Masters of Scale

Rapid Response: BuzzFeed’s Jonah Peretti: Record-high audience, record-low revenue

Jun 6, 2020

Jonah Peretti, co-founder and CEO of BuzzFeed, shares his insights on navigating the challenges of a pandemic-impacted economy. He discusses record audience highs juxtaposed with financial struggles, stressing the need for resilience and innovative strategies. Peretti highlights BuzzFeed's focus on engaging content, the significance of supporting marginalized voices, and evolving the e-commerce experience into entertainment. He reflects on how crises can clarify purpose and the necessity of adapting to a rapidly changing media landscape.

31:53

Episode guests

Jonah Peretti

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

BuzzFeed's Resilience in Crisis

13min

Navigating the Shift: From Traditional to Digital Partnerships

2min

The Evolution of Online Shopping: From Utility to Entertainment

3min

Navigating Change: BuzzFeed's Adaptive Strategy

14min

Building a Dream: The Journey of a Plant-Based Restaurant

3min

BuzzFeed audience is at record highs. But the pandemic's economic effects have crushed the bottom line. BuzzFeed co-founder and CEO Jonah Peretti shares how his company is making hard decisions to build long-term stability. “But the transition is painful,” he says. While BuzzFeed is leaning into food vertical Tasty, new e-commerce habits, and BuzzFeed News, he worries that businesses like his don't have more resources to support staffers of color. But, he says, there's a clarity of purpose in crisis, in bearing witness to the things that are happening in the world. Interviewed by editor Bob Safian.

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