Bustle Digital Group adds Nylon to its portfolio; plans to re-launch print

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Jun 28, 2019

Bustle Digital Group (BDG) has acquired beauty, fashion and entertainment media brand Nylon.

According to a press release, the acquisition is effective immediately, and will include Nylon’s editorial and design teams. BDG also plans to revive Nylon’s print format, which shut down in September 2017.

“Nylon’s bold and colorful legacy has developed a cult like status over the years,” said Bryan Goldberg, CEO and founder of BDG. “We will invest heavily in expanding Nylon's editorial team and advancing its strength in live experiences.”

Nylon’s former president, Evan Luzzatto, will remain as a partner to BDG on the company’s international expansion plans. In addition, Luzzatto will continue to serve as chairman of Socialyte, Nylon’s influencer business that is not included in the sale. 

Nylon joins BDG as the multi-brand media company experiences both growth and turbulence. In 2018, Goldberg acquired Gawker, the media gossip site that filed for bankruptcy in 2016. Later, it was announced that Gawker would re-launch under BDG in 2019. However, the lead-up to the re-launch has been marred by controversy. In January, the site’s only two full-time writers exited in protest of inappropriate office behavior, while earlier this month Ben Barna left his role as senior editor of Gawker after only five months on the job. 

Adding to the controversy are accusations from former Mic employees that Mic, which was purchased by BDG in November 2018, laid off most of its 100-person staff ahead of the acquisition in an attempt to break Mic's editorial union.

With BDG pressing onward, Nylon marks the company’s seventh acquisition since its founding. Other names in BDG’s portfolio include Gawker and Mic, as well as The Zoe Report, Flavorpill Media, The Outline, Bustle, Romper and Elite Daily. 

Since its founding in 1999, Nylon has expanded into nine international markets, including Spain, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Germany, and Mexico.