Publication History
Quincy Jones launched Vibe in 1993, in partnership with Time Inc. Originally, the publication had been called Volume before co-founding editor, Scott Poulson-Bryant gave it the name Vibe. Though hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons was rumored to be an initial partner, publisher Len Burnett revealed in a March 2007 interview that Simmons clashed with editor-in-chief Jonathan Van Meter. Miller Publishing bought Vibe in 1996, and shortly afterward bought Spin. Private equity firm, The Wicks Group, bought the magazine in 2006.
Jonathan Van Meter's successors were Alan Light, Danyel Smith, Emil Wilbikin, Mimi Valdes, and finally Danyel Smith again. On June 30, 2009, it was announced that Vibe was shutting its doors and ceasing publication immediately, although according to Essence, Quincy Jones has stated he would like to keep it alive online.
After shutting down, private equity investment fund InterMedia Partners, LP bought Vibe Magazine. They have said they "feel privileged to purchase and resurrect such a storied brand." They added Uptown magazine to Vibe's parent company, Vibe Holdings. Ron Burkle and Magic Johnson later invested in the company. Vibe Holdings merged with BlackBook Media to form Vibe Media in 2012.
On April 25, 2013 it was announced that Vibe Magazine along with Vibe.com and VibeVixen.com had been sold to Spin Media for an undisclosed sum. Spin Media is likely to shut down Vibe's print magazine by the end of 2013, which a representative stating: "We’re still trying to find a print model that makes economic sense in the digital age."
Read more about this topic: Vibe Media Group
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