“Vlad & Niki” is the global preschool phenomenon and the number 1 boys channel on YouTube, starring the imaginative personalities and antics of brothers Vlad and Niki, who are showcased in non-stop fun and crazy adventures. Since launching on YouTube in 2018, “Vlad & Niki” has attracted more than 266+ million subscribers worldwide, 83+ million subscribers to their English Channel, and 154+ billion views while averaging five billion monthly views on 21 channels and translated into 18 languages. Their mobile apps have surpassed more than 100,000,000 downloads. Each episode is produced with a creative mix of live-action, animation, and music to create comedic videos for the preschool demographic. “Vlad & Niki” is the property of Content Media Group FZC, LLC, headed by co-founders Sergey and Victoria Vashketov, the parents of global superstar kidfluencers Vlad and Niki.
“Vlad & Niki” continues to be well received by critics as well as the public as the dynamic duo captured three more prestigious awards, including being named ‘Best Web Series for Kids’ by the National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA); winning the Shorty Awards honor for “Best Influencers & Celebrity YouTube Campaign;” 43rd Annual Telly Awards’ “Silver Winner in Children’s Video;” 26th Annual Webby Awards “Honoree in the 2022 Social Category;” 42nd Annual Telly Awards’ “Bronze Winner in the General Children’s Online;” International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences’ 10th Annual Lovie Awards “Outstanding Work Shortlist” category. Their Zuru Toy’ Surprise Egg” won the silver prize in Toy Shop’s UK’s 2021 Independent Toy Awards Silver Prize in ‘License of the Year’ category.
In April 2022, Vlad & Niki began streaming on HBO Max, and they are expanding their family with a new baby this Fall.
StarCentral Kids recently caught up with Vlad and Niki’s mother, and co-star Victoria Vashketova to discuss their journey in the social media world, and here’s what went down:
Could you please tell our readers a brief background about yourselves and how you started?
‘Vlad & Niki’ started as a family hobby. Vlad saw other boys making videos and asked us if we could make our own. Our dad started shooting fun videos on the weekends when he wasn’t working. He would edit them in his spare time and then post them.
What are you both currently doing to maintain/grow your profile?
YouTube is our focus. We continue to create content kids love watching, and their parents approve. Each episode we produced is filled with an innovative mix of live-action, animation, and music.
We began in 2018 and now have 21 channels, translated into 18 languages. It is incredible; we have 266+ million subscribers worldwide (83+ million on our English channel). We published more than 300 videos and have a staggering 154+ billion views.
It’s important that we maintain an authentic voice of our personalities. We hope we are inspiring other families to play together on their own adventures.
What social media platforms do you usually use to increase your brand’s awareness?
Due to Vlad’s and Niki’s young age, we have to manage their social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook. They help us select photos and sayings, so we stay true to them. My husband Sergey and I each have our own Instagram profiles.
You can find us via our Instagram accounts:
Vlad @vlad.super.vlad
Niki @nikitoys_official
Victoria (me) @vsv_viki
Sergey @vashketov
Facebook @Vlad.and.Niki.
What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?
Learning to say no and how to balance the kids and our time. We have had to decline some fabulous invitations and opportunities so that we do not burn the kids – or us.
What new project would you guys love to start?
We partnered with Zuru Toys and Playmates Toys, and it has been a long road to get them developed and finally in the stores and sold online – the toys are currently doing very well.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Believe that anything is possible and figure out how to accomplish it.
What advice would you give someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
Make sure the content you are creating is authentic. The audience/fans know when you aren’t being real.
