In 1968, Time Out was created at a London kitchen table. A magazine packed with the best things to do in the city – from art, film and gigs to theatre and reviews of restaurants serving ‘rabbit food’ – Time Out was something never seen before. It was set to change city life.
Fifty years on and after expanding into 108 cities in 39 countries, Time Out is a global media and entertainment brand influencing how tens of millions of people go out around the world. A lot has changed, but Time Out’s mission remains the same today as when it first started: to be the trusted go-to source for information on the best of the city.
Time Out’s high-quality content, curated by expert journalists, is no longer only found in magazines. It now spans a global network of websites, mobile apps, social media channels, magazines, live events and Time Out Market, the world’s first food and cultural market based on editorial curation. Time Out Market Lisbon opened in 2014 and is now Portugal’s most popular attraction; by the end of 2019, five new markets are set to open in Miami, New York, Boston, Chicago and Montreal.
To mark its 50th anniversary, Time Out will throw a huge party in Granary Square, King’s Cross, in London on 29th September. There will be dedicated content across Time Out channels all over the world, an exhibition at London’s Museum of Brands from 12th September and a book – both titled Time Out 50: 50 Years, 50 Covers – charting how Time Out has become an inseparable part of global city life.
Tony Elliott, Time Out founder and Non-Executive Director of Time Out Group, says:
“I started Time Out in 1968 because it was hard to find out where to go and decide what to do in London: there was not one single place to find the information. So I effectively created a publication for myself. What we published was a package: it wasn’t just arts and culture and it wasn’t just politics, and that was one of the reasons people responded so well to it. We covered what didn’t appear in the mainstream press.
“Today, Time Out’s mission is the same as it was in 1968: to be the go-to source for information on the very best of the city – independent and trusted, with a distinctive attitude and spirit. Fifty years on, I am immensely proud of Time Out’s strong brand heritage, of everyone who contributes to help people explore the fantastic cities we are in, and of the team that recently has successfully transformed and diversified the brand.”
Julio Bruno, CEO of Time Out Group PLC, adds:
“Time Out started as a magazine in London and has expanded across the world. It is now the leading global media and entertainment brand and we inspire people to make the most of the city. What makes Time Out unique is our high-quality content curated by expert journalists and we are proud to have influenced generations all over the world to go out better.
“As times have changed, so has Time Out. The way Time Out has transformed from 1968 to today is a fantastic story of how a brand can stay true to its heritage while constantly reinventing itself and being more relevant than ever – and we are just getting started. We are now a global content powerhouse with diversified revenue channels. However, one thing hasn’t changed: content is still king and at the heart of everything we do – whether that’s our websites, magazines or our very successful Time Out Market. Here’s to our next 50 years as the ambassador of the world’s greatest cities.”