Digital Media Veteran Stephen Blackwell Named CEO of SpinMedia

NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Stephen Blackwell has been named Chief Executive Officer at SpinMedia, the fast-growing network of pop culture, music, and entertainment websites and mobile offerings. In his new role, Blackwell will be responsible for day-to-day operations, traffic, and revenue growth across multiple platforms including social, mobile, events and talent acquisition.

Blackwell is the founder of the popular and critically acclaimed indie music and pop culture publication and website Death and Taxes, which SpinMedia acquired in July.  In a sharp increase from 2013, Death and Taxes traffic grew +300% in the first half of 2014, with multiple months exceeding +1 million unique visitors (Source: comScore). 

"I am thrilled to lead SpinMedia into an exciting new era," said Blackwell. "Our audience is young, vibrant and fully engaged in all forms of media and our brands, scale and digital assets have perfectly positioned Spin to capture the benefits of mobile and social growth across the web. Dale built an exceptionally strong and talented team—he will continue to be a valuable resource in our evolution."

Blackwell succeeds Dale Strang, who will remain with the company as Chairman. Said Strang, "We knew that SpinMedia was gaining a talent in Stephen when we acquired Death and Taxes earlier this year, and I am excited about him putting his entrepreneurial stamp on the company." 

About SpinMedia Group:  SpinMedia Group is a digital-first media company connecting a vast network of entertainment and music fans to the content, celebrities, and brands they love. We're the passionate fans behind some of the web's most loved sites and we harness our collective pop culture obsession to create authentic connections through online content, social and mobile platforms, events and integrated marketing programs. Through iconic brands such as SPIN, VIBE, Celebuzz, Buzznet, The Frisky, Idolator and Stereogum, SpinMedia Group provides brands with authentic and credible connections to fans by feeding pop culture obsessions now with nearly 25 million U.S. comScore uniques (June 2014).

SOURCE SpinMedia Group