Observed Signal · Jul 22, 2026 · Hiring · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Daily Upside Founder Steps Back Amid Rapid Growth
The Daily Upside, a financial-newsletter publisher founded in 2019 by Patrick Trousdale, is entering a new phase as Trousdale steps back from day-to-day operations to an advisory role and pursues a new adjacent project. McKay Murphy, previously COO, was named CEO after steering the company through its strongest fourth quarter. The publisher is pacing toward $6.5 million in revenue for the year (approximately $5.8M from newsletters, $600K from events and lead-gen), projects revenue growth north of 60%, is profitable, has about 25 staff, and has not taken outside investment. To accelerate growth it hired Katherine Divney as chief revenue officer and Carmen Starns as head of operations, is expanding B2B offerings (Advisor Upside has 100,000+ subscribers), launched a weekly Advisor podcast, and plans a CFO-focused publication this fall.
Details a mid-size publisher's leadership transition, revenue figures, subscriber reach, and strategic hires that illustrate newsletter-based monetization and B2B expansion—relevant but not industry-shifting.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Founder Patrick Trousdale is stepping back from day-to-day operations at The Daily Upside and will remain as an advisor.
- McKay Murphy, formerly chief operating officer, was named CEO after leading the company through its best fourth quarter.
- The Daily Upside is pacing toward $6.5 million in 2026 revenue — roughly $5.8M from newsletters and about $600K from non-newsletter sources — and projects growth north of 60% for the year.
- The company is profitable, has not raised outside investment, and employs about 25 people.
- The Daily Upside added two senior hires: Katherine Divney as chief revenue officer (starting July 27) and Carmen Starns as head of operations.
Connected Companies & Entities
12 Entities mapped“Before joining The Daily Upside three years ago, Murphy had worked at a variety of media companies, including most recently Morning Brew and...”
“Prior to joining The Daily Upside, Divney most recently served as the CRO for the travel, finance, and auto sub-verticals at People Inc....”
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“The Wall Street Journal confirmed much of my reporting, speaking with executives from USA Today, Politico, the Economist, People Inc., and R...”
“The Wall Street Journal confirmed much of my reporting, speaking with executives from USA Today, Politico, the Economist, People Inc., and R...”
“The Wall Street Journal confirmed much of my reporting, speaking with executives from USA Today, Politico, the Economist, People Inc., and R...”
“Jon Miller is the chief executive of the Integrated Media Company, a media company funded by the private equity giant TPG....”
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