Cox Enterprises

Cox Enterprises, Inc.

Company type	Private
Industry	Conglomerate (Media, Telecommunications, Automotive)
Founded	1898
Founder	James M. Cox
Headquarters	Atlanta , United States
Area served	Worldwide (including Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America)
Key people	Alexander C. Taylor (CEO)
Products	Media (Cox Media Group), Telecommunications (Cox Communications), Automotive (Cox Automotive)
Number of employees	55,000

Cox Enterprises, Inc. is a privately owned American conglomerate based in Atlanta, Georgia, employing around 55,000 people and generating revenues near $21 billion. Its principal divisions include Cox Media Group, Cox Communications, and Cox Automotive. Prominent brands within its holdings feature AutoTrader.com, Kelley Blue Book, and Manheim Auctions.

Operating globally through Cox Automotive, the firm has a presence in regions such as Asia, Australia, Europe, and Latin America. The company’s leadership is headed by CEO Alexander C. Taylor, who represents the fourth generation of the Cox family and is the great-grandson of founder James M. Cox. The Cox family continues to play a significant role on the board, with James M. Cox's grandson, James C. Kennedy, among its members.

In March 2020, Cox Enterprises repurchased Ohio newspapers from Cox Media Group to establish Cox First Media, with the objective of sustaining daily local news delivery in southwest Ohio.

Founding

The origins of the company trace back to Dayton, Ohio, where James M. Cox acquired the Dayton Daily News in 1898. Cox later held office as Ohio’s governor and was the Democratic nominee for president in 1920, running alongside Franklin D. Roosevelt as his vice-presidential choice.

Telecommunications

The company ventured into radio broadcasting in 1935, encouraged by James M. Cox Jr., son of Governor Cox, launching WHIO in Dayton. Governor Cox expanded his media holdings by purchasing The Atlanta Journal and radio station WSB in 1939. On September 29, 1948, WSB-TV transmitted Atlanta’s inaugural television broadcast, followed by WHIO-TV’s launch in Ohio in 1949.

In 1950, Governor Cox acquired The Atlanta Constitution. By 1962, his son had purchased three cable television systems serving approximately 11,800 subscribers. Broadcasting and cable operations were merged into the publicly traded Cox Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in 1964, while newspaper assets remained under Cox Enterprises.

The company broadened its reach into television syndication through acquisitions of Walter Schwimmer in 1966 and Bing Crosby Productions in 1967. Although it divested this syndication division in 1970, it reentered the sector during the late 1970s with its subsidiary TeleRep, which later combined with Rysher Entertainment in 1993.

As cable television expanded, it was consolidated under the private entity Cox Cable Communications (CCC) in 1968, becoming the nation’s second-largest cable operator. Following Jim Cox Jr.’s passing in 1974, ownership transitioned primarily to his sisters Anne Cox Chambers and Barbara Cox Anthony, who collectively held a 95% stake.

In 1982, CBC moved its headquarters to Atlanta and was renamed Cox Communications before being integrated into Cox Enterprises. James C. Kennedy, Governor Cox’s grandson, assumed the roles of CEO and chairman in 1988.

In 1986, Cox introduced Cox Video to develop original video content including comedy and reality programming with an investment of $1.5 million. The division acquired rights to create video versions of Joe Weider’s fitness publications such as Muscle & Fitness, Flex, and Men's Fitness & Shape, aligning with markets complementary to Weider’s fitness equipment business.

Over the following decades, Cox led innovation by bundling telephone service, high-speed internet access, and digital cable into a single broadband network platform—strengthening its position within telecommunications and broadband markets.

Automotive

Cox made its initial entry into the automotive industry in 1965 by acquiring Black Book. The company expanded its presence three years later with the purchase of Manheim. During the 1980s, Manheim's acquisition of a Canadian auction house marked Cox's first step into international markets. The introduction of Autotrader.com in 1997 revolutionized the process of buying and selling used vehicles. By 2014, Cox unified its automotive operations, including NextGear Capital and other entities, under the Cox Automotive umbrella.

Cox Communications

Cox Communications ranks as the third-largest cable provider in the United States, delivering services to approximately 6 million residential and commercial customers. Its offerings include digital video, high-speed Internet, telephone services, and home security solutions, all supported by a nationwide IP infrastructure.

In 2015, Cox established a strategic partnership with the Cleveland Clinic aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery within patients' homes. The company has also introduced gigabit-speed internet service for residential users.

Acknowledged for its commitment to diversity, Cox Communications earned the No. 11 spot on the 2019 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list—marking its fourteenth consecutive year among top corporate diversity performers.

Effective May 16, 2025, Cox Communications will merge with Charter Communications, maintaining the Cox Communications brand name. Post-merger, Cox Enterprises will own a 23% stake in the combined entity and assume the role of Charter’s long-term capital partner, succeeding Liberty Media.

Cox Automotive

Cox Automotive specializes in vehicle remarketing, digital marketing, and software solutions tailored for automotive dealers and consumers. Its extensive brand portfolio includes Manheim, Clutch Technologies, Dealer-Auction Ltd, AutoTrader, Kelley Blue Book, vAuto, Dealer.com, Dealertrack, NextGear Capital, Xtime, Vinsolutions, Dickinson Fleet Services, and FleetNet America. Serving automotive dealers, manufacturers, and financial institutions worldwide, Cox Automotive leverages its diverse subsidiaries to maintain a prominent position within the global automotive market.

Cox Media Group

Cox Media Group (CMG) operates as a comprehensive media company encompassing broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing, and digital media services. In 2019, Cox Enterprises divested a majority interest in CMG’s broadcast television stations—including radio assets and newspaper properties in Ohio—as well as its local OTT advertising division Gamut to Apollo Global Management as part of a strategic realignment. However, following FCC requirements that compelled Apollo to either reduce publication frequency or divest the newspapers, Cox reacquired the Ohio newspapers in February 2020 and committed to sustaining seven-day publication schedules.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and media agency Ideabar remain under Cox Enterprises’ ownership. This reorganization reflects Cox’s emphasis on concentrating resources around core media holdings and maintaining leadership within evolving media landscapes.

Cox Conserves

Cox Conserves represents Cox Enterprises’ national initiative focused on sustainability efforts including renewable energy adoption, community investment programs, employee involvement initiatives, energy efficiency improvements, waste reduction and recycling efforts, along with water conservation measures.

Since its inception in 2007, Cox Enterprises has allocated more than $120 million toward over 400 sustainability projects through Cox Conserves. These projects target reductions in energy and water usage, promote waste diversion and recycling practices, and foster community engagement to improve environmental outcomes across both company operations and the communities it serves.

Investments

In September 2019, Cox Automotive's Mobility Division committed $350 million to the electric vehicle startup Rivian, with the intention of partnering on aspects such as service operations, logistics, and digital retail platforms.

In August 2022, Cox Enterprises expanded its media holdings by purchasing Axios Media for $525 million.

In February 2024, Cox reached an agreement to acquire the government software firm OpenGov in a deal valuing the company at $1.8 billion. Prior to this majority acquisition, Cox already possessed a minority ownership stake.