begins work at Big Frame, a then-startup of <10 employees, where he founds audience development for the MCN. Game Theory reaches 50,000 subscribers.
Matthew Patrick begins work at Defy Media as their head of audience development. Stephanie begins working with Matthew to support growing demand for consulting from other YouTube creators. Theorist Inc. is established and Game Theory reaches 1M subscribers
Matthew Patrick leaves Defy Media to work on Game Theory full-time as the channel reaches 2.5M subscribers. Stephanie and Matthew remain the white-label consultancy serving as Defy’s audience development arm and Theorist takes on its first independent brands as consulting clients. The Game Theorists is now a Google Preferred channel and Matthew begins representing the channel at VidCon and Brandcast.
Film Theorist launches in June 2015 and gains 1M subscribers in the first month. GTLive launches with the launch of YouTube Gaming in August 2015 and becomes YouTube’s largest regular livestreaming channel. Theorist consulting expands significantly to take on major corporate clients, additional MCNs, and long-term partnerships.
The Game Theorists reaches 7M subscribers and hosts the YouTube Red series, Game Lab. Film Theorists reaches 4M subscribers, and GTLive reaches 1M subscribers. Theorist consulting has a full client roster and takes on new Fortune 500 clients across the US; Theorist team doubles in size for the second year in a row.
The Game Theorists reaches 8M subscribers, Film Theorists reaches 5M subscribers, and Theorist is now looking to new expansion opportunities across platforms and verticals. Theorist consulting is now a major player in digital strategy conversations in the industry and in major national publications. Our clients continue to expand into virtually all content categories, from major publishers to consumer products.
Matthew Patrick
Co-founder and CEO
Matthew is the CEO of Theorist Inc. and co-creator of Theorist’s owned and operated properties and OTT projects. Prior to Theorist, Matthew built a reputation as an online media strategist and audience development expert when he founded audience development at several major MCNs. Matthew graduated Summa Cum Laude from Duke and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
What city did you grow up in?
Medina, Ohio
Favorite Movie:
Back to the Future
Favorite game (video or otherwise):
Earthbound and Chrono Trigger. Basically, SNES-era RPGs can do no wrong.
If you could eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Depends on the limitations of this challenge...If it's a food CATEGORY, then I'd choose "sandwiches" since anything can be put on a sandwich and they cover all your major food groups, thus allowing me nutrition without getting bored. If it's a single food ITEM, then I have to go with tri-tip steak from Wood Ranch. If I'm not worried about general nutrition, then sushi.
Stephanie Patrick
Co-founder and COO
Stephanie is the COO for Theorist Inc., co-creator of all Theorist properties, and head of the strategic consulting branch of the business. Prior to Theorist, Stephanie's data-driven background began before digital media when she was a senior strategy consultant for the largest biotech companies in the world. Stephanie graduated Cum Laude from Duke and has an M.Sc. with Honors from Cornell.
Grew up in:
Angier, North Carolina
Favorite Movie:
Rudy, and it made me want to go to Notre Dame as a kid
Favorite TV Show:
Breaking Bad, is there another option?
If you could eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I could choose any ONE thing, the rest of my life would just be a continual crab boil with lots of Old Bay. Second choices are sushi or a really good margherita pizza.
Jason Parker
Head of Production
Jason is Head of Production at Theorist and oversees production of Theorist content, from scheduling, managing equipment and shoots, to channel programming. Prior to Theorist, Jason worked with other major digital brands including Smosh, Break, and Screen Junkies where he used data analysis of digital platforms to offer insight into programming and production strategy. Jason graduated with his BFA in Film and TV as well as Creative Writing from Columbia College Chicago.
Favorite movie
Pan's Labyrinth
Favorite TV show
South Park
Favorite game (video or otherwise)
Dungeons and Dragons
What city did you grow up in?
Caro, Michigan
If you could eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
ICE CREAM!
Meredith Levine
Consultant + Fanthropologist
Meredith is a Consultant and Fanthropologist for Theorist. She works with brands and channels on digital video strategy and understanding fandom. Prior to Theorist she was a researcher on a year-long, foundational, anthropological market research study of fans and fandom. She got her start in fandom and digital video at ZEFR, and has her M.A. in Media Studies from UCLA.
Grew up in:
Los Angeles, California (yes… we totally exist)
Favorite Movie:
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Favorite TV Show:
Doctor Who
If you could eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Mango and Sticky Rice, although Sushi is a close second.
Dan Lerner
Lead Artist/Graphic Designer
Dan is Lead Artist/Graphic Designer at Theorist. He designs, develops, and finalizes thumbnails and other art assets for video productions, as well as promotional materials for the company's YouTube channels. He is also responsible for providing art support in operational areas of the business and creating/executing designs for merchandise. He graduated from the University of Maryland- College Park with a degree in Psychology.
What city did you grow up in?
Cedar Knolls, New Jersey
Favorite Movie:
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Favorite game (video or otherwise):
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
If you could eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sushi
Chris Widin
Production Coordinator
Chris Widin is a Production Coordinator at Theorist, Inc. His duties include assisting company productions, coordinating shooting logistics, and managing online content. In his day-to-day, Chris helps produce GTLive, manage Theorist's YouTube properties, including Game Theory and Film Theory, and maintain an organized work & studio space. Chris graduated with a BA in Communications from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Favorite movie
Sister Act
Favorite TV show
Frasier
Favorite game (video or otherwise)
Mario Kart: Double Dash
What city did you grow up in?
Raleigh, North Carolina
If you could eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Eggs Benedict
The latest web series released under the Smosh banner invites its guests to dive deep into their social media archives. You Posted That, which is produced by Smosh owner Defy Media and hosted by the brand’s co-founder Ian Hecox, is a game show that features prominent social media stars as its contestants.
Viacom tapped social influencer Matthew Patrick, known to his fans as MatPat, to consult on the TV giant's social media and branded content strategy.
Patrick's company Theorist, which he runs with his wife Stephanie, signed a 12-month contract with Viacom to work across all of its brands, which include MTV, VH1 and Comedy Central.
Saying data is powerful doesn’t turn heads anymore. It’s acknowledged that today's digital economy is predicated on leveraging and optimizing data collection. It improves decision-making through intelligence. For startups, this access to information shapes a number of early processes. These are generally domains commonly associated with quantitative data such as market analysis, product feedback and business modelling.
When Matthew Patrick, or MatPat as he’s known online, graduated college, he didn’t know how well his two areas of focus would combine. As a neuroscience and theater double major, he eventually decided to put together his creativity and analytical skills to figure out why things are popular online.