Seattle Magazine bought by local tech entrepreneur Sposato

Seattle startup entrepreneur and Geekwire chairman Jonathan Sposato will be taking over the Seattle magazine starting this spring. The move comes in a bid to grow digital presence.

“Seattle is not dying, it’s thriving,” Sposato wrote on Facebook. “I am buying Seattle magazine because I do not want it said that in the years when my generation came of age, that Seattle lost its voice. I believe Seattle’s best days lie ahead and Seattle magazine will tell the stories that shape our city for generations to come.”

Tiger Oak Media, parent company of the Seattle magazine filed for bankruptcy in October 2019, initially making the future of the magazine unclear. The buy-out now brings ownership of the magazine back to Seattle after 30 years in Minneapolis and also allows the magazine to expand into digital media under Sposato’s direction.

“Together, we plan to grow Seattle magazine’s digital presence without sacrificing the beautiful monthly lifestyle publication you’ll still be able to have delivered to your home or pick up in the check-out line,” wrote the magazine. “Expect even more of what you love: provocative storytelling, striking photography and an inside perspective on what makes this city a diverse, exciting, culturally rich place to live.”

The editorial team is optimistic about the future of the magazine.

“Storytelling is more important than ever, and we’re so grateful Jonathan recognizes that as well,” wrote editor-in-chief Chelsea Lin in a statement. “Long live local journalism!”