Alex Cooper and Matt Kaplan Sign Representation Deal with CAA
The duo behind Unwell media company joins CAA to accelerate content and business expansion.
1Strategic Agency Partnership
Creative Artists Agency has officially signed Alex Cooper, Matt Kaplan, and their media company Unwell for representation. This agreement follows weeks of internal discussions regarding the future trajectory of the firm. The agency will now support the duo in scaling their business operations while focusing on the development of original intellectual property.
2Valuation and Investment
In August, Unwell secured a strategic investment from Patrick Whitesell’s firm, WTSL, which pushed the company valuation to $500 million. Founded in 2023, the organization has rapidly evolved into a media powerhouse targeting Gen Z women. This financial backing provides the necessary capital to pursue ambitious programming and talent acquisition goals.
3Leadership Team Expansion
Cooper and Kaplan have aggressively built out their executive team over the past year to manage growth. Key hires include President Joanne Bradford, Head of Ventures Samir Sama, and Chief Content Officer Mina Lefevre. These industry veterans join Chief Marketing Officer T.J. Marchetti to oversee the company’s diverse media and entertainment portfolio.
4Podcast Foundation
The company is built upon the success of Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, which launched in 2018. The show features candid conversations with prominent figures across sports, politics, and culture. It is currently distributed through a partnership with SiriusXM, which also hosts the dedicated Unwell audio channel on its satellite platform.
5Diverse Production Slate
Matt Kaplan, an experienced film and television producer, brings expertise from projects like To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Unwell’s current slate includes the Hulu documentary Call Her Alex and a Hannah Montana anniversary special for Disney+. The company is also developing adaptations of novels such as Icebreaker and Deep End.
6Expanding Content Ecosystem
The Unwell Network launched seven new programs in 2026, diversifying its reach across various digital platforms. Their YouTube presence features reality competition series like Unwell Winter Games and Unwell Summer Games. These initiatives demonstrate a clear strategy to capture younger audiences through consistent, high-engagement content across multiple streaming and social media channels.
7Legal and Advisory Support
Despite the new agency representation, Cooper, Kaplan, and Unwell maintain their existing legal counsel. The team continues to be represented by attorneys Matt Thompson and Emily Zipperstein at Sidley Austin LLP. Additionally, James Feldman at Lichter Grossman Nichols Feldman Rogal Shikora Clark and Shaun Gordon at Weintraub Tobin provide ongoing legal advisory services.
8Future Growth Trajectory
The partnership with CAA signals a shift toward institutionalizing Unwell’s operations as it moves beyond its podcast roots. By leveraging agency resources, the company aims to cultivate emerging talent and create immersive entertainment experiences. Observers should monitor how these new executive appointments and agency support influence the firm's upcoming slate of projects.
Original article: Variety – TV — Alex Cooper and Matt Kaplan Sign Representation Deal with CAA