Escapex
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Escapex, stylized as escapex, was a mobile app developer specializing in white-label fan engagement apps for celebrities. It was founded by Sephi Shapira in 2014 and has raised $18 million in funding.[1][2][3] It allows celebrities to reach fans directly, as well as receiving revenue from fans through its freemium model.
Shapira is Israeli and previously founded Interchan and MassiveImpact. He graduated from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.[3]
The company has raised $18 million in funding.[1] Its 2018 revenue was $5.5 million.[4] In 2016, the company had 57 employees split between Tel Aviv and New York City.[3]
The company's General Manager is Joe Cuello, formerly an executive at MTV, then Chief Creative Officer at TuneCore.[5][6][7] Their director of social engagement is Rafe Lopresti-Oakes.[8]
A press release from the company described the service as having a "proprietary loyalty program" which allows "monetization of social engagement through e-commerce and in-app advertising". App launches typically offered a contest for one fan to meet the celebrity.[9] The app also allows Escapex to collect and monetize user profiles for advertising.[3]
The New York Times described the concept of Escapex, musing, "If people love you, why not make money from them?".[4]
Notable apps
The company has created over 350[1] applications, including:
- Enrique Iglesias, June 2016 or earlier[3]
- Akon, June 2016 or earlier[3]
- Ricky Martin, June 2016 or earlier[3]
- Rohan Marley and the Bob Marley estate, February 2017[10]
- Marc Anthony, March 2017[11]
- Prince Royce, March 2017
- Jeremy Renner, March 2017, making over $35,000 per month in April 2019[1][12]
- Galen Gering, June 2017[13]
- Yandel, June 2017
- Greg Vaughan, June 2017[13]
- Jason Thompson, June 2017[13]
- Niecy Nash, September 2017[14]
- Tyler Posey, September 2017[15]
- Osric Chau, January 2018[1]
- Chris D'Elia[16][4]
- Alessandra Ambrosio, making over $35,000 per month in April 2019[1]
- Abigail Ratchford, making over $35,000 per month in April 2019[1]
- Amber Rose, making over $35,000 per month in April 2019[1]
- Dita Von Teese[4]
- Tommy Chong[17]
Bollywood stars
Escapex has a large roster of Bollywood celebrities, including:
- Sunny Leone, December 2016[18]
- Remo D'Souza, January 2017[19]
- Amy Jackson, March 2017[20]
- Kajal Aggarwal, March 2017[21]
- Nargis Fakhri, April 2017[22]
- Disha Patani
- Sonam Kapoor[19]
- Salman Khan[19]