SpinMedia

SpinMedia (formerly Buzz Media) was an American digital publisher which owned a number of pop culture websites, including Spin, Stereogum, Vibe, and The Frisky.[1]

SpinMedia
IndustryWebsites, blog networks
PredecessorBuzzMedia
Founded1999 (1999)
Headquarters
Los Angeles, California
,
U.S.
Key people
Stephen Blackwell (CEO)

Buzz Media was founded by Anthony Batt (CEO), Marc Brown, Kevin Woolery, and Steve Haldane under the name Buzznet.[2]

History

Anthony Batt and Marc Brown started a blog in 1999, and by 2006, Buzznet had a total of nine employees in the Los Angeles, California area.[2] The Buzz Media name was created as the company started to acquire more pop-culture and music blogs.

The company announced on March 19, 2009, it raised US$12.5 million in funding from venture capitalists that include companies that had already invested in the company, such as Anthem Ventures, New Enterprise Associates, Redpoint Ventures, and Sutter Hill Ventures, as well as new investor Focus Ventures.[3][4]

It acquired Spin Media, publisher of Spin magazine in July 2012.[5] After shutting down the print version of the magazine, reducing its staff to about 200, and focusing on advertising, it rebranded itself as SpinMedia in March 2013.[6] At that time, Steve Hansen became its chief executive.[6] In April 2013, it acquired Vibe magazine.[7][8] In 2014, M/C Partners became the primary owner of SpinMedia after an assignment for benefit of creditors.[9] That year, Buzz Media had also acquired music sites Property of Zack, AbsolutePunk.net, Under The Gun Review, and Punknews.org.[10]

In September 2016, SpinMedia sold Buzznet, Idolator, and PureVolume to startup corporation Hive Media.[11] In December 2016, Eldridge Industries acquired Spin, Vibe, Stereogum, and Death and Taxes via the Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group for an undisclosed amount, making Billboard the world's largest music brand in terms of digital traffic and audience share.[12][13] Celebuzz, The Frisky, and The Superficial were sold to CPX Interactive.[14]In January 2020, Spin and Stereogum were sold to Next Management Partners and the site's management respectively, as part of a larger focus on Vibe and a music data business.[15]

References
  1. "BUZZMEDIA Acquires Top Women`s Entertainment & Lifestyle Website The Frisky from Turner Broadcasting". Reuters. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
  2. Ben Kuo (May 10, 2006). "Interview with Anthony Batt, Co-Founder, Buzznet". SoCal Tech" High Tech News and Information for Southern California. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  3. Rivera, Dominic (2009-03-20). "Buzznet becomes Buzz Media; Raises $12.5 million new funding". Blog Herald. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  4. Maher, Rory (2009-03-19). "Buzznet Raises $12.5 Million; Changes Name To Buzz Media". paidContent. Retrieved 2010-04-07.
  5. "BUZZMEDIA Buys Spin". SoCal Tech" High Tech News and Information for Southern California. July 10, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  6. "Buzzmedia Rebrands Itself SpinMedia". Billboard. March 25, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  7. "Vibe Magazine Purchased by SpinMedia, Will Probably Go Online-Only". Billboard. April 25, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  8. Sisario, Ben (April 25, 2013). "Vibe Magazine Is Sold and Likely to Become Online Only". The New York Times. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  9. "SpinMedia LLC Acquired By New Investors as SpinMedia Group Receives $10M" (Text). Billboard. 2014-02-03. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  10. Bruce Houghton (August 27, 2012). "Fresh Off Spin Magazine Purchase, BUZZMEDIA Buys 4 Top Punk Rock Sites". Retrieved August 27, 2012.
  11. Rys, Dan (September 21, 2016). "SpinMedia Sells Idolator, Buzznet & PureVolume to Hive Media". Billboard. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  12. "The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group Acquires SpinMedia's Music Brands, Including SPIN, VIBE, and Stereogum". Spin. 2016-12-22. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  13. "Billboard Buys Spin and Vibe in a Quest to 'Own the Topic of Music Online'". Adweek. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  14. "More SpinMedia sites sold (RIP SpinMedia)". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  15. "Billboard-The Hollywood Reporter Media Group Sells Spin, Agreement in Place for Sale of Stereogum". Billboard. 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2020-07-22.


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