Ryan Reynolds: The Greatest Celebrity Investor

Hey everyone,

Some people walk through life with a spark of ingenuity in their step, a sly grin on their face, and a finely tuned instinct for sniffing out the next big opportunity — and they do it all while maintaining an infectious charm that makes the rest of us mere mortals wonder how they do it. 

One such person is Ryan Reynolds, a man who has not only conquered Hollywood with his comedic genius but has also taken the business world by storm.

The boyishly handsome Canadian who first won hearts with his quick wit has proven to be more than just an A-list actor. Behind the twinkle in his eyes lies a keen business understanding that has been carefully honed and nurtured over the years. 

From the silver screen to Wall Street, Reynolds has proven his talents are as multifaceted as impressive. The same charisma that made him a household name in Hollywood has propelled him to become the most successful celebrity investor of all time. 

While audiences across the globe know him for his portrayal of the wise-cracking anti-hero Deadpool, the business world knows him for his savvy investments and innovative marketing strategies. 

The traits that made him a compelling actor (a creative mind, an affinity for risk, and a unique comedic perspective) were also instrumental in his evolution into a formidable investor. 

While less public than his acting, his business career has been as triumphant. The venture he began, it appears, was not an act of diversifying his revenue streams as much as it was an expression of his innate creativity in a different field.

After incorporating a disruptive production company that would originate his marketing efforts, a slew of successful investments followed, each a testament to his uncanny knack for spotting potential and turning it into profit. 

Whether it was a gin company, a mobile network, a football club, or a Canadian fintech startup, Reynolds seemed to have the Midas touch.

Reynolds didn’t just put his money into these ventures. He lent them his personal brand, creative vision, and tireless work ethic. The same touch that turned a foul-mouthed anti-hero into an international sensation was now turning niche brands into household names.

However, his business ventures weren’t just about financial gain. As an investor, Reynolds’ approach was a refreshing blend of heart and pragmatism. It was as much about creating value for consumers as winning big and transforming industries.

That’s not to say he hasn’t had big wins. As of 2023, he’s had two incredible windfalls, creating a compelling case study for aspiring investors. In the business world, just as he did in Hollywood, Reynolds has made his mark.

So as we explore Reynolds’ business journey, we’ll discover the stories of his victories and, most importantly, the principles that guide his investments. 

Hold onto your seats, explorers, as we unveil the rise of Ryan Reynolds the investor—a role that might just be his most compelling yet.

Ryan Reynolds: The Greatest Celebrity Investor

Riding high on the wave of Deadpool 2’s success, which raked in a whopping $800 million at the box office in 2018, Reynolds turned his sights to a new challenge. 

Combining his love for storytelling with his newly discovered flair for business, he set up Maximum Effort, a production company that would go on to rewrite the rules of advertising.

Maximum Effort not only churns out blockbuster films but also witty, engaging, and often hilarious ads.

When Reynolds isn’t saving the day as Deadpool or making us guffaw at his quick-witted banter, he’s masterminding highly engaging, witty marketing campaigns that often have the internet in stitches. 

Maximum Effort is like the secret laboratory where Reynolds cooks up his viral marketing potions. Picture him as a digital-age Willy Wonka, minus the Oompa Loompas. 

Working alongside George Dewey, a former exec at 20th Century Fox, Reynolds transformed Maximum Effort from a fledgling production house into a marketing powerhouse. And boy, did it pay off!

I’m sure even Thanos would pause before challenging this kind of diversity.

As a cherry on top, Reynolds’ unique approach to marketing drives millions of views, with his personal YouTube channel averaging ~2 million views per video, making traditional ad campaigns look like a little league game. 

His ability to resonate with the audience has paved the way for his brands and investments, creating a synergy that makes even the Avengers green with envy.

Reynolds’ investment strategy may seem like he’s shooting arrows in the dark, but let’s be clear—there’s a method to his madness. 

With Maximum Effort pulsating at the core of his operations, Reynolds has not only been directing the spotlight onto some of the most powerful entities in the investment arena but also rolling up his sleeves to join them.

Aviation Gin

Ryan Reynolds didn’t just drop from the sky and land atop a gin empire. Nope, our favourite Canadian actor swooped into the world of spirits after a serendipitous encounter with Aviation American Gin in 2017. 

The love affair started in Vancouver during a film shoot. A sip of Aviation and Reynolds was hooked, or as he put it, “blown away” by the taste. And so, like any lovestruck protagonist, he decided he couldn’t live without it, acquiring a stake in the company by February 2018.

Now, Reynolds didn’t just throw his money at the company and hope for the best, like a man purchasing lottery tickets. No, he was more of a James Bond meets Don Draper type of investor, overseeing the creative direction and even getting down to the nitty-gritty of business operations.

It’s fair to say he got his hands dirty. And by dirty, we mean gin-soaked. 

Under Reynolds’ watch, Aviation Gin was propelled to new altitudes. The brand became synonymous with his unique wit and charm, and the hilarious ad campaigns conceived by Reynolds and his company, Maximum Effort, breathed new life into gin marketing. 

