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Modeled after Russian photo blog sites like
Widelec and
EILF House, The Chive was the first take-off on the concept in the U.S. "We've become the hub for 'Photobombs,' 'Douchebags,' and 'Hot Mail Order Brides,' whatever that means," founder John Resig explained.
The Resig's formula turned profitable and, with a revenue model based around CPM advertising, the brothers hired a West Coast sales rep and now plan on hiring Midwest and New York reps to supplement. There's even a
She Chive, helmed by sister Emily, that currently boasts 20,000 visitors a day.
When asked how he felt when the site took off on it's own, Resig mused, "It strange when a site no longer relies on
'link buddies' for traffic. It's a liberating feeling to know you control your destiny. I remember our tipping point came in June of this year. I don't remember much else. I got pretty drunk."
When asked about possible competitors
College Humor,
Cracked.com, and
Ebaum's World, Resig said, "We're within striking distance of all of these sites and they've been around much longer than us. We're good friends with all these people and respect the shit out of them. But this is America, and you gotta' strive for the top spot at all times."
Even when that top spot is on someone else's website (hint hint). Happy birthday guys, to many more ...
You can follow The Chive on Twitter at @thechive and us on Twitter at @sfweekly.
