Atlantic Media

Atlantic Media, founded in 1977 by the indefatigable David G. Bradley, has managed to carve out a niche in the cutthroat media landscape with a blend of prestige and highbrow pretension. Best known for its flagship publication The Atlantic, this media empire prides itself on being the intellectual playground for the overeducated and under-informed. Its defining moments include the successful pivot to digital under the guidance of current chairman and CEO Bradley, who has often seemed more focused on expanding the brand’s cerebral reach than on appealing to the masses. With a valuation that dances around the $500 million mark, Atlantic Media is a shining example of how niche, quality journalism can still command a hefty price tag. The company's crown jewel, The Atlantic, has won its share of accolades, but not without controversy—like when it was embroiled in a high-profile spat over its coverage of controversial political topics, a reminder that even highbrow media can be mired in its own muck. Despite its glossy veneer, Atlantic Media continues to juggle the paradoxes of modern journalism: striving for relevance while staying true to its elite roots.