Vox Media
American digital media company operating a portfolio of editorial brands including The Verge, Vox, New York Magazine, and Eater.
Company Type
private
Founded
2005
Headquarters
Washington, D.C., USA
About Vox Media
Vox Media operates as a comprehensive digital media company spanning editorial, video production, and advertising technology. The company's business model emphasizes quality journalism, innovative storytelling, and direct audience engagement across multiple platforms and revenue streams.
Vox Media's editorial properties cover diverse topics including technology (The Verge), culture (Vulture, The Cut), food (Eater), sports (SB Nation), real estate (Curbed), gaming (Polygon), and news (Vox, New York Magazine, Intelligencer). This diversified portfolio enables the company to serve different audience segments and generate revenue from multiple sources including advertising, subscriptions, and affiliate commerce.
Vox Media's video production studio creates premium content for streaming platforms and traditional media, leveraging the company's editorial expertise and storytelling capabilities. The company's video production has earned Emmy and Academy Award recognition, establishing Vox Media Studios as a leader in documentary and unscripted programming.
The company's advertising technology and direct sponsorship model provides brands with opportunities to reach engaged audiences across its portfolio of properties. Vox Media's Concert marketplace enables direct brand partnerships with editorial content, while the Forte first-party data platform delivers targeted advertising with 2x the performance compared to alternative data sources.
History of Vox Media
Vox Media was founded in 2005 by Jim Bankoff, Jerome Armstrong, and Markos Moulitsas as a digital media company. The company began with a focus on political and cultural commentary, establishing itself as an innovative digital media platform that would eventually revolutionize online journalism and content creation.
Throughout the 2010s, Vox Media expanded its editorial portfolio, launching new brands including The Verge (technology), Eater (food), SB Nation (sports), and Curbed (real estate and design). The company established itself as a leader in digital media innovation and journalism, pioneering new approaches to online content creation and audience engagement.
In 2019, Vox Media acquired New York Media, adding prestigious brands including New York Magazine, Vulture, The Cut, and Intelligencer to its portfolio. This acquisition significantly expanded Vox Media's reach and editorial influence, positioning the company as a dominant force in digital media.
Vox Media also operates Vox Media Studios, an Emmy and Academy Award-winning video production studio creating premium unscripted, documentary, and scripted programming. The company's Concert advertising marketplace provides direct sponsorship opportunities for brands, while its Forte first-party data platform drives advertising performance.
In May 2024, Vox Media announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI, providing Vox Media's editorial content to inform ChatGPT's development and user experience. In February 2026, the company expanded its Language Please initiative to include content creators, reflecting the evolving media landscape and the growing importance of creator-driven content.
Brands Owned by Vox Media
Vox Media owns 1 brand in our database.
Vox Media Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Private ownership enables long-term editorial focus without public market pressure
- +Diversified portfolio of influential editorial brands across multiple verticals
- +100M+ monthly audience demonstrates significant reach and market influence
- +Emmy and Academy Award-winning video production capabilities
- +Strategic partnership with OpenAI provides competitive advantage in AI integration
- +Strong first-party data platform (Forte) delivering 2x advertising performance
- +Leadership position in inclusive journalism through Language Please initiative
Considerations
- -Intense competition in digital media and news from both traditional and new media companies
- -Dependence on advertising revenue and sponsorships vulnerable to economic cycles
- -High content production costs and significant editorial investments required
- -Audience retention and engagement challenges in fragmented media landscape
- -Regulatory and compliance complexity across multiple jurisdictions and content types
- -Need to balance innovation with journalistic standards and editorial integrity
- -Pressure to maintain growth while supporting quality journalism across all brands
Frequently Asked Questions About Vox Media
Is Vox Media publicly traded?
No, Vox Media is a privately held company founded by Jim Bankoff, Jerome Armstrong, and Markos Moulitsas. The company has raised $425 million in funding across 11 rounds but remains privately owned, allowing for editorial independence without public market pressures.
What brands does Vox Media own?
Vox Media owns and operates a comprehensive portfolio including Vox, New York Magazine, The Verge, Eater, SB Nation, Vulture, The Cut, Curbed, Polygon, The Dodo, Thrillist, and Popsugar, along with Vox Media Studios and complementary technology platforms.
When did Vox Media acquire New York Media?
Vox Media acquired New York Media in 2019, adding prestigious brands including New York Magazine, Vulture, The Cut, and Intelligencer to its portfolio, significantly expanding the company's editorial reach and influence.
How many users does Vox Media reach?
Vox Media reaches over 100 million monthly users across its portfolio of editorial properties, making it one of the largest digital media companies globally with significant audience engagement across multiple content verticals.
What is the OpenAI partnership?
In May 2024, Vox Media announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI where Vox Media's editorial content helps inform ChatGPT's 100 million users. The partnership includes brand attribution, audience referrals, and collaboration on developing innovative products using OpenAI technology.
What is Language Please?
Language Please is Vox Media's initiative providing practical tools for journalists, marketers, and content creators to address social, cultural, and identity-related topics. Originally launched in 2020, it was expanded in February 2026 to include content creators, reflecting the evolving media landscape.
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