Building a Podcasting Cooperative with Maximum Fun CEO Bikram Chatterji
03/20/24 • 38 min
In March of 2023 the podcast agency Maximum Fun announced the company would convert to a worker-owned model. At the same time, Maximum Fun’s founder, Jesse Thorn, would be stepping down as CEO after nearly 20 years at the company (though would still work at MaxFun).
On this episode, I'm checking in with their current CEO Bikram Chatterji to see how things are going. Bikram and I discuss why the company made this move, what it means to be a worker-owner, and the implications that the new model has on Maximum Fun’s business and Culture.
For more from Maximum Fun you can visit their website maximumfun.org. Between March 18 and March 29, 2024 they are running their annual listener fund drive. If you’re interested in donating you can visit maximumfun.org/join. You can find Bikram on LinkedIn or Twitter @chattbot.
I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro
If you want to learn more about Maximum Fun and other cooperatives in podcasting:
MaxFun’s website: https://maximumfun.org/co-op/
Recode Media podcast with Jesse Thorn: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2mdaW9qFFpr4nrvyyA36is
The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization services for dozens of new and industry-leading podcasts. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned podcaster, we offer what you need.
To find more about The Podglomerate:
– Show Page and Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives
– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Podglomeratepods
– Email: [email protected]
– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podglomerate
– Twitter: @podglomerate
– Instagram: @podglomeratepods
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In March of 2023 the podcast agency Maximum Fun announced the company would convert to a worker-owned model. At the same time, Maximum Fun’s founder, Jesse Thorn, would be stepping down as CEO after nearly 20 years at the company (though would still work at MaxFun).
On this episode, I'm checking in with their current CEO Bikram Chatterji to see how things are going. Bikram and I discuss why the company made this move, what it means to be a worker-owner, and the implications that the new model has on Maximum Fun’s business and Culture.
For more from Maximum Fun you can visit their website maximumfun.org. Between March 18 and March 29, 2024 they are running their annual listener fund drive. If you’re interested in donating you can visit maximumfun.org/join. You can find Bikram on LinkedIn or Twitter @chattbot.
I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro
If you want to learn more about Maximum Fun and other cooperatives in podcasting:
MaxFun’s website: https://maximumfun.org/co-op/
Recode Media podcast with Jesse Thorn: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2mdaW9qFFpr4nrvyyA36is
The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization services for dozens of new and industry-leading podcasts. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned podcaster, we offer what you need.
To find more about The Podglomerate:
– Show Page and Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives
– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Podglomeratepods
– Email: [email protected]
– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podglomerate
– Twitter: @podglomerate
– Instagram: @podglomeratepods
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Previous Episode
Tenderfoot TV in 2024 with CEO Donald Albright
Since the launch of Up and Vanished Season 1 in 2016, Tenderfoot TV has steadily grown into one of the most impactful companies in the podcast industry.
To explain how Tenderfoot TV got to where it is today, CEO Donald Albright joins me to talk about Tenderfoot’s unique approach to podcast marketing, how they leveraged the success of Up and Vanished to develop partnerships across the industry, and how they’re measuring success in 2024.
You can find more from Tenderfoot TV at their website tenderfoot.tv and check out the Season 4 of Up and Vanished wherever you get your podcasts. Donald is on LinkedIn and Twitter @dalbright03.
I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro
The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization services for dozens of new and industry-leading podcasts. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned podcaster, we offer what you need.
To find more about The Podglomerate:
– Show Page and Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives
– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Podglomeratepods
– Email: [email protected]
– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podglomerate
– Twitter: @podglomerate
– Instagram: @podglomeratepods
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Next Episode
Slate’s Most Profitable Year Ever with VP of Audio Alicia Montgomery
The 27-year-old Slate Magazine just had its most profitable year ever, and it credits podcasting for much of its success. Slate has been publishing podcasts since the 2005 launch of Political Gabfest, and they’ve built on that success ever since. Today, they have dozens of successful shows, a thriving subscription business in Slate Plus, and they recently acquired Death, Sex & Money from WNYC.
To learn how Slate achieved this, I’m chatting with Alicia Montgomery, their Vice President of Audio. Alicia was a public radio veteran before moving to Slate in 2020, where she now leads their content strategy. Alicia walks me through Slate’s history in podcasting, the strategy which led them to this moment, and their future in audio.
You can find Alicia online on LinkedIn and Twitter @AMontgomery_998. For more from Slate you can visit their website slate.com where they have all their print and audio content.
I’m on all the socials @JeffUmbro
The Podglomerate offers production, distribution, and monetization services for dozens of new and industry-leading podcasts. Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned podcaster, we offer what you need.
To find more about The Podglomerate:
– Show Page and Transcript: https://listen.podglomerate.com/show/podcast-perspectives
– YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Podglomeratepods
– Email: [email protected]
– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podglomerate
– Twitter: @podglomerate
– Instagram: @podglomeratepods
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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