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SmugMug Acquires TWiP
25 October 2022
SmugMug has announced the acquisition of This Week in Photo, the weekly podcast network founded by Frederick Van Johnson, who will join SmugMug "to lead content and new media while continuing to grow and evolve This Week in Photo," the company said.
"Frankly, it's time for TWiP to evolve," Johnson said. "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.'
SmugMug+Flickr VP of Marketing Scott Kinzie noted, "It's an ideal match. 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."
This is the second major acquisition SmugMug has made after acquiring Flickr in 2018.
For more information see the news release below.
Hit Photography Podcast Network This Week in Photo Joins the SmugMug Family
The most important voice in photo podcasting joins the most influential brand in photography.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- SmugMug, the world's most influential name in photography, has announced two strategic additions to their expanding family of brands: This Week in Photo (TWiP), the beloved photography podcast network and media powerhouse; and its founder, professional photographer and industry influencer Frederick Van Johnson, who joins SmugMug 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.'
SmugMug is well known for working tirelessly to increase the influence and impact of photography worldwide. From its acquisition of Flickr in 2018 to its award-winning series SmugMug Films, the brand is showing no signs of slowing down.
"We're among very few truly photographer-centric brands in the world," 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."
This Week in Photo or "TWiP" as it's known affectionately by fans, is an accessible media powerhouse with regular podcasts, blogs and an active community covering the many facets of our industry. Founded in 2008 by professional photographer and marketer Frederick Van Johnson, the network now boasts weekly photo critiques, interviews, courses, tech reviews and more.
Johnson is uniquely situated to start meaningful conversations in the photography community and has seen a lot of change over the years. From his transformative tour of duty, serving as a decorated combat photojournalist with the United States Air Force, to marketing and product work with industry giants like Adobe, Yahoo! and Apple.
"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. The commitment to empowering photographers is what I've long admired about SmugMug 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."