Wonder Media Network
Wonder Media Network is a New York-based, audio-first creative studio that produces original podcasts and provides full-service branded podcast production, distribution, and strategy services for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and content creators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Wonder Media Network does
Wonder Media Network (WMN) is a New York-based, audio-first creative studio founded in 2018 by Jenny Kaplan (CEO, former Bloomberg journalist) and Shira Atkins (CRO), both named to Forbes 30 Under 30. WMN operates two integrated product lines: (1) Original podcast production, building owned IP including Womanica (daily women's history), I Was Never There (true crime), Teaching Texas (politics), Possible with Reid Hoffman (technology and AI), Gravity (grief), and White Picket Fence (inequity); and (2) Brand Studio Services, providing end-to-end custom podcast development, production, sound design, distribution strategy, and visual design for enterprise clients. The studio's technology stack comprises audio and video production capabilities drawing from producers sourced at top journalistic and audio institutions (Wondery, Gimlet, NPR, FiveThirtyEight, Radiolab, StoryCorps), distributed across all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, and iHeartMedia.
WMN monetizes through multiple revenue streams: custom branded podcast production engagements with Fortune 500 enterprises priced on custom quote basis (Pfizer, GE, Mercedes-Benz, BetterHelp, Greenhouse, Bridgerton/Netflix, ActBlue, Planned Parenthood, Nike); advertising revenue on owned original shows via branded segments, bonus episodes, and bespoke ad placements; audio advertising integration services for partner brands; and strategic advisory on editorial and go-to-market strategy. Distribution is facilitated through direct B2B sales plus channel partnerships with iHeartMedia, Audible, Spotify, and others. The company was acquired by Acast, a global podcast platform and monetization company, in 2024; WMN continues to operate under its existing brand within Acast's network, gaining access to broader hosting, monetization, and international distribution infrastructure.
WMN's customer base spans pharmaceutical (Pfizer), entertainment/streaming (Netflix, Shondaland Audio), automotive (Mercedes-Benz), HR technology (Greenhouse), mental health (BetterHelp), industrial manufacturing (GE), nonprofit/advocacy (ActBlue, Planned Parenthood, National Women's Law Center, The 19th News, Kendeda Fund), and individual creators. The studio's mission-driven positioning around amplifying underrepresented voices and the female-founded narrative has attracted extensive earned media coverage (NYT, Variety, Vulture, Forbes, Rolling Stone, Fast Company) and industry recognition including AdWeek Podcast Network of the Year 2022, Tribeca Festival official selections, Webby Awards, Signal Awards, and Ambies nominations. Operating regions are formally disclosed across USA, UK, Spain, India, Ireland, and Greece, with global podcast distribution through platform partners.
Wonder Media Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Wonder Media Network
- Legal name
- Wonder Media Network, LLC
- Website
- https://wondermedianetwork.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Wonder Media Network is a New York-based, audio-first creative studio that produces original podcasts and provides full-service branded podcast production, distribution, and strategy services for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations, and content creators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Wonder Media Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Podcast Production Services
- NAICS
- Sound Recording Studios (51224), Sound Recording Industries (5122), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)
- SIC
- Services-Advertising (7310), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Podcast Networks & Studio Platforms (MPAIADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Audio Production & Podcasting (BPAFAIAE)
Keywords
Where Wonder Media Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Wonder Media Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Branded Podcast Production: WMN develops, produces, and markets podcasts for Fortune 500 brands like Pfizer, General Electric, Mercedes-Benz, and others. Services include creative development, audio/video production, distribution strategy, and design.
- Original Podcast Content: WMN produces original podcasts like Womanica, I Was Never There, Teaching Texas, and White Picket Fence that attract audiences and brand partnerships.
- Strategic Advisory: Consulting on content and go-to-market strategies for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, startups, and individual creators.
- Audio Advertising: Help partners create meaningful integrations with aligned content through branded segments, bonus episodes, and bespoke ads.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels7 records
Marketing channels7 records
Wonder Media Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Wonder Media Network is an audio-first creative studio that develops, produces, and distributes podcasts and provides full-service branded audio production for partners. Core offerings include Original Podcast Production (a slate of WMN-owned shows covering women's history, true crime, politics, technology, and culture) and Brand Studio Services (custom podcast development, audio/video production, sound design, marketing, distribution, and design for Fortune 500 brands, nonprofits, and startups). Services span the entire lifecycle from ideation through distribution, including sonic branding and audio network unification for enterprise clients such as Pfizer.
