Here is a list of media companies that acquire and manage content sites. You may be able to sell your larger sites to them. Or you can get out of the operations game and invest in them instead!
Webpals / XLMedia
Webpals Group is a ‘performance marketing leader driving quality users’ with 2000+ sites across 2 verticals. Finance sites include GreedyRates.ca, MoneyUnder30.com, DoughRoller.net, InvestorJunkie.com, and technology sites includes the ones shown in the screenshot above.
Webpals is part of XL Media Publisher Group which trades on the London Stock Exchange.
It was reported in the Times earlier this year that its share price took a hit due to its gambling sites being demoted in Google. That link is a paywall but I actually saved the clipping from the paper I was reading in a coffee shop!
Vertical Scope
VerticalScope is a vertically focused digital media company that operates hundreds of websites and online forums in the technology, automotive, and sports vertical markets.
VerticalScope’s properties include AutoGuide.com, PetGuide.com and AllOutdoor.com, as well as many forums targeting niche subjects including fishing, tractors, dog-breed ownership, cricket and living with certain health conditions. VerticalScope has been growing through acquisitions, including a $12-million deal last to acquire consumer forum RedFlagDeals.com from Yellow Pages Ltd.; and the acquisitions of cycling websites MTBR.com and RoadBikeReview.com, as well as do-it-yourself site Fixya.com and the online marketplace VarageSale.com, plus niche forums such as Snowboardingforum.com.
It was owned by the Canadian media conglomerate Torstar Corporation and had to lay off almost 50 people back in 2018 due to being affected by changes to Google’s algorithm. On May 26, 2020, Torstar agreed to be acquired by NordStar Capital, a private investment firm.
Dotdash / IAC
Dotdash is a digital media company that publishes articles and videos about various subjects across categories including health (verywellhealth.com), home, food, finance, tech, beauty, lifestyle, travel and education.
Dotdash is owned by the publicly listed IAC media company. IAC today operates Vimeo, Dotdash, The Daily Beast and Investopedia, among many others, and also has majority ownership of both Match Group, which includes Match, Tinder, PlentyOfFish, and OkCupid, and ANGI Homeservices, which includes HomeAdvisor and Angie’s List.
In September 2020 they acquired food and recipe sites Simply Recipes and Serious Eats.
Future PLC
Future has 168 brands listed on its site, here are a few:
It acquired Purch Media back in 2018 which owned tech and product review sites such as Tom’s Guide, Top Ten Reviews and Live Science.
Future PLC is on the London Stock exchange and is part of the FTSE 250.
Dennis Publishing
The UK based Dennis Publishing acquires great brands such as Car Throttle. It’s owned by the private equity firm Exponent.
Leaf Group
Leaf Group is a content company that operates online brands including eHow, livestrong.com and marketplace brands Saatchi Art and Society6. It used to be known as Demand Media and had its share price whacked by the Google panda update back in the day:
Meredith Corporation
Meredith Corporation is an American media conglomerate based in Des Moines, Iowa. It has a huge digital portfolio in the verticals of food, entertainment and style, lifestyle, family and multicultural. It’s listed on the NYSE:
A07 Online Media
A07 Online Media is a decentralized network of content websites focused in the automotive, motorcycle, parenting, wedding, and wristwatch verticals. They acquire high quality web based businesses from founders ‘outright, in upfront cash, with simple deal terms.’ They state that with over millions of users per month they are a ‘niche content network that can meet the needs of most advertisers looking to reach targeted, highly engaged audiences.’ Chris Tulumba is the co-founder.
Red Ventures
Red Ventures is a portfolio of digital companies in financial services, home services, healthcare and education. Ric Elias the CEO and co-founder has a podcast called 3 Things.
Internet Brands
Internet Brands is an internet media company that operates online media, community, and e-commerce sites in vertical markets. It used to be public but was acquired by the PE firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.
Three Ships
Three Ships operates vertically focused price comparison and consumer review websites including Mattress Advisor, Mattress Nerd, House Method, and Remedy Review. Three Ships partners with brands to help them accelerate growth through performance-based marketing programs. Zach Clayton is the founder & CEO.
Better Collective
Better Collective is a leading sports betting media group that develops educational platforms within the iGaming industry, listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange:
Raketech
Raketech is a leading online affiliate and content marketing company primarily operating within the online gambling, sport and consumer finance industries. It’s also publicly listed:
Digital Brands
Only 5 sites in their portfolio but all monster DR70+. They hire real-life Editors and Developers and state:
We don’t just build websites; we build brands. From concept to creation, we focus on creating a unique, branded experience for users and partners alike.
Hearst Media
More than just websites, Hearst is a “diversified media, information and services company with more than 360 businesses.” It operates in broadcasting, entertainment, health, news, real estate, transportation and ventures. It supposedly makes low 11 figures!
A relevant one for our world would be:
BestProducts.com is the destination for all the latest product reviews and roundups that are at the right price, on-trend, consumer favorites and timely.
It’s definitely a beast:
