Why Ryan Reynolds Is Being Compared To Steve Jobs In Viral Post

News18

02-05-2025

Last Updated:
In 2018, Ryan Reynolds became a major investor in Aviation Gin, taking on not just a face for the brand but also the role of creative director.
Ryan Reynolds, widely recognised for his role as Marvel's Deadpool, is quietly making a name for himself beyond acting. A viral thread on X by entrepreneur Ken Berenger has captured significant attention, not for Reynolds' acting, but for his business acumen. The post begins with, ' Ryan Reynolds is the new Steve Jobs."
The thread highlights how Ryan Reynolds, once primarily known as a Hollywood star, has transformed into one of the most creative and successful entrepreneurs today. It begins with a quick look back at 2016, when Deadpool had just been released and went on to earn $780 million at the box office.
Ryan Reynolds Is the new Steve Jobs.In 2020, Ryan Reynolds bought a struggling 5th-tier Welsh football club for $2.5M.
Everyone called him a Hollywood dreamer.
But what he did next changed sports & business forever… Here's the story: 🧵 pic.twitter.com/GZDlIpzWp2
— Ken Berenger (@KenBerenger) April 30, 2025
'Behind the scenes, he was plotting a masterplan to become a business mogul," Ken added.
By 2016, Ryan Reynolds was just another Hollywood star.He'd gotten Deadpool produced ($780M box office), but he was still just an actor.
Behind the scenes, he was plotting a masterplan to become a business mogul. pic.twitter.com/rUw8B0z57P
— Ken Berenger (@KenBerenger) April 30, 2025
Unlike many celebrities who settle for simple endorsements, Reynolds wanted ownership. In 2018, he bought into Aviation Gin, not just as a face for the brand but as creative director. He brought his unique style and humour into every part of the brand's identity.
Most celebrities settle for endorsement deals.Not Reynolds.
In 2018, he bought a stake in Aviation Gin, a small craft spirits company.
He didn't just lend his face—he became owner and creative director, infusing the brand with his signature wit. pic.twitter.com/8XNwme4R3R
— Ken Berenger (@KenBerenger) April 30, 2025
One standout moment came when Peloton's ad faced backlash. Reynolds responded fast. 'Within 36 hours, Reynolds produced a response ad featuring the same actress drowning her sorrows in Aviation Gin. The ad went viral. Free publicity worth millions. Pure genius," the entrepreneur shared.
https://twitter.com/KenBerenger/status/1917585681070842148
By 2020, Reynolds' strategy paid off. Aviation Gin was sold to Diageo for a reported $610 million. But he wasn't done. A year before that, he had already invested in Mint Mobile, a budget-friendly telecom company. He helped the brand grow rapidly and in 2023, Mint Mobile was sold to T-Mobile for a massive $1.35 billion.
By 2020, Reynolds had proven his business acumen. Aviation Gin sold to Diageo for $610 MILLION.He'd also bought Mint Mobile in 2019, disrupting telecom with his personal, funny marketing approach.
But his next move shocked everyone… pic.twitter.com/sdqw2wCZPm
— Ken Berenger (@KenBerenger) April 30, 2025
Another surprising part of the thread is about Wrexham AFC. In 2020, Reynolds teamed up with actor Rob McElhenney to buy the struggling fifth-tier Welsh football club for $2.5 million.
'Why would Hollywood stars buy a team in a small Welsh industrial town? Everyone thought they were crazy," Ken shared. But the goal was never just about football. They invested in Wrexham, a club founded in 1864 and deeply tied to its town's identity.
Reynolds teamed up with actor Rob McElhenney to buy Wrexham AFC, a struggling Welsh football club in the 5th tier.Why would Hollywood stars buy a team in a small Welsh industrial town?
Everyone thought they were crazy.
But Reynolds and McElhenney weren't buying just a team: pic.twitter.com/2T7mddM1cC
— Ken Berenger (@KenBerenger) April 30, 2025
'They weren't buying just a team: they were buying a community's heart," the thread mentioned. Instead of 'staying distant owners, they dove in headfirst." The duo attended games, interacted with fans and showed real support. They also launched the documentary Welcome to Wrexham, which gave the team and town global attention.
They were buying a community's heart.Wrexham AFC, founded in 1864, is the 3rd oldest professional football club in the world.
The town lives and breathes its team.
Instead of staying distant owners, they dove in headfirst.
— Ken Berenger (@KenBerenger) April 30, 2025
'This wasn't just business. It was relationship-building," Ken noted.
They created the "Welcome to Wrexham" documentary series, bringing global attention to this small Welsh community.They invested millions in the team's infrastructure, players, and community programs.
This wasn't just business.
It was relationship-building. pic.twitter.com/1eEJXSk4p2
— Ken Berenger (@KenBerenger) April 30, 2025
The results speak for themselves. In 2023, Wrexham won the National League title and was promoted to League 2 after 15 years. Local businesses boomed. The thread mentioned, 'Visitor spending in Wrexham surged—up 51% in 2022 and another 20% in 2023. The club's value was estimated to have multiplied several times over."
The results? Spectacular.In April 2023, Wrexham won the National League title, earning promotion to League 2.
The club returned to the English Football League for the first time in 15 years. pic.twitter.com/KTatihRMW2
— Ken Berenger (@KenBerenger) April 30, 2025
The town erupted in celebration.The documentary became a hit. Merchandise sales exploded worldwide. Visitor spending in Wrexham surged—up 51% in 2022 and another 20% in 2023.
The economic impact on the small town has been enormous. pic.twitter.com/qDBD1M898F
— Ken Berenger (@KenBerenger) April 30, 2025
As Ken puts it, Reynolds 'brings creativity, authenticity, and humour to everything he touches." From acting to advertising, football to telecom, Reynolds 'rewrote the celebrity business playbook"
'He showed that building real connections with communities creates more value than traditional corporate approaches," Ken concluded.
As for his next acting ventures, Reynolds will next be seen in Animal Friends, an upcoming action-comedy directed by Peter Atencio. Apart from this, he will also star in the Apple Studios action-adventure film Mayday, directed by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley.
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