"Media Empires" | The Business of Newsletters, Podcasts, Creators, and Data Acquisition Turpentine

Yossi Levi, founder and CEO of Car Dealership Guy, joins Erik Torenberg to share the evolution from running a Twitter account to establishing a growing media empire with significant influence in the automotive industry. They also discuss the blueprint behind generating 120 million impressions per month, defining their insights advantage, the importance of listening to the audience, and strategies for monetization that doesn't demand compromising the authenticity and quality of content.
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SPONSORS: BEEHIIV
Head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code “EMPIRES” for 20% off your first three months.  
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LINKS:
Car Dealership Guy: https://www.dealershipguy.com/
Car Dealership Guy Podcast: https://podcast.dealershipguy.com/
Subscribe to the Media Empires Newsletter: https://media-empires.beehiiv.com/
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X / TWITTER:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@yossixciii (Yossi)
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(01:00) Building an automotive media powerhouse
(02:33) Future of vertical media
(06:54) Navigating the complex landscape of media, trust, and monetization
(09:34) Building a news arm
(13:32) Evolution of newsletters and content strategy
(16:00) Sponsor: Beehiiv and Turpentine
(17:50) Collaborating with creators
(21:24) Exploring data products and market opportunities
(23:22) Event planning for brand alignment
(24:38) Applying the playbook to other industries
(28:13) Audience composition
(30:17) Future of Media: Expert-led and social-first
(32:43) Customer feedback and content development
(39:09) Wrap

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This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

Jacob Donnelly, the founder of A Media Operator, joins Erik Torenberg to discuss the strategies behind building successful, sustainable media businesses, with a focus on niche markets. They also explore the role of technology and the significance of audience-centric approaches in both the media and events industries, providing a comprehensive overview of current trends and future directions for media entrepreneurs.
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SPONSORS: BEEHIIV
Head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code “EMPIRES” for 20% off your first three months.  
—
Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns
Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0epyYBAxLeF0PsNagdDJAJ
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/company-breakdowns/id1743119197
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LINKS:
A Media Operator: https://www.amediaoperator.com/
Subscribe to the Media Empires Newsletter: https://media-empires.beehiiv.com/
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X / TWITTER:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@JayCoDon (Jacob)
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:53) Inside the mind of a media operator
(02:33) Vision and strategy behind AMO
(10:00) Why Jacob is bullish on media?
(11:34) Sponsor: Beehiiv and Turpentine
(13:23) Core ideas and philosophies
(17:03) Intersection of media and data companies
(25:16) Exploring the SaaSification of media
(33:06) Future of AI in media
(40:24) Media acquisitions and the essence of audience
(49:16) Crypto media lessons and audience type
(52:25) Art of building a media empire
(01:06:30) Business of podcasting
(01:22:23) Future of vertical communities
(01:26:11) Importance of first party data
(01:28:30) Wrap

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This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

Tyler Denk, co-founder and CEO of Beehiiv, joins Erik Torenberg to discuss how he came to be a part of building two media empires: Morning Brew and Beehiiv, a newsletter publishing platform which just raised a $33 Million Series B. They also discuss the market potential of email newsletters, ad networks, and successful newsletter strategies across industries. Tyler delivers a masterclass in understanding email and newsletter platforms.
—
SPONSORS: BEEHIIV
Head to https://Beehiiv.com and use code “EMPIRES” for 20% off your first three months.  
—
Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns
Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0epyYBAxLeF0PsNagdDJAJ
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/company-breakdowns/id1743119197
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LINKS:
Beehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/
Subscribe to the Media Empires Newsletter: https://media-empires.beehiiv.com/
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X / TWITTER:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@denk_tweets (Tyler)
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(01:00) Morning Brew & Beehiiv
(03:00) Evolution of Morning Brew's business model 
(09:49) The genesis of Beehiiv
(14:30) Sponsor shout out
(16:17) Building a newsletter empire
(21:09) Biggest inflection point
(25:32) Leveraging newsletters for growth
(28:47) Future of Beehive and email monetization
(41:36) Fundraising and navigating venture
(44:40) Success stories in the newsletter industry
(47:47) Wrap