Product overview
Wonder Media Network is an audio-first creative studio offering two primary product lines: Original Podcast Production (including Womanica, I Was Never There, Teaching Texas, Possible with Reid Hoffman, Gravity, and White Picket Fence) and Brand Studio Services (full-service audio production for Fortune 500 brands, nonprofits, and startups). The company was founded in 2018 by Jenny Kaplan and Shira Atkins. WMN serves as Pfizer's core podcast production partner, developing Science Will Win and unifying 55+ global Pfizer podcasts into a cohesive audio network. The Brand Studio handles end-to-end production, strategy, distribution, and design for partners including BetterHelp, Mercedes-Benz, GE, Bridgerton, ActBlue, and Nike. Services are offered across Production, Distribution, Strategy, and Design categories. Notable original shows include backlist titles like Hearsay, The Amendment, Divine Intervention, Backlash (Audible Original), Camp Shame, and Ten Thousand Things.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Brand Studio Services Full-service custom podcast production and audio services for brand partners including Pfizer, General Electric, Mercedes-Benz USA, Netflix/Shondaland, Audible, iHeartMedia, BetterHelp, ActBlue, Greenhouse, National Women's Law Center, The 19th News, The Kendeda Fund, and Planned Parenthood. Services span development, production, sound design, distribution, marketing, and design.
- Original Podcast Production WMN develops and produces original podcasts covering women's history, true crime, politics, technology, and social issues, including Womanica, I Was Never There, Teaching Texas, Possible with Reid Hoffman, White Picket Fence, The Amendment, Gravity, Camp Shame, and Ten Thousand Things.
- Womanica Daily podcast of bite-size stories of incredible women from throughout history, hosted by CEO Jenny Kaplan, marketed by WMN as the largest audio archive of women from history. Recognized with a Fast Company World-Changing Ideas Honorable Mention (2020).
- Science Will Win (Pfizer) Branded podcast for Pfizer exploring AI in drug discovery and life sciences; produced by WMN as Pfizer's core podcast production partner. Recognized with 2024 Tribeca Best Audio Award, multiple Signal Awards (Science & Education, Health & Wellness), 2024 Ragan PR Daily Healthcare Campaign, 2024 Fierce Pharma Marketing Award, and MarCom Platinum; Season 4 achieved 2M+ downloads and debuted in the top 1% of global podcasts.
- Bridgerton: The Official Podcast Companion podcast for Netflix's Bridgerton Season 3 produced by WMN in partnership with Shondaland Audio and distributed via iHeartMedia/iHeartPodcasts.
- Possible with Reid Hoffman Technology podcast hosted by Reid Hoffman exploring optimistic futures through AI and innovation, produced by WMN with each episode integrating a unique AI element. Ranked #5 Technology Podcast on Apple Podcasts and #8 Technology Podcast on Spotify; 2024 Webby Awards Best Individual Episode and Crime & Justice winner, 2024 Signal Awards Best Technology Podcast, 2024 AdWeek Audio Awards Best Technology Podcast.
- I Was Never There True crime podcast investigating the 1988 disappearance of Marsha 'Mudd' Ferber; named New York Times Best Podcast of the Year (2022) and Vulture Best True Crime Podcast of the Year (2022); selected by Tribeca Festival (2022 Special Jury Mention) and featured in The Guardian Best Podcasts of the Week (2023).
- Teaching Texas Political podcast on the history behind America's culture wars; named Variety Best Podcast of the Year (2022) and nominated for the 2023 Ambies Best Political Podcast.
- Backlash (Audible Original) Six-part anthology Audible Original series hosted by journalist Adesuwa Agbonile, unpacking different backlashes in American history and how progress actually happens; distributed via Amazon/Audible.
- Divine Intervention 10-episode narrative podcast series produced with iHeartPodcasts about radical nuns and priests who sabotaged the Vietnam War by stealing and destroying draft files; hosted by Brendan Patrick Hughes; announced alongside Camp Shame as a 2025 Tribeca Film Festival Official Selection.
- Mind If We Talk? (BetterHelp) Eight-episode branded podcast for BetterHelp hosted by licensed therapist Haesue Jo, featuring personal stories about life's challenging moments followed by mental health expert insights.
- Build the Change (ActBlue) Podcast highlighting people at the center of progress and progressive causes, produced for ActBlue, including a live podcast activation at the 2024 Democratic National Convention with Busy Philipps; generated 300k audio impressions and 129k sponsored social impressions.
