Atlas Obscura Explained

Atlas Obscura
Commercial:Yes
Type:Travel and Exploration
Registration:2009
Language:English
Owners:-->
Founder:Joshua FoerDylan Thuras
Ceo:Warren Webster
Launch Date:2009
Oclc:960889351

Atlas Obscura is an American-based travel and exploration company.[1] [2] [3] [4] It was founded in 2009 by author Joshua Foer and documentary filmmaker/author Dylan Thuras.[4] [5] It catalogs unusual and obscure travel destinations via professional and user-generated content, operates group trips to destinations around the world, produces a daily podcast, as well as books, TV and film.[6] The brand covers a number of topics including history, science, food, and obscure places.

History

Thuras and Foer met in 2007, and soon discussed ideas for a different kind of atlas, featuring places not commonly found in guidebooks.[7] They hired a web designer in 2008 and launched Atlas Obscura in 2009.[7] Annetta Black was the site's first senior editor.[8]

In 2010, the site organized the first of the international events known as Obscura Day.[9] Thuras has stated that one of the site's main goals is "Creating a real-world community who are engaging with us, each other and these places and getting away from their computers to actually see them." As of 2021, Atlas Obscura has originated Atlas Obscura Societies organizing local experiences in nine cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, and Seattle.

Sommer Mathis (formerly of The Atlantic CityLab) was the site's editor-in-chief from 2017 to 2020. She was succeeded by Samir Patel, formerly of Archaeology magazine, who became the site's editorial director in 2020 and editor-in-chief in 2021.

In October 2014, Atlas Obscura hired journalist David Plotz as its CEO. David Plotz was the site's CEO for five years (October 2014 – November 2019). Warren Webster, former president and CEO of digital publisher Coveteur, and co-founder of website Patch, assumed the position in March 2020.[10] In 2015, Atlas Obscura raised its first round of major funding, securing $2 million from a range of investors and angels including The New York Times.

In September 2016, the company published its first book, Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders written by Foer, Thuras, and Ella Morton under Workman Publishing Company.[11] [12]

Following a second fundraising effort that netted $7.5 million, in late 2017 the site launched Gastro Obscura, a food section covering "the distinctive food locations of the world."[13]

In 2019, Series B funding round raised $20 million from investors like Airbnb (lead investor), A+E Networks and New Atlantic Ventures.[14] [15]

Publications

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: You'll find eclectic L.A. tours like these only at offbeat Atlas Obscura. Sara. Lessley. Los Angeles Times. 30 November 2016.
  2. Web site: 10 of the world's most unusual wonders – chosen by Atlas Obscura. Extracted from Atlas Obscura by Joshua. Foer. Dylan. Thuras. Ella. Morton. 19 September 2016. 30 November 2016. The Guardian.
  3. News: Nine of Canada's most curious sights, courtesy of Atlas Obscura. The Globe and Mail. 30 November 2016.
  4. Web site: About Us . Atlas Obscura. 30 November 2016.
  5. News: Kaufman. Leslie. Slate's Former Top Editor Takes Helm at Travel Site. 16 June 2016. The New York Times. 23 November 2014.
  6. News: Sawers. Paul. Atlas Obscura raises $2M to become a National Geographic for millennials. 3 October 2017. VentureBeat. 27 February 2015.
  7. News: Cooper. Arnie. Celebrating Obscurity. 3 October 2017. The Wall Street Journal. 24 July 2013.
  8. Web site: Black . Annetta . 2009-10-12 . Hello from Annetta . 2024-10-25 . Atlas Obscura . en.
  9. News: Glusa . Elaine . 10 April 2016 . A Day to Explore, Above Ground and Below . 3 October 2017 . The New York Times.
  10. Web site: Warren Webster Will Lead Atlas Obscura. www.adweek.com. 3 March 2020.
  11. Web site: 'Atlas Obscura' Offers a Reference Book for Wonder Seekers. Boston. 30 November 2016.
  12. Book: Atlas Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the World's Hidden Wonders. Workman Publishing Company. 2016. 978-0761169086.
  13. Web site: Atlas Obscura to Expand in Video After Funding Round Led by A+E Networks. . 26 November 2017.
  14. News: Alpert . Lukas I. . Airbnb Leads $20 Million Funding Round Into Atlas Obscura . 2024-02-11 . WSJ . en-US.
  15. Web site: Guaglione . Sara . 2023-01-30 . Atlas Obscura wants to be profitable before raising funds in a tricky media market . 2024-02-11 . Digiday . en-US.
  16. Web site: Reviewed by Andrew Liptak in The Verge. 21 September 2016. 16 May 2019.
  17. Web site: Reviewed by Cindy Helms in New York Journal of Books. 18 September 2018. 12 December 2018.

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