eNews
BuzzFeed to take over HuffPost from Verizon Media
MUMBAI: BuzzFeed has announced that it is in the process of acquiring HuffPost online news service, in a deal uniting two digital media pioneers seeking fresh momentum in a troubled sector.
The acquisition is a part of a larger deal between Buzzfeed and Verizon Media. The deal allows both the companies to syndicate content on each other’s platform including Yahoo, according to a statement issued by them.
It also makes Verizon a minority shareholder in BuzzFeed, with the two firms agreeing to a strategic partnership for content and advertising.
“We're excited about our partnership with Verizon Media, and mutual benefits that will come from syndicating content across each other's properties, collaborating on innovative ad products and the future of commerce, and tapping into the strength and creativity of Verizon Media Immersive,” said BuzzFeed chief executive Jonah Peretti.
The deal is a reunion of sorts for Peretti, who also happens to be one of the founders of HuffPost. “I have vivid memories of growing HuffPost into a major news outlet in its early years, but BuzzFeed is making this acquisition because we believe in the future of HuffPost and the potential it has to continue to define the media landscape for years to come,” he added. “With the addition of HuffPost, our media network will have more users, spending significantly more time with our content than any of our peers.”
Peretti co-founded HuffPost, formerly known as the Huffington Post, in 2005 with publisher Arianna Huffington, before starting Buzzfeed a year later.
The early success of HuffPost and BuzzFeed prompted optimism about the future of digital-first media, but in recent years both have faced struggles in a difficult economic environment for the sector.
eNews
Rapido launches zero-commission food delivery app Ownly in Bengaluru
New platform promises transparent pricing with no restaurant commissions.
MUMBAI: Rapido just served up a fresh order because when the food delivery menu gets too pricey, someone’s got to deliver honesty on a plate. Rapido has rolled out Ownly, its standalone zero-commission food delivery app, across Bengaluru, stepping into India’s fiercely competitive online food delivery space with a model built on price transparency and fairness.
Unlike conventional platforms that charge restaurants commissions and often lead to inflated menu prices or hidden mark-ups, Ownly levies only a straightforward delivery fee on consumers based on actual logistics costs. Restaurants can list everyday low prices without relying on deep discounts, giving them breathing room while keeping bills honest for users.
The launch is backed by a satirical courtroom-themed digital video commercial that takes aim at industry pain points hidden fees, misleading discounts and price manipulation before positioning Ownly as the transparent alternative. The film is live on Ownly’s Youtube channel.
Rapido and Ownly, founder Aravind Sanka said, “Food ordering has become an integral part of everyday life across India, not just in metros but in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as well. At Ownly, we see a strong opportunity to build a restaurant-first model that supports partners and caters to the evolving needs of customers. Transparency, honesty and fairness are key drivers of long-term growth for the sector.”
The Bengaluru rollout follows a pilot in Koramangala, HSR Layout and BTM Layout, where the team conducted consumer research and collaborated closely with restaurant partners to fine-tune the offering.
Ownly leverages Rapido’s existing hyperlocal logistics network to scale operations efficiently. By eliminating commissions and focusing on real-cost delivery fees, the platform aims to foster fairer economics for restaurants and more predictable pricing for consumers.
In a market where every rupee on the bill feels like a negotiation, Ownly isn’t just delivering food,it’s delivering a promise: no sneaky surcharges, no inflated prices, just straightforward bites at honest rates.
