Puck, a new media company, is to launch its Puck News website in September, according to Axios. The company has been founded by: Joe Purzycki, co-founder of the podcast company Luminary; Jon Kelly, a former New York Times editor and founder of Vanity Fair’s “The Hive”; and longtime digital media executive and early Athletic employee Max Tcheyan.
It aims to cover the intersection between the US media/tech, government and business hubs of California, Washington and New York. Or, in the company’s own words “power, money and ego”.
The name “Puck” is from the humorous, know-it-all character from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, and also apparently a reference to the Puck building in New York, where former Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Graydon Carter created the humour magazine Spy in the 1980s.
The Wrap reports that the “What I’m Hearing…” email newsletter of founding partner Matt Belloni, (ex Hollywood Reporter editorial director) will become part of the membership offering for Puck subscribers who will also have access to a podcast called “The Inner Circle”, and exclusive videos and events.
Puck News has raised $7m in series A funding led by 40 North Media and TPG Growth. It will be operating a membership subscription revenue model at reportedly priced at $75-100 p.a. Amazon, A+E Network, S3 partners and Warner Media are among the launch sponsors. Sound serious.
