YouTuber Jianhao Tan’s media company, Titan Digital Media, a subsidiary of GCL Global Holdings, is going public on NASDAQ in the United States as part of GLC Global Holdings’ completed merger with special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) RF Acquisition Corp (RFAC).
A SPAC uses proceeds from its initial public offering (IPO) to merge with a private firm, and such mergers can let a private firm sidestep lengthy IPO processes to list its shares on bourses.
Founded in 2014, Titan Digital Media was established by Jianhao after transforming his passion for creating YouTube videos into a full-time career with the goal of “fostering the next generation of creators.”
The company was initially registered under the name ‘The JianHao Tan Co.’ However, after receiving backing from Singapore-based video game distributor Grand Centrex Limited (GCL), Jianhao later changed the company’s name to ‘Titan Digital Media Pte Ltd’ in 2018.
GCL, which produces and distributes video games across seven countries, announced plans to merge with RFAC in October 2023 in a deal valuing GCL at US$1.2 billion. According to Ng Tse Meng, the Chairman and CEO of RFAC, the merger with GCL was strategically chosen for its growth potential in the gaming industry.
From YouTube content to game development
With Titan Digital Media as part of its subsidiary, RF Acquisition Corp will now be able to seize a valuable opportunity to leverage the company’s KOL network as a “powerful distribution channel” for games.
According to the company’s website, Titan Digital Media boasts a portfolio of over 20 owned YouTube channels and has jointly achieved more than 10 million subscribers on YouTube. Boasting a team of over 70 in-house KOLs, they create cross-platform content across the lifestyle, gaming, and beauty sectors.
Beyond establishing an extensive KOL network, Titan Digital Media is now making strides into game development.
In an exclusive interview with Vulcan Post, Jianhao shared that the company’s business direction has evolved significantly since he first entered the YouTube space.
It’s been quite a journey. When I started creating content on YouTube, it was all about entertaining people and building a community. Over time, I realised how powerful the platform was, not just for content but as a business. That’s how Titan Digital Media grew—by diversifying into different ventures.
Jianhao Tan, co-founder of Titan Digital Media
Since the partnership with GCL came along, Titan Digital Media has intensified its focus on the gaming space—not only serving as a distribution channel for games through its KOL network but also expanding into game development.
“Titan Digital Media’s move into game development is a natural progression,” said Jianhao. “A large portion of our advertising revenue already comes from brands with digital products like games and apps. Since digital content is our strength, we have seen high conversion rates—viewers only need to click and download.”
In 2021, the company released its first game—Class Rush, a mobile endless runner game where players could take the role of one of the students of Jianhao’s web series Titan Academy—which, according to him, “topped the charts for weeks.”
Building on the “success of Class Rush,” Jianhao aims to leverage the company’s intellectual property (IP), which includes Titan Academy, to “create scalable gaming businesses.”
Note: Class Rush was temporarily removed from App Store and Play Store for updates. According to Jianhao, the game is expected to return by the end of the month.
By listing in the US, Titan Digital Media will have “access to capital that will help [the company] scale faster and innovate more aggressively.”
Currently, Jianhao revealed that the company is actively working on multiple new games and exploring ways to expand Titan Academy as a brand.
“The IPO [will help] us fuel these ambitions and position ourselves to compete on a global scale,” he said.
We plan to use the funds to invest in game development, expand our publishing capabilities, and grow our digital marketing operations.
This isn’t just about raising money—it’s about positioning ourselves as a global leader in gaming. We want to reach new markets, build more strategic partnerships, and create gaming experiences that resonate worldwide.
Jianhao Tan, co-founder of Titan Digital Media
- Find out more about Titan Digital Media here.
- Find out more about GCL here.
- Read other articles we’ve written on Singaporean startups here.
Also Read: From publication to distribution: GCL Asia founder on becoming a titan in the gaming world
Featured Image Credit: Jianhao Tan via Instagram
