Matador Network


Matador Network is a North American digital media company based in the San Francisco, CA Bay Area focused on travel, outdoor adventure, food, nightlife, language learning and culture.

History

Matador Network was founded in 2006 by Ross Borden and Ben Polansky as an early social network aimed at travellers. In 2008 the company shifted its focus to digital publishing and media.
In 2009 the company launched MatadorU.com, an online school for travel journalism with courses in travel writing, travel photography and filmmaking.
In 2011, Matador published the book No Foreign Lands: 100 of the Most Inspirational Travel Quotes of All Time. In 2012 the company published 101 Places to Get F*cked Up Before You Die: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Partying Around the World, a collection of stories documenting music festivals and party culture around the world. The book was published by St. Martin’s Press and carried by Urban Outfitters and Barnes & Noble.
During this period, the company also began creating branded content for country-, state- and city-level tourism boards.
In 2014 the company launched the Matador Ambassador team, a network of YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram travel personalities who represent Matador's influencer marketing campaigns.
In 2015 Matador launched Matador Studios, its in-house video production division, which produces video for advertisers. Matador currently publishes more than 500 videos per year with more than 70 million video views per month on its social channels and website.
In 2017 Matador launched its Matador Originals video series, which consists of original long-form video programming, including episodic series, talent-driven shows, and stand-alone documentaries. Films include; In Her Shoes: India, Surfing With Sugar, Jacob's Journey: A Maasai Warrior’s Journey Home and Trawen: Travels to the Future Patagonia National Park.

Awards

Matador Network has received the following awards for its outstanding work in travel media:
Overall:
Editorial:
Filmmaking: