Bits & Bytes for July 2, 2004

Rumor: Gawker to Bow Travel, Gaming Blogs

Gawker Media publisher Nick Denton is reportedly preparing to launch new blogs focused on travel and video games.

Denton’s plan was initially reported by public relations exec Steve Rubel in his own blog, Micropersuasion. Rubel says the nano-publishing maven tipped him off to “projects” in the gaming and travel areas. Denton didn’t immediately respond to an inquiry.

In addition to media-obsessed Gawker, Denton publishes gadget blog Gizmodo, politically-focused Wonkette, and Defamer, which pushes Hollywood gossip.

---

SmartBargains Files for IPO

SmartBargains has filed to go public. The online discount retailer registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a public offering valued at up to $80.5 million.

The SmartBargains IPO, if it goes ahead, is part of a general increase in the number of Internet companies looking to be traded on the open market. Others that have recently either gone public or filed to do so include Claria, Marchex and of course, Google.

SmartBargains executives did not share information about the offering’s timing, size or initial price per share.