Bisnow Media

Bisnow Media
Company typePrivate
IndustryDigital media
Founded2005
HeadquartersNew York
Key people
Will Friend, CEO
Mark Bisnow, Founder
Ryan Begelman, Former CEO & Co-Owner
OwnerWicks Group
Number of employees
75[1]
Websitewww.bisnow.com

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]

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

  1. ^ a b c "Value Added: Mark Bisnow's business is buzz". The Washington Post. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  2. ^ Hansen, Drew (5 May 2016). "Bisnow purchased for a reported $50 million". Washington Business Journal. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  3. ^ a b "2013 Fast 50: No. 12 Bisnow Media". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c Patrick Clark (July 22, 2013). "The Guys Putting Jet Packs on Commercial Real Estate Brokers". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  5. ^ Bill Mickey (October 28, 2014). "Bisnow's New Site Is Like Buzzfeed and Vox and Thrillist and…". Folio Magazine. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  6. ^ a b Leslie Milk (August 1, 2006). "The Unsinkable Mark Bisnow". Washingtonian. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  7. ^ Annie Gowen (January 4, 2010). "Bisnow brings other young entrepreneurs together in Summit Series". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  8. ^ Will Sommer (April 8, 2013). "Mark Bisnow, of Bisnow Fame, Steps Down as CEO". Washington City Paper. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  9. ^ Startup Summit Group buys a mountain. October 28, 2013. Wired.co.uk. Retrieved November 4, 2015
  10. ^ Bisnow Bios. Bisnow Media. Retrieved November 4, 2015
  11. ^ a b Anna Sekula (June 12, 2013). "Top 50 Innovative Event Pros 2013: Elliot Bisnow & Ryan Befelman". BizBash. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  12. ^ a b Bill Mckey (August 29, 2013). "B-to-B Media Company Bisnow Takes Its Fun Seriously". Folio Magazine. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ Elizabeth McBride (October 12, 2014). "No. 38 Bisnow Media". Crain's New York Business. Archived from the original on Feb 21, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  15. ^ Griffith, Erin (5 May 2016). "Here's Proof Media Startups Can Succeed Without Venture Capital". Fortune Magazine. Retrieved 30 May 2016.