Mint Mobile announced today that actor Ryan Reynolds has purchased an ownership stake in the company. The terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Last month Mint Mobile notified its subscribers through an email that it filed for an LLC. Prior to the move, Mint Mobile subscribers got their service through UVNV INC which served as an umbrella doing busines as (DBA) for both Ultra Mobile and Mint Mobile . UVNV INC decided to spin off Mint Mobile into its own separate brand and subscribers of Mint Mobile have since been transferred to the Mint Mobile LLC brand. Mint Mobile never sent out a press release publicizing the move. It now seems the move was most likely made so that Mint Mobile could seek out investors as a separate entity from Ultra Mobile which leads us to the Ryan Reynolds ownership stake announcement.
Mint Mobile's CEO David Glickman had the following to say about selling a piece of the brand off to Ryan Reynolds:
"Mint Mobile's consumer-centric approach and maniacal focus on generating consumer value has kicked Mint into hyper-growth mode. It’s fitting that the most disruptive wireless company is now owned by the most innovative marketer on the planet."
Actor Ryan Reynolds has also provided his own commentary.
"It’s a bit unconventional which is why I like it. Celebrities generally invest in high-end products like skincare brands or delicious gin companies. Yet Mint is making wireless way more affordable at a time when the average American is paying 65 dollars a month. I’m excited to champion a more practical approach to the most essential technology."
The company is already taking advantage of their celebrity new ownership partner. On the Mint Mobile homepage there is now a picture of Ryan Reynolds with the words "Our Minty Fresh Owner Ryan Reynolds."
Mint Mobile is not the first cell phone service provider to have a celebrity owner. Beast Mobile is part-owned by Marshawn Lynch.