PaidContent sold to Guardian News & Media

Business Publisher, August 1, 2008

Guardian News & Media (GMN, London) has acquired PaidContent (Santa Monica, CA), a publisher of four specialist blogs covering the global digital and mobile content industries, including paidContent.org, from management, including company founder Rafat All, and investment firm Greycroft Partners (New York). GMN said the deal is part of its U.S. expansion. GMN paid approximately $30 million for the assets.

ContentNext is an independent media and information company covering the business of digital media. The company operates paidContent.org, mocoNews.net, contentSutra.com and paidContent:UK. Established in 2002, the company's news sites are targeted to professionals and senior executives in the digital media and entertainment industries and cover the "economic evolution of digital content that is shaping the future of the media, information and entertainment industries. Our belief is that in the near future, all media will be digital media, and we are helping define sustainable business models and innovation within this sector," ContentNext said.

paidContent.org provides global coverage of the business of digital media with news categorized by topic, including advertising, social media, music, magazines, gaming and spots, mocoNews.net is a news site covering the business of mobile content while contentSutra is a news site covering India's digital content market, paidContent:UK covers the business of digital media for the U.K. and European markets.

The company has also branched into the events market with meetings on the economics of social media, digital media for business and the health content market, as well as networking events for digital executives. Upcoming events include EconMusic Conference, Future of Business Media, EconSports Conference and EconWomen Conference.