Savannah James has launched a new holding company called Signed to centralize her portfolio of women-focused media and business ventures. The company, co-founded with business partner April McDaniel, will manage the creative agency Crown+Conquer, the membership-based community Let It Break, and the podcast Everybody’s Crazy. The venture is backed by a partnership with Marcy Venture Partners, a private equity firm co-founded by Jay-Z.
How Signed Functions as a Holding Company
Signed serves as the parent organization for James and McDaniel’s existing business interests. By consolidating their projects, the duo aims to scale their operations and streamline the management of their creative entities. According to Fast Company, the name Signed represents the founders’ commitment to "backing" every project or initiative the company undertakes.
The launch follows the pair’s departure from Dear Media. McDaniel noted that while they received offers to move in-house at other companies, they chose to retain ownership of their professional trajectory. "We’re building our own studio," McDaniel told Fast Company. "We’re really building the opportunity to own the narrative."
Why Savannah James Partnered with Marcy Venture Partners
The launch of Signed includes a strategic partnership with Marcy Venture Partners. This firm, which counts Jay-Z, Jay Brown, and Larry Marcus as co-founders, focuses on consumer-facing startups. By aligning with the firm, James and McDaniel gain access to institutional support for their growth strategy.
James emphasized that the decision to build a team around her is based on identifying specific strengths. "I’ve always been a champion of experts," James told Fast Company. "There’s always somebody that’s smarter. There’s always somebody who’s more efficient. So if I can place those people around us, that’s what we’re going to do."
What Role Does Content Play in the New Venture?
A significant portion of Signed’s current portfolio is media-centric, specifically the podcast Everybody’s Crazy. The founders have expressed a focus on maintaining editorial independence rather than prioritizing rapid monetization.
McDaniel stated that the company’s approach to content is driven by the trust they have established with their audience. "We’re aware that we are trusted in what we say and what we cosign," McDaniel explained. "There is a level of responsibility that comes with utilizing your voice. So Signed is coming with that responsibility, that reputation, and also the possibility of doing what you love can really work out in the end."
Key Takeaways
- Company Structure: Signed is a new holding company founded by Savannah James and April McDaniel to oversee their business portfolio.
- Portfolio Assets: The company manages the creative agency Crown+Conquer, the membership platform Let It Break, and the podcast Everybody’s Crazy.
- Financial Backing: The venture is launched in partnership with Marcy Venture Partners, the private equity firm co-founded by Jay-Z.
- Strategic Goal: The founders aim to maintain creative control and ownership of their projects rather than operating as an in-house team for a larger media conglomerate.
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