The Messenger

Wouldn't it be better for the owners to accept a good offer rather than folding? What kind of tax benefits would they get for just folding it?

 

The Messenger, Which Aimed to Transform Media, Faces Dire Financial Straits

 

Why does everyone say they’re going to transform this or put that out of business? Nothing wrong with a little ambition, but how about getting your legs under you at first before you make silly bold predictions about how wonderful and vital your product is/will be?

 

I wonder if this doesn't have something to do with the cultures of the places that fund these media startups.

 

Probably. The most ridiculous was The Athletic, which pledged to put the newspaper sports page out of business... until it was bought by a newspaper company. I suppose they did put the NYT sports page out of business.

 

FWIW, since this thread popped up, I've been reading The Messenger and there are several informative and well written long-form articles on it.

 

EDIT: I’m told the Messenger will shut down tomorrow.

From the Daily Beast:

Troubled media startup The Messenger, which has been desperately trying to raise money in recent weeks to stay afloat, is expected to tell
employees this week whether the site will shut down or the fundraising efforts have been successful ...

 

Guessing that meeting didn't go well.



FWIW I had thought about applying there way back when but I friend who is well connected in digital circles said they had no plan and it wouldn't last. Was hoping he'd be wrong but figured he'd be right. Unfortunately.

 

The Messenger is shutting down (axios.com)

 

https://nypost.com/2024/01/31/media/the-messenger-will-shut-down-after-less-than-a-year/

 

The Messenger to Close After Less Than a Year (New York Times)

 

There’s something fiendishly American about blowing through $50 million in less than a year on a poorly planned, poorly executed enterprise and having no money left for severance.