Vox Media is splitting into two independent entities, with Lupa Systems acquiring New York Magazine, Vox.com, and the Vox Media Podcast Network. The remaining portfolio, including Eater, Popsugar, SB Nation, The Dodo, and The Verge, will form a separate company led by Ryan Pauley.
Before the structural overhaul, the organization was busy scaling its audio footprint. Andrew Rea brought his culinary brand to the network with the launch of In the Booth with Babish, while Seth Matlins joined to launch Create or Destroy: Reimagining Marketing.
The podcast ecosystem is currently processing what this means for high-profile shows like Pivot. On a recent episode, Scott Galloway maintained a business-as-usual tone, closing the show by saying, "Thank you for listening to Pivot from New York Magazine, Vox Media." despite the imminent separation of those two entities.
The split signals a massive pivot away from the 'all-in-one' media conglomerate model that defined the company's growth over the last decade. With James Murdoch now holding the keys to the legacy journalism assets, the industry is watching to see if Ryan Pauley can maintain the monetization momentum of the lifestyle brands without the prestige umbrella of New York Magazine.
