Mandatory (company)

Mandatory (formerly CraveOnline Media) is a lifestyle website based in Los Angeles with sales offices in New York City, Chicago and San Francisco.^[1] The site is owned by media company Evolve Media, LLC.^[2][3] Mandatory focuses its contents into the male-lifestyle audience, but it has diversified into content for all. Mandatory owns nine websites and has partnered with more, producing various content for each site. As of February 2021, it is only available in English.

Mandatory

Type of site	Lifestyle, entertainment
Available in	English
Predecessor(s)	CraveOnline (2004–2018)
Headquarters	United States
Owner	Evolve Media
URL	mandatory.com
Commercial	Yes
Launched	October 2004 (2004-10)

History

CraveOnline.com was launched by the online media company AtomicOnline, the publishing division of Evolve Media, LLC, in late 2004.^[4] CraveOnline was cited in the 2009 book The Man's Book: The Essential Guide for the Modern Man by Thomas Fink as a top website for men.^[5] Regarding CraveOnline, AskMen.com said, "CraveOnline.com combines entertainment and other interests in one place. Great articles, nice pictures and other cool stuff that you won't want to miss."^[6]

In March 2013, CraveOnline launched its 3D advertising cube for smartphones and tablets.^[7] In May 2013, it launched its own production studio.^[8][9] In August 2015, CraveOnline was relaunched. Aside from music, the website also began focusing on culture and lifestyle.^[10][11] In March 2018, CraveOnline changed its name to Mandatory, after a popular section of the site of the same name, with a new tagline "Laugh. Learn. Do Some Good."^[12] That same year, the company went through layoffs.^[13]

Owned or associated websites

• Film and TV: ComingSoon.net,^[14] SuperHeroHype.com, ShockTillYouDrop.com
• Gaming: ActionTrip, GameRevolution, PlayStation LifeStyle.^{[citation needed]}
• Sports: HockeysFuture.com, Sherdog, WrestleZone.^[15]

References

1. tilters (March 27, 2018). "Evolve Media Announces CraveOnline Has Been Renamed Mandatory". The Tilt Publishing. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
2. Dye, Faith (April 3, 2018). "PR Agency News: RIOT Media Group, Men's Style Site Mandatory, Ink & Roses & More". PR Couture | Career + Agency + Freelance Resources for Communication Pros. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
3. Digiday (September 9, 2015). "CraveOnline plays up video as it offers broader male lifestyle content". Digiday. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
4. . October 1, 2004. Archived from the original on October 1, 2004. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
5. Thomas Fink (May 6, 2009). The Man's Book: The Essential Guide for the Modern Man. Little, Brown, 2009. ISBN 978-0-316-03364-0.
6. Lightstone, Miranda. . AskMen. Archived from the original on July 5, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2009.
7. "CraveOnline introduces 3D mobile cube unit". Media in Canada. March 11, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
8. "CraveOnline Sets Up Its Own Production Studio". Socal Tech. May 3, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
9. "Evolve Builds Studio for CraveOnline". Los Angeles Business Journal. May 6, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
10. "CraveOnline Unveils Site Re-launch, Welcomes Former Flaunt EIC to Oversee New Editorial Focus on Lifestyle Content". Business Wire. August 6, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
11. "CraveOnline Relaunches With Special Guest Editor Julian Casablancas". Guest of a Guest. October 6, 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
12. "Evolve Media Announces CraveOnline Has Been Renamed Mandatory". EContent. March 27, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
13. "In a brutal media environment, Evolve Media cuts staff". Digiday. June 1, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
14. "ComingSoon.net Turns 15!". ComingSoon.net. August 27, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
15. "Men's Entertainment Aggregator CraveOnline Acquires HoopsVibe". cbsnews.com. CBS News. March 26, 2008.

External links