- Hearsay (National Women's Law Center) Interview podcast produced for the National Women's Law Center examining how gender, power, and the law impact pop culture; reached the top 10% of all global podcasts and won 2024 Signal Awards Gold in Activism, Public Service & Social Impact.
- White Picket Fence Podcast interrogating structures of inequity affecting women, from childcare crisis to politics of motherhood, hosted by Julie Kohler; features branded segments for Planned Parenthood on reproductive healthcare access; White Picket Fence Season 5 won the 2024 Signal Awards Silver (News & Politics), 2022 W3 Awards Public Service & Activism, and 2022 Communicator Awards Society and Culture Podcast.
- The Amendment Weekly news show co-produced with The 19th News about gender, politics, and power, hosted by Errin Haines.
- Camp Shame Documentary podcast about the rise and fall of one of the world's first fat camps; selected as a 2025 Tribeca Film Festival Official Selection.
- Ten Thousand Things Award-winning podcast about modern-day artifacts of Asian American life.
- Gravity Show about grief and hardship transformation, hosted by Lucy Kalanithi, widow of Paul Kalanithi (author of 'When Breath Becomes Air'); nominated for the 2022 Ambies Best Original Score and Music Supervision.
- Winning Wisconsin Political history podcast covering Wisconsin's outsized impact on American political history and the 2016/2020 elections; nominated for the 2022 Ambies Best Politics or Opinion Podcast and 2021 Webby Awards News & Politics.
- Ordinary Equality Narrative podcast investigating how equity for women has been undermined since the 19th Amendment, covering ERA history and the implications of Roe v Wade; recognized with 2022 W3 Awards News and Politics, 2022 Anthem Awards Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and 2022 Shorty Awards Finalist Podcast.
- Women Belong in the House WMN's flagship show hosted by CEO Jenny Kaplan examining the state of gender representation in Congress.
- General Electric Podcasts Internally-facing narrative podcasts developed in partnership with GE Aerospace conveying lean manufacturing and Kaizen principles to global employees.
Quantifiable outcome
- 300% increase in downloads for Pfizer after WMN partnership
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Wonder Media Network
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Wonder Media Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature3 records
Wonder Media Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and notable.
- iHeartPodcastscoreWMN and iHeartPodcasts (No.1 podcast publisher globally per Podtrac) launched Divine Intervention, a 10-episode narrative podcast about radical Catholic left during Vietnam War era.
- AudiblecoreWMN launched Backlash as Audible Original series - a 6-part anthology unpacking different backlashes in American history.
- ActBluecoreWMN and ActBlue partnered for DNC live podcast activation at 2024 Democratic National Convention. Developed Build the Change podcast showcasing progressive activists and changemakers.
- iHeartMediacoreStrategic partnership for podcast production and distribution. WMN joined iHeartMedia and Shondaland Audio for Bridgerton companion podcast. Also launched Divine Intervention series through iHeartPodcasts.
- Shondaland AudiocorePartnership for Bridgerton: The Official Podcast companion show for Netflix series Season 3. WMN produced 8-episode companion podcast giving listeners inside scoop.
- PfizercoreCore podcast production partner and strategic audio advisor for Pfizer since 2018. WMN develops, produces, and markets award-winning podcasts including Science Will Win and The Antigen. In 2023, led digital transformation unifying 55+ global podcasts into cohesive audio network with unique sonic brand.
- NetflixcoreBridgerton companion podcast produced for Netflix's hit series Season 3 in partnership with Shondaland Audio and iHeartMedia.
- General ElectricnotableDeveloped two full seasons of internally-facing narrative podcasts conveying lean manufacturing and Kaizen principles to global employees.
- BetterHelpnotableProduced Mind If We Talk? podcast - an 8-episode series opening conversations about life's challenging moments through therapy lens.
- Mercedes-Benz USAcoreMulti-year partnership positioning brand as champion of women's equality through branded segments, bonus episodes, and bespoke ads on Womanica and The Accidental Activist.
- GreenhousenotableProduced three seasons of The Greenhouse Podcast: People-first for HR software company's brand campaigns.
- National Women's Law CentercoreCreated Hearsay podcast examining gender, power, and law through pop culture lens. Partnership includes production, marketing, and design consulting.
- The Kendeda FundnotableProduced Stories from The Kendeda Fund podcast memorializing three decades and $1B+ in grantmaking from Diana Blank's philanthropy.
