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Buzznet

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Buzznet
GenreSocial media
FoundedMarch 2003 in Los Angeles, California
FoundersMarc Brown, Steve Haldane, Kevin Woolery and Anthony Batt
ParentHive Media
WebsiteOfficial website

BuzzNet is a photo, journal, and video-sharing social media network that is currently owned by Hive Media.[1] The network was owned by SpinMedia (formerly Buzz Media) from its inception until September 2016, when it was sold to Hive Media.

Like other social networking services, Buzznet is a platform for members to share content based on their personal interests. Unlike other social networking services that focus primarily on messaging and profile pages, Buzznet members participate in communities that are created around ideas, events and interests, most predominantly music, celebrities, and the media.

History

Founding

The company was established in March 2003 in Los Angeles, California[2] by Marc Brown, Steve Haldane, Kevin Woolery and Anthony Batt (CEO). The site was officially launched in 2005 when the company received private funding from Anthem Venture Partners.[3] Before the end of 2005, newspapers and journalists utilized Buzznet’s photo galleries. Newspapers that joined Buzznet for its photo-sharing capabilities included the Houston Chronicle for Hurricane Rita coverage, the Miami Herald for Hurricane Wilma coverage, and the Biloxi, Miss. Sun-Herald for Hurricane Katrina coverage.[4] As of 2005, of the co-founders Marc Brown and Anthony Batt, Brown served as president. Steve Haldane was director of technology, while Rich Lee was art director.[2]

According to a March Hitwise report, in February 2007 Buzznet’s site visits more than doubled. The report deemed Buzznet the fastest growing social media community on the internet.[5] In April 2007 Buzznet hosted the official online community for the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[6] In May 2007 Buzznet received a $6 million round of funding from Redpoint Ventures and previous investors, Anthem Venture Partners. At the time, according to TechCrunch, Buzznet claimed to have 6 million users.[7]

In 2007, Buzznet.com partnered with the Honda Civic Tour and the social media fan site Friends or Enemies.[8] As of July 2008, Buzznet was partnered with heavy metal site TheGauntlet.com.[9] From May 5, 2008 to March 31, 2016, Buzznet owned AbsolutePunk,[10] until it was repurchased by the founder of the website.[citation needed]

Acquisitions and relaunch

In March 2008, Buzznet received an additional funding round of $25 million.[11] In April 2008, Buzznet announced the acquisition of the popular music blog Stereogum.[12][13] In May 2008, Buzznet announced a partnership with TheGauntlet.com for its heavy metal music content. Unlike its other music site buyouts, this is Buzznet's first and only content partnership.[13] By 2008, Buzznet.com had partnered with Tila Tequila to create a separate site called tilashotspot.com.[14]

Buzznet relaunched on May 13, 2010 with customized feed functions and reblogging features, as well as Facebook Connect. Aviva Yael had been hired as editor to oversee the new version. It remained owned by the conglomerate BuzzMedia.[15] Later that month, Buzzmedia, formerly known as Buzznet, purchased the six music sites PureVolume, PopMatters, Gorilla vs. Bear, The Hype Machine, Concrete Loop and RCRD LBL. Buzzmedia at that time already also owned Lyrics.com, Stereogum, Buzznet, Idolator, and Absolute Punk. At that point, the company had raised "$35 million in four rounds" from investors like Focus Ventures, Anthem Ventures, New Enterprise Associates, Redpoint Ventures and Sutter Hill Ventures.[16] In March 2010, Compete reported that Buzznet had around 2.3 unique visitors that month.[15]

Sale to Hive Media

The network was sold to Hive Media in September 2016, along with Idolator and PureVolume.[1]

Features

Homepage content

Buzznet is a website for people to discuss different kinds of music.

Banners displayed on the homepage link to Buzznet’s contest groups and Buzznet polls. Each Buzznet contest is typically endorsed by a band, celebrity, or record label. Past contests include “Get Dressed by Avril” Merch Model Search, endorsed by pop-rock icon, Avril Lavigne in 2007,[17] and "Feel the Elite Beat" Dance Video Contest sponsored by Nintendo in 2006.[18] The homepage also links to music features, festival updates, and internet stars.

