Company case study
Dex Media
Dex Media is a digital marketing and advertising company that originated from the yellow pages business. It came up on My First Million, hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri, in the episode "How Scott Galloway Turned $8M into $120M Through Investing" (aired May 16, 2025).
At a glance
| Podcast | My First Million |
|---|---|
| Hosted by | Sam Parr and Shaan Puri |
| Episode | How Scott Galloway Turned $8M into $120M Through Investing |
| Aired | May 16, 2025 |
| Revenue and traction | $600 million in revenue with $280 million in EBITDA, though the business was declining at about 12% per year. |
| Category | Agency |
Figures and claims are as told on the episode, summarized from the transcript. Check the date: they describe the company at the time it aired.
What the episode said
How Scott Galloway Turned $8M into $120M Through Investing · aired May 16, 2025 · hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Why it works
The company successfully transitioned from a declining print business to a digital CRM and marketing software provider.
Founding story
The company was acquired and underwent a major transformation to adapt to the digital landscape.
The playbook
Dex Media focused on consolidating smaller companies and utilizing their existing relationships with small businesses to sell CRM software.
Also mentioned
The stock price increased significantly as the company executed its transition strategy.
Why this works now (our analysis)
Google Ads' local services feature allows Dex Media to target small businesses seeking digital marketing solutions. The company could initiate revenue generation by leveraging niche forums like r/digital_marketing to connect with potential clients. A significant constraint is the need for ongoing investment in technology to maintain competitive offerings, which strains cash flow amid a backdrop of declining revenue.