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— CH. 1 · FOUNDING AND LAUNCH —

TheWrap

~3 min read · Ch. 1 of 5
5 sections
  • TheWrap opened its digital doors in January 2009. Journalist Sharon Waxman established the site from her base in Los Angeles. She arrived with a background as a former Hollywood correspondent for The New York Times and The Washington Post. Her goal was to fill a gap in business coverage of the entertainment industry. The platform offered in-depth reporting, analysis, and opinion pieces on breaking news. This launch marked a shift toward dedicated online journalism focused on Hollywood film and television.

  • November 2015 brought significant changes to the leadership team at TheWrap. Tim Molloy returned to the organization as Deputy Managing Editor. He joined Thom Geier to lead editorial operations alongside Andrew Curry. Andrew Curry took charge of Audience Development, managing social media strategy and audience engagement. Joan Solsman moved to New York as Business and Technology Editor. She led coverage of digital media while contributing to the annual Grill conference. By January 2023, Kristen Lopez joined as Film Editor after working at IndieWire and Variety. Jose Alejandro Bastidas became TV Editor following his time at the San Francisco Chronicle. Adam Chitwood and Jethro Nededog received promotions to Co-Executive Editors during that same month. February 2025 saw four new high-level appointments reshape the staff again. Tom Lowry arrived as Senior Vice President of Editorial Strategy to develop subscription products. Jennifer Laski became Director of Photography and Video after creating the Visionaries video series. Graham Starr oversaw business and PRO coverage while Brian Lowry transitioned to Media Editor. Drew Taylor and Umberto Gonzalez advanced to senior roles on the film team.

  • The organization maintains a specific focus on Hollywood film, television, and streaming media. Original reporting defines its daily output across these three major sectors. The site provides analysis and editorial coverage tailored to industry professionals and enthusiasts alike. Breaking news stories emerge from this concentrated scope of entertainment business topics. Digital media coverage extends into technology intersections with traditional broadcasting channels. The annual Grill conference serves as a key event for discussing these evolving media landscapes. Business and technology editors ensure that financial aspects remain central to every story published online.

  • The Los Angeles Press Club honored TheWrap multiple times through its National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards. In 2016, the site won first place in Feature Photography for excellence in photojournalism. Sharon Waxman took home first place in Blog , Individual for her WaxWord blog commentary. TheWrap itself received second place recognition as Best Entertainment Website that same year. By 2018, the outlet won the award for Best Entertainment Website exclusive to the internet. A 2019 nomination placed it among finalists at the 12th annual NAEJ Awards. Southern California Journalism Awards also recognized the platform repeatedly between 2009 and 2019. TheWrap won Best Online News Site in both 2009 and 2012. Fourteen nominations arrived during the 2019 SoCal Journalism Awards cycle including a nod for Best Website.

  • Andrew Curry oversaw editorial partnerships and social media strategy when he joined in November 2015. His role focused on audience engagement initiatives designed to grow the digital readership base. Tom Lowry later developed subscription products as Senior Vice President of Editorial Strategy starting in February 2025. The organization expanded its digital operations significantly following key hires made throughout 2015. Social media channels became central to how news reached audiences across different platforms. Video content gained prominence with Jennifer Laski creating the Visionaries video series before becoming Director of Photography and Video. Business and technology coverage now drives much of the strategic direction under new leadership appointments. These operational shifts reflect a broader commitment to adapting to changing digital consumption habits within the entertainment sector.

Common questions

When did TheWrap open its digital doors?

TheWrap opened its digital doors in January 2009. Journalist Sharon Waxman established the site from her base in Los Angeles with a background as a former Hollywood correspondent for The New York Times and The Washington Post.

Who founded TheWrap and what was their goal?

Journalist Sharon Waxman established TheWrap to fill a gap in business coverage of the entertainment industry. She arrived with a background as a former Hollywood correspondent for The New York Times and The Washington Post.

What awards did TheWrap win between 2016 and 2019?

In 2016, TheWrap won first place in Feature Photography and second place recognition as Best Entertainment Website. By 2018, the outlet won the award for Best Entertainment Website exclusive to the internet while receiving a 2019 nomination at the 12th annual NAEJ Awards.

Which editors joined TheWrap in November 2015?

Tim Molloy returned to the organization as Deputy Managing Editor in November 2015 alongside Thom Geier to lead editorial operations. Andrew Curry took charge of Audience Development managing social media strategy and audience engagement during that same month.

What high-level appointments occurred in February 2025?

February 2025 saw four new high-level appointments reshape the staff including Tom Lowry arriving as Senior Vice President of Editorial Strategy. Jennifer Laski became Director of Photography and Video after creating the Visionaries video series while Graham Starr oversaw business and PRO coverage.