{{Short description|American lifestyle website}} {{use mdy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Infobox website | name = Mandatory | logo = | logocaption = | screenshot = | caption = Screenshot of Mandatory as of February 2021 | url = {{Official URL}} | commercial = Yes | type = Lifestyle, entertainment | registration = | language = English | num_users = | former_name = CraveOnline (2004–2018) | owner = Evolve Media | country = United States | author = | editor = | launch_date = {{Start date|2004|10}} | alexa = | revenue = | current_status = | footnotes = }}
'''Mandatory''' (formerly '''CraveOnline Media''') is a lifestyle website based in Los Angeles with sales offices in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco.<ref>{{Cite web |last=tilters |date=2018-03-27 |title=Evolve Media Announces CraveOnline Has Been Renamed Mandatory |url=https://www.thetilt.com/content/evolve-media-craveonline-renamed-mandatory |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=The Tilt Publishing |language=en-US}}</ref> The site is owned by media company Evolve Media, LLC.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dye |first=Faith |date=2018-04-03 |title=PR Agency News: RIOT Media Group, Men's Style Site Mandatory, Ink & Roses & More |url=https://www.prcouture.com/riot-media-group-ignite-opm-grazia-middle-east-evolve-media-pr-agency-news/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=PR Couture {{!}} Career + Agency + Freelance Resources for Communication Pros |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Digiday |date=2015-09-09 |title=CraveOnline plays up video as it offers broader male lifestyle content |url=https://digiday.com/media/craveonline-plays-video-offers-broader-male-lifestyle-content/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=Digiday |language=en-US}}</ref> Mandatory focuses its contents into the male-lifestyle audience, but it has diversified into content for all. Mandatory owns nine websites and has partnered with more, producing various content for each site. As of February 2021, it is only available in English.
== History == CraveOnline.com was launched by the online media company AtomicOnline, the publishing division of Evolve Media, LLC, in late 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.craveonline.com |date=2004-10-01 |access-date=2012-07-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041001093458/http://www.craveonline.com/|title=Main Page on Launch Day|archive-date=October 1, 2004 }}</ref> CraveOnline was cited in the 2009 book ''The Man's Book: The Essential Guide for the Modern Man'' by Thomas Fink as a top website for men.<ref>{{cite book|last=Thomas Fink|title=The Man's Book: The Essential Guide for the Modern Man|date=6 May 2009|publisher=Little, Brown, 2009|isbn=978-0-316-03364-0|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/mansbookesse00fink}}</ref> Regarding CraveOnline, AskMen.com said, "CraveOnline.com combines entertainment and other interests in one place. Great articles, nice pictures and other cool stuff that you won't want to miss."<ref>{{cite web |last=Lightstone |first=Miranda |url=http://www.askmen.com/daily/sites/2005_oct/oct04.html |title=CraveOnline.com |publisher=AskMen |access-date=2009-07-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705112555/http://www.askmen.com/daily/sites/2005_oct/oct04.html |archive-date=2009-07-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In March 2013, CraveOnline launched its 3D advertising cube for smartphones and tablets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mediaincanada.com/2013/03/11/craveonline-introduces-3d-mobile-cube-unit/|title=CraveOnline introduces 3D mobile cube unit|website=Media in Canada|date=March 11, 2013|access-date=August 28, 2020}}</ref> In May 2013, it launched its own production studio.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.socaltech.com/craveonline_sets_up_its_own_production_studio/s-0049107.html|title=CraveOnline Sets Up Its Own Production Studio|website=Socal Tech|date=May 3, 2013|access-date=August 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2013/may/06/evolve-builds-studio-craveonline/|title=Evolve Builds Studio for CraveOnline|website=Los Angeles Business Journal|date=May 6, 2013|access-date=August 28, 2020}}</ref> In August 2015, CraveOnline was relaunched. Aside from music, the website also began focusing on culture and lifestyle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150805006887/en/CraveOnline-Unveils-Site-Re-launch-Welcomes-Flaunt-EIC|title=CraveOnline Unveils Site Re-launch, Welcomes Former Flaunt EIC to Oversee New Editorial Focus on Lifestyle Content|website=Business Wire|date=August 6, 2015|access-date=August 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://guestofaguest.com/new-york/events/craveonline-relaunches-with-special-guest-editor-julian-casablancas|title=CraveOnline Relaunches With Special Guest Editor Julian Casablancas|website=Guest of a Guest|date=October 6, 2015|access-date=August 28, 2020}}</ref> In March 2018, CraveOnline changed its name to Mandatory, after a popular section of the site of the same name, with a new tagline "Laugh. Learn. Do Some Good."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.econtentmag.com/Articles/News/News-Item/Evolve-Media-Announces-CraveOnline-Has-Been-Renamed-Mandatory-124081.htm|title=Evolve Media Announces CraveOnline Has Been Renamed Mandatory|website=EContent|date=March 27, 2018|access-date=August 28, 2020}}</ref> That same year, the company went through layoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-01 |title=In a brutal media environment, Evolve Media cuts staff |url=https://digiday.com/media/brutal-media-environment-evolve-media-cuts-staff/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=Digiday |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Owned or associated websites == *Film and TV: ''ComingSoon.net'',<ref>{{cite news|title=ComingSoon.net Turns 15!|url=http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=108189|access-date=August 28, 2013|newspaper=ComingSoon.net|date=August 27, 2013|archive-date=October 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027203343/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=108189|url-status=dead}}</ref> SuperHeroHype.com, ''ShockTillYouDrop.com''. *Gaming: ''ActionTrip'', ''GameRevolution'', ''PlayStation LifeStyle''.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} *Sports: ''HockeysFuture.com'', ''Sherdog'','' WrestleZone''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mens-entertainment-aggregator-craveonline-acquires-hoopsvibe/|title=Men's Entertainment Aggregator CraveOnline Acquires HoopsVibe |website=cbsnews.com |date=26 March 2008 |publisher=CBS News}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{Official website}}
Category:American entertainment websites Category:Lifestyle websites Category:American companies established in 2004 Category:Internet properties established in 2004