Exclusive: Dan Abrams raising money for new media startup
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Photo of Dan Abrams at Ev&Em Vineyards on North Fork of Long Island in June 2024. Photo credit: Ev&Em Vineyards
Dan Abrams is in talks to raise money for his new media company Bottle Raiders, a spokesperson confirmed to Axios. In an interview, Abrams said the company, which aggregates and pens its own reviews of liquor, aims to become the largest multi-platform spirits media business in the country.
Why it matters: Abrams is a rare entrepreneurial success in media, but few people understand how vast his business empire is.
State of play: Bottle Raiders is the third major media company founded by Abrams, who tends to bootstrap his ventures.
- Abrams launched the Law & Crime network in 2015. He sold it to creator company Jellysmack in a nine-figure deal in 2023, despite only raising a meager $5 million in outside investment.
- His popular news criticism site Mediaite, which launched more than 15 years ago, has never raised money. Abrams told Axios that the site is profitable and he has no plans to sell the outlet.
Zoom in: In addition to his role as a digital media entrepreneur, Abrams is still heavily involved in radio and network TV. His coverage often leans into his legal expertise.
- He serves as ABC News' chief legal analyst and is a contributor at NewsNation. He hosts a radio show on SiriusXM and is the host and executive producer of "Court Cam" on A&E Network. He also hosts "On Patrol: Live," a reality docu-series that airs on the cable network Reelz.
The big picture: Abrams says he's using the same playbook he used to build his other companies to make Bottle Raiders a success.
- That strategy includes picking a niche subject and investing in cross-platform coverage without raising too much cash, if any.
Between the lines: Abrams, who is passionate about spirits and owns his own vineyard, has been quietly building Bottle Raiders for the past few years, he told Axios.
- The company launched a proprietary app last year that allows users to scan spirit bottles for ratings. While the site mostly focuses on tequila and and whiskey coverage, it's also trying to tap into a growing class of Americans who are turning to non-alcoholic spirits.
- Bottle Raiders last year acquired two events businesses, called Whiskey Washback and Arte Agave. This year it's expanding its event franchise from 14 events to 16 in new markets such as Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona.
What to watch: In September, Bottle Raiders will launch what it's calling the largest non-alcohol wellness festival in the country, featuring zero-proof spirits from more than 30 brands.
