Wired Company
Media platform covering technology's impact on culture.
| Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| investor investor | €0.0 | round | |
| investor | €0.0 | round | |
* | N/A | Early VC | |
| Total Funding | 000k | ||
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WIRED is a media company that operates a monthly American magazine, published in both print and online editions, focusing on how emerging technologies affect culture, the economy, and politics. Founded in San Francisco in March 1993 by journalist Louis Rossetto and his partner Jane Metcalfe, the magazine was established with the vision of covering cutting-edge technology and its broader societal impact. The founding team also included executive editor Kevin Kelly and creative director John Plunkett. From its inception, WIRED captured the zeitgeist of the burgeoning internet culture, quickly growing from a bimonthly to a monthly publication within its first year.
The company's journey includes the early launch of HotWired in 1994, one of the first major online publications with original, web-only content. This digital-forward approach was part of the founders' strategy to create a lifestyle brand around the culture of technology. After facing financial challenges and a withdrawn IPO in the late 1990s, the magazine was sold to Advance Publications for its Condé Nast publishing group in 1998. The digital assets, initially sold separately to Lycos, were later acquired by Condé Nast in 2006, reuniting the print and online operations. Under Condé Nast, WIRED shifted its focus from a more philosophical tone to analyzing how technology affects business, the economy, and society.
WIRED's business model relies on advertising and a subscription-based paywall for its online content, which was implemented in 2018. It generates revenue through print and digital subscriptions, as well as advertising across its platforms. The brand has expanded internationally with editions in the UK, Italy, and Japan, and hosts events like the annual Wired NextFest. The publication has received numerous accolades, including several National Magazine Awards for general excellence.
Keywords: emerging technologies, digital culture, media publication, technology journalism, online magazine, science and technology, business innovation, political economy, futurist topics, media and publishing, technology trends, innovation analysis, societal impact, digital media, subscription media, tech news, cultural commentary, economic analysis