Dolphin Entertainment

What Dolphin Entertainment does

Dolphin Entertainment is a publicly traded holding company (NASDAQ: DLPN) operating three divisions: Marketing, Entertainment, and Ventures. The Marketing division comprises six wholly-owned specialized agencies—42West (entertainment PR), Shore Fire Media (music/entertainment PR), The Door (consumer/lifestyle marketing), Elle Communications (impact PR), The Digital Dept. (influencer marketing), and Special Projects (talent booking/events)—which collectively serve enterprise clients across film studios, streaming platforms, consumer brands, music artists, and cultural institutions. Founded in 1995 by Bill O'Dowd and listed on NASDAQ in 2017, the company generates revenue through professional services engagements (retainer and project-based PR/marketing contracts) plus content licensing and distribution.

The Entertainment division finances, develops, and produces feature films, documentaries, and television content, with the Blue Angels IMAX documentary (co-financed with IMAX, grossed $2M+ in opening week, then Prime Video) and the Youngblood remake (theatrical release March 2026 via Well Go USA) as anchor projects. The Ventures division develops and invests in intellectual property, including the Staple Gin brand with Rachael Ray and the recently launched Graviteur Studios joint venture with KYNETIC Media Ventures for creator-led content. Distribution partnerships span IMAX, Well Go USA, Amazon Prime Video, and Vaneast Pictures (international). New launches in 2025-2026 include Dolphin Intelligence (AI-driven marketing services), Graviteur Studios, and a publishing imprint with Copper Books.

The company generated $56.7M in FY2025 revenue (up 10% YoY) and $12.8M in Q1 2026 (up 5.2% YoY). It carries $24.5M in total debt, $149.3M in accumulated deficits, and entered a $15M stock purchase agreement with Lincoln Park Capital to address funding needs. Founder/CEO William O'Dowd IV holds approximately 19.30% ownership, having executed over 35 open-market purchases throughout 2025.

Name

Dolphin Entertainment

Legal name

Dolphin Entertainment, Inc.

Website

http://dolphinentertainment.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Dolphin Entertainment is a publicly traded holding company operating six specialized PR and marketing agencies alongside content production and ventures divisions, serving enterprise clients in entertainment, film studios, fashion, beauty, music, and consumer brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Coral Gables

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Entertainment Publicity Services: PR and publicity services through 42West for talent, films, TV, entertainment properties; revenue from retainer fees and project-based campaigns; Entertainment segment grew 16.9% YoY in 2025
2. Marketing & Influencer Services: Strategic marketing services including influencer marketing (The Digital Dept.), consumer lifestyle marketing (The Door), music/entertainment PR (Shore Fire), impact PR (Elle), talent booking and events (Special Projects)
3. Content Production & Distribution: Feature film and documentary production through Dolphin Entertainment; revenue from theatrical distribution deals, streaming licensing, and co-production agreements (e.g., Blue Angels with IMAX, Youngblood with Well Go USA)
4. Creator/Educational Content: Production and distribution of creator-led content through Graviteur Studios for digitally native audiences; projects in $1-10M range targeting YouTubers and social media creators transitioning to mainstream film/TV

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dolphin Entertainment is an independent entertainment marketing and premium content development holding company that delivers public relations, strategic communications, influencer marketing, talent booking, and content production services through its portfolio of six specialized agencies and in-house production division. The company generates revenue by providing retainer-based PR services, project-based marketing campaigns, and theatrical/streaming content distribution to enterprise clients in entertainment, fashion, beauty, music, sports, and lifestyle verticals.

Product overview

Dolphin Entertainment is a multi-agency entertainment marketing holding company operating three divisions: (1) Marketing (six PR and marketing agencies: 42West, Shore Fire Media, The Door, The Digital Dept., Special Projects, and Elle Communications); (2) Entertainment (content production including documentaries and feature films); and (3) Ventures (brand creation and IP development). The company recently launched Dolphin Intelligence as an AI-driven marketing division and Graviteur Studios as a joint venture for creator-led content. Services span earned media, influencer marketing, talent booking, event production, and strategic communications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 42West: Entertainment industry public relations agency with talent publicity, marketing and strategic communications capabilities
• Shore Fire Media
• The Door
• Elle Communications
• The Digital Dept.
• Special Projects
• Dolphin Films
• Dolphin Intelligence
• Graviteur Studios
• Staple Gin
• DISRPT

