Buzznet
Pop Culture News Platform
title: "Buzznet" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["american-social-networking-websites", "2005-establishments-in-the-united-states"] description: "Pop Culture News Platform" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buzznet" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Pop Culture News Platform ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox company"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Buzznet |
| logo | File:Buzznet logo.svg |
| logo_upright | |
| ISIN | |
| genre | News |
| predecessor | |
| founded | , in Los Angeles, California |
| founders | Marc Brown, Steve Haldane, Kevin Woolery, Anthony Batt |
| defunct | |
| successor | |
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| owner | |
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| parent | Hive Media |
| website | |
| :: |
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BuzzNet is a photo, journal, and video-sharing pop culture news network that is currently owned by Hive Media. 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, | author =Michael Arrington | publication-date =June 23, 2005 | title = Profile: BuzzNet | magazine =TechCrunch | url =https://techcrunch.com/2005/06/23/profile-buzznet/ | access-date = August 28, 2023 | author = Hilary Potkewitz | year = 2006 | title = Buzzing | publisher = Los Angeles Business Journal | url = http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-5423643/Insider-pages-moving-into-venture.html | year = 2005 | title = Buzznet and the Houston Chronicle Offer Site to Share Storm Images and Tales | publisher = PR Newswire | url = http://www.mywire.com/pubs/PRNewswire/2005/09/24/1025027?&pbl=15
In 2007, Buzznet named former Feedster president Tyler Goldman as its CEO. 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.{{cite web |author = LeeAnn Prescott |year = 2007 |title = Buzznet and IMEEM: Fast Growing Social Networks |publisher = Hitwise |url = http://weblogs.hitwise.com/leeann-prescott/2007/03/buzznet_and_imeem_fast_growing.html |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080423061247/http://weblogs.hitwise.com/leeann-prescott/2007/03/buzznet_and_imeem_fast_growing.html |archive-date = 2008-04-23 | author = Jeff Leeds | title = Coachella: Capturing the Buzz | work=The New York Times | access-date = 2010-04-27 | url = http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/04/28/coachella-capturing-the-buzz/ | date=2007-04-28 | title = Buzznet Lands $6million | magazine = TechCrunch | date = August 28, 2007 | url = https://techcrunch.com/2007/05/24/buzznet-lands-6million/ | access-date = August 28, 2023 | author = Kristen Nicole | year = 2007 | title = Honda Civic Tour Partners with Friends or Enemies for UGC Fan Community | publisher = Mashable | url = http://mashable.com/2007/05/16/honda-friendsorenemies/}}
Acquisitions
In March 2008, Buzznet received an additional funding round of $25 million.{{cite web | author = Paul Glazowski | year = 2008 | title = Buzznet Nabs a Purported $25m in Funding; Adds Stereogum To Roster | publisher = Mashable | url = http://mashable.com/2008/03/29/buzznet-funding/ | author =Caroline McCarthy | publication-date =April 10, 2008 | title =Buzznet: The social site that says it's not a social network | publisher = CNET | url = https://www.cnet.com/culture/buzznet-the-social-site-that-says-its-not-a-social-network/ | access-date = August 29, 2023 | author =Jason Gross | publication-date =March 31, 2008 | title =The BuzzNet cyborg will assimilate your blog | publisher = PopMatters | url = https://www.popmatters.com/the-buzznet-cyborg-will-assimilate-your-blog-2496163679.html | access-date = August 29, 2023 | author =Anthony Bruno | publication-date =April 18, 2008 | title =Music Web site Buzznet expands online portfolio | publisher = Reuters | url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-buzznet/music-web-site-buzznet-expands-online-portfolio-idUSN1829574220080419 | access-date = August 29, 2023 | author = Paul Glazowski | year = 2008 | title = Buzznet Confirms Stereogum Deal; Plans to Launch "Videogum" Next Week | publisher = Mashable | url = http://mashable.com/2008/04/03/buzznet-steregum-videogum/ | author = Joseph Weisenthal | title = Denton Slims Down Gawker Media | newspaper=The Washington Post | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/14/AR2008041401235.html | date=2008-04-14 | author =Camille Ricketts | publication-date =November 26, 2008 | title =Music blog network Buzznet lays off 10 | magazine =VentureBeat | url = https://venturebeat.com/entrepreneur/music-blog-network-buzznet-lays-off-10/ | access-date = August 28, 2023
Buzz Media, Inc.
