TIME has unveiled this year's list of 100 most influential companies.
Established in 2021, this list comes as an expansion of the magazine's TIME100 series and is set to shine a light on companies and businesses that made a significant impact across several fields. Just like its inaugural edition last year, the list features companies—who were critiqued based on relevance, ambition, and innovation—from different sectors including music, entertainment, social networking, blockchain technology, and more.
"As TIME’s business coverage continues throughout the year, these are the companies we’ll be watching most closely—and we suggest you do the same," writes TIME Editor in Chief @efelsenthal #TIME100Companies https://t.co/zs4pagM8Yg
— TIME (@TIME) March 30, 2022
Making it on the list two years in a row is none other than entertainment powerhouse HYBE. Home to award-winning group and "Princes of Pop" BTS, global pop sensation Justin Bieber, internationally acclaimed act SEVENTEEN, and more, the Korean entertainment company has changed the landscape of pop music.
Helmed by renowned producer Bang Si-Hyuk, HYBE has grown from a small agency in the competitive K-pop scene to one of the biggest companies today. Beyond music, HYBE also has operations across various avenues of entertainment including education, gaming, webtoons and animation, livestreaming, and more.
As @BTS_twt returns to live performance, the Korean supergroup reflects on the power of management company @hybeofficialtwt #TIME100Companies https://t.co/aaYKh1cPBG pic.twitter.com/jo7zD6mtER
— TIME (@TIME) March 30, 2022
Known for their hit children's song 'Baby Shark', The Pinkfong Company also land themselves on TIME100 Companies. The earworm tune has not only been heard over 10 billion times across the globe, but it has spawned an entire universe of merchandise—including NFT drops, animated series, and soon, a feature film.
“Baby Shark,” which this January became the first YouTube video to be viewed more than 10 billion times, is more than just a catchy song—it’s big business for its creator, South Korea’s Pinkfong Company #TIME100Companies https://t.co/wzkG6P4eAK
— TIME (@TIME) March 30, 2022
In the last year, we've seen the immense growth of NFTs and blockchain technology; and at its forefront is OpenSea. With transactions worth USD 14 billion made in 2021 alone and over 1 million active users, the company has solidified itself as the world's top NFT marketplace.
The best kept secret in web3🤣 pic.twitter.com/xuZn64cZ4U
— OpenSea (@opensea) March 29, 2022
With COVID-19 restrictions still in place for most of last year, everyone has moved to the digital world for both work and play; and thus, the entrance of Rec Room. Serving as a virtual playground, the platform has amassed over 37 million users since its formation in 2016, making it one of the first examples of the possibilities of the metaverse.
Thirty-seven million players use Rec Room's social virtual reality app to create and share a huge variety of games and other digital experiences in the metaverse #TIME100Companies https://t.co/8T5wVLVQj8
— TIME (@TIME) March 30, 2022
Working as the Internet's most used forum, Reddit is another company that is featured as part of TIME100 Companies. The platform has over 50 million daily active users and over 100,000 active communities. Valued at over USD 10 billion, the company is set to go public later this year.
Why do I feel like people are still going to comment, "Place was better?"
— Reddit (@Reddit) March 28, 2022
r/Place returns 4/1. pic.twitter.com/YzU3vlj6FY
In the last year, The Sandbox has grown to become one of the leaders of Web3. Serving as the leading marketplace for digital real estate, the platform has over 2.1 million users—which include the likes of hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg and renowned DJ Steve Aoki—and has sold at least USD 2 billion's worth of virtual land.
📣 ALPHA SEASON 2 - starts March 3rd!
— The Sandbox (@TheSandboxGame) February 25, 2022
🔹 35+ experiences will be OPEN TO ALL!
🔹 Even more ways to win an Alpha Pass!
🔹 Now available on macOS!#SandboxAlphaS2
Read all about it 👇https://t.co/ae1HujI2cf pic.twitter.com/N5TWwa6XOZ
Also making it on the list two times in a row is Netflix. Beyond just being one of the world's leading streaming platforms, the company has become an avenue for local titles to make it on a global stage. In the last year, Netflix has seen major successes with Korea's Squid Game, France's Lupin, and Spain's Money Heist.
Hits like South Korea's "Squid Game" and France's "Lupin" have resurrected @netflix's fortunes and proved to a skeptical Hollywood that Americans will watch subtitled content #TIME100Companies https://t.co/3vYrLEjvwT
— TIME (@TIME) March 30, 2022
Other companies on the list include Apple, Disney, Spotify, Sony, TikTok, Amazon, Meta, and more. Check out TIME's full list of 100 most influential companies here.
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