{{Short description|American news website}} {{Italic title}} {{Use American English|date=August 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}} {{Infobox website | name = ''Axios'' | logo = Axios logo (2020).svg{{!}}class=skin-invert | screenshot = {{#invoke:InfoboxImage|InfoboxImage|image=Axios screenshot (September 2020).png|upright=1}} | caption = Homepage on September 3, 2020 | collapsible = yes | employees = 500 (2022)<ref name=wapo-cox>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/08/08/axios-cox-sale/ |title=Axios, valued at $525 million, to be sold to Cox Enterprises in major media deal |date=2022-08-08 |last=Farhi |first=Paul |newspaper=The Washington Post |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-date=August 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813015908/https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/08/08/axios-cox-sale/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | url = {{official url}} | commercial = Yes | type = News | language = English | owner = Cox Enterprises | founder = {{ublist|Jim VandeHei|Mike Allen|Roy Schwartz}} | key_people = {{ublist|Jim VandeHei (CEO)|Mike Allen (executive editor)|Roy Schwartz (president)}} | launch_date = {{start date and age|2016}} | current_status = Active | advertising = Native }} '''''Axios''''' (styled '''ΛXIOS''' in the logo) is an American news website based in Arlington, Virginia. It was founded in 2016 and launched the following year by former ''Politico'' journalists Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz. The site's name is based on the {{langx|grc|ἄξιος}} {{transliteration|grc|ắxĭos}}, meaning "worthy".<ref name="VF1">{{Cite web|last=Ellison|first=Sarah|author-link=Sarah Ellison|date=2016-11-30|title=Exclusive: Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei Reveal Their Plan for Media Domination|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/11/mike-allen-and-jim-vandehei-reveal-their-plan-for-media-domination-axios|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204045748/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/11/mike-allen-and-jim-vandehei-reveal-their-plan-for-media-domination-axios|archive-date=2018-12-04|access-date=2020-09-15|website=Vanity Fair|language=en-us}}</ref>
''Axios'' articles are often brief to facilitate quick reading; most are shorter than 300 words and use bullet points. In addition to news articles, ''Axios'' produces daily and weekly industry-specific newsletters (including Allen's ''Axios AM'', a successor to his newsletter ''Politico Playbook'' for ''Politico'').<ref name="VF1" />
On September 1, 2022, Cox Enterprises completed its acquisition of ''Axios'' for $525 million.<ref name=arlnow>{{cite web |date=September 15, 2022 |title=Following $525 million sale, Clarendon-based Axios aims to make its local newsletters ubiquitous |url=https://www.arlnow.com/2022/09/15/following-525-million-sale-clarendon-based-axios-aims-to-make-its-local-newsletters-ubiquitous/ |work=ARLnow |access-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018054727/https://www.arlnow.com/2022/09/15/following-525-million-sale-clarendon-based-axios-aims-to-make-its-local-newsletters-ubiquitous/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Sara |date=2022-08-08 |title=Axios agrees to sell to Cox Enterprises for $525 million |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/08/08/axios-agrees-to-sell-to-cox-enterprises-for-525-million |access-date=2026-04-16 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref>
== History ==
VandeHei said he wanted ''Axios'' to be a "mix between ''The Economist'' and Twitter", which attracted criticism.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/142441/axios-donald-trump-made|title=Axios and Donald Trump Are Made For Each Other|last=Shephard|first=Alex|date=2017-05-02|magazine=The New Republic|access-date=2019-05-18|issn=0028-6583|archive-date=June 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627201520/https://newrepublic.com/article/142441/axios-donald-trump-made|url-status=live}}</ref> The company initially covered a mix of business, politics, technology, health care, and media. VandeHei said ''Axios'' would focus on the "collision between tech and areas such as bureaucracy, healthcare, energy, and the transportation infrastructure".<ref name="VF1" /> At launch, Nicholas Johnston, a former managing editor at Bloomberg L.P., was named editor-in-chief.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/politico-co-founder-jim-vandehei-to-launch-news-venture-for-professionals-1473201458 |title=Politico Co-Founder Jim VandeHei to Launch News Venture for Professionals |last=Alpert |first=Lukas I. |date=September 6, 2016 |work=The Wall Street Journal |location=New York |access-date=November 27, 2017 |archive-date=November 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127010816/https://www.wsj.com/articles/politico-co-founder-jim-vandehei-to-launch-news-venture-for-professionals-1473201458 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2016, ''Axios'' secured $10 million in a round of financing led by Lerer Hippeau Ventures. Backers include media-partner NBC News, Laurene Powell Jobs' Emerson Collective, Greycroft Partners, and David and Katherine Bradley, owners of Atlantic Media.