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'Media Titan' Moves in Small (Even Empty) Websites

Little-known Internet player hitting the big time with simple idea

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 16, 2008 1:29 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Richard Rosenblatt doesn’t work in Silicon Valley and few people, even there, know his name. But in just 2 years his Demand Media has become a huge player, backed by $355 million in private investment, and pulling in nearly $200 million in revenue this year, the Los Angeles Times reports. His big idea is, well, a small one: eat up thousands of niche social-networking websites, the so-called Long Tail of the Internet, and create tailored content that draws the faithful, and by extension, the advertisers.

Demand Media is valued at $1 billion by its investors, and Yahoo has recently expressed interest in purchasing the loose conglomeration of websites and content. Rosenblatt, who has had a storied, if occasionally shady, trip through the Internet era, put his business plan simply. “Google finds the Long Tail,” he said, “and we fill it.” An analyst is ebullient. “Is this a potential out-of-nowhere media titan? This would seem to be, yeah.”

Rosenblatt at an event.
Rosenblatt at an event.   (Getty Images)
Rosenblatt with Carson Daly, et al.
Rosenblatt with Carson Daly, et al.   (Getty Images)
A conference, with Rosenblatt in attendance.
A conference, with Rosenblatt in attendance.   ((c) jurvetson)
Richard Rosenblatt.
Richard Rosenblatt.   (Getty Image)
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Another rising star, imported from Italy
Associated Press

A profile of Rosenblatt, at Demand's inception
Forbes

From the horse's mouth
Demand Media

 
social networking • Internet • Web 2.0 • business • tech companies • Internet advertising • Richard Rosenblatt

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