What Happened to The Dodo?

The Dodo was launched in January 2014 by co-founders Izzie Lerer, who holds a PhD in animal studies, and journalist Kerry Lauerman. Their vision was to create a dedicated digital platform for animal stories, capitalizing on the burgeoning virality of animal content online. The company quickly found immense success, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook, where it garnered 1 billion video views by November 2015.

This rapid growth and unique content niche made The Dodo an attractive asset in the evolving digital media landscape. In October 2016, The Dodo merged with other prominent digital brands like Thrillist, NowThis, and Seeker to form Group Nine Media, a new holding company backed by a significant $100 million investment from Discovery Communications. The deal that created Group Nine Media was valued at $585 million. This consolidation aimed to create a larger, more diversified media entity capable of reaching broader audiences and offering more comprehensive advertising solutions. In April 2018, The Dodo's editorial and video production staff unionized with the Writers Guild of America, East, a notable step for a digital media company.

A key turning point for The Dodo's long-term strategy was its expansion beyond short-form social videos. By 2019, the company launched its "Dodo Kids" division, venturing into children's content, and secured partnerships for TV series such as "Izzy Bee's Koala World" on Netflix and "Dodo Heroes" on Animal Planet, alongside book deals with Scholastic. This diversification allowed The Dodo to tap into new revenue streams and reach audiences across different media formats, solidifying its position as a multi-platform brand.

The most significant recent development occurred in December 2021 when Vox Media announced its agreement to acquire Group Nine Media. The acquisition was completed in February 2022, integrating The Dodo into Vox Media's extensive portfolio of editorial brands, which includes Vox, New York Magazine, and The Verge. This merger created one of the largest modern media companies in the U.S., further strengthening The Dodo's access to resources and broader distribution networks. As of mid-2026, The Dodo remains a highly active and influential brand within Vox Media. It continues to produce engaging animal rescue stories, wildlife rehabilitation content, and pet adoption narratives across its website and social media channels, including TikTok and Instagram. In May 2026, thedodo.com recorded 10.5 million monthly visits, with its audience primarily in the United States and a majority being female. Its YouTube channel boasts 18.6 million subscribers and over 16.67 billion total video views as of June 2026, demonstrating its sustained popularity and reach. The Dodo also continues to engage in strategic partnerships, such as those with Petco, to promote animal care awareness.

It is important to note that while the company "The Dodo" thrives, there are also ongoing, separate scientific efforts by companies like Colossal Biosciences to de-extinct the actual dodo bird, with significant breakthroughs reported in 2025 and 2026, aiming for a potential reintroduction by 2028. This, however, refers to the extinct species and is distinct from the digital media company.