Who could forget the viral Peloton parody ad? It was the ad equivalent of a Deadpool one-liner – witty, unexpected, perfectly timed and so memorable. 

These clever campaigns weren’t just about chuckles, though. They were strategic masterstrokes that stirred up a buzz and brought in waves of new customers. The man really proved that “laughter is the best alcohol marketing strategy.”

Aviation Gin, founded by Christian Krogstad and Ryan Magarian in 2006, continued to produce the gin in Portland even after Davos Brands took over in 2016. 

But Reynolds’ involvement in 2018 was like adding a dash of lemon zest to a gin and tonic — a refreshing twist that brought out the best in the drink.

Two short years after Reynolds’ involvement, the brand’s popularity soared, turning Aviation into the second-largest brand in the super-premium US gin industry. 

His efforts paid off massively when Diageo, the spirits heavyweight, purchased Aviation Gin in 2020 for a staggering $610 million. 

Reynolds sealed the deal with Diageo and ensured he’d retain an “ongoing ownership stake.” Much like a seasoned mixologist unwilling to part with his signature gin, Reynolds kept his influence stirring within the company.

Thus, the comedic maestro had pocketed his first massive win in the investment realm, neatly packing it away with his Deadpool katana.

Mint Mobile

In November 2019, off the back of Detective Pikachu’s box office success, Reynolds decided to take another unconventional turn within his nascent entrepreneurial career. 

He acquired an estimated 20-25% stake in Mint Mobile, a mobile telecoms brand founded by David Glickman. Reynolds’ meeting with Glickman also happened serendipitously through the Michael J. Fox Foundation, where they both serve as board members.

But what attracted Reynolds to a mobile virtual network operator, of all things?

The answer to that is one of Reynolds’ core tenets in action: 

In a world where celebrity investors often gravitate towards aspirational products (ahem, Ashton Kutcher), Reynolds looked for an “anti-aspirational” product, something straightforward and uncomplicated—mobile services. 

He recognized that everyone needs a phone service; it’s not government-provided and has become a critical part of our everyday lives. Reynolds wanted to be a part of telling that story. 

But not just any story—Mint Mobile’s unique narrative of affordability. 

With plans starting from as low as $15 per month, Mint Mobile made an essential service accessible to underserved populations. 

Reynolds didn’t innovate the product—he says it was already A+ when he got on board. His genius was generating as much awareness around the brand as possible and creating disruptive direct-to-consumer marketing campaigns that spotlight Mint Mobile’s offering. 

Reynolds humorously referred to his role as:

 Reynolds’ journey at Mint Mobile is a testament to his intelligent, strategic, and heart-felt approach to business. He took a seemingly mundane essential service, added a dash of disruptive marketing, and built a direct connection with customers while maintaining his unique style. 

Quintessential Ryan Reynolds in action.

Although he played it down, Reynolds’ role within Mint Mobile paid off in a big way. On March 15th, 2023, T-Mobile announced that it’d acquire the company in a deal worth up to $1.35 billion. 

Reynolds saw the deal as an opportunity to scale Mint Mobile’s affordable product to even more people. After all, they were already using T-Mobile’s towers under an agreement until the end of 2025. It was a natural synergy and a clever move on the business chessboard. 

And so, with his next big exit in the bag, Reynolds had masterfully evolved from a captivating actor into a successful entrepreneur and investor. 

The market is no longer just laughing along with him but taking his business acumen quite seriously. His investment win from Mint Mobile solidified his position in the entrepreneurial world and signalled that Ryan Reynolds, the successful investor, wouldn’t be a fleeting act but a mainstay performance.

Wrexham AFC

Not one to rest on his laurels, Reynolds took his business acumen to even more uncharted territory—football (or soccer, as it’s called in the US). 

His football investment of choice ended up being Wrexham AFC, a Welsh football club languishing in the depths of the UK football pyramid. 

It wasn’t your typical celebrity vanity project; Wrexham is by no means a ‘top-tier’ club or even a ‘third-tier’ club. It was, in true Ryan Reynolds fashion, an ‘anti-aspirational’ choice—a fifth-tier club with dreams larger than its budget.

Reynolds and his co-investor Rob McElhenney bought the club for $2.5 million in 2020, which baffled fans and pundits alike. 

However, true to his style, Reynolds saw an untapped opportunity where others saw a cash drain. His investment wasn’t solely about chasing football glory; it was a brilliantly orchestrated marketing and media play.

This genius stroke of business came to life with the creation of the “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary, which aired exclusively on Disney+ and captured the hearts and minds of fans with an intimate look into the club’s journey under new ownership.

As Reynolds says, “Hollywood loves a good underdog story,” and he was set to deliver.

Despite Reynolds’ tongue-in-cheek dismissal of the venture as being anything special, the strategic gamble seems to be paying off. 

Wrexham’s 2023 season saw them break the National League and the English professional points record for a single season - a Cinderella-story turnaround worthy of a Reynolds plot twist. 

The club’s improved fortunes aren’t surprising to anyone following their story closely.

And while the Wrexham story is far from a “get rich quick” tale, Reynolds’ investment approach can’t be ignored. 

He chose an underdog, leveraged media, embraced a strong community narrative, and sprinkled it with his distinctive style of humour. Through this venture, he’s shown that sometimes the most unassuming investments can yield the richest stories. 

So, what on Earth would come next in Ryan Reynolds’ entrepreneurial tale after winning big with alcohol, telecoms and football? 

Don’t worry folks, there’s no cliffhanger for you here—what’s next for Reynolds is a Canadian fintech startup.

Nuvei & Friends

Never the one to slow down, Reynolds announced his investment in Nuvei in April 2023 with an iconic ad. 

True to form, Reynolds’ foray into fintech was as unexpected as his others: 

Backed by a leadership team he describes as “exceedingly intelligent and hard-working,” Nuvei expands on Reynolds’ growing portfolio of unorthodox investments. A billion-dollar player in the global payment technology industry, Nuvei is as intriguing as unglamorous. 

Like Mint Mobile and Wrexham AFC, it has all the markings and pay-off potential of a Ryan Reynolds endeavour.

And these ventures barely scratch the surface. We didn’t even get into his bets on Wealthsimple, a Canadian online wealth management service, or 1Password, a homegrown password management software firm. 

Reynolds’ entrepreneurial tale goes beyond mere celebrity investing. It’s a masterclass on finding value in the unexpected and capitalizing on opportunities hidden in plain sight. 

So as we wrap up this piece, let’s tie the bow on Ryan Reynolds’ investing principles. 

Even if you’re not a superstar actor with a million-dollar grin, the insights from his playbook can be applied to empower your own investing journey.

Investing Lessons from Deadpool

When studying Ryan Reynolds’ story, we find common threads that weave together a unique investment approach, one that seems a world away from Wall Street and Silicon Valley’s conventional wisdom. 

It’s not just about dollars and cents, P/E ratios, or dividends. In his book, it’s about passion, brand power, creativity and a long-term vision. 

Brand Ambassadorship and Storytelling 

Reynolds not only puts his money into his ventures but also his persona, becoming an ambassador for his brands. 

He uses his humour, wit, and relatability to draw attention to his businesses and generate interest.

Storytelling is his forté; he uses it to change narratives, simplify complex ideas, and connect emotionally with consumers.

Strategic and Creative Approach

Reynolds’ investments always have a strategic undertone.

Whether buying a gin company in a burgeoning craft spirit market or taking a stake in a telecom service with a unique value proposition, he’s always looking for ways to add his creativity, diversify his portfolio and differentiate himself in a crowded market. 

Patience and Long-term Vision

Reynolds understands the importance of patience and having a long-term vision. He’s demonstrated time and time again that he’s not just in it for a quick buck but for the long haul. His approach indicates that the best investments often require time to mature and deliver returns.

And this is a principle that every investor should apply, regardless of their journey.

Emotional Investing

And now, for the coup de grâce.

The phrase “emotional investing” would undoubtedly spook traditional investors trained to keep feelings like fear and greed out of their decisions. 

But Reynolds’ take on emotional investing is a different beast entirely. 

It’s not about recklessly chasing the next hot crypto memecoin or succumbing to FOMO, but about investing in a narrative that resonates with consumers and can drive a company’s growth.

Let’s be clear: Reynolds’ approach doesn’t bypass due diligence. It enhances it. 

He’s not buying on a whim; he’s buying into a story he can shape and sell, using his unique storytelling prowess to build a solid emotional bond with the audience. 

This, in turn, creates resilience around the brand, forming an “emotional moat,” as he puts it.

Think of Apple. Steve Jobs didn’t just sell computers; he sold the idea of “thinking different” and “challenging the status quo.” 

This wasn’t about tech specs or pricing models but an emotional narrative that rallied an intensely loyal customer base and propelled Apple’s stock to dizzying heights. 

Like Jobs, Reynolds is leveraging emotion to cultivate brand loyalty. But unlike Jobs, his power lies in his ability to narrate the brand story rather than create the product. 

And that’s where his approach becomes relatable and applicable to the everyday investor. 

In your investing journey, consider the ‘Ryan Reynolds perspective’. Look beyond the financials to the emotional aspect of an investment. 

Is there a story or narrative around this asset or company that will drive its success? 

Could this narrative captivate an audience, a market, or even an entire industry? 

Or, given your unique skills and influence, could you help create that narrative?

In the end, Reynolds is showing us that investing can be more than just numbers; it can be a rich, emotionally engaging adventure where you don’t just grow your portfolio but also become a part of a brand’s journey to success. 

Emotionally Invested

Reynolds once quipped in an interview, 

His humility and willingness to acknowledge his unique investing style underline his monumental success as an investor. 

His journey demonstrates that anyone can navigate the world of investing by leveraging their unique skills, talents, and passions. 

So as we conclude, it becomes clear that Ryan Reynolds’ investing brand—like his humour—is a striking mix of wit, creativity, and heart, championed by connecting with consumers and improving people’s lives. 

And isn’t that what a good story—and a good investment—should do?

As Reynolds said himself:

That’s a principle all investors, Hollywood A-lister or not, should remember.

Thanks for reading. Share this post with a friend if you found it insightful.

— Luca