Dolphin Forms New Division to Elevate Culinary and Lifestyle Talent
Rhea-AI Summary
Dolphin (NASDAQ:DLPN) has launched Dolphin Tastemakers, a new division created through collaboration between its subsidiaries The Digital Dept. and The Door. This innovative division combines talent management and PR services specifically for culinary and lifestyle creators.
The division's roster includes notable talent such as Josh Scherer (Mythical Kitchen), Jeanine Donofrio, Jessica Bui, and Alfredo Garcia. Tastemakers offers a unique full-service model where PR campaigns by The Door enhance visibility while The Digital Dept. monetizes through brand partnerships and endorsements, creating what CEO Bill O'Dowd describes as a "virtuous flywheel" for talent growth.
This strategic initiative aligns with Dolphin's vision of providing comprehensive 360-degree services to clients, including production, events, product development, and affiliate services.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- No financial metrics or revenue projections provided
- Success depends on unproven integrated service model
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, DLPN gained 2.18%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +45.9% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -4.1% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 29 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $424K to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $20M at that time. Trading volume was exceptionally heavy at 76.3x the daily average, suggesting very strong buying interest.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
"Tastemakers" Launches as a First-of-Its-Kind Collaboration Between Dolphin Subsidiaries The Door and The Digital Dept., Pioneering New Model of Talent Management and Earned Media
LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / August 13, 2025 / Dolphin (NASDAQ:DLPN), the award-winning entertainment, marketing and media company, today announced the launch of Dolphin Tastemakers, a new division formed through a strategic collaboration between subsidiaries The Digital Dept. and The Door. Tastemakers delivers a unique, full-service model for culinary and lifestyle creators - pairing talent management and brand strategy with premier PR and amplification services.
The Dolphin Tastemakers roster includes influential chefs, media personalities, and cultural trendsetters across food, beverage, and lifestyle who have active social followings. These creators gain access to a full menu of services within the Dolphin ecosystem. Talent management is provided by the culinary and lifestyle specialists at The Digital Dept., who secure brand partnerships, product collaborations, and IP development opportunities to help monetize and grow influence. In addition, creators have the opportunity for premier earned media representation from The Door's award-winning PR team, renowned for their expertise in representing culinary and lifestyle talent.
The roster includes culinary and lifestyle talent such as New York Times #1 Best-selling cookbook author and host of Mythical Kitchen's viral show Last Meals Josh Scherer (@mythicalchefjosh), New York Times best-selling cookbook author and recipe developer Jeanine Donofrio (@loveandlemons), lifestyle homemaking and hosting creator Jessica Bui (@the.orange.home) and Mexican-American chef and cookbook author Alfredo Garcia (@freddsters).
"Creators and lifestyle icons typically engage separate firms for management representation and publicity, often leading to disconnected strategies and missed opportunities. We've eliminated that friction," said Bill O'Dowd, CEO of Dolphin. "Our teams now work as one unit from the outset, crafting cohesive strategies that maximize both commercial opportunities and cultural relevance. The Door's PR campaigns keep these talent top of mind for both brand managers and the public at large while The Digital Dept. monetizes that cultural cache for the talent through brand partnerships and endorsements. This creates a virtuous flywheel for the talent. More visibility through PR and earned media leads to the ability to capitalize on greater endorsement potential."
The division reflects Dolphin's broader vision of offering a 360-degree approach to its clients and partners across its collective of agencies. Tastemakers clients can gain direct access to the expansive Dolphin ecosystem, including production, events, product development, affiliate services, and more.
"What's special here is that our PR and influencer management teams don't just work in parallel - they feed each other in real time. The right media coverage builds credibility and demand, which opens the door to bigger deals. Those deals, in turn, create more stories to tell and more moments to amplify. It's a growth loop that keeps building on itself, and only Dolphin has the structure and expertise to make it happen seamlessly, said Lois Najarian O'Neill, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of The Door.
"With Tastemakers, we're tapping into a real passion for food and lifestyle creators who shape culture every day," said Sarah Boyd, co-CEO of The Digital Dept. "This division isn't just about business - it's about celebrating the stories behind great food and lifestyle brands, and giving creators the management muscle and access to best in class PR that they need to turn their passion into lasting success, both online and beyond."
ABOUT DOLPHIN
Named the #1 Agency of the Year by the Observer in 2025, Dolphin (NASDAQ:DLPN) is a strategic marketing consultancy comprised of top executives from the leading firms across every marketing practice- public relations, influencer and social media marketing, talent management, branding, talent booking, events, and social impact - including 42West, The Door, Shore Fire Media, Elle Communications, Special Projects, The Digital Dept., and Always Alpha. Its long-standing Entertainment division produces acclaimed film, television, and digital content with high-profile partners, while at the nucleus is a venture incubator that develops and accelerates breakthrough ideas, products, and experiences, powered by Dolphin's unmatched cross-marketing expertise and relationships across every vertical of pop culture from entertainment, music, sports, hospitality and fashion to consumer brands, and purpose-driven initiatives.
###
CONTACT:
James Carbonara
Hayden IR
james@haydenir.com
646-755-7412
SOURCE: Dolphin Entertainment
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
FAQ
What is Dolphin Tastemakers and when was it launched?
Who are the key talents signed to DLPN's Tastemakers division?
How does Dolphin's Tastemakers division benefit content creators?
What services does DLPN's Tastemakers division offer to its clients?
Who leads the Tastemakers division at Dolphin Entertainment?
