Ozy Media is a digital media company that was founded in 2013 by Carlos Watson. It's known for its unique approach to storytelling, often focusing on underrepresented voices and perspectives.
Ozy Media has a strong presence in the digital media landscape, with a website that attracts millions of visitors each month. This is a testament to the company's ability to create engaging content that resonates with a wide audience.
Carlos Watson's vision for Ozy Media is to create a platform that amplifies the voices of those who are often overlooked, and to provide a space for in-depth storytelling. This mission is reflected in the company's content, which often explores social justice issues and personal stories.
Ozy Media has a diverse team of writers, editors, and producers who work together to create high-quality content.
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Content and Media
Ozy's digital magazine focuses on profiles of rising stars and trends.
Ozy produces a daily news podcast based on the Presidential Daily Brief, as well as multiple intermittent feature podcasts, covering topics including history, science, and technology.
The company has a content partnership with the National Geographic Society, which publishes National Geographic.
Ozy's flagship series States of the Nation features stories from every U.S. state, and Around the World features stories from all 200 countries.
The company's podcasts are hosted on the iHeart Media podcast network.
Ozy has produced a variety of non-fiction television shows for networks including Hulu, Amazon Prime, PBS, BBC Worldwide, A&E, and History.
The Carlos Watson Show, hosted by Carlos Watson, was named the "fastest-growing talk show in YouTube history" by Good Morning America.
Ozy's notable editors include editor-at-large Eugene S. Robinson, a lead singer of the post-punk band Oxbow, and senior writer Sean Braswell, host and executive producer of OZY podcasts The Thread and Flashback.
Ozy launched an e-commerce initiative called the OZY Store in 2020.
In January 2021, Axios announced that Ozy had reached profitability for the first time in its history, having brought in $50 million in revenue in 2020.
The company has received acquisition offers "from at least two major media companies", which were not named.
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Partnerships and Funding
Ozy Media has partnered with iHeartMedia to co-produce original podcasts and develop shared revenue opportunities for advertisers. This partnership leverages Ozy Media's compelling news and storytelling capabilities and iHeartMedia's national cross-platform network.
iHeartMedia is the largest publisher of podcasts in the country, with over 630 original shows available to listeners nationwide. The iHeartRadio Podcast Network has a massive reach of a quarter of a billion listeners a month across the country.
Funding
Securing funding for your project is a crucial step in bringing your vision to life.
Grants are available for projects that meet specific criteria, such as supporting local communities or promoting sustainability.
The average grant size for community-based projects is around $10,000.
Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have been successful in raising funds for innovative projects.
In 2020, a Kickstarter campaign raised over $1 million for a new product launch.
Loans from government agencies or private lenders can also provide the necessary funds for your project.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers loan programs with favorable interest rates and repayment terms.
Venture capitalists invest in projects with high growth potential, often providing significant funding in exchange for equity.
In some cases, investors may provide funding in exchange for a percentage of ownership in the project.
IHeartMedia Announces Multiyear, Multiplatform Partnership
IHeartMedia has announced a multiyear, multiplatform partnership with OZY Media. This partnership will allow OZY's content to reach hundreds of millions of consumers across the country.
iHeartMedia and OZY Media will co-produce original podcasts, and OZY's hit podcast 'The Thread' will join the iHeartRadio Podcast Network. iHeartMedia is the largest publisher of podcasts in the country, with over 630 original shows available nationwide.
OZY Media's stories on various topics, including politics, culture, technology, and sports, will be featured in iHeartMedia's top-rated morning shows across 150 markets in the U.S. This partnership also includes promotion across iHeartMedia's multiplatform network, including radio, digital, social, and live events.
iHeartMedia has a massive reach of a quarter of a billion listeners a month across the country, making this partnership a great opportunity to share critical news and information with a diverse audience.
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Reception and News
Ozy was also praised by some, but not without controversy. The popular leftist podcast Chapo Trap House dedicated a segment to Ozy, but they didn't hold back in their criticism, calling the company "the Phish of news" and "MSNBC live."
Their criticism was scathing, with hosts questioning the company's credibility. They even took issue with Ozy's reading of the Percy Shelley poem "Ozymandias", saying it was incorrect.
OZY Fest 2018 was also met with criticism, with Rolling Stone calling it a "neoliberal nightmare." GQ chimed in, describing it as "a sizzling hot festival for folks who love Coachella and neoliberalism."
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Samir Rao?
Samir Rao, a co-founder of Ozy, pleaded guilty to fraud charges in 2023 and testified against the company's founder. He was involved in a high-profile case related to a 2021 fundraising call.
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