Gizmodo Finds New Home with European Tech Media Company Keleops

Well folks, the rumor mill was churning overtime, and it finally spat out the truth: Gizmodo, the grandaddy of tech news (okay, maybe not *grandaddy*, it’s only years old, but still!), has been scooped up by Keleops, a European tech media company you might not have heard of yet. But trust me, you will.

This whole shebang is just the latest move in G/O Media’s grand game of media chess. They’ve been shuffling their pieces around like crazy lately, buying and selling websites faster than you can say “algorithmic optimization.” But hey, who are we to judge? It’s a jungle out there in the media world.

So, what’s the damage, you ask? Well, nobody’s talking numbers yet. Those financial details are locked up tighter than a brand new iPhone in an Apple store. But one thing’s for sure: this is big news.

The Masterminds Behind the Deal

Let’s meet the players, shall we?

Keleops: The New Kids on the Block (Well, Not Really)

Keleops might sound like a brand of Greek yogurt, but don’t let that fool you. This is a serious tech media company with offices in Switzerland and Paris (ooh la la!). They’ve been around for a hot minute, starting out a decade ago as a performance-marketing firm. Think of them as the cool kids in the European tech scene.

Jean-Guillaume Kleis, the CEO and founder of Keleops, is stoked about the acquisition. And who can blame him? He snagged himself a legendary brand. In a statement that probably cost more than my car, Kleis gushed about Gizmodo’s “iconic status” and “global recognition.” He’s basically the kid who just got the keys to the Ferrari.

G/O Media: The Media Moguls

On the other side of the deal, we have G/O Media, the private-equity backed firm that’s been making waves in the media world. They’re the ones who pried Gizmodo away from Univision back in as part of the great Gizmodo Media Group shuffle of that year. Remember that? Wild times.

G/O Media’s CEO, Jim Spanfeller, is singing Keleops’ praises, emphasizing their commitment to keeping the Gizmodo crew intact. And let’s be real, that’s a big deal. Nobody wants to see their favorite tech writers get the boot. Spanfeller also hinted that the sale price was pretty darn attractive. Cha-ching!

What’s Next for Gizmodo?

Okay, so Gizmodo has a new owner. Now what? Well, for starters, nobody’s getting fired. That’s right, the entire Gizmodo team is sticking around, which means you can expect the same great (and sometimes slightly unhinged) tech coverage you know and love.

And don’t worry, Gizmodo isn’t packing up and moving to Europe (yet). Their headquarters will stay put in the Big Apple for now. But with Keleops’ ambitions to double their audience size, who knows what the future holds?

Speaking of audience, Keleops is about to get a whole lot bigger. Gizmodo brings a whopping million monthly unique visitors to the table. That’s a lot of eyeballs, folks. And it’s not just Gizmodo, either. Keleops is also inheriting the whole Gizmodo fam, including everyone’s favorite sci-fi and fantasy blog, io9.

This diverse portfolio is going to fit in nicely with Keleops’ existing brands, which include names you might recognize if you’re fluent in French tech websites: 01net, Journal du Geek, Presse Citron, and iPhon.fr. It’s like a European tech media Voltron, and they’re forming right before our very eyes.

G/O Media: Slimming Down and Gearing Up

This whole Gizmodo switcheroo is just the latest chapter in G/O Media’s ongoing quest to, well, become a lean, mean media machine. They’ve been shedding websites like a snake sheds its skin, divesting themselves of properties faster than you can say “synergy.” (Okay, maybe not that fast, but you get the idea.)

Remember The Onion? Yeah, G/O Media sold that satirical gem to Jeff Lawson, the big cheese over at Twilio, back in April . And who could forget the great AV Club exodus? They shipped that bad boy off to Paste Magazine, along with Jezebel, which, let’s be honest, G/O Media kinda sorta shut down before reviving it like a digital phoenix. Oh, and Deadspin? Gone too. Lineup Publishing scooped them up after G/O Media, well, you know the drill.

And let’s not forget Lifehacker, the OG life-hack haven. They got snapped up by Ziff Davis back in March . It’s enough to make your head spin, right?

What’s Left in G/O Media’s Toy Chest?

So, after all that selling and shaking, what’s left in G/O Media’s arsenal? Well, they’ve still got some heavy hitters in the game.

• Kotaku: The go-to destination for all things gaming. From console to PC, esports to indie darlings, Kotaku’s got you covered.
• Jalopnik: Calling all gearheads! Jalopnik is a haven for car enthusiasts, with news, reviews, and enough engine porn to make your head spin.
• The Root: A vital voice in Black news and culture, The Root tackles the issues that matter with insight, intelligence, and a healthy dose of wit.
• The Inventory: Need a new gadget? The Inventory is G/O Media’s e-commerce playground, offering up reviews and recommendations for everything from headphones to robot vacuums.
• Quartz: The new kid on the block, relatively speaking. G/O Media snagged this business news site back in . Think of it as the Wall Street Journal for the millennial set.

Is G/O Media Down for the Count? Not So Fast

So, G/O Media’s been doing some serious downsizing. Does that mean they’re throwing in the towel? Not according to Jim Spanfeller. He’s still singing a tune about G/O Media’s future, citing Gizmodo’s strong brand recognition (which, let’s be real, is undeniable) and its talented team (again, true). Plus, he’s banking on an improving advertising market to boost those revenue streams.

Only time will tell if G/O Media’s strategy will pay off. But one thing’s for sure: the media landscape is changing faster than ever, and only the most adaptable will survive. Will G/O Media be one of them? Stay tuned, folks. This is one story that’s far from over.