After raising $12.5 million in March 2009, Buzznet changed its name to Buzz Media, Inc. to "more accurately reflect its focus" as owner of multiple websites beyond its flagship property buzznet.com. | author =Rory Maher | publication-date =March 19, 2009 | title =Buzznet Raises $12.5 Million | magazine =CBSNews | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/buzznet-raises-125-million/ | access-date = August 29, 2023
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. | author =Leena Rao | publication-date =May 13, 2010 | title =Buzznet Channels Facebook And Twitter; Adds News Feeds And The Ability To Follow | publisher = TechCrunch | url =https://techcrunch.com/2010/05/13/buzznet-channels-facebook-and-twitter-adds-news-feeds-and-the-ability-to-follow/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAHtG0smMZes2ni8bFhZwOeHwgas0yNEj_jG1jUGybRF9tBYVp5H7z5axwfGyGOcY2v_qRX3JJ-ukIn-qzMRba4Nuso95hcFY-JXDQtA3kuoI6mCzgxg2EgA4_ui11LltRojtIJRbly0kXSkg9wMKxeVDCEM_Ax8BsYs9lky3Sf0 | access-date = August 28, 2023 | publication-date =May 31, 2010 | title = BUZZMEDIA Signs Up 6 Major Music Sites, Including The Hype Machine And RCRD LBL | magazine =TechCrunch | url =https://techcrunch.com/2010/05/31/buzzmedia-expansion/ | access-date = August 28, 2023
Spin Media and sale to Hive Media
Buzz Media acquired Spin Media, publisher of Spin magazine, in July 2012. After shutting down the print version of the magazine, reducing its staff to about 200, and focusing on advertising, it rebranded itself as SpinMedia in March 2013. At that time, Steve Hansen became its chief executive.
In 2014, M/C Partners became the primary owner of SpinMedia after an assignment for benefit of creditors. That year, Buzz Media had also acquired music sites Property of Zack, AbsolutePunk.net, Under The Gun Review, and Punknews.org.
In September 2016, SpinMedia sold Buzznet, Idolator, and PureVolume to startup corporation Hive Media.
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,{{cite web | author = MTV News Staff | year = 2007 | title = Avril's Merch Model Search | publisher = MTV | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1559054/20070508/lavigne_avril.jhtml | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070510024306/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1559054/20070508/lavigne_avril.jhtml | url-status = dead | archive-date = May 10, 2007 |author = Flynn De Marco |year = 2006 |title = The Elite Beat Agents Dance Video Contest |publisher = Kotaku |url = http://kotaku.com/gaming/tag/the-elite-beat-agents-dance-video-contest-221937.php |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://archive.today/20130127133738/http://kotaku.com/221937/the-elite-beat-agents-dance-video-contest?tag=gamingtag |archive-date = 2013-01-27
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.
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.
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.
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.
Artists (bands)
Bands such as The All-American Rejects, The Maine, All Time Low,{{cite web |title = All Time Low's Profile on Buzznet |url = http://alltimelow.buzznet.com/user/main/ |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080705154243/http://alltimelow.buzznet.com/user/main/ |archive-date = 2008-07-05 |title = 30 Seconds to Mars' Profile on Buzznet |url = http://30stm.buzznet.com/user/ |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080907074509/http://30stm.buzznet.com/user/ |archive-date = 2008-09-07 |title = Cartel's Profile on Buzznet |url = http://cartel.buzznet.com/user/ |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080724164532/http://cartel.buzznet.com/user/ |archive-date = 2008-07-24 |title = Boys Like Girls' Profile on Buzznet |url = http://boyslikegirls.buzznet.com/user/ |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080224092936/http://boyslikegirls.buzznet.com/user/ |archive-date = 2008-02-24 |title = Blaqk Audio's Profile on Buzznet |url = http://blaqkaudio.buzznet.com/user/ |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080705053322/http://blaqkaudio.buzznet.com/user/ |archive-date = 2008-07-05 |title = Anberlin's Profile on Buzznet |url = http://thesunpilots.buzznet.com/user/ |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110708105535/http://thesunpilots.buzznet.com/user/ |archive-date = 2011-07-08 | title = The Sunpilots' Profile on Buzznet | url = http://anberlin.buzznet.com/user/ | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081015184637/http://anberlin.buzznet.com/user/ | archive-date = 2008-10-15 |title = Lostprophets' Profile on Buzznet |url = http://lostprophets.buzznet.com/user/ |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080616020238/http://lostprophets.buzznet.com/user/ |archive-date = 2008-06-16
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.
Notes
References
- Buzznet Hits Sweet Spot mashable.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
References
- (September 21, 2016). "SpinMedia Sells Idolator, Buzznet & PureVolume to Hive Media". [[Prometheus Global Media]].
- (August 2023). "Tila's Hot Spot".
- Harding, Cortney (2008-07-26). "Under the Influence", ''[[Billboard (magazine). Billboard]]'' '''120''' (30): 10.
- no byline (2008-05-20). "Buzznet Acquires Alternative Music Community Absolute Punk", ''Science Letter'', p. 3577.
- (July 10, 2012). "BUZZMEDIA Buys Spin". SoCal Tech" High Tech News and Information for Southern California.
- (March 25, 2013). "Buzzmedia Rebrands Itself SpinMedia".
- (2014-02-03). "SpinMedia LLC Acquired By New Investors as SpinMedia Group Receives $10M".
- Bruce Houghton. (August 27, 2012). "Fresh Off Spin Magazine Purchase, BUZZMEDIA Buys 4 Top Punk Rock Sites".
- (September 21, 2016). "SpinMedia Sells Idolator, Buzznet & PureVolume to Hive Media".
- (August 2023). "Music community band photos fashion and celebrities - Buzznet". buzznet.com}}{{dead.
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