Brokelyn’s got a new sister site: welcome to the network, Brownstoner! Our publisher, family-owned media company Schneps Communications, has officially added Brownstoner to the Schneps network alongside us, The Brooklyn Home Reporter, The Brooklyn Spectator and The Queens Courier.
If you don’t know, Brownstoner was launched in 2004 by Brooklyn Flea founder Jonathan Butler and chronicles change in BK through the lens of real estate. Brownstoner also hosts real estate listings, a community forum for connecting with neighbors, and a directory of home improvement professionals. The also have a boss Insta account. Now you know.
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Brokelyn was acquired by Schneps Communications last February, almost a year to the day that Schneps acquired Brownstoner.
“Together we now offer the biggest reach of any media company in Brooklyn,” said Joshua Schneps, owner, co-publisher and chief executive officer of the family firm, one of the largest publishers in Brooklyn and Queens.
Schneps Communications and Brownstoner have a lot in common: Both were founded with a passion to improve their communities.
“Our goal is always to invest in quality content,” said Schneps, a longtime Brownstoner reader and Brooklyn resident. “We’re excited to be the new publishers of a premier website and media brand with excellent content, user engagement and terrific relationships in Brooklyn. I don’t know if there’s ever been a more exciting time in Brooklyn real estate.”
The acquisition includes Brownstoner editorial and advertising. The digital media agency aspect of Brownstoner offers clients digital marketing expertise, content creation and targeted reach online and through social media channels.
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“We have been working with Josh and the Schneps team for several years,” said Kael Goodman, founder and chief executive officer of digital marketing agency BlankSlate, which acquired Brownstoner in 2015.
BlankSlate will provide web development and license its real estate and local marketing solutions to Schneps for Brownstoner and its other publications. Cate Corcoran will continue to lead Brownstoner’s content team and Brad Einhorn will continue to lead sales.
“I have great respect for the strategy Kael pursued. He created superior technology, built talented sales and content teams, and expanded Brownstoner’s reach by focusing on social media channels,” Schneps said.
Schneps Communications is a media company that focuses on local quality content across digital, print and events. It is the largest privately owned publisher of community newspapers, magazines, local websites and events serving Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Long Island.
Its 35 events include the Best of Brooklyn Food and Beer Festival and Star Network business events such as Brooklyn Power Women in Business and the Brooklyn Real Estate Conference.
Schneps was founded by Victoria Schneps-Yunis, the company’s publisher and Schneps’ mother and business partner. Inspired by the power of the press during her advocacy work on behalf of her daughter with special needs, Schneps-Yunis pursued her dream of being in the news business. She started neighborhood newspaper The Queens Courier in 1985 in her Bayside living room with a partner and a $250 investment.
Welcome to the fam, Bstoner.