Pitchfork, once a niche indie music blog, caught the attention of bankers and venture capitalists as it grew into a tastemaker in the industry. However, founders Ryan Schreiber and Chris Kaskie were hesitant to sell to a partner that would demand rapid growth in exchange for funding. Eventually, Pitchfork partnered with legacy magazine publisher Condé Nast, who saw an opportunity in Pitchfork’s creative voice and direct traffic. Over time, cost-cutting, corporate restructuring, and shifts in digital media began to impact Pitchfork. The site went through digital media spasms, including changes to its video team and the absorption of its design and creative teams. Pitchfork also faced challenges in fitting into Condé Nast’s programmatic advertising sales terms and being placed in the “Men’s” bucket. Frustrations with Condé Nast’s handling of the publication eventually led to the departure of CEO Chris Kaskie and founder Ryan Schreiber. As digital media declined, Pitchfork attempted to diversify its staff and cut costs. Creative friction arose between Pitchfork and Condé Nast over attempts to monetize the festivals in ways that compromised the brand, and there were outlandish suggestions from Condé Nast executives regarding ticket
https://www.semafor.com/article/02/04/2024/inside-conde-nasts-breakup-with-pitchfork