From Detroit beginnings to global recognition, Honeysuckle Media is proving that independent media can set the cultural agenda.
Honeysuckle Media
When Ronit Pinto founded Honeysuckle Media in 2013, she wasn’t simply creating another publication she was building a living ecosystem. Merging journalism, film, and immersive campaigns, Honeysuckle has evolved into a globally acclaimed platform that blends hard-hitting storytelling with bold creative expression.
Today, the brand stands as a Clio Award-winning creative studio and internationally recognized media house, with groundbreaking Times Square campaigns, collaborations with cultural icons, and deep ties to industries as diverse as cannabis, entertainment, gender and sexuality, and social justice.
A Vision Rooted in Art and Truth
Ronit’s early career in art galleries and film production shaped her unique lens. She was fascinated by how visual storytelling could move people not just aesthetically, but emotionally and intellectually. But she also craved something deeper: a platform for truth-telling and cultural transformation.
“I wanted Honeysuckle to be a place where beauty, intellect, and freedom of expression could live together,” Pinto says. “A space where bold ideas collide with lyrical storytelling to spark change.”
That vision continues to guide Honeysuckle’s trajectory today, as it pushes boundaries across print, digital, out-of-home, and experiential formats.
Breaking Barriers in Media
Honeysuckle has made history by becoming the first media platform to place cannabis and hemp brands on Times Square billboards, reframing stigmatized industries through high design and narrative power.
The publication’s journalism has also led to real-world change: one of its cover stories contributed to the compassionate release of an incarcerated man, proof that storytelling can transform not just culture but also institutions.
These achievements, alongside collaborations with cultural icons such as Ice-T, Wiz Khalifa, and Mike Tyson, cement Honeysuckle’s reputation as a platform where mainstream visibility and cultural credibility intersect.
Building a Living Brand
What sets Honeysuckle apart is its ecosystem approach. More than a magazine, it functions as a creative studio, media hub, and event producer, delivering both cultural capital and measurable ROI.
Events have become a natural extension of its storytelling, from intimate panels to large-scale activations at MJBizCon, SXSW, Cookies, and iconic New York venues. These gatherings merge art, media, and community, offering brands immersive platforms to connect with audiences in meaningful ways.
Recognition and Impact
In addition to multiple Clio Awards, Honeysuckle has received New York State honors for social impact, and has been lauded internationally for its journalism and creative work. For Ronit, however, the most meaningful recognition comes from letters from readers who say Honeysuckle’s stories made them feel seen, heard, and inspired.
“The legacy I care about most is resonance,” she explains. “Beauty isn’t just surface it’s intellectual, emotional, and imaginative. If Honeysuckle feels like a portal into possibility and deeper truth, then we’ve done our job.”
A Global Future
With hubs in New York, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Berlin, Tel Aviv, and Bangkok, Honeysuckle is deeply connected to the cultural currents shaping tomorrow. The company’s strategy is simple yet powerful: stay present, stay creative, build with intention.
Looking ahead, Ronit Pinto sees Honeysuckle not only as a media company but as a movement one that inspires leaders, creators, and brands to think beyond conventional boundaries and embrace beauty, freedom, and creative power as business drivers.
Advice for Visionaries
Ronit often emphasizes to young leaders and journalists:
- “Let your vision be loud. Start before you’re ready. Stay consistent.”
- “Write like it matters because it does.”
- “Culture is a living organism. Build with care, creativity, and courage.”
Conclusion
For Ronit Pinto, Honeysuckle is more than a company it’s a cultural force. By merging journalism with artistry, advocacy with commerce, and storytelling with strategy, she has created a living brand that reflects the world not just as it is, but as it could be.As CEO TIME spotlights Pinto on its cover, one thing is clear: Honeysuckle isn’t just reporting on change it’s helping to make it happen.
