Digital publishers Recode and Vox merge

Now Recode has been folded into Vox.

But, Vox Media stressed the tech-focused title it will retain its brand, its Code conference events, and podcasts. Kara Swisher, co-executive editor and co-founder at Recode outlined that the move will make the “Recode brand stronger and more widely consumed than ever”.

“Recode has its roots in business journalism but covers an ever-growing area that now undergirds stories of all types and topics," she said. "Vox - Vox Media’s general news network is built to explain the news, but cannot fulfill that mission if it can’t expertly report on the technologies driving the news.”

Swisher said that Recode will open up its experts in the tech realm to Vox.

“We simply can no longer escape the future hurtling toward us, which is why understanding the technologies shaping our lives, and the companies creating and profiting off them, is fundamental to understanding the world we live in and the way we live in it," she added.

Vox, known for its news analysis, will now dive into the tech space, digging into “pointed narratives” rather than specific topics or companies. This move will also help differentiate it from Vox Media-owned Verge.

She concluded: “We’re partnering with Vox [for] its platform, editorial support, and distribution power will allow us to better amplify our work, expand our mission, and reach a wider audience. The partnership will make Recode bigger and Vox’s coverage better.”

Rather than a consolidation of staff, the group looks to launch of from a position of strength, hiring new writers for the project which looks to relaunch in earnest at the start of 2019.

However, Recode’s editor Dan Frommer has announced his departure to “pursue new projects”.

Eight months ago, Vox Media laid off 50 members of staff, largely from its native social team, saying it was taking a new editorial direction.