Huffington Post
Founded in 2005 by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer and Jonah Peretti, the Huffington Post (HuffPo) made a splash with its eclectic mix of news, commentary and celebrity antics. It quickly became known for its progressive slant and knack for stirring the pot, securing its place in digital media’s big leagues when AOL snapped it up for $315 million in 2011. Despite a Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 2012, it has faced its share of controversies, including backlash over its model of using unpaid contributors and accusations of chasing clickbait. Arianna Huffington, who stepped down as editor-in-chief in 2016 and Jonah Peretti, the current CEO, have been key figures steering this media juggernaut through turbulent waters.