Redbubble vs Society6: Founders, CEOs and History
Redbubble was founded in 2006 by Martin Hosking, Peter Styles, Paul Vanzella and is led by Vivek Kumar. Society6 was founded in 2009 by Justin Cooper, Lucas Tirigall-Caste, Justin Wills and is led by Julie Matrat.
Company facts
Founders
Redbubble
Martin Hosking
Martin Hosking co-founded Redbubble in 2006, led it through its 2016 ASX listing, and returned to lead the 2023-2025 turnaround of the group now called Articore.
Peter Styles
Peter Styles co-founded Redbubble in Melbourne in 2006 and was its early managing director.
Paul Vanzella
Paul Vanzella, a Melbourne graphic designer, co-founded Redbubble in 2006.
Society6
Justin Cooper
Co-founded Society6 in 2009 and stayed on as executive creative director after the 2013 Demand Media acquisition.
Lucas Tirigall-Caste
Co-founded Society6 in 2009 with Justin Cooper and Justin Wills.
Justin Wills
Co-founded Society6 in 2009 and gave early interviews describing the site as a three-person collaboration.
CEOs and their tenures
Redbubble
- Martin Hosking2006–2025
Co-founder; former CEO and Managing Director
Co-founded Redbubble, led it through the 2016 ASX listing, and returned to lead the 2023-2025 cost turnaround.
Source - Michael Ilczynski2021–2023
Chief Executive Officer
Led Redbubble through the post-pandemic sales decline and the launch of artist account tiers.
Source - Vivek Kumar2025–present
Group CEO & Managing Director, Articore Group
Former CEO of TeePublic and then CEO, Marketplaces; appointed Group CEO in June 2025 and led the FY26 return to profit.
Source - Robin Mendelson2025–present
Chair of the Board
US-based director appointed Chair in the June 2025 board renewal.
Source - Derek Yung2026–present
Group Chief Financial Officer
Group CFO following the January 2026 CFO change.
Source
Society6
- Julie Matrat
CEO, Society6
Repositioned Society6 around a design-first, curated catalog.
Source - Justin Cooper2009–present
Co-founder
Helped build an early print-on-demand marketplace for independent artists.
Source - Sean Moriarty2014–2021
CEO, Leaf Group (parent)
Former Saatchi Art CEO who made art marketplaces central to Leaf Group.
Source
Timeline: Redbubble and Society6 side by side
2006Redbubble
Redbubble Founded in Melbourne: Martin Hosking, Peter Styles, and Paul Vanzella establish Redbubble in Melbourne, Australia, with a vision to give independent artists an easy way to sell their art on…
2009Society6
Justin Cooper, Lucas Tirigall-Caste and Justin Wills launch Society6 as an online platform for artists.
2011Redbubble
Global Fulfiller Network Expansion: Redbubble establishes third-party print-on-demand fulfillment agreements in the United States and Europe, enabling local printing and faster international shipping.
2013Society6
Demand Media acquires Society6 for about $94 million ($75 million cash plus about $19 million in stock).
2014Society6
Demand Media acquires Saatchi Art, which becomes Society6's sister art marketplace.
2016Redbubble
Initial Public Offering on ASX: Redbubble lists on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: RBL) to fund global expansion.
2018Redbubble
Acquisition of TeePublic: Redbubble acquires US rival TeePublic for US$41 million, creating the world's largest marketplace coalition for independent creator merchandise.
2019Redbubble
Launch of Redbubble Partner Program: Introduces an industry-first fan-art licensing model, partnering with entertainment leaders (Warner Bros, Netflix, Hasbro) to allow creators to legally sell compli…
2020Redbubble
Pandemic E-Commerce Surge & Mask Sales: Redbubble experiences record revenue as global e-commerce explodes; the marketplace sells millions of artist-designed fabric face masks alongside surging home d…
2021Society6
Graham Holdings completes its roughly $323 million all-cash acquisition of Leaf Group.
2023Redbubble
Return of Martin Hosking & Cost Restructuring: Co-founder Martin Hosking returns as CEO, implementing A in cost reductions, introducing artist tiering fees, and returning the group to positive operati…
2023Society6
Graham Holdings restructures Leaf Group. Society6 becomes a standalone brand reporting directly to Graham Holdings.
2024Redbubble
Rebranding to Articore Group Limited (ASX: ATG): Redbubble Limited formally changes its corporate name to Articore Group Limited on the ASX to reflect its holding structure managing both Redbubble and…
2024Society6
Society6 re-launches its website on Shopify and introduces duvet and sheet sets.
2025Society6
Society6 moves to a curated, approval-based marketplace, ends paid artist plans and standardizes royalties.
Acquisitions
Society6
- Leaf Group (Society6 parent, acquired by Graham Holdings)2021$323M
- Society6 (acquired by Demand Media)2013$94M
Questions about Redbubble vs Society6
Who is the CEO of Redbubble and Society6?
Redbubble is led by Vivek Kumar and Society6 is led by Julie Matrat. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Redbubble founded vs Society6?
Redbubble was founded in 2006 — 3 years before Society6, which was founded in 2009. Redbubble's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Society6.
How many employees does Redbubble have compared to Society6?
Redbubble employs approximately 260 people. A verified employee count for Society6 is not currently available.
Where are Redbubble and Society6 headquartered?
Redbubble is headquartered in Australia and Society6 is headquartered in United States. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Redbubble and Society6?
Redbubble was founded by Martin Hosking, Peter Styles, Paul Vanzella. Society6 was founded by Justin Cooper, Lucas Tirigall-Caste, Justin Wills.
Which company has a longer operating history — Redbubble or Society6?
Redbubble has been operating for approximately 20 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Society6 has been in operation for around 17 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Redbubble vs Society6 overview