What Rock Paper Scissors does

Rock Paper Scissors is a Santa Monica-based film and commercial editing post-production studio founded in 1992 by Angus Wall, with a current headcount of 51-100 employees. The studio provides professional editorial services for television commercials, branded content, and music/entertainment projects, working through a roster of approximately 20 named editors plus senior talent available by request. Its core offering is human-led post-production editorial rather than software; the studio operates as a creative services firm embedded in the agency–production company–director workflow.

The studio's client base consists of major brand advertisers and global advertising agencies, with a documented portfolio spanning automotive (Volkswagen, GM, Formula E), technology (Google, Apple, Instagram), fashion and luxury (Nike, Levi's, Chanel, Calvin Klein, Tom Ford, Athleisure), food and beverage (Hellmann's, Califia, Pringles, Liquid IV), personal care (Dove), hospitality (Airbnb), and entertainment IP (Olivia Rodrigo, All-American Rejects, Amazon Music). Marquee assignments include multiple Super Bowl campaigns — Hellmann's 2026 Big Game and Dove "The Game is Ours" — alongside the Chanel N°5 Main Film, Nike multi-campaign work, and the Olivia Rodrigo "brutal" music video, indicating top-tier advertiser and entertainment demand.

The business model is project-based editorial services revenue derived from agency and brand engagements, with demand driven by relationships with holding-company agencies (WPP/VML, Ogilvy, Droga5, Publicis Conseil, Goodby Silverstein) and recurring collaborations with specific directors and production companies (MJZ, Park Pictures, Epoch, Pulse Films, Smuggler). The studio has publicly rebranded under the MakeMake identity ("studio of re-enchantment") while preserving its original founding brand, and pricing, revenue figures, ownership, and corporate financial history were not disclosed in the available data.

Name

Rock Paper Scissors

Website

https://rockpaperscissors.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Rock Paper Scissors is a Santa Monica-based film and commercial editing post-production studio, founded in 1992 by Angus Wall, serving major brand advertisers and global advertising agencies on Super Bowl, luxury, tech, and entertainment campaigns.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Marketing channels1 record

Core offering

Rock Paper Scissors is a film and commercial editing studio providing professional post-production editing services for advertising campaigns, music videos, and branded content. The studio operates a roster of acclaimed editors who deliver editorial work for major brand advertisers and advertising agencies across high-profile campaigns including Super Bowl spots, digital platforms, and entertainment projects.

Product overview

MakeMake is a video editing studio that provides post-production editing services for the entertainment and advertising industries. The company operates as a creative studio rather than a software product company, offering editorial services through a roster of professional editors working on commercial campaigns, branded content, and entertainment projects. No standalone software products, platforms, or modules are offered.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Video Editing Services

Named customers24 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Cut+Run: Premium global editorial house with offices in NYC, LA, London, and São Paulo, representing the closest direct competitor to Rock Paper Scissors in the high-end commercial and music video editing space. Both firms compete for the same Super Bowl, luxury brand, and music video briefs.
• Final Cut: New York- and London-based premium editing company serving advertising, music video, and entertainment clients. Comparable in business model and client mix to Rock Paper Scissors.
• Whitehouse Post: Long-established editorial house with offices in NYC and LA, serving major brands and agencies across commercials, music videos, and content. Direct competitor with comparable clientele and editor-driven positioning.
• Spot Welders: NYC and LA-based editorial studio working across commercials, music videos, and entertainment content. Direct competitor for premium brand briefs with comparable editor-driven positioning.
• Work Editorial: Los Angeles-based editorial house with a comparable roster of A-list editors and a similarly prestigious brand portfolio. Direct competitor for premium commercial editing assignments from major agencies and brands.
• Lost Planet Editorial: Premium editorial boutique with offices in NYC and LA, focused on commercials, music videos, and branded content. Comparable scale and positioning to Rock Paper Scissors.
• EXILE Edit: Editorial company with offices in NYC, LA, and London working across advertising, music videos, and entertainment. Comparable boutique model and client roster including major brands and agencies.
• Arcade Edit: NYC and LA-based editorial boutique known for high-profile commercial and music video work. Directly competes for the same agency-routed advertising and entertainment briefs.
• Cosmo Street Editorial: NYC-based editorial and post-production house serving advertising and entertainment clients. Competes directly for high-end commercial editing briefs from agencies and brands.

Regional players

• Trim Editing: London-based premium editorial house serving the UK and European advertising and music video markets. Operates the same editor-led model but in a different geography, making it a regional comparable rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rock-paper-scissors-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Rock Paper Scissors