At Pagely, we’re no strangers to complex, high-stakes projects. But when Crowd Favorite, a leader in enterprise WordPress solutions, came to us with a challenge for one of their top-tier clients, a global media powerhouse, we knew we were in for something special. The client needed a platform that could unify fragmented workflows, scale across international markets, and handle millions of assets without breaking a sweat. Together with Crowd Favorite and Patchstack, we delivered a solution that transformed their operations, proving once again that the right partnership can turn even the toughest challenges into triumphs.
A Global Vision with a Complex Challenge
The story starts with Crowd Favorite. Back in 2014, they built a custom WordPress-powered press platform for the media company’s US Television and Entertainment Press Division. It was a resounding success, serving thousands of press members with media assets, show details, and promotional content. By 2016, the company’s Global Content Licensing and Syndication (GCLS) division wanted to take that success worldwide. But expanding globally wasn’t as simple as flipping a switch. Each market had unique content needs, workflows, and distribution rights, and the sheer volume of assets was staggering. The existing system couldn’t keep up.
That’s when Crowd Favorite turned to us. They had secured the client and developed a visionary plan, but they recognized the need for a robust hosting partner to make it a reality. With our expertise in enterprise-grade WordPress hosting, Pagely was the natural choice to join the project and provide the infrastructure backbone.
Crowd Favorite: Architectural Brilliance Meets WordPress Innovation
As the client’s long-standing partner, Crowd Favorite didn’t bring just the project to Pagely but also a visionary approach that redefined enterprise WordPress capabilities. Their technical ingenuity was nothing short of extraordinary, and was the beating heart of the solution.
Pioneering Multisite Architecture
Crowd Favorite crafted a custom multisite framework that seamlessly integrated Laravel as a CMS component within WordPress–a bold and innovative move in 2016 that remains cutting-edge. This setup dynamically managed content across global markets, handling up to 57 permissions per image based on intricate market-specific licensing and distribution rules. The result was a flexible, scalable system that could adapt to the client’s diverse needs without breaking a sweat.
A Single Source of Truth
They eliminated content fragmentation by creating a centralized database that served as the definitive hub for all assets and data. This unified approach reduced editorial redundancies, enabling teams to publish, modify, and repurpose content across multiple sites with unprecedented efficiency. For a media company managing millions of assets, this was a game-changer.
Workflows Built for Velocity
Crowd Favorite engineered custom workflows that boosted editorial speed by 8x, empowering a lean team to oversee a sprawling global network of brands. They introduced a bespoke search engine capable of sifting through millions of assets in seconds, alongside a streamlined editorial interface that simplified complex tasks. These optimizations turned a small team into a powerhouse, capable of delivering content at scale without missing a beat.
Pagely’s Role: Hosting That Scales and Performs
Crowd Favorite brought the client to Pagely, and we stepped up to deliver hosting that matched their ambitious goals. We didn’t just offer servers; we crafted a custom infrastructure tailored to the demands of a global media operation.
Custom-Built for Scale
We deployed three dedicated cache nodes to optimize traffic flow, ensuring lightning-fast content delivery worldwide. Separate environments for WordPress and Laravel kept performance smooth, while isolated staging, production, and development spaces gave Crowd Favorite’s team the freedom to innovate without risking the live site.
Performance Without Compromise
Speed was non-negotiable. We upgraded to PHP 8.1 and Ubuntu 20.04 for faster load times and enhanced security. Real-time monitoring tracked server health, error rates, and downtime, allowing us to stay proactive.
Built for the Big Moments
Media companies thrive on high-traffic events (launches, premieres, etc.). Our hosting ensured zero downtime, keeping the platform responsive even under extreme load.
We also optimized the system for frequent rebranding, ensuring the platform could evolve with the client’s needs.
Patchstack: A Security Fortress for a Global Platform
With millions of assets and a worldwide audience at stake, security was paramount. Crowd Favorite brought Pagely into the fold for hosting, and we teamed up with Patchstack to create a security framework that matched the platform’s scale and complexity. Patchstack’s cutting-edge solutions elevated the project to enterprise-grade standards.
Real-time Threat Detection and Intelligence
Patchstack integrated seamlessly with Pagely’s hosting, delivering real-time alerts on vulnerabilities across all plugins and sites. Their industry-leading vulnerability database, updated daily, allowed us to identify and prioritize threats instantly. For example, when a critical plugin flaw emerged, Patchstack flagged it within hours, enabling proactive mitigation before it could be exploited.
Proactive, Precise Patching
Patchstack didn’t just detect, they acted. Their system provided virtual patches to neutralize threats without disrupting workflows, while their collaboration tools gave Pagely and Crowd Favorite’s developers immediate access to detailed vulnerability reports. This meant we could deploy updates to critical plugins, like those powering the asset management system, swiftly and securely, often before the client even noticed a risk.
Ongoing Compliance Assurance
The media company faced rigorous security audits from third-party regulators. Patchstack’s continuous vulnerability management ensured the platform stayed compliant with enterprise standards, tracking and resolving issues in real time. Their detailed logs and audit-ready reports gave the client peace of mind, knowing their global operation was always protected.
Simply put, Patchstack’s expertise turned the platform into a fortress, safeguarding content integrity user data, and operational uptime. Together with our hosting infrastructure, they ensured the client could operate globally with confidence.
The Results? A Platform That Delivers Year After Year
The collaboration paid off in a big way. Here’s what we achieved:
- 8x Faster Workflows: Editorial teams now publish and update content at lightning speed.
- 14+ Million Assets Managed: The platform handles massive content loads effortlessly.
- 10x Reduction in Maintenance: Streamlined operations save time and effort.
- Zero Downtime for Major Events: Traffic spikes don’t faze the system.
- Continuous Security and Compliance: 24/7 monitoring keeps it secure and audit-ready.
More than a decade later, the platform continues to thrive, adapting to the client’s evolving needs without a full rebuild. That’s the kind of lasting impact we aim for.
Why This Project Matters
This project showcases the power of collaboration. Crowd Favorite brought the client to Pagely, along with a bold vision and deep WordPress expertise. We provided the hosting infrastructure to make it happen and Patchstack added the security layer. Together, we turned a complex challenge into a unified, high-performance platform.
We’re proud that Crowd Favorite chose Pagely as their hosting partner for this journey. It’s a testament to what’s possible when great teams unite to solve big problems. And we’re ready for the next one!