<ref name="VF1" /> The company had raised $30 million {{as of|2017|11|lc=on}}.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/142441/axios-donald-trump-made|title=Axios and Donald Trump Are Made For Each Other|last=Shephard|first=Alex|date=May 2, 2017|magazine=New Republic|access-date=May 14, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=June 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190627201520/https://newrepublic.com/article/142441/axios-donald-trump-made|url-status=live}}</ref> It planned to focus on "business, technology, politics, and media trends".<ref name="VF1" /> ''Axios'' generates revenue through short-form native advertising and sponsored newsletters.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.adweek.com/digital/why-axios-is-betting-big-on-native-content-sponsored-events-and-branded-newsletters/ |title=Why Axios Is Betting Big on Native Content, Sponsored Events and Branded Newsletters |last1=Sutton |first1=Kelsey |date=November 20, 2018 |access-date=March 26, 2019 |work=AdWeek |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026110510/https://www.adweek.com/digital/why-axios-is-betting-big-on-native-content-sponsored-events-and-branded-newsletters/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It earned more than $10 million in revenue in its first seven months.<ref name=":3" />
In January 2017, ''Axios'' hired as an executive vice president Evan Ryan, the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs and a former staffer for Vice President Joe Biden.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/01/jim-vandehei-and-mike-allen-hire-washington-insiders-to-run-axios|title=Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen Bring on Washington Insiders to Help Run Axios|last=Fox|first=Emily Jane|work=The Hive|access-date=November 27, 2017|language=en|date=January 3, 2017|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211041743/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/01/jim-vandehei-and-mike-allen-hire-washington-insiders-to-run-axios|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Axios'' had 6 million unique visitors in September 2017, according to Comscore. {{As of|2017|November}}, ''Axios'' said it had 200,000 subscribers to 11 newsletters, with an average open rate of 52 percent. The same month, it said it would use a new $20 million investment to expand data analysis, product development, fund audience growth, and increase staff to 150, up from 89.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/axios-raises-20-million-to-fund-newsroom-expansion-1510853567 |title=Axios Raises $20 Million to Fund Newsroom Expansion |last=Mullin |first=Benjamin |date=November 17, 2017 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=November 27, 2017 |archive-date=June 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608114909/https://www.wsj.com/articles/axios-raises-20-million-to-fund-newsroom-expansion-1510853567 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In March and April 2019, ''HuffPost'' and ''Wired'' reported that ''Axios'' had paid a firm to improve its reputation by lobbying for changes to the Wikipedia articles on ''Axios'' and Jonathan Swan.<ref name="HuffPost">{{cite news|title=Facebook, Axios And NBC Paid This Guy To Whitewash Wikipedia Pages|author-last1=Feinberg|author-first1= Ashley|author-link=Ashley Feinberg|date=March 14, 2019|access-date=May 17, 2019|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/wikipedia-paid-editing-pr-facebook-nbc-axios_n_5c63321be4b03de942967225|website=HuffPost|archive-date=April 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408121951/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/wikipedia-paid-editing-pr-facebook-nbc-axios_n_5c63321be4b03de942967225|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Wired">{{cite magazine |last1=Cohen |first1=Noam |author-link=Noam Cohen |title=Want to Know How to Build a Better Democracy? Ask Wikipedia |url=https://www.wired.com/story/want-to-know-how-to-build-a-better-democracy-ask-wikipedia/ |magazine=Wired |date=April 7, 2019 |access-date=May 17, 2019 |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408021128/https://www.wired.com/story/want-to-know-how-to-build-a-better-democracy-ask-wikipedia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In July 2020, under the first presidency of Donald Trump, ''Axios'' received $4.8 million in federal loans from the Paycheck Protection Program for salary replacement during the COVID-19 pandemic. It later returned the money, with VandeHei explaining that the loans had become "politically polarizing".