About Us

Since its founding in 1970, Phoenix New Times has become a cultural force in the Valley of the Sun.

Thanks to our early commitment to digital journalism, phoenixnewtimes.com attracts more than 1 million monthly active users. They’re joined by more than 100,000 weekly print readers who consider the publication an unparalleled source of information and insight, from politics and business to music and the arts. Our annual Best of Phoenix issue is a must-read for residents and visitors alike, and our Top 100 Restaurants and Top 100 Bars lists have become the definitive source for exploring the city’s dynamic dining and drinking scene. We also provide the city’s most reliable coverage of the burgeoning cannabis industry.

Embracing change

In the late 1990s, we were among the first alt-weeklies to commit to digital journalism, restructuring our workflow to publish stories web-first. That decision turned us into something we'd never been: a daily newsroom. Another change occurred in 2013, when a group of longtime employees purchased New Times' parent company, Voice Media Group, from its original owners, whose success in Phoenix had led them to build the nation's largest chain of alternative weekly publications.

One result of New Times' forward-looking approach was a growing number of readers who didn't necessarily live in the Valley of the Sun but appreciated what we were doing. Whereas in the early days of print our distribution was limited to metro Phoenix –– thanks to those signature red-and-yellow newsracks! –– our stories were now available to anyone with an internet connection.

Innovation stems from talent

Talent is one thing New Times has always had in abundance. Two of our writers have won the Livingston Award, the country's most prestigious honor for young journalists: Sarah Fenske in 2011 and John Dickerson in 2008. Today the country's most lauded publications regularly punch our writers' tickets to journalism's big leagues: In 2019, Antonia Noori Farzan left for the Washington Post, and in 2020, staff writer Meg O'Connor, was hired away by the national news website The Appeal. Food critic Patricia Escarcega, who began her career at New Times, now writes for the Los Angeles Times.

We're the only Arizona media organization whose owners were ever arrested simply for practicing journalism. We also once got the governor indicted. But from the beginning, New Times was about more than hard news. We also believe in celebrating Phoenix culture, covering our city's music, arts, and dining scenes with the same attention to detail that we devote to our news stories. We've given you definitive stories about legendary local bands like the Meat Puppets; and introduced you to the joys of Mexican sushi. We believe that a special kind of culture thrives in 115-degree heat, and we want to keep helping you explore it.

Reader-Supported Journalism

We exist for the community. And since our membership program launched in 2020, we are supported by it. A growing community of Phoenix New Times members support our newsroom by giving any amount, either through a one-time gift or recurring membership. These funds allow us to continue our mission of providing free journalism to Phoenix and the surrounding communities. We are less reliant on advertisers to support us in a competitive industry and also less reliant on the uncontrollable, changing search and social algorithms to reach readers. If you value our work, support it by contributing any amount to become a member.

Helping business owners thrive

As part of Voice Media Group, V Digital Services serves as our in-house resource for business owners seeking success in the digital space. As a full-service media and marketing company, we make advertising simple for business owners by using practical thinking, effective strategies, and our wide portfolio of digital and traditional marketing options to help clients stand out in a competitive and changing environment. VDS is a Google Premier Partner, meaning it’s among the top 3 percent of Google Partners in the country. Its certified specialists excel in local and organic SEO, paid media, social media management, web development and pay-per-click advertising.

Also a part of the Voice Media group portfolio, V Audience Labs is our marketing technology solution that enables companies to better connect, control, and activate data to transform customer experiences and generate more valuable business outcomes.

The total package makes New Times an essential partner for anyone interested in taking the temperature of the nation’s fifth-largest city.