Bisnow Media
Bisnow Media, also known as Bisnow, is a multi-platform digital media company that produces news and live events. Founded in 2005, Bisnow Media is owned by private equity firm Wicks Group[2] and has offices in New York and Washington, D.C. with 75 full-time employees as of 2014.[3] Covering 27 metropolitan markets across the U.S., Canada and the U.K. with a subscriber base of over 600,000, Bisnow is one of the largest producers of commercial real estate news and events.[1][4] The company's publications have been described as similar to Business Insider, covering topics such as real estate, technology and businesses with a slight irreverence similar to BuzzFeed.[1][5]
Type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Digital media |
Founded | 2005 |
Headquarters | New York |
Key people | Will Friend, CEO Mark Bisnow, Founder Ryan Begelman, Former CEO & Co-Owner |
Owner | Wicks Group |
Number of employees | 75[1] |
Website | www |
History
The company was founded in 2005 by Mark Bisnow, a DC lawyer, business executive, and radio talk show host, who had become known for irreverent "Bisnow on Business" radio spots on the local all-news station and active involvement in local business organizations and philanthropies.[6][7] Bisnow wanted to take advantage of the new economics and reading habits of the Internet age to provide timelier, lighter, and more personality-focused news fare than traditionally available, and deliver it to niche business audiences.[6]
Mark Bisnow was named Chairman when he turned over the CEO position to Ryan Begelman, previously the COO of Bisnow[8] and also co-founder of Summit Series.[9] Will Friend was named CEO of Bisnow in January 2015.[10]
In 2012, Bisnow launched "Escape", a brand of recurring events that gather top commercial real estate owners, developers, and financiers for multi-day retreats.[11]
By the end of 2012, Bisnow generated $11 million in revenue amounting to a 70 percent compounded three-year growth rate.[12] The following year, Bisnow partnered with Peter Linneman, the Wharton School real estate program founder, to launch a video education series.[13] By the end of 2013, the company was operating in 22 markets and producing 31 newsletters.[12] Bisnow has been included on Crain's New York Business' list of the fastest growing companies in New York for 2013 and 2014.[3][14]
In May 2016, Bisnow Media was acquired by Wicks Group, a private equity firm based in New York, for an estimated $50 million.[15]
Operations
Bisnow produces industry-specific e-newsletters highlighting news and information primarily for commercial real estate professionals. The company distributes its e-newsletters to over 600,000 subscribers.[4] The company also produces business-related events which have also featured experts on topics such as the arts, philanthropy, relationships, technology, and futurism.[4][11]
References
- "Value Added: Mark Bisnow's business is buzz". The Washington Post. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
- Hansen, Drew (5 May 2016). "Bisnow purchased for a reported $50 million". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
- "2013 Fast 50: No. 12 Bisnow Media". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- Patrick Clark (July 22, 2013). "The Guys Putting Jet Packs on Commercial Real Estate Brokers". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- Bill Mickey (October 28, 2014). "Bisnow's New Site Is Like Buzzfeed and Vox and Thrillist and…". Folio Magazine. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- Leslie Milk (August 1, 2006). "The Unsinkable Mark Bisnow". Washingtonian. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- Annie Gowen (January 4, 2010). "Bisnow brings other young entrepreneurs together in Summit Series". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- Will Sommer (April 8, 2013). "Mark Bisnow, of Bisnow Fame, Steps Down as CEO". Washington City Paper. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- Startup Summit Group buys a mountain. October 28, 2013. Wired.co.uk. Retrieved November 4, 2015
- Bisnow Bios. Bisnow Media. Retrieved November 4, 2015
- Anna Sekula (June 12, 2013). "Top 50 Innovative Event Pros 2013: Elliot Bisnow & Ryan Befelman". BizBash. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- Bill Mckey (August 29, 2013). "B-to-B Media Company Bisnow Takes Its Fun Seriously". Folio Magazine. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- "Bisnow Presents The Capital Revolution: Real Estate Crowdfunding Explained by Fundrise". Fundrise. October 1, 2014. Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- Elizabeth McBride (October 12, 2014). "No. 38 Bisnow Media". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
- Griffith, Erin (5 May 2016). "Here's Proof Media Startups Can Succeed Without Venture Capital". Fortune Magazine. Retrieved 30 May 2016.