iOne Acquires Russell Simmons’ GlobalGrind

iOne or Interactive One (interactiveone.com), the number one online platform for the African American and New Urban community, recently announced that it has acquired GlobalGrind (globalgrind.com).

As the interactive channel continues to expand its content-base, iOne sought after GlobalGrind due to its access to Millenials and ability to cross multiple cultures with content. According to iOne, their previous business relationship with GlobalGrind helped the site increase its monthly visitors by 60 percent. By the end of December 2014, GlobalGrind is projected to receive an estimated 4.1 million visitors per month.

It is the GlobalGrind’s ability to cover the “hip” side of pop culture – within the areas of Entertainment, Celebrity, Music, Style/Fashion, Culture, News, and Politics – is what attracted iOne.

“This acquisition, which perfectly aligns with our existing multimedia brands, allows us to exponentially fast track our Millennial channel expansion strategy by leveraging GlobalGrind’s highly-regarded content,” said Alfred Liggins, president and CEO of iOne parent company Radio One, Inc.

GlobalGrind was founded by Russell Simmons in 2007.  With the new acquisition, Simmons is definite that GlobalGrind will not shift, but yet “continue to be a pop culture tastemaker and voice for the hip-hop generation.”

Russell Simmons and co-President Michael Skolnik will remain actively involved, with Skolnik staying on board as editor-in-chief.