Masters of Scale

Rapid Response: How Barstool Sports’ ex-CEO cooks up attention, with Food52’s Erika Ayers Badan

Jul 30, 2024

31:02

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Erika Ayers Badan, former CEO of Barstool Sports and now leading Food52, shares her insights on navigating contrasting cultures in the media industry. She reveals the chaotic yet vibrant nature of Barstool versus the structured approach at Food52. Ayers Badan discusses the impact of public scrutiny on leadership and the importance of saying 'no' as a leader. With a focus on community building and adaptability, she emphasizes how the lessons from her past can reshape the food and lifestyle landscape.

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Quick takeaways

Erika Ayers Badan emphasizes that the chaotic, community-driven model of Barstool Sports can revolutionize the food industry through authentic customer connections.

She underscores the necessity of leadership decisiveness, advocating for the importance of saying 'no' to maintain focus and clarity within organizations.

Deep dives

The Transition from Barstool to Food52

Erica Ayers-Badon describes her move from Barstool Sports to Food52 as an unconventional career pivot, reflecting on the stark differences between the two organizations. While Barstool thrived on wild creativity and controversy, Food52 embodies a more structured and community-focused ethos. Despite these differences, both companies share a core principle centered around community, marking Ayers-Badon’s desire to build authentic connections with customers. She highlights the rapid growth of Barstool, noting how revenues skyrocketed from $5 million to $300 million within a few years, showcasing her successful leadership during that chaotic period.

Intro

3min

Contrasting Cultures: Barstool Sports vs. Food52

12min

The Impact of Public Scrutiny on Leadership

3min

Navigating Media Culture and Creativity

11min

The Art of Saying No in Leadership

2min

The Power of Discipline and Adaptability in Business

4min

Controversy, frat house culture, viral moments — when you hear ‘Barstool Sports,’ this may be what comes to mind. But former CEO Erika Ayers Badan is here to tell you that the business model that made Barstool into an online cultural juggernaut is replicable and poised to re-shape the food and lifestyle industry. Ayers Badan shares with Rapid Response why she decided to make a dramatic career pivot — taking over Food52 — and why running Barstool was like “a heart attack every day.” She also explores lessons around cultivating a community of fans, and why as a leader, “no” is often a better answer than “yes.”

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