TYT Names Airwave as Exclusive Advertising Sales Partner Across Premium Video, Audio and Live Inventory in Undisclosed Seven-Figure Deal

TYT, one of the largest independent news and politics networks in digital media, today announced a strategic partnership with Airwave, naming the podcast and video network its exclusive third-party advertising sales representative across a defined portfolio of TYT’s premium inventory.

Under the agreement, Airwave will represent premium advertising opportunities across TYT’s podcast, digital video and live programming, including TYT’s premium Google Ad Manager 360 inventory - YouTube’s partner sales program.

Airwave is expanding its in-house sales operation and recently hired Charles Dannison as Senior Vice President of Podcast Sales to oversee the expansion of its sales team and lead strategic sales initiatives. Dannison brings more than 20 years of experience in audio and digital advertising, including more than a decade in podcast monetization.

The agreement brings together two independent digital media companies with complementary strengths: TYT’s multiplatform reach and highly engaged news audience, and Airwave’s growing advertising sales infrastructure and expertise in monetizing independent media brands.

“Over the past 20+ years, Cenk Uygur has built a media juggernaut. The Young Turks is one of the most trusted names in news and politics. The fact that our values align so perfectly makes this partnership even sweeter! We cannot wait to start presenting The Young Turks’ fantastic roster of shows to advertisers, with a particular emphasis on TYT’s exciting GAM360 capabilities!” said Ben Mathis, Chief Content Officer of Airwave.

For TYT, the partnership is one of the first major commercial initiatives led by Praveen Singh in her new role as Chief Business Officer of TYT. Singh, a 15-year TYT executive who previously served as the company’s CFO and CMO and has led revenue and business development initiatives across the organization, now oversees TYT’s business operations, revenue strategy, distribution and new growth initiatives.

“Since TYT was founded in 2002, we’ve proven that an independent media company can build enormous audience, loyalty and cultural relevance without following the traditional media playbook,” said Singh. “The opportunity in front of us now is to be just as ambitious and innovative about the business we build around that audience. I was drawn to Airwave because Ben and his team have built a strong, entrepreneurial business and share our perspective on where media, advertising and video are headed. This partnership is an important first step in a broader strategy to expand TYT’s commercial capabilities, develop new revenue opportunities and build creative partnerships that can take the company into its next stage of growth.”

“TYT has always grown by seeing where media is going before the rest of the industry gets there,” said Cenk Uygur, founder and CEO of TYT. “We built this company by betting on digital video when almost no one believed it could become a real media business. We’re bringing that same mindset to the next stage of TYT. Praveen is leading an ambitious new business strategy for the company, and Airwave is exactly the kind of partner we want alongside us: independent, entrepreneurial and willing to build something new. We have tremendous scale and an incredibly engaged audience. Now we’re going to be equally ambitious about the business opportunities around it.”