This Media Company Used Hip Hop and Sneakers to Attract 55 Million Viewers and Sell for Over $250 Million

Andrew Medal chats with Rich Antoniello about how Complex Media is redefining the culture by sparking conversation through hip hop, sneakers, tech, news and sports.

By Andrew Medal edited by Dan Bova Jan 26, 2018
Andrew Medal

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Rich Antoniello is the co-founder and CEO of Complex Media. Complex is the intersection of all things pop culture, from hip-hop to sneakers, and dominates the male market of 18- to 24-year-olds with 55 million monthly viewers. Through the company’s latest annual conference, ComplexCon, it’s now disrupting traditional retail by providing a fully immersive experience for event goers. It has been disrupting media for over a decade and caught the attention of Verizon and Hearst, who jointly acquired the company for reportedly well over $250 million in 2016.

Related: This Entrepreneur Built the Hottest Celebrity Spot on the Planet — and a Brand With Staying Power

Rich Antoniello is the co-founder and CEO of Complex Media. Complex is the intersection of all things pop culture, from hip-hop to sneakers, and dominates the male market of 18- to 24-year-olds with 55 million monthly viewers. Through the company’s latest annual conference, ComplexCon, it’s now disrupting traditional retail by providing a fully immersive experience for event goers. It has been disrupting media for over a decade and caught the attention of Verizon and Hearst, who jointly acquired the company for reportedly well over $250 million in 2016.

Related: This Entrepreneur Built the Hottest Celebrity Spot on the Planet — and a Brand With Staying Power

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Andrew Medal

Entrepreneur & Angel Investor at The Paper Chase
Andrew Medal is the founder of The Paper Chase, which is a bi-weekly newsletter. He is an entrepreneur and angel investor.

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