Time Out Group

Time Out Group
Name	Time Out Group
Type	Public
Industry	Media
Founded	1968
Founders	Tony Elliott
Headquarters	London, United Kingdom
Key people	Tony Elliott (founder), Jacqueline Rayner (CEO)
Products	Print guides, Digital platforms, Events
Revenue	Publicly traded
Num employees	1,500 (approx.)

Time Out Group Time Out Group is a global media and entertainment company known for city guides, listings, and cultural recommendations covering food, drink, arts, and leisure. Originating as a print magazine in London during the late 1960s, it expanded into international print editions, websites, mobile applications, live events, and market research. Time Out's portfolio spans editorial content, ticketing, and experiential products serving residents and visitors across major metropolitan areas including New York City, Paris, Tokyo, Sydney, and São Paulo.

History

Time Out began as a countercultural listings magazine in London in 1968, founded by Tony Elliott with connections to the city's alternative press and scene linked to venues such as The Roundhouse and publications like Melody Maker. Through the 1970s and 1980s Time Out established itself against competitors including The Face and Time Out New York emerged as an influential spinoff tied to the cultural circuits of Manhattan and the Lower East Side. Expansion accelerated with editions in Chicago, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, and Barcelona, navigating media shifts alongside companies such as Village Voice and Metro International. The 2000s brought digital transformation influenced by platforms like Foursquare and Yelp, prompting investments in online listings, mobile apps, and partnerships with ticketing services comparable to Eventbrite and Ticketmaster. After financial restructuring and a public listing on the London Stock Exchange, Time Out repositioned toward experiential commerce and data-enabled products, amid market forces set by firms like Condé Nast and Hearst Corporation.

Products and Services

Time Out offers curated editorial recommendations, ticketing and reservation services, market research reports, and branded live events. Its editorial teams produce restaurant and venue reviews comparable in influence to guides like Michelin Guide and Zagat Survey, while commercial offerings include partnerships with hospitality groups such as Accor and Marriott International for promotion and discovery. Event production ranges from food festivals to nightlife showcases in collaboration with cultural institutions such as Tate Modern, Museum of Modern Art, and Sydney Opera House. Data services provide consumer-insight products used by advertisers, city authorities like New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and tourism boards including VisitBritain and VisitScotland.

Digital and Print Publications

Time Out's legacy print magazines coexist with robust digital platforms delivering city guides, long-form features, and listicles. Print editions maintain circulation in global cities including London, New York City, Madrid, and Istanbul, while websites and mobile apps leverage mapping and booking functionalities similar to Google Maps integrations and social features seen on Instagram and Twitter. Editorial series have profiled chefs such as Ferran Adrià, musicians connected to Glastonbury Festival, and filmmakers presented at festivals like Cannes Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival. Special print projects and annual lists—such as best restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions—compete with industry references like Time Magazine lists and guides published by Lonely Planet.

Global Operations and Offices

Time Out operates editorial, commercial, and product teams across continents with key hubs in London, New York City, Madrid, Tokyo, São Paulo, Mexico City, Hong Kong, and Sydney. Regional offices coordinate local sales and partnerships with municipal organizations and private-sector partners such as American Airlines and Visa for promotional campaigns. The company's network of local editors, contributors, and photographers draws on freelance pools in cultural centers such as Berlin, Buenos Aires, Seoul, and Toronto, enabling localized content while maintaining global brand standards evident in other multinational media firms like CNN International and BBC Worldwide.

Business Model and Financial Performance

Time Out's business model blends advertising, content-led commerce, ticketing revenue, subscription services, and market research sales. Revenues derive from local advertising similar to models used by Metro and Evening Standard, ticketing margins akin to StubHub practices, and branded events comparable to Taste Festivals. The company has experienced fluctuating profitability influenced by macroeconomic conditions, tourism cycles, and competition from digital platforms such as Tripadvisor and Booking.com. Strategic moves included monetizing digital audiences, diversifying into experiential products, and pursuing a public listing on the London Stock Exchange to raise capital, responding to investor expectations set by media peers including Future plc and Reach plc.

Corporate Governance and Ownership

Time Out is governed by a board of directors and executive leadership overseeing editorial independence, commercial strategy, and regulatory compliance in jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom and United States. Shareholders include institutional investors, asset managers, and retail stakeholders similar to holdings in other publicly traded media groups like Condé Nast predecessors and conglomerates such as Daily Mail and General Trust. Governance practices mirror those expected by exchanges and regulators including Financial Conduct Authority standards for corporate disclosure, with periodic leadership changes and investor communications driven by market performance and strategic priorities.

Category:Media companies of the United Kingdom Category:Publishing companies