Buzzfeed to wind down fr.sh partner network and ramp up video offering
Buzzfeed is winding down its current traffic partner network and working on a new network focused solely on growing its video offering.
Change: Buzzfeed is shifting more focus to video
The network of around 200 publishers benefited from a traffic boost through listings on the main Buzzfeed website and its year-old fr.sh platform showcasing the “fastest rising” stories from the web. In return, publishers signing up to the network allowed Buzzfeed access to their data.
However, Buzzfeed last week notified its network that the service will finish up over the next few months and attention will instead turn to video.
“We sent out a note notifying our network of publishers that we are winding down the existing partner network over the coming months,” a spokesperson told The Drum.
“The partner network was an extremely valuable product for us and for partners, but its place has changed as the industry has evolved and Buzzfeed has grown into a fully staffed, global news and entertainment organisation over the last few years.
“Moving forward, we’re really focused on growing video. Currently, we’ve reached over one billion views on YouTube and are now exploring a new partner network honing in on growing video even further.
“We’re still in the early planning stages on what that network will look like but we imagine it will involve distribution, traffic shares and revenue shared with other publishers on the web.”
Buzzfeed’s vice-president of advertising Will Hayward and creative director Philip Byrne will speak at upcoming The Drum Live event in London about the creation and distribution of shareable content. Find out more agenda details and book your place here.