Vox Media acquires James Beard Award-winning Punch as part of food and restaurant network Eater

Vox Media, the leading independent modern media company, announced the acquisition of PUNCH, a James Beard Award-winning media brand dedicated to drinks and cocktail culture. Punch will remain an independent editorial brand within Vox Media’s food and restaurant network Eater. Talia Baiocchi, editor-in-chief of Punch, will join Vox Media, maintaining the same title and reporting to Amanda Kludt, editor-in-chief of Eater and Senior Vice President at Vox Media.

With the acquisition of Punch, Vox Media and Eater will expand the brand, growing its audiences across platforms and extending it into new development and revenue opportunities. Punch’s coverage of drinks and cocktail culture will complement Eater’s award-winning and industry-leading coverage of food and restaurants. The online magazine will be supported by Vox Media’s broader resources across production, development, revenue, marketing and events expertise.

“I’ve long admired — and often envied — the work Talia and her talented team produce at Punch,” says Kludt. “They bring an authority but also a sense of fun and creative energy to their coverage of drinks trends, figures, and culture, and they do it with style. Given Eater’s dedication to quality storytelling around food and restaurant culture, I can’t think of a better fit.”

Punch was founded in 2013 by Talia Baiocchi and Aaron Wehner, EVP and Publisher of Crown/Random House Publishing, as an independent digital vertical within Penguin Random House and in the last 8 years, has published 10 books and gift products including the titles The Essential Cocktail Book, Easy Tiki, Spritz, The Mini Bar and trivia game Another Round. Since launch, Punch has grown a loyal audience across platforms, including social, newsletters, and events.

“I can’t think of a better partner for Punch’s next phase of growth,” says Baiocchi. “Vox Media is simply unmatched in its approach to digital media, understanding of brand identity, and commitment to high-quality journalism. But perhaps most importantly, the opportunity to collaborate with a thought leader like Amanda, and the greater Eater team, to expand both of our brands was a no-brainer for me.”

Punch is Vox Media’s fifth recent merger or acquisition. In April 2021, Vox Media acquired Cafe Studios, the podcast-first media company known for Preet Bharara’s podcast, Stay Tuned with Preet.

Earlier this month, Vox Media and Eater formed a long-term strategic partnership with Gastropod, one of the largest food podcasts, known for its in-depth reporting, production value, and storytelling, from hosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley. The podcast is co-branded by Eater, joining the network’s audio portfolio including Eater’s Digest and its recent show with Recode, Land of the Giant’s: Delivery Wars.

About Eater

Eater is the locals-first authoritative guide to eating better. Eater is at the forefront of reporting on the restaurant industry, shaping food culture with its award-winning journalism and programming, and beloved guides and maps. The network has grown into the leading voice in the food media space with its passion for great food and great stories spanning digital and social platforms, audio, OTT and television - including No Passport Required, Eater’s PBS docu-series with host Chef Marcus Samuelsson, celebrating America’s diverse immigrant food traditions, and a multi-year, multi-series deal with Hulu.

About Punch

Punch is the most trusted authority on drinking trends and culture, bridging the gap between industry gatekeepers and enthusiasts. Punch’s award-winning coverage of wine, spirits, cocktails, and nightlife across digital, social, and print media has made it an indispensable resource for drinking well.

About Vox Media

Vox Media is the leading independent modern media company. For a decade, the company has remained at the forefront of the media industry by building successful brands, a suite of sophisticated publishing and marketing technologies, and a culture that prioritizes diversity, inclusivity, and equity.

Our portfolio features the most relevant and respected editorial properties including Vox, New York Magazine, The Verge, The Cut, Eater, Vulture, The Strategist, Polygon, SB Nation, Intelligencer, Curbed, Grub Street, and Recode. Today, audiences can hear many industry-leading editorial voices, from these newsrooms and beyond, on the Vox Media Podcast Network — Adweek’s 2020 “Podcast Network of the Year.” From daily news, tech, and culture to sports and narrative storytelling, the Vox Media Podcast Network is one of the largest, fastest-growing, and most topically diverse collections of premium podcasts.

The company is also home to the award-winning nonfiction production and distribution studio, Vox Media Studios, along with innovative technology that powers the business: the Concert advertising marketplace, Chorus technology platform, and Coral commenting tools.