WTSL, a firm led by Patrick Whitesell and backed by Silver Lake, has invested in Alex Cooper’s media company, Unwell, which is now valued at $500 million. The investment is aimed at expanding the company, particularly through acquisitions. Cooper noted the importance of trust in media distribution, highlighting Unwell’s reach of 70 million women monthly. This marks the first outside investment for Unwell, which has been profitable since its launch three years ago.
Whitesell praised Unwell for its audience connection and cultural relevance. Cooper co-founded Unwell with her husband, Matt Kaplan, in 2023, and it includes the popular podcast Call Her Daddy, merchandise, live events, and a film/TV production arm targeting Gen Z. They’ve partnered with Google and secured a $125 million deal with SiriusXM.
However, recent reports from Bloomberg and Vanity Fair have raised concerns about staff turnover and workplace conditions within the company.
