History of Shane Smith (journalist) in Timeline

Shane Smith is a Canadian journalist and media executive, primarily known as the executive chairman (formerly CEO) of Vice Media. Under his leadership, Vice Media expanded from a magazine into a global multimedia company encompassing digital channels, television production, and various other ventures. As executive chairman, he now focuses on content creation and strategic partnerships to further Vice Media's growth.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 1969: Shane Smith's Birth

In September 1969, Shane Smith, who later became a Canadian journalist and media executive, was born.

1969: Shane Smith's Birth and Early Life

In 1969, Shane Smith was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He later attended Lisgar Collegiate Institute and graduated from Carleton University with a degree in English literature and political science.

1994: Smith Joined Voice Magazine

In 1994, Shane Smith joined Voice magazine in Montreal, where Gavin McInnes, his childhood friend, was already working.

1996: Acquisition and Renaming of Voice Magazine

In 1996, Shane Smith, Gavin McInnes, and Suroosh Alvi bought Voice magazine from its publisher and renamed it Vice.

2006: Shane Smith's Travel for VICE Guide to Travel

In 2006, Shane Smith traveled to various locations for the online TV series VICE Guide to Travel.

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2006: VICE Expanded into News Content and Social Criticism

In 2006, VICE transitioned from publishing print articles on alternative culture to creating news content and social criticism across multiple media platforms.

2006: VICE Media Expanded into Digital Video

In 2006, on Spike Jonze's advice, VICE Media started expanding into digital video.

2010: Partnership with Intel for The Creators Project

In 2010, led by Shane Smith, VICE Media partnered with Intel for The Creators Project, and made deals with Viacom, YouTube, and HBO.

April 2013: VICE Series Premiered on HBO

In April 2013, VICE launched a new series on HBO called "VICE," where Shane Smith and other correspondents covered news stories globally.

May 2014: "VICE" Renewed for Two More Seasons on HBO

In May 2014, HBO picked up the "VICE" show for two more 14-episode seasons, set to air in 2015 and 2016.

June 2014: Time Warner Negotiated to Acquire Stake in VICE Media

In June 2014, Time Warner negotiated to acquire a minority stake in VICE Media, planning to give VICE control over HLN programming, but the deal fell through.

2014: Awards Won for Work on VICE's HBO Show

In 2014, Shane Smith won an Emmy award for his work on VICE's HBO show, as well as several environmental awards for his coverage of global warming.

November 2015: Disney Invested in VICE Media Through A&E

In November 2015, Disney invested $200 million in VICE Media through A&E for a roughly 10% stake to assist in funding programming and growth.

December 2015: Disney's Second Investment in VICE Media Through A&E

In December 2015, a week after the first, Disney made a second $200 million investment in VICE Media through A&E, for a roughly 10% stake to assist in funding programming and growth.

2015: Smith Placed on "Canada's Richest People"

In 2015, Canadian Business placed Shane Smith on "Canada's Richest People", estimating his net worth at $1.27 billion.

2015: Smith's Interview with Obama and Eagles of Death Metal

In 2015, Shane Smith accompanied US President Barack Obama to El Reno Prison and interviewed him along with drug offenders. He also conducted the first public interview with the Eagles of Death Metal after the Bataclan shooting in Paris.

2015: VICE Partners with Several Companies

In 2015, VICE partnered with several companies, including Verizon, Rogers Communications, Live Nation, Spotify, and Snapchat, where VICE was a launch partner for Snapchat's "Discover" platform.

2015: HBO and VICE Expanded Deal

In 2015, based on the success of "VICE," HBO and VICE announced an expanded deal, including a daily news show on HBO Now premiering in 2016, 32 VICE-produced specials over four years, and an expansion of the existing show from 14 to nearly 30 episodes per year.

2015: Smith Discussed VICE Going Public

In a 2015 interview, Shane Smith mentioned the possibility of VICE going public, stating that the markets would love it.

February 2016: VICELAND Officially Launched

On February 29, 2016, VICE Media officially launched VICELAND with investment support by Disney and A&E.

June 2016: VICE Media Unveiled International Deals

On June 22, 2016, VICE Media unveiled international deals to make its programs available in over 50 new territories by the end of 2017, totaling over 80 territories.

December 2016: HBO Broadcast "Vice Special Report: A House Divided"

On December 9, 2016, HBO broadcast "Vice Special Report: A House Divided", exploring political dysfunction in the United States during the Obama presidency, featuring interviews with US politicians.

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2016: Smith Resided in Santa Monica

From 2016, Shane Smith resided in Santa Monica, California, with his wife, Tamyka, and his three daughters.

2016: Smith's Comments on Content Creation

In 2016, Shane Smith told CNBC that "it's the best time in history to be a content creator."

2016: HBO and VICE Expanded Deal Continued

In 2016, as part of the expanded deal between HBO and VICE, a daily news show on HBO Now was slated to premiere.

February 2017: "VICE" Started 5th Season on HBO

On Friday, February 24, 2017, "VICE" started its 5th season of weekly broadcasts on HBO under the expanded episode deal.

2017: VICE Media programs available internationally.

By the end of 2017 VICE Media programs would be available in over 80 territories thanks to a number of international deals that Shane Smith unveiled in June 2016.

March 2018: Nancy Dubuc Named CEO of Vice Media

In March 2018, Nancy Dubuc replaced Shane Smith as CEO of Vice Media. Smith transitioned to the role of executive chairman, focusing on content creation and strategic partnerships.