- Reid HoffmancoreProduced Possible with Reid Hoffman podcast exploring technology and AI's role in building positive future. Multiple seasons produced with unique AI elements.
- Planned ParenthoodnotableBranded segments in White Picket Fence Season 4 highlighting stories of women impacted by fall of Roe v Wade and reproductive healthcare access.
- The 19th NewscoreCo-produced The Amendment podcast on gender, politics, and power with The 19th News, hosted by Errin Haines.
- SpotifycoreWMN developed, scripted, and produced 100 Cinderellas: Bedtime Stories from Around the World for Spotify's kids & family content expansion.
- AcastcoreAcast acquired Wonder Media Network, integrating WMN into Acast's podcast ecosystem.
Scale indicators19 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Wonder Media Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- iHeartPodcasts: Largest US podcast publisher (per Podtrac) and a current WMN distribution partner (Divine Intervention, Bridgerton). Competes broadly for both original IP and branded content opportunities but at much larger scale.
- Audacy: US terrestrial-radio owner that scaled into podcasts via Pineapple Street Studios, Cadence13, and other branded-podcast assets. Competes for the same enterprise branded-audio budgets with broader portfolio reach.
- Cadence13: Pioneer in branded-podcast production now operating under Audacy. Provides end-to-end podcast production, distribution, and monetization services directly comparable to WMN's Brand Studio offering.
- Spotify Studios: Major incumbent consolidator of premium podcast IP (Gimlet, The Ringer, Parcast, Spotify Originals). Both a customer/distribution partner of WMN (100 Cinderellas) and a competitor for premium audio production budgets.
Direct peers
- Wondery: Premium narrative podcast studio (Dr. Death, SmartLess, American History Tellers) acquired by Amazon. Directly comparable premium production house for both original IP and branded content deals.
- Pushkin Industries: High-end podcast studio co-founded by Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg producing original narrative work (Revisionist History, Against the Rules) plus branded collaborations. Closest direct comparable in premium audio branding and custom-enterprise shows.
- Gimlet Media: Narrative podcast pioneer (Reply All, Heavyweight, Science Vs) acquired by Spotify. Operates the same premium-podcast studio + branded spin-out model, applying the same craft-and-IP approach to enterprise audio.
- Lemonada Media: Female-founded, audio-first studio combining original narrative podcasts (e.g., Last Day, Too Wise) with brand partnerships across healthcare, advocacy, and consumer categories. Closest demographic and mission alignment to WMN — both run a dual original-IP plus brand-studio model serving Fortune 500 and nonprofits.
- Crooked Media: Premium mission-driven podcast network (Pod Save America, Pod Save the People, What A Day) producing both original IP and sponsored series. Overlapping client base with WMN in political/nonprofit/advocacy categories.
- Pineapple Street Studios: Independent premium narrative podcast studio (Wind of Change, The Big Takeaway, Restricted: Caeleb Remmers) now owned by Audacy. Same craft-driven, brand-partnership-friendly approach to original and custom audio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Wonder Media Network social profiles
Digital presenceWonder Media Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Wonder Media Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Wonder Media Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Wonder Media Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Wonder Media Network
What does Wonder Media Network do?
Wonder Media Network is an audio-first creative studio that develops, produces, and distributes podcasts and provides full-service branded audio production for partners. Core offerings include Original Podcast Production (a slate of WMN-owned shows covering women's history, true crime, politics, technology, and culture) and Brand Studio Services (custom podcast development, audio/video production, sound design, marketing, distribution, and design for Fortune 500 brands, nonprofits, and startups). Services span the entire lifecycle from ideation through distribution, including sonic branding and audio network unification for enterprise clients such as Pfizer.
Is Wonder Media Network a public or private company?
Wonder Media Network is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Wonder Media Network founded?
Wonder Media Network was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Wonder Media Network based?
Wonder Media Network is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Wonder Media Network make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Branded Podcast Production is the primary driver. The others are original Podcast Content, strategic Advisory and audio Advertising.
Who are Wonder Media Network's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are iHeartPodcasts, Audacy, Cadence13 and Spotify Studios. Direct peers are Wondery, Pushkin Industries, Gimlet Media, Lemonada Media, Crooked Media and Pineapple Street Studios.
Does Wonder Media Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Wonder Media Network.
What industry is Wonder Media Network in?
Wonder Media Network's product category is Podcast Production Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIADAC, Podcast Networks & Studio Platforms, with a secondary code of BPAFAIAE, Audio Production & Podcasting. Its NAICS code is 51224 and its SIC code is 7310.