Complex Networks

This article is about an American media and entertainment company. Not to be confused with complex networks or Complexly.

Complex Networks
FormerlyComplex
Company typeSubsidiary
Industry
PredecessorComplex (magazine) (last issue: December 2016/January 2017)
Founded2002; 22 years ago (2002)
FoundersMarc Ecko
Headquarters
New York City
,
U.S.
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
  • Aaron Levant (CEO)[1]
  • Noah Callahan-Bever (Chief Content Officer) [2]
  • Aria Hughes (Editor-in-Chief) [3]
  • Donnie Kwak (GM)[4]
  • Joe LaPuma (SVP content strategy) Aleksey Baksheyev (CTO, Head of Product)[5]
ParentNTWRK
Websitecomplexnetworks.com

Complex Networks is an American media and entertainment company for youth culture, based in New York City.[6] It was founded as a bi-monthly magazine, Complex, by fashion designer Marc (Ecko) Milecofsky.[7][8][9] Complex Networks reports on popular and emerging trends in style, sneakers, food, music, sports and pop culture.[10] Complex Networks reached over 90 million unique users per month in 2013[11] across its owned and operated and partner sites, socials and YouTube channels.[12][13] The print magazine ceased publication with the December 2016/January 2017 issue.[14] Complex currently has 6.02 million subscribers and 1.8 billion total views on YouTube.[15] As of 2019, the company's yearly revenue was estimated to be US$200 million, 15% of which came from commerce.[16]

Complex Networks has been named by Business Insider as one of the Most Valuable Startups in New York,[17] and Most Valuable Private Companies in the World.[18] Complex Networks CEO Rich Antoniello was named among the Silicon Alley 100.[19] In 2012, the company launched Complex TV, an online broadcasting platform.

In 2016, it became a joint-venture of Verizon and Hearst.[20] Subsequently in 2021, BuzzFeed, Inc. announced the acquisition of the company.[21] In 2024, NTWRK acquired Complex Networks from BuzzFeed for $108 million.[22]

  1. ^ "BuzzFeed Sells Complex to Live Stream Shopping Platform NTWRK in $109M Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. February 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "After BuzzFeed Sale, Complex Names Aria Hughes Editor in Chief and Noah Callahan-Bever Returns as Chief Content Officer". May 14, 2024.
  3. ^ "After BuzzFeed Sale, Complex Names Aria Hughes Editor in Chief and Noah Callahan-Bever Returns as Chief Content Officer". May 14, 2024.
  4. ^ "Complex Networks Taps GMs To Align Creative, Business Efforts". mediapost.com. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  5. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (March 12, 2020). "Complex Networks Names Nick Wang Head Of International Business Development". Deadline. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  6. ^ Spangler, Todd (September 14, 2016). "Verizon, Hearst Form 'Complex Networks' Digital-Video Business, Headed by Rich Antoniello". Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  7. ^ Rys, Dan (December 7, 2016). "Complex Media Shutters Print Magazine After 14 Years". Billboard.
  8. ^ FolioMag: Complex Shuts Down Print Magazine
  9. ^ Sternberg, Josh (April 30, 2012). "How Complex Straddles The Ad Network Publisher Divide". Digiday. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  10. ^ "Complex Networks Partners With Bonsai To Launch The Complex SHOP, A Curated Marketplace That Seamlessly Blends Content And Commerce". prnewswire.com (Press release).
  11. ^ Spangler, Todd (December 6, 2013). "Complex Expands to Give Dudes Their Due". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  12. ^ Robbins, Roni. "Pluto.TV Expands Its Lineup of Web Channels, Including Complex Boosts programming as it takes on traditional TV". AdWeek.
  13. ^ "Premium Content Creators AOL, Network A, Complex, Deca, Maker Studio & Whalerock Bring Original Series & Video Libraries to Dailymotion". Daily Motion. Archived from the original on September 21, 2014.
  14. ^ Tyler McCall (December 8, 2016). "Complex to end print publication". Fashionista. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  15. ^ "Complex". YouTube. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  16. ^ "Complex launching new sneaker marketplace called Sole Collector".
  17. ^ "The 30 Most Valuable Internet Startups in New York". Business Insider. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  18. ^ Shontell, Alyson. "DIGITAL 100 REVISED: The Most Valuable, Private Companies In The World". Business Insider. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  19. ^ Rose Rickey, Megan. "SA 100 2013: The Coolest People in New York Tech". Business Insider. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
  20. ^ "Verizon Hearst Media Partners - Hearst". Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  21. ^ "BuzzFeed Announces Acquisition of Complex Networks, Joining BuzzFeed, BuzzFeed News, HuffPost, and Tasty". Business Wire. June 24, 2021.
  22. ^ Spangler, Todd (February 21, 2024). "BuzzFeed Sells Complex to Ntwrk for $108.6 Million, Will Lay Off 16% of Remaining Workforce". Variety. Retrieved February 25, 2024.