Former Maker Studios branding exec Fran Solomita is heading a new YouTube ad agency, Mozaic Branding, which hopes to connect brands with new media talent.

The Mozaic team also includes Mike Bienstock, founder of financial firm Semaphore, as chief operating officer; Peter Bray, most recently director of digital at Saatchi & Saatchi, as chief strategy officer; Todd Grossman, a director and former X Games athlete, as chief creative officer; and Nate Higgins, Semaphore co-founder, as chief financial officer.

The team is stepping into a potentially lucrative niche, as YouTube stars have cashed in on their followings with ad and endorsement deals. Makeup celebrity Michelle Phan, for example, is expected to earn more than $1 million this year from her various partnerships, including those with L’Oréal and Dr Pepper Snapple Group.

“In this ever-changing landscape, we’ve created a new model to more efficiently give brands what they pay for, and the talent what they’re worth,” Solomita said in a statement.

Staff reporter Melissah Yang can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @MelissahYang for the latest in L.A. tech news.