Vox Media Partners With Seth Matlins to Launch New Executive Marketing Franchise in 2026
Vox Media, one of the world’s most influential modern media companies, has announced a strategic partnership with renowned marketing executive and thought leader Seth Matlins to launch a new multi-platform franchise aimed at business and marketing executives. The ambitious new venture is scheduled to debut in early 2026 and will span podcasts, video content, and immersive live events designed to spark meaningful conversations at the highest levels of leadership.
The announcement marks another major step in Vox Media’s continued expansion into premium, executive-focused content, reinforcing its reputation as a powerhouse in digital storytelling, thought leadership, and community-driven media.
A New Franchise Designed for CMOs, CEOs, and Business Decision-Makers
At its core, the new Vox Media–Seth Matlins franchise is being positioned as a destination for senior executives, particularly Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs), CEOs, founders, and brand leaders navigating today’s volatile and fast-changing business landscape.
The franchise will feature:
🎙 High-production video podcasts
🏛 Multi-day leadership summits
🧠 Hands-on workshops
🍽 Curated executive dinners and closed-door discussions
🌐 Cross-platform distribution across Vox Media’s ecosystem
By blending editorial depth with real-world engagement, the initiative aims to create a trusted forum for candid, strategic conversations around marketing, growth, leadership, and culture.
Seth Matlins: A Proven Architect of Executive Communities
Seth Matlins brings decades of experience at the intersection of marketing, culture, media, and leadership. Most recently, he served as Managing Director of the Forbes CMO Network, where he played a pivotal role in shaping one of the most influential communities of senior marketing executives globally.
During his tenure at Forbes, Matlins:
Built a trusted network of top CMOs and brand leaders
Hosted the well-regarded monthly podcast “The CEO’s Guide to Marketing”
Led conversations on brand purpose, cultural relevance, and modern leadership
Helped redefine how marketing executives connect, learn, and collaborate
The new Vox Media partnership will allow Matlins to expand and evolve that community, leveraging Vox’s scale, production expertise, and distribution power.
Vox Media’s Strategic Vision Behind the Partnership
According to Ray Chao, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Podcasts at Vox Media, the partnership reflects a shared commitment to depth, authenticity, and impact.
“Seth’s differentiated voice and approach makes him unique in his ability to convene top executives for candid, important conversations. We’re honored to partner with Seth for this one-of-a-kind franchise to bring audiences his insider’s take on marketing and his insights on how businesses can grow and succeed in these turbulent times.”
Vox Media views this collaboration as a long-term franchise, not just a single show or event series—one designed to evolve alongside the challenges facing modern enterprises.
Multi-Platform by Design: Podcasts, Video, and Live Experiences
🎧 Video Podcast Series
The flagship component of the franchise will be a new video podcast series featuring in-depth conversations with:
Global CMOs
Fortune 500 CEOs
Founders and entrepreneurs
Cultural strategists
Media and technology leaders
Unlike traditional interview formats, these discussions will focus on real-world decision-making, lessons learned, and forward-looking strategies rather than surface-level soundbites.
🏛 Live Events and Executive Summits
In addition to digital content, the franchise will host a year-round calendar of live experiences, including:
Multi-day executive summits
Invite-only leadership retreats
Skill-building workshops
Small-group dinners for peer-to-peer dialogue
These events are designed to foster trust, openness, and actionable insight, moving beyond panels into genuine conversation.
Vox Media to Lead Production, Sales, and Distribution
Under the terms of the partnership, Vox Media will oversee all operational aspects, including:
Podcast and video production
Event production and logistics
Advertising and sponsorship sales
Marketing and promotion
Multi-platform distribution
This end-to-end support allows Matlins to focus on editorial vision, community building, and thought leadership, while Vox Media ensures world-class execution and reach.
A Career Built at the Intersection of Culture and Commerce
Before Forbes, Seth Matlins held several influential roles that shaped modern marketing and cultural strategy:
Key Career Highlights
President of Rock the Vote – Leading one of the most impactful civic engagement organizations in the U.S.
Founder of the Marketing Practice at Creative Artists Agency (CAA) – Bridging entertainment, brands, and culture
First Global CMO of Live Nation – Defining global brand strategy at scale
Head of Cultural Strategy and Insights at Endeavor – Driving data-informed cultural marketing initiatives
This diverse background positions Matlins uniquely to speak to both corporate leaders and cultural innovators, a balance increasingly critical in modern brand-building.
Matlins on the Vox Media Partnership: “Too Good to Pass Up”
Commenting on the announcement, Matlins described the partnership as a natural next chapter in his career:
“The chance to partner with Vox Media and expand my work championing great marketing and marketers was one of those proverbial ‘too good to pass up’ opportunities. Their expertise, scale, and proven track record make building this new venture together the perfect next act.”
His statement underscores the mutual alignment between Vox Media’s editorial ambition and Matlins’ mission to elevate the role of marketing within business leadership.
Strengthening Vox Media’s Podcast and Thought Leadership Lineup
The new franchise will join Vox Media’s already impressive roster of influential podcasts, including:
Pivot – Hosted by Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway
Decoder – Hosted by Nilay Patel, Editor-in-Chief of The Verge
Waveform: The MKBHD Podcast – Hosted by Marques Brownlee
Stay Tuned with Preet – Hosted by former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara
Channels – Hosted by journalist Peter Kafka
Together, these programs reinforce Vox Media’s position as a leader in intelligent, high-impact audio and video storytelling.
Why This Franchise Matters in Today’s Business Climate
In an era marked by:
Economic uncertainty
Rapid technological change
Cultural polarization
Shifting consumer expectations
Business leaders are increasingly seeking trusted spaces for honest dialogue. The Vox Media–Seth Matlins franchise aims to fill that gap by offering:
Thoughtful analysis instead of hype
Experience-driven insights instead of theory
Community over content alone
What to Expect Leading Up to the 2026 Launch
As the early 2026 launch approaches, industry watchers can expect:
Announcements of inaugural podcast guests
Details on the first executive summit
Sponsorship and brand partnership opportunities
Expansion into additional digital formats
The franchise is expected to grow organically, shaped by the needs and feedback of its executive audience.
Conclusion: A Strategic Move With Long-Term Impact
The partnership between Vox Media and Seth Matlins represents more than a content launch—it signals a broader shift toward community-driven, executive-level media. By combining Vox Media’s storytelling infrastructure with Matlins’ deep relationships and cultural insight, the new franchise is poised to become a must-follow platform for business and marketing leaders worldwide.
As organizations navigate increasingly complex challenges, this initiative promises to deliver not just conversations—but clarity, connection, and confidence.
