CopyWrite Magazine

What CopyWrite Magazine does

CopyWrite Magazine (legal entity: CopyWrite Magazine, Media & Design, LLC) is a Milwaukee-based, Black-owned independent media organization founded in 2015 and operating from Wisconsin's largest city with a team of 7. The publication produces editorial coverage of Milwaukee's urban culture — music, film, theater, nightlife, creative profiles, and community events — through a magazine (22 issues published), a website/blog, and two podcast series (The Intersection Podcast and What's The Word Mi Gente Podcast). It also runs The Phone Booth, a music performance video series in partnership with Outlet Mobile App, and operates IN THE LOCAL as a local-news content vertical. Underlying technology is a Squarespace-hosted digital publishing platform with no proprietary AI or advanced technology stack.

The business model is diversified across four revenue streams: subscription and single-issue magazine sales, merchandise and event tickets through a Square e-commerce storefront, transaction fees from events including Legacy Night and cultural programming, and advertising/sponsorships from brands targeting Milwaukee's urban culture audience. Go-to-market is event-driven — the publication staffs press credentials at Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, theater productions, and community events — and supplemented by organic social (Instagram), email newsletters, and podcast distribution on Spotify and Apple. Customer segments are primarily Milwaukee's urban culture enthusiasts and the local creative community (artists, musicians, filmmakers, performers), with a secondary broader Milwaukee general audience.

The organization experienced significant financial distress in 2025: its physical /CW Creative Studios + Shop space closed after a failed $150,000 CDFI small business loan that only covered renovations to a building the company did not own, and a guaranteed $100,000 local reimbursable grant was reduced to $60,000. Founder and sole proprietor Lexi S. Brunson (Editor-in-Chief) continues to publish, with the company structured as a privately held LLC without external venture or private equity backing. In 2025, CopyWrite Magazine received the HKD Business of the Year Award, and it maintains Black Owned Media and VisitMKE partner designations.

Name

CopyWrite Magazine

Legal name

CopyWrite Magazine, Media & Design, LLC

Website

https://copywritemag.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CopyWrite Magazine is a Milwaukee-based, Black-owned independent urban culture media publication (founded 2015, 7 employees) covering music, film, theater, nightlife, and community events via a magazine, blog, podcasts, and video series.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Local Urban Culture Media Publication

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (51312), Periodical Publishers (513120), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Culture & Literary Magazines (MPAJAEAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alternative/Independent Newsweeklies & Opinion Press (MPAJADAH), Copywriting & Editorial Production (BPAFAIAA)

Keywords

• Local media publication
• Urban culture journalism
• Community news coverage
• Entertainment podcasting
• Cultural event reporting

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Magazine Sales: Physical and digital magazine issues sold to readers
2. Merchandise and Shop: Sale of branded merchandise through Square e-commerce site
3. Event Tickets and Programming: Revenue from events including Legacy Night and other cultural programming
4. Advertising and Sponsorships: Brand partnerships and advertising opportunities for businesses targeting Milwaukee urban culture audience

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CopyWrite Magazine is a Milwaukee-based urban culture publication that produces editorial coverage of local music, film, theater, nightlife, community events, and creative profiles through blog articles and magazine issues. The organization also produces podcasts (The Intersection Podcast, What's The Word Mi Gente Podcast), a music performance video series called The Phone Booth, Creative Media Services, and sells magazines, event tickets, and branded merchandise through a Square e-commerce storefront. The core editorial product covers Milwaukee's urban culture, Black community events, and the local creative scene.

Product overview

CopyWrite Magazine is a Milwaukee-based urban culture media organization operating as a single unified publication with associated content verticals and services. The core offering is the CopyWrite Magazine publication providing editorial coverage through blog articles and magazine issues, complemented by multiple podcast programs (The Intersection Podcast, What's The Word Mi Gente Podcast), the music video series The Phone Booth, and Creative Media Services for professional media production. The organization also operates an e-commerce shop for merchandise and publications, and runs special programs like the /CW Pitch Your Price Program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Intersection Podcast: Podcast covering various cultural topics
• What's The Word Mi Gente Podcast
• The Phone Booth
• /CW Creative Studios + Shop
• Pitch Your Price Program
• In The Local

Products and services

• CopyWrite Magazine A Milwaukee-based urban culture magazine providing editorial coverage of music, film, theater, nightlife, community events, and creative profiles through blog articles and magazine issues. Targets readers interested in Milwaukee's urban culture, Black community, and creative scene. A 22-issue dynasty has been published since founding in 2015.
• Creative Media Services Professional creative services offered by CopyWrite Magazine including media production, content creation, and cultural programming for clients needing editorial, video, or event production support.
• The Intersection Podcast A flagship podcast series produced by CopyWrite Magazine covering cultural conversations, music discussions, and urban topics. Distributed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms.
• What's The Word Mi Gente Podcast A podcast by CopyWrite Magazine focused on cultural discussions within the Latino community and urban intersectionality.
• The Phone Booth A music performance video series based in Milwaukee's Bronzeville, inspired by platforms like COLORS and NPR Tiny Desk, showcasing diverse musical genres including R&B, alternative R&B, pop, hip-hop, and other vocal performances.
• IN THE LOCAL A content vertical within CopyWrite Magazine dedicated to local Milwaukee news, events, and cultural coverage.
• Shop / Merchandise Online e-commerce store operated on the Square platform selling CopyWrite Magazine issues, event tickets, and branded merchandise.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Milwaukee FilmcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 February 2026Partnership for 'Voices of the Black Press' event at Oriental Theatre featuring documentary screening and panel discussions. Co-hosted with Carvd N Stone to celebrate Black History Month and honor Black journalists and media professionals in Milwaukee.
• Milwaukee Chamber TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCopyWrite Magazine has been part of the host committee for Legacy Night at Milwaukee Chamber Theatre for 3 consecutive years. Legacy Night showcases productions like 'A Raisin in the Sun' with focus on Black community engagement. The partnership involves event promotion, ticket sales with promo code, and cultural programming support.
• Carvd N StonecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal news outlet partnership for community events. Jointly hosted 'Voices of the Black Press' event with Milwaukee Film featuring documentary screening and panel with Black journalists.
• Milwaukee Repertory TheatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPress coverage partnership for theater productions including 'Frida...A Self Portrait' and 'The Fisherman's Daughters'. Coverage includes reviews, photo documentation, and cultural commentary.
• Civic StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLexi S. Brunson featured as speaker at Civic Studios: The Creative Exchange event, a quarterly showcase for emerging creative projects and Milwaukee creative leaders.
• Outlet Mobile AppminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative partner for 'The Phone Booth' music performance series. The series launches on Outlet Mobile App platform which provides industry reach for artist performances.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/copywritemag
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/copywrite-magazine

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CopyWrite Magazine