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Fresh off closing the "New Heights" deal with Amazon's Wondery, Brick Media CEO Maggie Clifton says she is growing the Kelce brothers' podcast and seeking new clients.

Why it matters: The executive recently launched a media management firm amid a sports podcast boom.

Catch up quick: Clifton says she cut her teeth working for brands in sports and entertainment while at Wasserman. That's how, in 2018, she met Aaron Eanes of A&A Management, which represents Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The football player became a "fast favorite" of clients, she says.

In 2022, Eanes approached Clifton, who was then working at sports podcast company Blue Wire, for advice on launching a podcast for the Kelce brothers. She says she provided tips like having a regular publication schedule and prioritizing video and social.

Last fall, Eanes proposed to Clifton the idea of Brick Media — a firm supporting media businesses like "New Heights" with strategy and business development. The podcast, already a success, had received a significant listenership boost thanks to Taylor Swift.

Clifton formally began in January with Eanes and his brother, Andre, as co-founders. She says they held off on an announcement as they focused on the "New Heights" deal.

Context: Clifton says podcast success stories like "New Heights," "The Draymond Green Show" and others have "paved the way ... for athletes that want to have a platform to express themselves."

Athletes have different objectives with their podcasts, such as a way to share their voice, collaborate with brands, generate more income and prepare for a potential broadcasting career, she says.

Brick Media helps identify and achieve those objectives through sales and creative strategy and partner management, she says. The firm can help build and grow podcasts beyond audio through video, social, live events and merchandise.

How it works: For the "New Heights" deal, Clifton says the team started with a financial model to "be intentional about the valuation," pulling from existing numbers and expected growth, and began introducing the potential opportunity around the Super Bowl.

Clifton says "New Heights" did not need a new partner, but they ended up narrowing the field and choosing Wondery because of that team's expertise.

The brothers also were interested by Amazon's backing and potential collaborations with other business units, Clifton says, and that another win was retaining Wave Sports + Entertainment for production.

Brick Media operates remotely with four full-time employees, including Clifton. Ex-Spotify Mollie McHugh serves as director of partnerships. P.J. Selzer and Drew Corrigan-Nunez, both ex-Bleacher Report, work as director of social content and director of marketing, respectively.

What's next: Asked about a "New Heights" live show, Clifton says the team is considering it. The firm plans to expand from focusing on sports clients to entertainment.

Meet Maggie Clifton, dealmaker for "New Heights"

Travis Kelce's manager quietly enlisted a top expert.

Photo illustration of Maggie Clifton surrounded by abstract shapes.

Maggie Clifton. Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Courtesy of Maggie Clifton

Podcasts

Fresh off closing the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;New Heights&quot; deal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/27/9-figure-side-hustle-closer" data-vars-content-id="3944fe45-b7e1-499e-8fb5-6bceb23747ed" data-vars-headline="Meet Maggie Clifton, dealmaker for &quot;New Heights&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/27/9-figure-side-hustle-closer" target="_self">&quot;New Heights&quot; deal</a> with Amazon&#x27;s Wondery, Brick Media CEO Maggie Clifton says she is growing the Kelce brothers&#x27; podcast and seeking new clients.Why it matters: The executive recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="launched" data-vars-click-url="https://www.accesswire.com/913053/introducing-brick-media-a-new-force-in-media-management-and-innovation" data-vars-content-id="3944fe45-b7e1-499e-8fb5-6bceb23747ed" data-vars-headline="Meet Maggie Clifton, dealmaker for &quot;New Heights&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.accesswire.com/913053/introducing-brick-media-a-new-force-in-media-management-and-innovation" target="_blank">launched</a> a media management firm amid a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sports podcast boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2024/05/13/iab-podcast-upfront" data-vars-content-id="3944fe45-b7e1-499e-8fb5-6bceb23747ed" data-vars-headline="Meet Maggie Clifton, dealmaker for &quot;New Heights&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2024/05/13/iab-podcast-upfront" target="_self">sports podcast boom</a>.

Meet Maggie Clifton, dealmaker for "New Heights"

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