Products and services

• 42West Entertainment Public Relations PR agency with capabilities in talent publicity, entertainment marketing, and strategic communications for celebrities, fashion designers, music acts, films, TV series, fandom franchises, consumer products, executives, filmmakers, and gaming clients in New York and Los Angeles.
• Shore Fire Media Music PR Music and entertainment industry PR and marketing agency representing artists, talent, creators, authors, athletes, cultural institutions, businesses, brands, and entrepreneurs with teams in New York, Los Angeles, and Nashville.
• The Door Consumer & Lifestyle Marketing Creative relations agency dedicated to building buzzed-about lifestyle brands and personalities through inventive initiatives across all marketing platforms, representing clients in food, spirits, personalities, hospitality, destinations, consumer products, and events.
• The Digital Dept. Influencer Marketing Influencer marketing agency offering exclusive management of over 200 content creators, brand strategy, and experiential services that helps digital-first talent monetize social footprints and provides influencer marketing solutions for brands.
• Special Projects Talent Booking & Events Leading talent booking, creative content, and special event agency creating opportunities that garner press, build engagement, and uniquely position partners within the cultural zeitgeist; serves clients including Netflix, Apple TV+, A24, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and GQ.
• Elle Communications Impact PR Impact PR agency specializing in impact-driven storytelling and strategic communications, partnering with mission-driven businesses, nonprofit organizations, and influential public figures to amplify narratives that drive social and environmental progress.
• Dolphin Intelligence AI Marketing Platform AI-driven marketing and communications division providing AI-powered strategy and execution for partners across the company's PR and marketing agencies.
• Dolphin Entertainment Content Production Feature film, documentary, and digital content creation division that finances, develops, and produces content for all mediums including theatrical documentaries (Blue Angels with IMAX), feature films (Youngblood), and television series for networks like ABC, CBS, Lifetime, Nickelodeon, and MTV.
• Graviteur Studios Creator-Led Content Creator-led independent film and television studio joint venture with KYNETIC Media Ventures that develops content for digitally native audiences, financing projects in the $1-10 million range combining entertainment marketing expertise with creator-driven media experience.
• Dolphin Publishing Imprint Publishing imprint launched in partnership with Copper Books for content publishing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.7 billion earned media impressions for Häagen-Dazs campaigns over 2021-2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KYNETIC Media VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Joint venture to launch Graviteur Studios, a creator-led independent film and television studio targeting digitally native audiences. The studio develops content in the $1-10 million range combining Dolphin's entertainment marketing expertise with KYNETIC's creator-driven media experience. First project is 'Crush Party,' a YA thriller written by Johnny Saras with negotiations underway to cast creator talent.
• VidConminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 June 2026The Digital Dept. partnered with VidCon Anaheim 2026 to host the Featured Creator Gifting Lounge. Activation provides brands curated opportunities to engage approximately 200 leading digital creators through experiential product experiences within VidCon's VIP Village.
• DealMakercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 February 2026Strategic partnership to expand access to growth capital for celebrity, influencer, and entertainment-led consumer product companies. DealMaker's online capital raising platform (which has facilitated over $2.4 billion in raises) combines with Dolphin's entertainment marketing capabilities and talent network to jointly source investment opportunities and support capital raises across consumer brands.
• Vaneast PicturescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 February 2026Partnership to represent sports drama Youngblood at the Berlin International Film Festival for international sales. Well Go USA and Photon acquired distribution rights for US and Canada respectively, with Vaneast handling international distribution rollout.
• Well Go USAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 December 2025U.S. distribution partnership for feature film Youngblood adaptation. Youngblood premiered at 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and released theatrically March 6, 2026, receiving 'What to Watch' recommendation from The New York Times.
• Southern Glazer's Wine & SpiritscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2024Largest U.S. wine and spirits distributor became partner for Staple Gin distribution. Southern Glazer's, a longstanding Dolphin client, handles distribution supporting the brand's nationwide availability.
• Do Good SpiritscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023Partnership with award-winning distillery in Roscoe, NY for production of Staple Gin. Do Good Spirits was named New York Gin Distillery of the Year and crafted the botanical recipe in collaboration with Rachael Ray.
• IMAXcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022Co-financing and co-production deal for feature documentaries. First project was The Blue Angels documentary with producing partners Bad Robot, Glen Powell, and Zipper Bros. Productions. The Blue Angels IMAX run grossed over $2 million in one week, making it one of highest grossing documentaries of 2024, then launched on Prime Video.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stagwell Inc. Publicly traded marketing and communications holding company (NASDAQ: STGW) assembling a network of specialty agencies across digital, PR, and advertising. Most direct structural comparable to Dolphin's holding-company-of-agencies model, including cross-sell across PR, influencer, and brand marketing disciplines.
• Teneo Holdings: Global advisory and communications holding company with a roll-up of CEO advisory, communications, and consulting firms. Comparable to Dolphin in its multi-agency holding structure spanning strategic communications, public affairs, and brand work for enterprise clients.
• Endeavor Group Holdings: Holding company for talent representation (WME), sports (IMG/PGA), and content (Endeavor Content/160over90). Directly comparable to Dolphin's mix of talent PR, content production, and brand marketing services for entertainment and consumer clients.
• United Talent Agency: Talent and literary agency with divisions for entertainment PR, brand partnerships, and content. Closely comparable to Dolphin's Special Projects talent-booking and 42West entertainment-PR capabilities, particularly on the celebrity booking and creator-economy overlap.
• Creative Artists Agency (CAA): Largest talent and sports agency globally, with brand consulting, entertainment marketing, and content divisions. Overlaps with Dolphin's portfolio across talent representation, brand strategy, and content production.

Broad incumbents

• WPP plc: Global advertising and communications holding company (LSE: WPP) operating Ogilvy PR, GroupM, and many specialty agencies. Far larger than Dolphin but directly comparable in business model — holding-company structure with PR, influencer, and entertainment marketing sub-units.
• Publicis Groupe: Global marketing and communications holding (Euronext: PUB) with Publicis Sapient, Leo Burnett, and PR/social shops. Comparable as a broader incumbent that competes with Dolphin's agencies on enterprise marketing and influencer services.
• Omnicom Group: Global advertising holding (NYSE: OMC) with PR brands including FleishmanHillard and Ketchum. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering integrated PR, influencer, and brand communications to enterprise clients overlapping with Dolphin's six-agency portfolio.
• Interpublic Group: Global advertising holding (NYSE: IPG) including Weber Shandwick, McCann, and MullenLowe. Comparable as a broader incumbent in entertainment and consumer PR/communications where Dolphin's 42West, The Door, and Shore Fire compete.

Emerging players

• BerlinRosen: Large independent public affairs and PR firm serving consumer, tech, and entertainment clients. Comparable to Dolphin's Elle Communications and The Door in scope and to its consumer-lifestyle PR work for brands like Häagen-Dazs and Bumble.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/DlpnEnt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dolphin-entertainment-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/dolphinentertainmentco/?igsh=YjUxZWRxMGJiNXUz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A8 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dolphin Entertainment