Shane Smith (journalist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shane Smith
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Smith in 2014
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| Born | 28 September 1969 |
| Alma mater | Lisgar Collegiate Institute Carleton University |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, media executive, journalist |
| Known for | Vice Media co-founder |
| Spouse(s) | Tamyka (2009-2021) |
| Children | 3 |
Shane Smith (born September 28, 1969) is a Canadian journalist and businessman. He is best known for co-founding the international media company Vice Media.
Smith helped grow Vice from a small magazine into a global company. It now has digital channels, a TV production studio, a record label, and more. He was the CEO (the top leader) of Vice until 2018. He is now the company's executive chairman.
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Early Life and Education
Shane Smith was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He went to Lisgar Collegiate Institute for high school. Later, he graduated from Carleton University with a degree in English literature and political science (the study of government).
Before starting his career in media, Smith played in local punk rock bands. He also traveled through Eastern Europe. After his travels, he moved to Montreal.
Career at Vice Media
Starting the Magazine
In 1994, Smith, along with his friends Suroosh Alvi and Gavin McInnes, started working at a magazine in Montreal called Voice. The magazine was created to help people gain work skills. In 1996, the three friends bought the magazine from its owner and renamed it Vice.
A Canadian businessman named Richard Szalwinski later bought the magazine. He moved the company to New York City in the late 1990s. Vice became known for its bold and edgy articles. The company even opened a few stores in New York to sell fashion items from the magazine.
After a few years, the three founders bought the Vice brand back.
Moving into Video
At first, Vice was just a print magazine about alternative culture. But in 2006, the company started making news stories and videos for the internet. Smith worked as a journalist and traveled to many interesting places for the online TV series VICE Guide to Travel. He visited countries like North Korea, Iran, and Libya to report on stories.
With advice from creative director Spike Jonze, Vice Media began to focus more on digital video. This led to new partnerships and channels. For example, they worked with Intel on a project called The Creators Project. They also made deals with big companies like YouTube and HBO.
Working with HBO and TV
In April 2013, Vice launched a news show on HBO called "VICE". On the show, Smith and other reporters covered news stories from all over the world. The show was very successful and won an Emmy Award.
Because the show was so popular, HBO and Vice decided to work together even more. They agreed to create a daily news show, 32 special reports, and more episodes of the weekly show.
In 2016, Vice Media launched its own TV channel called VICELAND. It was created with help from A&E Networks and Disney. The channel was aimed at a younger audience and showed lifestyle programs.
Famous Interviews
As a journalist, Smith has interviewed many famous and important people.
In 2015, he traveled with U.S. President Barack Obama to a federal prison. He interviewed the president and several inmates about the justice system.
That same year, he also conducted the first interview with the band Eagles of Death Metal. This was after a tragic attack happened during their concert in Paris.
In 2016, Smith hosted a special report for HBO called "A House Divided". He interviewed President Obama and other politicians to understand why politics in the United States had become so divided.
Personal Life
Smith used to live in Santa Monica, California, with his wife, Tamyka, and their three daughters. He and Tamyka divorced in 2021.
Awards and Recognition
Smith has won many awards for his work in journalism and media.
- In 2014, his HBO show "VICE" won an Emmy Award.
- He has won two Peabody awards for producing documentaries for VICE News.
- He has also received awards for his reporting on global warming.
- In 2016, he was named Media Person of the Year at the Cannes Lions festival, a major event for creative industries.
Filmography
Smith has worked as a host, writer, or producer on many films and TV shows. Here are a few of them:
- 2019: The Report (executive producer)
- 2017: The Bad Batch (executive producer)
- 2016: "Vice Special Report: A House Divided" (host, executive producer)
- 2013–present: VICE (writer, correspondent, executive producer)
- 2011: The VICE Guide To Everything (correspondent, executive producer)
- 2009: White Lightnin' (screenplay)
- 2007: Heavy Metal In Baghdad (executive producer)
- 2006: VICE Guide to Travel (writer, correspondent, executive producer, director, creator)
See also
- URBANIA, a Canadian media company founded in 2000
