Jonah Peretti

Jonah Peretti is recognized as a leading figure in digital media, known as the co-founder and former CEO of BuzzFeed and a co-founder of The Huffington Post. Peretti's career centers on understanding content sharing and the spread of ideas across digital networks. After earning a master's degree from the MIT Media Lab, his email exchange with Nike regarding a request to print "sweatshop" on custom order shoes went viral—an event that influenced his professional direction. The widespread attention from this incident led to an appearance on Today Show with Nike's head of global public relations and Katie Couric, discussing sweatshop labor. This experience highlighted the potential for individuals to reach large audiences without traditional media platforms, emphasizing the power of shareability.

Peretti co-founded The Huffington Post with Kenneth Lerer, Andrew Breitbart, and Arianna Huffington. He left The Huffington Post after its acquisition by AOL. Prior to that sale, Peretti began developing BuzzFeed as an experimental lab focused on tracking viral content and creating shareable media. A graduate of the MIT Media Lab, Peretti has also taught at New York University and Parsons School of Design. His academic background in behavioral science and media theory informed BuzzFeed's data-driven editorial approach, treating content as something to be engineered for emotional impact and social sharing.

BuzzFeed, initially known for internet memes and listicles, signaled its evolution into a journalistic platform by breaking news such as John McCain's endorsement of Mitt Romney in the Republican primary. The site secured significant funding from venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and reached a high valuation. BuzzFeed's portfolio expanded to include HuffPost, Tasty, and First We Feast, which features the interview series "Hot Ones." Peretti's work on "Reblog" contributed to the foundation of social media sharing, influencing platforms like Tumblr and Twitter.

Peretti has managed the challenges of digital media contraction, including staff reductions and the closure of BuzzFeed News, amid financial pressures. He repositioned BuzzFeed as an AI-focused company, delivering a keynote at SXSW that outlined plans for the company's AI incubator and new content mediums. Peretti also introduced plans for a new social media platform designed to foster creative expression and user agency through artificial intelligence.

Peretti transitioned from the chief executive role at BuzzFeed as Byron Allen moved to acquire the company. As president of Buzzfeed AI, Peretti continues to influence BuzzFeed's direction. Throughout his career, Peretti has played a significant role in shaping the viral internet and remains an influential voice in technology, digital media, and the evolving relationship between media and audiences.