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Farhi |first1=Paul |title=Axios returns coronavirus bailout loan as news organizations grapple with the ethics of taking government funds |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/should-news-organizations-take-coronavirus-bailout-loans-while-some-fear-a-conflict-of-interest-many-are-desperate-for-cash/2020/04/29/0b767830-88cf-11ea-8ac1-bfb250876b7a_story.html |access-date=9 March 2021 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=29 April 2020 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128025436/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/should-news-organizations-take-coronavirus-bailout-loans-while-some-fear-a-conflict-of-interest-many-are-desperate-for-cash/2020/04/29/0b767830-88cf-11ea-8ac1-bfb250876b7a_story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2020, ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported that ''Axios'' was on track to be profitable in 2020 "despite the economic turmoil stemming from the coronavirus that led to broad layoffs and pay cuts at many media outlets".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/digital-news-startup-axios-weathers-covid-with-sponsored-newsletters-11601463601 |title=Axios Is Growing and Profitable Despite Bleak News Landscape |date=30 September 2020 |first1=Lukas |last1=Alpert |work=The Wall Street Journal |location=New York |access-date=October 2, 2020 |archive-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607205330/https://www.wsj.com/articles/digital-news-startup-axios-weathers-covid-with-sponsored-newsletters-11601463601 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In May 2021, ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported that merger discussions between ''Axios'' and ''The Athletic'' had ended, with ''The Athletic'' opting to pursue a deal with ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Athletic Halts Merger Talks With Axios, Eyes New York Times|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/sports-media-outlet-the-athletic-shifts-its-search-for-merger-partner-11620317675|date=6 May 2021|publisher=The Wall Street Journal|first=Benjamin|last=Mullin|access-date=May 11, 2021|archive-date=June 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603103938/https://www.wsj.com/articles/sports-media-outlet-the-athletic-shifts-its-search-for-merger-partner-11620317675|url-status=live}}</ref>
On August 8, 2022, ''Axios'' announced that it had been sold to Cox Enterprises for $525 million. As part of the transaction, Axios spun out Axios HQ as a separate software company.<ref name="NYTimesSold">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/08/business/media/axios-cox-enterprises.html |title=Axios Agrees to Sell Itself to Cox Enterprises for $525 Million |date=August 8, 2022 |last=Mullin |first=Benjamin |work=The New York Times |access-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-date=August 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220827204419/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/08/business/media/axios-cox-enterprises.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Benton |first=Joshua |author-link=Joshua Benton |date=August 9, 2022 |title=Axios sells for $525 million, to a company that seemed to be getting out of the media business |url=https://www.niemanlab.org/2022/08/axios-sells-for-525-million-to-a-company-that-seemed-to-be-getting-out-of-the-media-business/ |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=Nieman Lab |archive-date=August 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820170035/https://www.niemanlab.org/2022/08/axios-sells-for-525-million-to-a-company-that-seemed-to-be-getting-out-of-the-media-business/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to the deal, Cox owns 70% of the company, while ''Axios'' employees and its founders retain ownership of the remaining 30%.<ref name="wapo-cox" /> The acquisition was completed the following month.<ref name="arlnow" />
Since 2021, ''Axios'' has launched a network of local newsletters across the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Turvill |first=William |date=2022-01-20 |title=A new model for local news? Axios Local and 6am City plan launch of 100+ newsletters across US |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/news/new-model-for-local-news-axios-local-6am-city-roll-out-100-us-cities/ |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=Press Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref> The company has also focused on growing its events business.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barber |first=Kayleigh |date=2023-10-12 |title=Media Briefing: How Axios, Bloomberg and Semafor grew their events revenue in 2023 |url=https://digiday.com/media/media-briefing-how-axios-bloomberg-and-semafor-grew-their-events-revenue-in-2023/ |access-date=2024-09-10 |website=Digiday |language=en-US}}</ref>
In March 2023, ''Axios'' fired Ben Montgomery, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, after he described as "propaganda" a Florida Department of Education press release about an event hosted by Governor Ron DeSantis "exposing the diversity equity and inclusion scam in higher education".<ref>{{cite news |title=Fla. reporter fired after calling news release on DeSantis event 'propaganda' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2023/03/15/axios-reporter-ben-montgomery-fired/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230316120546/https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2023/03/15/axios-reporter-ben-montgomery-fired/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 15, 2023 |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-date=March 16, 2023|url-status=live|author-first1=Dan|author-last1=Rosenzweig-Ziff|author-first2=Sonia|author-last2=Rao}}</ref>
