Ozy Media

"Ozy" redirects here. For the webcomic, see Ozy and Millie.

Ozy Media
Company typePrivate
Industry
FoundedSeptember 2013; 11 years ago (2013-09)
Founders
  • Carlos Watson (co-founder and CEO)
  • Samir Rao (co-founder and COO)
DefunctMarch 1, 2023; 20 months ago (2023-03-01)
FateShut down after multiple fraud charges
Headquarters
Mountain View, California
,
U.S.
Websitewww.ozy.com Edit this at Wikidata

Ozy Media (styled as OZY) was an American media and entertainment company launched in September 2013 by Carlos Watson and Samir Rao.[1][2][3][4] It was headquartered in Mountain View, California, with an additional office in New York City.

On September 27, 2021, The New York Times reported a series of scandals at Ozy involving fraud and executive misbehavior.[5] On October 1, after significant negative media attention,[2][6] Ozy's board of directors announced that the company would cease operations.[7] On October 4, Watson announced that the company would remain in operation with a significantly reduced board of directors.[8][9][10][11][12]

The Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission opened investigations into the company.[13] In February 2023 three executives, including both founders, were charged with fraud.[14] Ozy ceased operations, and its website went offline, on March 1, 2023.[15]

On July 16, 2024, Ozy Media and co-founder Watson were convicted of fraud at trial. Co-founder and COO Rao and chief of staff Suzee Han had pleaded guilty and cooperated with the prosecution.[16]

  1. ^ "Interview mit OZY-Gründer Carlos Watson: 'New York Times, Buzzfeed – und natürlich wir!'". RollingStone.de (in German). June 6, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Shontell, Alyson (September 16, 2013). "Former MSNBC Anchor Launches Ozy, A Fresh News Site With Money From Laurene Powell Jobs". BusinessInsider.com. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  3. ^ Ariens, Chris (September 16, 2013). "The WebNewser Ticker: Watson & OZY, Baier & Bing, 'Stars' & Facebook". MediaBistro.com. Retrieved March 15, 2017.
  4. ^ Spangler, Todd, "Digital News Startup Ozy Media Raises $10 Million to Expand Video Team, Hire More Journalists", Variety, January 24, 2017.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYT2021-09-27 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Smith, Ben (October 1, 2021). "Ozy Media Will Shut Down". The New York Times. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  8. ^ Spangler, Todd (October 4, 2021). "Ozy Media Is Not Shutting Down After All, CEO Carlos Watson Says". Variety. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  9. ^ Seamons, Kate (October 4, 2021). "'This Is Our Lazarus Moment': OZY Reverses Closure Decision". Newser. Newser, LLC. Retrieved October 4, 2021. After the company's board on Friday announced Ozy was immediately shuttering following bombshell reporting from Ben Smith at the New York Times, Ozy CEO Carlos Watson told the Today show on Monday that the doors were staying open. 'We're going to open for business, so we're making news today. This is our Lazarus moment, if you will, this is our Tylenol moment. Last week was traumatic, it was difficult, heartbreaking in many ways.'
  10. ^ "Ozy Media CEO Carlos Watson speaks out exclusively on TODAY". TODAY.com. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  11. ^ Fischer, Sarah (October 4, 2021). "Carlos Watson plans to relaunch OZY, despite significant setbacks". Axios. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  12. ^ Smith, Ben (October 4, 2021). "After Ozy's Carlos Watson Talks of a Comeback, a Key Investor Objects". New York Times. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  13. ^ Smith, Ben; Protess, Ben (November 10, 2021). "Ozy Media Faces Federal Investigations". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Spangler, Todd (March 1, 2023). "Ozy Media Shuts Down After Founder Carlos Watson Charged With Fraud, Identity Theft". Variety. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
  16. ^ Fanelli, James (July 16, 2024). "Ozy Media and CEO Carlos Watson Convicted of Fraud". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 16, 2024.