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This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

John Yedinak, co-founder and president of Aging Media, joins Erik Torenberg to talk about his journey from the mortgage industry to building a powerful media company focused on the senior care sector. They explore the strategies for building a profitable media company in the B2B sector, the creator economy, and how traditional trade shows are being reimagined to engage audiences more effectively.
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SPONSORS: BEEHIIV

Media Empires is brought to you by Beehiiv. Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 to https://Beehiiv.com and use code “EMPIRES” for 20% off your first three months.  
—
Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns
Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,
Spotify
Apple
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LINKS:
Aging Media Network: http://www.agingmedia.com
Subscribe to the Media Empires Newsletter: https://media-empires.beehiiv.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@jryedinak (John)
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:52) John’s journey from Mortgage Industry to Media Mogul
(05:17) Strategies for Growth and Diversification
(10:04) Building Vertical Media from Scratch
(14:46) Sponsor: Beehiiv
(15:56) Team Composition and Investment in Building a Media Empire
(18:21) Evolution of Business Media
(29:37) Investment and Growth Strategies in the Creator Space
(34:41) Data Collection and Monetization
(42:24) Leveraging Creator Partnerships for Event Success
(46:56) Potential of Paid Communities in Niche Markets
(51:10) Podcasting Insights and the Future of Media
(54:52) Wrap

—
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

Craig Fuller, Founder and CEO of FreightWaves which began as a combination media company and data provider for the logistics industry, joins Erik Torenberg to discuss the evolution of FreightWaves, different media models and their scalability, and shares his thoughts on what the future of AI media will look like.
—
SPONSORS: BEEHIIV

Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 to https://Beehiiv.com and use code “EMPIRES” for 20% off your first three months.
—
Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns
Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,
Spotify
Apple
—
LINKS:
FreightWaves: https://www.freightwaves.com/
Subscribe to the Media Empires Newsletter: https://media-empires.beehiiv.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@FreightAlley (Craig)
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:15) The Evolution of Freight Waves
(03:01) Breaking Down Media Business Models and Monetization Strategies
(08:42) Complex Landscape of Media and Audience Engagement
(12:35) Sponsor: Turpentine
(13:26) Strategic Synergy Between Media and SaaS Businesses
(17:27) Underrated Potential of Media Businesses
(27:35) Opportunities and Challenges of Niche Media
(29:59) Vertical Media Opportunities Across Industries
(30:54) Dynamics of Media in the Supply Chain Industry
(32:33) Expanding Media Ventures
(33:41) Potential for Vertical Media in AI and Crypto
(35:39) Critique and Future of Tech Journalism
(37:34) Strategies and Challenges of Building a Vertical Media Business
(43:06) Importance of Breaking News and Building Credibility
(48:48) Evaluating Business Models for a New Media Venture
(58:06) Wrap

—
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

Zawwar Khan, a CPG consultant for creators (Rel Brands), joins Erik Torenberg to talk about his journey from being the youngest brand manager at Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo, to advising media creators on building their own commerce brands. He also shares some strategies for creators to expand beyond their audience, the potential of creator-incubated businesses, and the future of the creator economy through innovative financing and business models.
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SPONSOR:
Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "EMPIRES" for 20% off your first three months.
--
Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns
Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more,
Spotify
Apple
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LINKS:
Zawwar Khan: https://www.hellorel.com/
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X/ TWITTER:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@zawwarkhan_ (Zawwar)
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:49) Zawwar’s journey from Brand Manager to CPG Consultant
(05:51) Evolution of Media and Commerce
(09:13) Strategies for Success
(16:56) Sponsor: Turpentine
(17:44) Rise of B2B Influencers and Creator Opportunities
(26:32) Potential of Creator-Led Ventures
(28:56) Building Brands as a Creator
(34:32) Venture Capital Perspectives on the Creator Economy
(40:09) The Future of Investing: Venture Studios for Creators
(49:25) Wrap

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This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.