global grind

global grind

Datwon Thomas has been named COO and editor-in-chief of popular web platform, Global Grind, effective immedi

ately, announced Global Grind Chairman Russell Simmons.

Global Grind is the leading destination for “The World According to Hip-Hop,” featuring up-to-the-minute news, exclusive blogs, and the broadest array of stories, videos, and photos from a hip-hop perspective on the Web. Russell Simmons and Accel Partners (Facebook, Glam.com, Realnetworks, Brightcove, and many others) are lead investors in the venture. Thomas is recognized as one of the industry’s most formidable journalists and cultural experts, most recently having served as editor-in-chief of XXL magazine.

“I am extremely excited to be part of the Global Grind team,” said Thomas. “Russell, Jim Breyer, and Accel Partners have entrusted me to carry out the vision of expanding the world according to hip-hop. I’m honored to be working with such experienced businessmen in a field where the lanes for success are limitless. Global Grind is fast becoming the destination for hip-hop content with heart and hotness. I, along with our talented editorial staff, plan on adding to the wonderful world of hip-hop from all its amazing angles.”

Thomas began his career more than a decade ago as an intern at VIBE magazine. He has had a steady progressive journey within the urban lifestyle space. In addition to his prior role as editor-in-chief at XXL, Thomas presided as editorial director of several other magazines, including RIDES magazine and XXL subsidiaries XXL Presents Hip-Hop Soul and XXL Presents Scratch Magazine. Thomas’ most notable accomplishment was founding King magazine and serving as its editorial director. Peers and industry professionals alike view him as an authority on all things hip-hop. He has presented his point of view to numerous radio and televised media outlets, such as VH1, MTV, and BET. As COO and EIC of Global Grind, Thomas will oversee all content and creative aspects of the platform as well as the day-to-day management of the company. He will work closely with Russell Simmons, who remains chairman of the venture.

Over the past year, visitors to Global Grind have increased significantly. According to comScore, the Global Grind Network surpassed 1 million unique visitors in April. The site and its network attained over 29 percent growth in unique visitors in April over March and has increased fourfold since October of last year. It has experienced a further 20 percent month-over-month growth in uniques in May, according to Google Analytics.

“I’m proud of the fact that since I became editor-in-chief in January ’09 and announced our Celebrity Bloggers network, our traffic increased fourfold to over 1 million monthly uniques,” says Russell Simmons. “With that kind of momentum behind us, I’m thrilled to be able to announce that Datwon Thomas, the most talented editor of his generation, coming from the leading magazine in our space, has joined me in leading our team as the new editor-in-chief and chief operating officer of Global Grind. Every important constituency on the Web has an authoritative voice where millions check in daily to find the best and most up-to-date content. We have created a unique place where celebrities, sponsors and the best Web publishers can reach and interact with the most culturally important audience in the world.”

Added Jim Breyer of Accel Partners, “Datwon has shown extraordinary talent, leadership, and relentless drive in his rapid rise to the pinnacle of hip-hop journalism. He’s also incredibly Web savvy and strategic. We’re thrilled that he has chosen Global Grind to realize his digital future and look forward to working closely with him to bring the best of social media and technology to this uniquely important community.”