{{Short description|Defunct American LGBT online media company}} {{Infobox company | name = PlanetOut, Inc. | logo = PlanetOut Inc. Logo.gif | type = Public | foundation = 1995 | defunct = 2009 | successor = Here Media | location = San Francisco, California, United States | key_people = Tom Rielly (Founder/CEO)<br />Jon Huggett (CEO)<br />Megan Smith (CEO)<br />Karen Magee (CEO)<br />Lowell Selvin (Chairman)<br />Mark Elderkin (Founder of Gay.com) | num_employees = 131 | products = Gay.com<br />PlanetOut.com<br />''The Advocate''<br />''Out'' | homepage = [http://www.planetoutinc.com PlanetOutInc.com] }}
'''PlanetOut, Inc.''' was an American online media and entertainment company that targeted the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
It was founded in 1995 by Tom Rielly as an early internet-based media company. PlanetOut began as an independent content provider with a forum on the Microsoft Network (MSN) and also offered services through America Online (AOL).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adweek.com/digital/planetout-merges-here-networks-112650/|title=PlanetOut Merges With Here Networks|publisher=Adweek|date=June 18, 2009}}</ref>
PlanetOut operated several prominent LGBT-focused platforms, including Gay.com and PlanetOut.com, and later acquired well-known print publications such as ''The Advocate'' and ''Out''.
In 2009, PlanetOut merged with Here Networks and Regent Entertainment Media to form Here Media.
==History== PlanetOut launched in August 1995 on the Microsoft Network (MSN). It was founded by Tom Rielly alongside a core team of early staff members, including Darren Nye (MSN Producer and Community Director), Christian Williams (Technical Director), Jenni Olson (Arts & Entertainment Producer, PopcornQ), and Greg Gordon (News Producer).<ref>{{Cite web |title=PlanetOut debuts - new online service targets gay men and lesbians |date=1995-08-21 |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/PlanetOut+closes+$3+million+in+funding+from+American+Online,+Sequoia...-a018654825 }}</ref>
In April 1996, with Rielly serving as President and Jon Huggett as CEO, PlanetOut Inc. closed its first round of funding—a $3 million minority investment from Sequoia Capital and America Online. In September 1996, PlanetOut expanded its services to the web.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global gay and lesbian Internet resource premieres - PlanetOut opens on the Web and AOL |date=1996-09-04 |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/PLANETOUT+DEBUTS%3B+NEW+ONLINE+SERVICE+TARGETS+GAY+MEN+AND+LESBIANS...-a017215489 }}</ref>
By late 1996, internal challenges related to management culture and strategic direction began affecting the company. Rielly was removed as president, and in January 1997, Sequoia Capital withdrew its investment. Most other investors, including AOL, continued to support the company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://adage.com/article/news/planetout-plans-a-reorganization-sequoia-capital-exits-investor-aol-a-backer/69378/ |title=PlanetOut plans a reorganization – Sequoia Capital exits as investor, AOL still backer |date=January 27, 1997}}</ref> Following the leadership shake-up, Huggett departed, and Rielly temporarily returned as CEO.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1001-265946.html |title=Reorg rocks PlanetOut |date=January 29, 1997}}</ref>
PlanetOut was later acquired by Online Partners, the parent company of Gay.com, and the merged company was renamed PlanetOut Partners Inc. The newly formed company became profitable, primarily through Gay.com's subscription-based membership and online advertising revenue. It went public in October 2004, with Lowell Selvin as CEO and Gay.com founder Mark Elderkin as president.
Despite early success, the company began to struggle financially. At the end of 2006, it reported a net loss of $3.7 million on revenues of $68.6 million. While this represented a 93% improvement over 2005 revenues, the acquisition of RSVP Vacations marked a turning point that signaled further financial decline.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2006/09/08/riverboat-cruises-sink-planetouts-forecast.aspx |title=Riverboat Cruises Sink PlanetOut's Forecast |date=2006-09-08 |access-date=2006-09-08}}</ref>
In April 2008, PlanetOut announced a letter of intent to sell its publishing division (LPI) and specialty publications to Regent Releasing, the parent company of Here! Films.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1287258/000095013408006269/f39744e8vk.htm |title=Letter of Intent |date=April 7, 2008 |access-date=2008-05-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sass |first=Erik |title=PlanetOut Is Out Of Publishing (And $26 Million) |journal=MediaDailyNews |date=2008-04-14 |url=http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=80435 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609070729/http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=80435 |archive-date=2009-06-09 }}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Companies based in San Francisco Category:Internet properties established in 1995 Category:LGBTQ-related mass media in the United States Category:Mass media companies of the United States