Peter Rojas
Encyclopedia
Peter Rojas is the co-founder of technology blogs Gizmodo
and Engadget
, as well as the video gaming blog Joystiq
(2004). A 2006 article in New York
magazine described him as "the best-compensated blogger in history".
from 1993 to 1997, graduating magna cum laude with a B.A.
in Social Studies. In 1998 he received an M.A.
in English Literature from the University of Sussex
.
magazine from June 1999 to May 2001, first as Associate Editor then as a writer. He was co-founder and Editorial Director of Gizmodo
from July 2002 until March 2004, leaving to co-found Engadget
. Two months later he also founded the video game blog Joystiq
. Both were part of Weblogs Inc., a blog network that was purchased by AOL
in 2005.
Along with Josh Deutsch of Downtown Records
, Rojas launched the online record label RCRD LBL
in 2007.
In July 2008 Rojas left Engadget to start the consumer electronics social networking site gdgt. The site premiered in 2009 and was co-founded with Ryan Block
, Rojas' successor as Engadget editor-in-chief.
. The couple had a son in 2008, shortly after Fehrenbacher founded a new site named Inhabitots.
Gizmodo
Gizmodo is a technology weblog about consumer electronics. It is part of the Gawker Media network run by Nick Denton and is known for its up-to-date coverage of the technology industry, along with topics as broad as design; architecture; space and science....
and Engadget
Engadget
Engadget is a multilingual technology blog network with daily coverage of gadgets and consumer electronics. Though on appearance Engadget functions much like a blog and may be defined as such, much of its editorial content takes the form of an online magazine...
, as well as the video gaming blog Joystiq
Joystiq
Joystiq is a video gaming blog founded in June 2004 that has since become one of the most successful sites within the Weblogs, Inc. family of weblogs. It is the centerpiece of WIN's own network of video gaming blogs, which also includes a blog dealing specifically with the popular MMORPG World of...
(2004). A 2006 article in New York
New York (magazine)
New York is a weekly magazine principally concerned with the life, culture, politics, and style of New York City. Founded by Milton Glaser and Clay Felker in 1968 as a competitor to The New Yorker, it was brasher and less polite than that magazine, and established itself as a cradle of New...
magazine described him as "the best-compensated blogger in history".
Education
Rojas attended Harvard UniversityHarvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
from 1993 to 1997, graduating magna cum laude with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Social Studies. In 1998 he received an M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in English Literature from the University of Sussex
University of Sussex
The University of Sussex is an English public research university situated next to the East Sussex village of Falmer, within the city of Brighton and Hove. The University received its Royal Charter in August 1961....
.
Career
Rojas worked at Red HerringRed Herring (magazine)
Red Herring was a technology business magazine, which flourished during the dot com boom, with global distribution and bureaus in Bangalore, Beijing, and Paris. It also sponsored conferences designed to bring venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and technologists together. But the magazine went into...
magazine from June 1999 to May 2001, first as Associate Editor then as a writer. He was co-founder and Editorial Director of Gizmodo
Gizmodo
Gizmodo is a technology weblog about consumer electronics. It is part of the Gawker Media network run by Nick Denton and is known for its up-to-date coverage of the technology industry, along with topics as broad as design; architecture; space and science....
from July 2002 until March 2004, leaving to co-found Engadget
Engadget
Engadget is a multilingual technology blog network with daily coverage of gadgets and consumer electronics. Though on appearance Engadget functions much like a blog and may be defined as such, much of its editorial content takes the form of an online magazine...
. Two months later he also founded the video game blog Joystiq
Joystiq
Joystiq is a video gaming blog founded in June 2004 that has since become one of the most successful sites within the Weblogs, Inc. family of weblogs. It is the centerpiece of WIN's own network of video gaming blogs, which also includes a blog dealing specifically with the popular MMORPG World of...
. Both were part of Weblogs Inc., a blog network that was purchased by AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
in 2005.
Along with Josh Deutsch of Downtown Records
Downtown Records
Downtown Records is a record label owned and operated by Downtown Music LLC. Music on the Downtown label is distributed by Universal Music's Fontana Distribution and, for certain releases, as a joint venture with Atlantic Records and also for select releases, by Alternative Distribution Alliance...
, Rojas launched the online record label RCRD LBL
RCRD LBL
RCRD LBL is the premier online destination for free, curated, legal MP3 downloads from the hottest marquee and emergent artists. RCRD LBL delivers free music downloads and more directly to readers with multiple personalized email properties, including the RCRD of the Day email newsletter, RCRD...
in 2007.
In July 2008 Rojas left Engadget to start the consumer electronics social networking site gdgt. The site premiered in 2009 and was co-founded with Ryan Block
Ryan Block
Ryan Block is a technology journalist and critic. He was the editor-in-chief of AOL’s Engadget before he co-founded the popular community site gdgt....
, Rojas' successor as Engadget editor-in-chief.
Personal life
In July 2007, Rojas married Jill Fehrenbacher, the founder of the blog InhabitatInhabitat
Inhabitat is a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future...
. The couple had a son in 2008, shortly after Fehrenbacher founded a new site named Inhabitots.