SX2 Media Labs

SX2 Media Labs LLC was an American publishing company based in New York City. It was established in 2005 by David Sills and Barry Schwimmer of Stoneybrook Capital, who had previously worked together at the Distance Education Company. The founders described the venture as an effort to build a major information provider for technology enthusiasts. SX2's publishing portfolio centered on two established United States technology titles acquired from CNET Networks: Computer Shopper and the annual College Buying Guide. Computer Shopper had originated in 1979 and was known for its technology-product coverage, buying information, and extensive listings. The College Buying Guide was a once-yearly publication aimed at students and families making technology purchasing decisions for higher education. On February 6, 2006, SX2 Media Labs purchased both publications from CNET Networks. Later that month, on February 26, 2006, Cyber Media (India) Ltd. acquired a 20 percent stake in SX2. The investment represented a minority ownership position in the publisher, although the available reference material does not identify further changes to the company's ownership structure. The company subsequently responded to changes in magazine publishing and technology media consumption by discontinuing the print edition of Computer Shopper in 2009 and moving the publication fully online. This made SX2 an example of a specialist publisher transitioning from a traditional print product to a digital model rather than maintaining a print-and-digital format. In 2012, SX2 Media Labs sold its publishing properties to Ziff Davis. Following that transaction, the company ceased operations. Its business history therefore spans a relatively short period, from its 2005 formation through its acquisition of the Computer Shopper and College Buying Guide properties, the 2009 end of Computer Shopper's print run, and the 2012 sale to Ziff Davis. No reliable information in the supplied reference material establishes a continuing SX2 corporate operation, current management, independent website, or publicly traded status.

SX2 Media Labs was formed in 2005 in New York City by David Sills and Barry Schwimmer, who were associated with Stoneybrook Capital. The two founders had previously worked together at the Distance Education Company, an enterprise connected with the acquisition and later sale of Home Study Schools Corporation. After that earlier business was sold in 2004, Sills and Schwimmer established SX2 with the stated ambition of becoming a substantial information provider for technology enthusiasts. The company entered the publishing market through the acquisition of two established technology titles from CNET Networks. On February 6, 2006, it bought Computer Shopper and the annual College Buying Guide. Computer Shopper had been published since 1979 and occupied a specialist position in consumer technology publishing, while the College Buying Guide provided periodic purchasing information for students and their families. Together, the titles gave SX2 a portfolio spanning regular technology coverage and an annual buying-oriented publication. SX2's ownership structure changed shortly after the CNET transaction. On February 26, 2006, Cyber Media (India) Ltd. acquired a 20 percent stake in the company. The supplied sources do not provide enough information to determine whether this investment was later altered or whether other investors held material interests. The publisher later adapted Computer Shopper to the changing economics of print media and the growing importance of online distribution. In 2009, it stopped publishing the magazine in print and moved the title entirely to digital publication. This was the company's most significant documented product and operating-model change, shifting its principal technology title away from physical magazine distribution. SX2's independent existence ended in 2012. It sold its publishing properties to Ziff Davis, after which SX2 Media Labs ceased operations. The available material does not identify a successor corporate brand, a continuing SX2 website, detailed revenue figures, or a complete list of company officers. The company is therefore best understood as a defunct, privately held specialist publisher whose principal historical significance lies in its ownership and digital transition of Computer Shopper and its publication of the College Buying Guide.

• 2012

  Publishing properties are sold and SX2 ceases operations

  [1]SX2 Media Labsen.wikipedia.org

  SX2 sells its properties to Ziff Davis and subsequently ends its operations.

• 2009

  Computer Shopper moves fully online

  [1]SX2 Media Labsen.wikipedia.org

  SX2 ends the print edition of Computer Shopper and continues the publication as a digital-only property.

• 2006

  SX2 acquires two technology publications

  [1]SX2 Media Labsen.wikipedia.org

  The company purchases Computer Shopper and the annual College Buying Guide from CNET Networks on February 6.

• 2006

  Cyber Media acquires a minority stake

  [1]SX2 Media Labsen.wikipedia.org

  Cyber Media (India) Ltd. obtains a 20 percent interest in SX2 Media Labs on February 26.

• 2005

  SX2 Media Labs is formed

  [1]SX2 Media Labsen.wikipedia.org

  David Sills and Barry Schwimmer establish SX2 Media Labs with the aim of building an information provider for technology enthusiasts.

A specialist technology publisher serving technology enthusiasts and consumers seeking product information and purchasing guidance, with a later emphasis on digital publishing.

• Technology magazine and digital publication · 1979

  Computer Shopper

  Computer Shopper was SX2 Media Labs' principal technology publication. The title, which dated back to 1979, served technology enthusiasts and consumers through product information and buying-oriented coverage. SX2 published it in print after acquiring the title from CNET Networks in 2006, then discontinued the print edition in 2009 and continued it as a fully digital publication. The property was sold to Ziff Davis in 2012.

• Annual technology buying guide

  College Buying Guide

  The College Buying Guide was a once-yearly United States publication owned and published by SX2 Media Labs. It complemented Computer Shopper with purchasing guidance oriented toward college students and their families. SX2 acquired the title from CNET Networks in 2006 and later sold the publishing property to Ziff Davis in 2012.

• 2012

  Sell the publishing properties to Ziff DavisM&A

  Background

  SX2 Media Labs decided to exit the publishing properties it had acquired and operated since 2006.

  Action taken

  The company sold Computer Shopper and the College Buying Guide properties to Ziff Davis.

  Aftermath

  SX2 Media Labs ceased operations after the transaction.

  Source

• 2009

  Convert Computer Shopper to digital-only publishingStrategy

  Background

  SX2's main technology magazine operated in a publishing environment increasingly shaped by online distribution and changing print economics.

  Action taken

  The company discontinued the print edition of Computer Shopper and continued the title entirely online.

  Aftermath

  The move made Computer Shopper a digital-only property until SX2 sold its publishing assets to Ziff Davis in 2012.

  Source

• 2012

  SX2 sells its publishing properties to Ziff Davis[1]SX2 Media Labsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  SX2 Media Labs sold Computer Shopper and the College Buying Guide properties to Ziff Davis and subsequently ceased operations.

• 2009

  Computer Shopper becomes a digital-only publication[1]SX2 Media Labsen.wikipedia.org

  Product generation

  SX2 Media Labs ended publication of the print edition of Computer Shopper and continued the title in digital form.

• 2006

  SX2 Media Labs acquires Computer Shopper and College Buying Guide[1]SX2 Media Labsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  SX2 Media Labs purchased the two United States technology publications from CNET Networks on February 6, 2006.

• 2006

  Cyber Media takes a minority stake in SX2 Media Labs[1]SX2 Media Labsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Cyber Media (India) Ltd. obtained a 20 percent interest in SX2 Media Labs on February 26, 2006.

1. 1SX2 Media Labsen.wikipedia.org