Final answer:
Companies known as syndicates are brokers that distribute content like columns, comic strips, and crossword puzzles. Syndicates are intermediaries between content creators and publishers, handling marketing and licensing. This is different from conglomerates, which are corporations owning a range of businesses and media networks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The companies that operate as brokers distributing content like columns, comic strips, and crossword puzzles are known as syndicates. These organizations act as intermediaries between content creators and publishers, offering packaged content that can be used by newspapers, magazines, and online platforms. Often, they handle the marketing, copyright enforcement, and licensing of the content they represent. Syndicates play a crucial role in the media ecosystem by allowing individual creators to reach a broader audience while providing publishers with a variety of content options to engage readers.
Regarding the reference information about a conglomerate, this term generally refers to a large corporation that owns a diverse range of businesses and media networks. While syndicates focus on content distribution, conglomerates may control multiple aspects of the media landscape, including production, distribution, and broadcasting. It's important to differentiate between various types of businesses within the media industry to fully understand their distinct roles.