User pages

User pages are controlled by individual members and can be customized with colors and text. Upon sign in, registered members are prompted to upload videos, photos, or post journals, all of which can be tagged to appropriate tag topic pages.[citation needed]

Tag topic pages

Tag topic pages house all photos, videos, journals, and links that have been tagged to a particular topic. Topics are most commonly a band, celebrity, or content genre. Tag topic pages also have a user-generated forum that hosts open discussions on subjects related to the tag.[citation needed]

Group pages

Group pages have features similar to tag topic pages, but are generally more content-specific and exclusive. Group pages are generally used for contests, events, and fan bases.[citation needed]

Buzz

Members are recognized for their popularity in the Buzznet community based on the amount of buzz they receive. Each photo, video, and journal can receive buzz from other members. Top buzzed members and top content contributors are recognized throughout the site.[citation needed]

Artists (bands)

Bands such as The All-American Rejects, The Maine, All Time Low,[19] My Chemical Romance, Thirty Seconds to Mars, HIM[20] AFI, Cartel,[21] New Found Glory, Boys Like Girls,[22] Blaqk Audio,[23] Anberlin,[24] The Sunpilots,[25] Fall Out Boy, Kerli and Lostprophets[26] maintained user pages and semi-active blogs on Buzznet as of 2008.[citation needed]

Buzznet mobile

Users can access Buzznet from a mobile device in four different ways. They can upload content directly via email, with ShoZu, or access their account with mobile and iPhone versions of the site. With the mobile version, users can update their account, upload photos, and post journals.[27]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Rys, Dan (September 21, 2016). "SpinMedia Sells Idolator, Buzznet & PureVolume to Hive Media". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
  2. ^ a b Michael Arrington (June 23, 2005), "Profile: BuzzNet", TechCrunch, retrieved August 28, 2023{{citation}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Hilary Potkewitz (2006). "Buzzing". Los Angeles Business Journal.
  4. ^ "Buzznet and the Houston Chronicle Offer Site to Share Storm Images and Tales". PR Newswire. 2005.
  5. ^ LeeAnn Prescott (2007). "Buzznet and IMEEM: Fast Growing Social Networks". Hitwise. Archived from the original on 2008-04-23.
  6. ^ Jeff Leeds (2007-04-28). "Coachella: Capturing the Buzz". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-04-27.
  7. ^ "Buzznet Lands $6million", TechCrunch, retrieved August 28, 2023 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |publication_date= ignored (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Kristen Nicole (2007). "Honda Civic Tour Partners with Friends or Enemies for UGC Fan Community". Mashable.[unreliable source?]
  9. ^ Harding, Cortney (2008-07-26). "Under the Influence", Billboard 120 (30): 10.
  10. ^ no byline (2008-05-20). "Buzznet Acquires Alternative Music Community Absolute Punk", Science Letter, p. 3577.
  11. ^ Paul Glazowski (2008). "Buzznet Nabs a Purported $25m in Funding; Adds Stereogum To Roster". Mashable.[unreliable source?]
  12. ^ Paul Glazowski (2008). "Buzznet Confirms Stereogum Deal; Plans to Launch "Videogum" Next Week". Mashable.[unreliable source?]
  13. ^ a b Joseph Weisenthal (2008-04-14). "Denton Slims Down Gawker Media". The Washington Post.
  14. ^ "Tila's Hot Spot". Archived from the original on 2001-07-16. Retrieved 2008-04-10.[unreliable source?]
  15. ^ a b Leena Rao (May 13, 2010), Buzznet Channels Facebook And Twitter; Adds News Feeds And The Ability To Follow, TechCrunch, retrieved August 28, 2023{{citation}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ "BUZZMEDIA Signs Up 6 Major Music Sites, Including The Hype Machine And RCRD LBL", TechCrunch, May 31, 2010, retrieved August 28, 2023{{citation}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ MTV News Staff (2007). "Avril's Merch Model Search". MTV.
  18. ^ Flynn De Marco (2006). "The Elite Beat Agents Dance Video Contest". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 2013-01-27.
  19. ^ "All Time Low's Profile on Buzznet". Archived from the original on 2008-07-05.
  20. ^ "30 Seconds to Mars' Profile on Buzznet". Archived from the original on 2008-09-07.
  21. ^ "Cartel's Profile on Buzznet". Archived from the original on 2008-07-24.
  22. ^ "Boys Like Girls' Profile on Buzznet". Archived from the original on 2008-02-24.
  23. ^ "Blaqk Audio's Profile on Buzznet". Archived from the original on 2008-07-05.
  24. ^ "Anberlin's Profile on Buzznet". Archived from the original on 2011-07-08.
  25. ^ "The Sunpilots' Profile on Buzznet". Archived from the original on 2008-10-15.
  26. ^ "Lostprophets' Profile on Buzznet". Archived from the original on 2008-06-16.
  27. ^ "Music community band photos fashion and celebrities - Buzznet". buzznet.com.[dead link‍]

References

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