Mixed Signals from Semafor Media How to Make Money in Media, with Kara Swisher
Jan 31, 2025
Kara Swisher, a renowned podcaster and tech journalist, discusses the future of media in 2025. She candidly shares her experiences with monetizing podcasts and the necessity for journalists to build personal brands outside traditional media. Swisher offers intriguing insights into her plans for acquiring The Washington Post and reflects on Rupert Murdoch's role in modern media. The conversation also touches on the challenges of transitioning to entrepreneurship in journalism and the impact of AI on marketing agencies.
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Early Entrepreneurial Initiatives
- Kara Swisher's entrepreneurial journey began at the Wall Street Journal.
- She and Walt Mossberg developed a skunkworks project, which later became the D Conference and Recode, due to the Journal's initial resistance to their innovative ideas.
Embrace Your Personal Brand
- Own your brand and don't be afraid to be yourself.
- Kara Swisher emphasizes the importance of building a personal brand and not being afraid to profit from it.
Podcasting Revenue Models
- Kara Swisher's podcasting ventures, 'Pivot' and 'On with Kara Swisher', have generated significant income.
- Her 'Pivot' deal involved stock options that will yield around $20 million, while 'On' has a profit-sharing model.