Philadelphia Inquirer
Arthur Etchells, who launched Foobooz four years ago, will join Philadelphia magazine’s staff as a full-time digital product manager. He’ll continue to contribute to Foobooz.
Press release
METROCORP ACQUIRES FOOBOOZ
Bolsters Excellence in Food Reporting
PHILADELPHIA—David H. Lipson, president of Philadelphia magazine and Boston magazine parent company Metrocorp, announces that Metrocorp has acquired leading Philadelphia-based food blog Foobooz. Arthur Etchells, Foobooz editor and founder, will join Philadelphia magazine’s staff as a full-time digital product manager.
Foobooz will be overseen by Etchells and Philadelphia magazine food editor Kirsten Henri. Foobooz will serve as the magazine’s up-to-the minute food blog, while the magazine’s current blog, The Restaurant Club, will transform into an event series and true dining club, offering unique experiential dining opportunities such as a recent launch dinner at JG Domestic with Iron Chef Jose Garces.
“Since the very first issue of Philadelphia magazine, providing information to readers about dining out has been one of our core strengths,” says Lipson. “In this great food city, dining out continues to be our audience’s favorite source of entertainment. The addition of Foobooz to the Philadelphia magazine content offerings allows us to bolster our position as the leading source for people to figure out where they want to eat in this region.” Etchells adds, “I look forward to bringing Foobooz to Metrocorp and Philadelphia magazine. The acquisition provides a great opportunity of growth for Foobooz and I look forward to being part of it.”
Tom McGrath, editor of Philadelphia magazine, says the addition of Foobooz reflects the company’s continued commitment to growth through top-quality digital content. “We’re no longer just a magazine publisher. Like our daily news blog, The Philly Post, Foobooz lets us talk to our audience on a daily basis—and to reach an entirely new audience online.” Etchells will report to Tim Haas, Metrocorp’s director of digital operations.
Metrocorp will launch Foobooz in Boston by 2011 and will take the blog nationwide thereafter.
About Foobooz
Foobooz was founded by Arthur Etchells with the philosophy that food and drink are keys to happiness, and there are few places better to indulge in either than Philadelphia. Foobooz keeps followers up to date on the latest restaurant and bar openings as well as culinary events. Equal parts events calendar and weblog, Foobooz aims to be the essential place for information about Philadelphia, food, drink, and deals.
