From DealBook: Alex Cooper on Building a Media Brand
Dec 8, 2024
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Alex Cooper, the bold host of "Call Her Daddy" and founder of the Unwell Network, shares her journey from casual chats to tackling serious cultural issues. She discusses her impactful interview with Vice President Kamala Harris and how her podcast has become a transformative voice for women. Cooper candidly reflects on gender dynamics in media, the challenges of maintaining authenticity, and the complexities of partnerships in building a media brand. With insight into merchandise success, she highlights the importance of community and mentorship.
Alex Cooper's leap from discussing relationships to tackling serious topics highlights the evolving role of authenticity in women's media representation.
Through the Unwell Network, Cooper creates a community-focused media empire that prioritizes audience engagement and addresses their diverse interests.
Deep dives
The Rise of Alex Cooper and Her Impact on Media
Alex Cooper has transformed the podcast landscape by filling a significant gap for women's voices in media. With her podcast, Call Her Daddy, she quickly gained immense popularity, discussing topics often considered taboo, particularly around relationships and sexuality. Cooper's unique candidness and relatability have resonated with audiences, allowing her to cultivate a massive following and achieve a groundbreaking $125 million deal with SiriusXM. Her success illustrates the evolving nature of media, as she becomes a leading figure in a space that empowers women to openly discuss their experiences.
Navigating Cultural Shifts in Conversations
Cooper acknowledges the cultural shift towards more open and sometimes coarse discussions, reflecting societal changes in how topics like mental health and personal experiences are shared. She believes that while some conversations can be problematic, the authenticity and vulnerability introduced have significantly contributed to progress. By emphasizing the importance of these discussions, especially for women, she has initiated a platform where they can feel heard and represented. Cooper's strategic pivot away from explicit content to more diverse themes demonstrates her ability to adapt and keep her audience engaged.
Building an Empire and a Community
Beyond her podcast, Cooper has established a media empire through her company, the Unwell Network, aimed at uplifting other creators and fostering community engagement. She has expanded her platform to encompass live events and potential television projects, responding to the audience's desire for personal interaction. Her live tours have proven to be immensely successful, highlighting the appetite for in-person experiences within her predominantly Gen Z audience. Cooper's vision continues to evolve as she seeks to create a multi-faceted media presence that prioritizes her audience's preferences and values.
The host of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast and founder of the Unwell Network discusses her interview with Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 election, her podcast’s journey from chatting about sex advice to delving into more serious subjects and how the Unwell Network’s fan merchandise became a eight-figure business.
“I don’t care if people consider me a journalist or a podcaster, or just a girl that talks online every week.”
This interview was with Andrew Ross Sorkin of The New York Times at the annual DealBook Summit and recorded live in front of an audience at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Read more about highlights from the day at https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/12/04/business/dealbook-summit-news
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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