On the eve of our 15th birthday, Dezeen is under new ownership. Founder and editor-in-chief Marcus Fairs explains the reasons behind the sale of the brand he started in his spare bedroom.

Dezeen has a new owner. Almost 15 years after I tapped out my first story on my scrappy little blog, the brand has been acquired by JP/Politiken Media Group.
Owned by two private trusts, the Danish media group is committed to social responsibility and believes that journalism is vital to democracy. A shared belief in these principles was a key reason for the deal.
For our readers, our clients and our team, there won't be any noticeable change. I am staying on, as is the senior management team. We are excited to be embarking on a new chapter in the Dezeen story. It has been quite a journey. Sometimes I think it's nothing short of a miracle that Dezeen ? launched from a spare bedroom with no investment, no business knowledge and no technical skills ? has not only survived for so long but has flourished despite formidable odds.
It has been quite a journey
It hasn't been easy. The financial crash of 2008 was a baptism of fire while more recently Brexit and the pandemic have presented severe challenges. Weathering those storms has taken enormous amounts of sweat and ingenuity from every member of the team.
Yet each time, we've emerged stronger than before. Brexit forced us to seek more overseas business while last year, our Virtual Design Festival saw us pivot overnight, introducing a range of...