The ever-growing hunting- and conservation-focused media project just took another big bite out of the industry.
Today, MeatEater announced that it’s acquiring The Element, a content creator focused on whitetail deer hunting.
With this latest addition, MeatEater absorbs The Element’s increasingly popular YouTube videos and podcast. That brings it together with existing MeatEater brands like First Lite, Phelps Game Calls, and FHF Gear.
MeatEater said in an email that The Element’s co-creators, K.C. Smith and Tyler Jones, will join the company as full-time crew members.
Because MeatEater creator Steven Rinella had collaborated with Smith and Jones over the years, the acquisition made sense on both sides, MeatEater said.
“For the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of watching K.C. and Tyler grow The Element’s footprint while remaining dedicated to creating the best and most authentic whitetail content they can. We’re excited to bring them into the MeatEater family and continue their amazing momentum,” said Garrett Long, MeatEater’s VP of Content.
Asked what changes the two platforms’ audiences can expect from the acquisition, Long said, “[I]n short, more whitetail content.” He went on to explain that Smith and Jones will continue to “do what they’ve always done. The Element will continue to exist and grow with MeatEater’s support, and you’ll see K.C. and Tyler appear in a lot of MeatEater content as well.”
Long noted that in his 3-year tenure at MeatEater, the company’s rapid growth has surprised him.
“I don’t think anyone could have predicted the growth we’ve seen. The company has always had an eye towards expansion while maintaining the quality of every piece of content and product it puts its name on. Bringing The Element into the MeatEater family is in line with our track record of partnering with great people who love the outdoors and are as committed to preserving it as we are. We are stoked to get into the field with them,” he said.
As a policy, MeatEater does not disclose financial details surrounding any of its acquisitions.
