SmugMug acquires This Week in Photo network to expand content portfolio
SmugMug announced the acquisition of photography podcast network This Week in Photo (TWiP), and the addition of TWIP Editor in Chief, professional photographer, and industry influencer Frederick Van Johnson, to the SmugMug team to lead content and new media while continuing to grow and evolve This Week in Photo.
“It’s an ideal match,” says SmugMug+Flickr VP of Marketing Scott Kinzie. “Our purpose at SmugMug is building a better world through the power of photography, and This Week in Photo has been inspiring, educating, and connecting photographers for more than a decade. Naturally, we’re massive fans of [Johnson’s] work.”
“Frankly, it’s time for TWiP to evolve,” Johnson adds. “I’ve built a wonderful podcast and community of photographers, but I believe TWiP can reach many more photographers, produce more amazing content, and expand the dialogue around photography — and its impact on our world. I just had to find the right team to work with, and SmugMug is the obvious choice because of its unprecedented brand recognition and reach into the photography industry.’
“We’re among very few truly photographer-centric brands worldwide,” says Kinzie. “We’re always looking for opportunities to support these cornerstones of the photographic community, so when we realized Frederick shared our vision for the future of photography, it became clear that this relationship was great not only for photographers but also for the art of photography itself.”
Since 2008, professional photographer and marketer Frederick Van Johnson has honed the TWiP brand and network, which now boasts weekly photo critiques, interviews, courses, tech reviews, and more.
“A decade ago, it was all about gear and the latest tech,” he says. “They also wanted to know how to build a portfolio or gallery with the tools of the time. People still love their gear, but today we’re increasingly seeing folks get into business, trying to make a go of it as a pro photographer. I’ve long admired SmugMug’s commitment to empowering photographers since signing up in 2004. I’m stoked to join them in their mission of getting more photographers informed, inspired, and entertained—it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.”