In August 2024, ''Axios'' laid off 50 employees, which amounted to 10% of total staff.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robertson |first=Katie |date=2024-08-06 |title=Axios Laying Off 10% of Staff |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/06/business/media/axios-layoffs.html |access-date=2024-08-07 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
== Content ==
''Axios'' content is designed for digital platforms, such as Facebook and Snapchat, as well as its own website.<ref name="VF1" /> Its articles are typically less than 300 words long, as most Axios content is geared for quick, concise reads.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/17/media-startup-axios-raises-another-20-million/ |title=Media startup Axios raises another $20 million |last=Dillet |first=Romain |work=TechCrunch |date=November 17, 2017 |access-date=November 27, 2017 |archive-date=June 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608114905/https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/17/media-startup-axios-raises-another-20-million/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition to its website, Axios content is distributed via newsletters covering politics, technology, healthcare, and other subjects.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Katie |date=April 11, 2024 |title=Axios Sees A.I. Coming, and Shifts Its Strategy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/11/business/media/axios-ai-strategy.html |website=New York Times}}</ref> Among the newsletters is a daily report by co-founder Mike Allen, who formerly wrote ''Politico''{{'}}s Playbook newsletter.<ref name="VF1" /> Some Axios newsletters are free, while others are paid. The company sells a subscription service called ''Axios Pro,'' which bundles several paid newsletters, starting at $599 a year.<ref name=":1" />
''Axios'' reporters have made television appearances on NBC News and MSNBC through an agreement with NBC which was secured in 2017.<ref name=":4" /> Its NBC Universal partnership has featured co-founder Mike Allen on MSNBC's show ''Morning Joe''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2017/01/24/nbc-boosts-axios-out-of-the-gate/ |title=NBC boosts Axios out of the gate |last=Wemple |first=Erik |date=January 24, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=December 29, 2017 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=March 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322211939/https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2017/01/24/nbc-boosts-axios-out-of-the-gate/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/01/09/mike_allen_axios_is_for_what_you_would_talk_about_with_your_smart_friend.html|title=Mike Allen: Axios Is For What You Would Talk About With Your "Smart Friend"|publisher=realclearpolitics.com|access-date=December 29, 2017|archive-date=August 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814213422/https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2017/01/09/mike_allen_axios_is_for_what_you_would_talk_about_with_your_smart_friend.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2021, the documentary series ''Axios'' on HBO won the News and Documentary Emmy Award for Outstanding Interview for its interview with President Donald Trump conducted by Jonathan Swan.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meade |first=Amanda |date=2021-09-29 |title=Australian journalist Jonathan Swan wins Emmy for his viral interview with Donald Trump |language=en-GB |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/sep/29/australian-journalist-jonathan-swan-wins-emmy-for-his-viral-interview-with-donald-trump |access-date=2023-09-20 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=September 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230913021214/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/sep/29/australian-journalist-jonathan-swan-wins-emmy-for-his-viral-interview-with-donald-trump |url-status=live }}</ref>
In May 2026, a report by Press Gazette revealed that Axios had cut content output by 22% in the first quarter of the year, while traffic increased 30%, signaling a change in editorial approach.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tobitt |first=Charlotte |date=2026-05-07 |title=Output down, page views up: Axios shifts from volume to value |url=https://pressgazette.co.uk/north-america/axios-page-views-output-less-is-more-strategy/ |access-date=2026-05-15 |website=Press Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Journalism|Politics}} * FiveThirtyEight * RealClearPolitics * Wiktionary {{langx|grc|ἄξιος}} ({{transliteration|el|áxios}})
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website}}
{{COX}}
Category:2016 establishments in Virginia Category:2022 mergers and acquisitions Category:American news websites Category:Companies based in Arlington County, Virginia Category:Cox Enterprises Category:Internet properties established in 2017 Category:Mass media companies established in 2016 Category:Podcasting companies