Starglow Media Acquired by SuperAwesome: Why Kids’ Audio Is the Next Big Media Bet
Starglow Media, a fast-growing audio network dedicated to children and families, has officially been acquired by SuperAwesome, a leading youth-focused digital engagement company. The move marks SuperAwesome’s first acquisition since its management buyout from Epic Games and underscores a growing industry-wide belief: audio is becoming a cornerstone of how kids and families engage with content.
As screen fatigue rises among parents and regulators tighten scrutiny on youth digital spaces, trusted, privacy-first audio platforms are emerging as a powerful alternative. The Starglow acquisition positions SuperAwesome at the intersection of content, ad technology, and youth-safe engagement, expanding its footprint well beyond gaming and data intelligence.
Who Is Starglow Media? A Rapidly Scaling Kids’ Audio Network
Founded in 2023 by former UTA podcast agent Jed Baker, Starglow Media was created to serve a clear gap in the market: high-quality, scalable audio content for kids and families that advertisers could trust and parents would embrace.
In less than two years, the company has built an impressive portfolio:
Key Starglow Media Highlights:
45+ kids and family podcasts produced
Over 120 million annual listens
A mix of premium licensed IP and original storytelling formats
Strong relationships with major entertainment and publishing brands
Notable Podcast Titles:
Blue’s Clues (Paramount)
Dora the Explorer (Paramount)
Who Smarted?
Girl Tales
KidNuz
Stories Podcast
Stories Podcast: Sleep Series
Mysteries About True Histories
Starglow’s programming spans educational content, bedtime storytelling, news for kids, and character-driven audio experiences, making it a go-to destination for co-listening between parents and children.
Advertising in Kids’ Audio: A Challenging But Growing Market
Advertising in children’s media has long been considered difficult due to regulatory hurdles, parental trust issues, and platform restrictions. Yet Starglow Media has proven that brand-safe, value-driven partnerships are possible when content quality and trust come first.
Brands That Have Partnered With Starglow:
Disney
Netflix
Toyota
Hasbro
Paramount
Penguin Random House
These partnerships signal confidence in audio as a measurable, safe, and emotionally resonant channel—especially when hosted by trusted voices in family-friendly environments.
Why SuperAwesome Bought Starglow Media
SuperAwesome has historically focused on data intelligence, privacy-first advertising technology, and youth digital safety, rather than producing content itself. This acquisition represents a strategic expansion into audio as a core engagement channel.
Strategic Reasons Behind the Acquisition:
Expanding from data infrastructure into premium content environments
Meeting rising demand for screen-free engagement
Leveraging audio as an emotionally powerful medium
Enabling brands to reach Gen Alpha and parents simultaneously
Strengthening multi-channel storytelling across platforms
The deal also aligns with SuperAwesome’s mission to help brands safely reach young audiences across:
Gaming ecosystems
Creator platforms
YouTube
Mobile games
Connected TV (CTV)
Now, premium kids’ audio
A “Full-Circle Moment” for Starglow Founder Jed Baker
For Starglow founder Jed Baker, the acquisition is both strategic and deeply personal.
“From the beginning, we believed kids and family audio deserved to be treated as a premium, scalable channel,” Baker said. “SuperAwesome understands how young audiences actually spend their time—and together, we can offer brands and content owners a level of reach and credibility in audio that hasn’t existed before.”
As part of the acquisition:
Jed Baker joins SuperAwesome as Head of Audio
Agerenesh ‘Aggi’ Ashagre Palmer will oversee audio operations
This leadership continuity ensures that Starglow’s creative vision remains intact while benefiting from SuperAwesome’s global infrastructure and ad-tech expertise.
Audio’s Growing Role in Family Life
SuperAwesome executives believe audio is uniquely positioned to become one of the most trusted forms of youth engagement.
Why Audio Works for Kids and Families:
Encourages imagination over passive consumption
Reduces screen time without sacrificing engagement
Fits naturally into daily routines (bedtime, car rides, playtime)
Triggers emotional memory tied to beloved characters and stories
According to SuperAwesome’s internal insights, nine out of ten parents are receptive to advertising messages delivered by trusted family podcast hosts—an engagement rate far exceeding many digital display formats.
Founded in 2013, SuperAwesome has become a foundational player in the youth digital ecosystem. It works with hundreds of brands, creators, and content owners to deliver compliant, privacy-first engagement with Gen Alpha and Gen Z.
What Sets SuperAwesome Apart:
COPPA- and GDPR-compliant infrastructure
Deep audience intelligence without invasive data collection
Trusted relationships with global brands
Continued investment backing from Epic Games
Although gaming remains part of its DNA, SuperAwesome now sees audio as a natural extension of its ecosystem.
“Audio is one of the most emotive and powerful memory triggers,” said Nick Walters, President and Chief Strategy Officer. “With Starglow Media, we’re building the most comprehensive way for brands to safely and measurably engage Gen Alpha—wherever they are.”
Industry Reaction: Brands See Audio as a Trusted Channel
The acquisition has been welcomed by brands already working across both platforms.
Logan Stone, Senior VP and Head of Marketing at Moose Toys, described audio as a uniquely trusted space:
“Audio is imaginative, shared, and deeply trusted in family life. It creates moments that really matter. For brands like ours, that makes it an incredibly compelling channel.”
Stone believes the combined strengths of Starglow and SuperAwesome will help brands reach families in high-quality, meaningful environments rather than cluttered digital spaces.
What This Deal Means for the Future of Kids’ Media
The Starglow–SuperAwesome acquisition reflects a broader industry trend:
Emerging Media Shifts:
Declining reliance on pure screen-based engagement
Increased focus on audio-first and hybrid experiences
Greater emphasis on privacy, trust, and parent approval
Growth in co-consumption models (kids + parents)
Stronger demand for premium, branded IP in safe environments
For publishers, brands, and content creators, kids’ audio is no longer a niche—it’s becoming a core pillar of youth engagement strategies.
Financial Terms and Deal Structure
While financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, industry analysts view the deal as strategically significant rather than purely revenue-driven. The value lies in:
Audience scale
Content trust
Data intelligence
Brand-safe monetization
Final Takeaway: A Bet on the Next Generation of Media
The acquisition of Starglow Media by SuperAwesome is more than a corporate transaction—it’s a signal that kids’ audio is entering its next phase of growth. As families look for meaningful alternatives to endless screen time, audio storytelling, education, and entertainment are stepping into the spotlight.
For SuperAwesome, the deal strengthens its ambition to become the most trusted gateway between brands and young audiences. For Starglow, it offers scale, technology, and global reach—without sacrificing creative integrity.
And for the industry, it’s a clear message: The future of kids’ media is being heard, not just seen.