Podcast network Dear Media announced that it has raised $8 million in Series A funding from Magnet Companies. The company will use these resources to expand its podcast slate and fund original intellectual properties. Dear Media will also invest in early-stage, direct-to-consumer companies that can help it to maximize reach, engagement, and revenue potential.
Dear Media is aimed at female voices and audiences. It hosts more than 40 podcasts covering career development, parenting, health and wellness, comedy, sex and relationships, and activism and advocacy. The company formed in 2018 as a joint venture between CEO and co-founder Michael Bosstick and Raina Penchansky of Digital Brand Architects. DBA is an influencer management company that was acquired by United Talent Agency in 2019.
“We started Dear Media with the same spirit as DBA, to develop and amplify female voices,” said Penchansky. “Together with Michael’s unique expertise and Magnets’ vision, Dear Media is perfectly positioned for innovation and growth.”
“This investment will help us meet the strong demand we’ve seen from audiences for our programming to develop new business models that we believe are the future of audio and commerce,” said Bosstick. “Dear Media was built to do just that. To break barriers and change the current landscape.”