HitFix

Founders

HitFix was founded by ex-Reed Business Information Development executive Jen Sargent and former L.A. Times and MSN.com film editor Gregory Ellwood. Sargent and Ellwood's goal was to create a site that fit into the gap between trade publications and gossip- or celebrity-scandal-driven sites, such as TMZ, and to target an audience slightly skewed towards males – a unique approach in a female-driven industry – while catering to 18- to 34-year-olds.

Angel investment

HitFix received its first funding from Golden Seeds, the fourth largest angel investment group in the United States, in 2009. Since then, HitFix has twice benefited from investment from the Tech Coast Angels, one of the largest angel investment networks in Southern California. The first such investment came in February 2009 in the amount of $850,000. In June 2010, the Angels added to their commitment investing an additional $1,600,000. In addition to Golden Seeds and Tech Coast Angels, HitFix investors include HBS Angels, Liquid Capital, and Gordon Crawford.

Contributors

Gregory Ellwood

In addition to being one of its co-founders, Ellwood reported on movies and awards for HitFix.

Drew McWeeny

Formerly known as “Moriarty”, McWeeny previously wrote for Ain't It Cool News. In addition to being a screenwriter and movie critic, McWeeny covered the movie industry for HitFix. McWeeny announced his move to HitFix in 2008 in a review of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

On September 20, 2016, McWeeny announced via Twitter that he would no longer be working for Hitfix.

Alan Sepinwall

After 14 years at The Star-Ledger, Sepinwall—also known for his blog, "What's Alan Watching"—moved to HitFix full-time in April 2010. Last spring, NBC executives went so far as to credit Sepinwall by name for his role in earning a renewal for Chuck. Slate credited Sepinwall with having "changed the nature of television criticism".

References

References

1. "Hitfix.com - HitFix - Entertainment News, Events, Exclusives & Reviews for Movies, Film, Television, Music". Site Info Tool.
2. Jones, Deborah. (June 28, 2010). "Tech Coast Angels Joins $1.6m Investment in Hitfix, Unique Content-Driven Entertainment Website". [[Tech Coast Angels]].
3. Carbone, Nick. (August 14, 2011). "Groovy, Baby! Mike Myers Will Return for 'Austin Powers 4′".
4. Boucher, Geoff. (December 13, 2009). "'Avatar' weekend roundup and fearless predictions". Los Angeles Times.
5. (August 13, 2011). "'Austin Powers 4': Mike Myers Signs For New Sequel". [[The Huffington Post]].
6. Malkin, Marc. (July 14, 2010). "The Hulk: Is Mark Ruffalo Replacing Ed Norton?". E!.
7. (May 17, 2012). "Contestants? It's TV talent judges basking in fame, cash". The Daily Herald.
8. Todd Spangler. (April 17, 2014). "Showbiz Site Uproxx Acquired by Guy-Focused Digital Media Firm Woven". [[Variety (magazine).
9. "HitFix - Entertainment News, Events, Exclusives & Reviews for Movies, Film, Television, Music".
10. "Redirect to uproxx.com/hitfix".
11. Thompson, Anne. (December 16, 2008). "New-media startups ramping up".
12. "Interview with Jennifer Sargent, HitFix".
13. (October 18, 2011). "Venture Capital Totals $603.2M In Southern California In Q3". socaltech.com.
14. "Tech Coast Angels Joins $1.6M Investment in HitFix, Unique Content Driven Entertainment Website".
15. McWeeny, Drew. (7 December 2008). "Moriarty Has Seen The Curious Case of Benjamin Button!!". [[Ain't It Cool News]].
16. DrewMcWeeny. (20 September 2016). "I appreciate every one of you who reads my work. I'm not sure where you'll read it next, but it is no longer at HitFix.".
17. Georgian, Laura. (April 26, 2010). "The Star-Ledger's Alan Sepinwall Moves to HitFix.Com". [[Business Wire]].
18. Levin, Josh. (February 14, 2011). "The TV Guide". Slate Magazine.