Founded in 1996 as a graffiti magazine, Mass Appeal has grown into a multi-platform media and content company focused on urban culture. Led by CEO Peter Bittenbender, the company produces and develops TV, film and commercial content, provides creative services for blue-chip brands, operates an urban alternative record label and maintains owned media channels across social, web and print. Its work includes the feature documentary Fresh Dressed, directed by Chief Creative Officer Sacha Jenkins and produced in partnership with CNN Films, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in 2015. In July 2016 Mass Appeal announced a content partnership with TBS and TNT that includes the digital animated series Storyville and Think B.I.G., a scripted series based loosely on the life and lyrics of the late Notorious B.I.G. The company raised $6M in a Series A led by Universal Music Group. In conjunction with the funding, UMG Executive Vice President Michele Anthony joined Mass Appeal’s board of directors. Mass Appeal is a joint venture reviving the Brooklyn-based, graffiti-focused magazine that was founded in 1996 and shut down in 2008. The current team revived the title earlier this year and is expanding into online content, including web video, photography, social, print, and live experiences. Its site and YouTube channel feature behind-the-scenes content and series such as the "Time Pieces" shorts from Jason Goldwatch. The company frames its work around the core ethics of hip-hop culture but says it goes beyond hip-hop to embrace street art, fashion, and creative instigation. Mass Appeal raised $1.2 million in funding from a mix of traditional firms and figures in the hip-hop world. Rapper Nas (who invested a six-figure sum and serves as associate publisher), DECON, Pusha T, and White Owl Capital are named investors; publisher Peter Bittenbender is co-founder and CEO of DECON.

Total raised

$7M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series A

Latest activity

Mar 2017