The Newsletter is the New Front Page: A Conversation with Phil Rosen of Opening Bell Daily

By 829 Studios

In today’s fractured media landscape it’s easy to assume the golden era of financial journalism is behind us. But for Phil Rosen, co-founder of the newly launched Opening Bell Daily, this moment is not about decline, it’s about opportunity. With legacy publications tightening paywalls and newsrooms trimming staff, Rosen sees an opening for more agile, direct-to-audience media brands—and he’s betting on the newsletter as the medium to build it on.

We took a close look at Briefing Notes from SBS Comms, where Rosen shared his perspectives on launching a financial media startup, the evolving PR landscape, and why newsletters are the future of trusted news delivery.

Building a Media Brand for the Next Generation of Investors

Founded by Rosen and entrepreneur Anthony Pompliano, Opening Bell Daily aims to provide premium, original financial reporting without a paywall. Targeted at retail investors, financial professionals, and business news enthusiasts, the brand delivers one core product in the form of a daily morning newsletter and news roundup.

It’s fast, focused and free, and that simplicity is intentional. “We want to become a daily habit,” Rosen explains. “There are very few financial media outlets offering insider-level access to Wall Street without the friction of subscriptions.”

Plans are already underway to expand into audio and video content, creating a multimedia brand rooted in editorial substance and accessibility.

Why Now?

Launching a media brand at a time when newsrooms are downsizing, funding is tight, and audiences are fragmented might seem counterintuitive. But Rosen argues these are what makes now the perfect time.

“The importance of financial journalism is at an all-time high,” he says. “Markets are volatile, inflation is top-of-mind, and yet most of this information is hidden behind paywalls.” The decline of traditional gatekeepers has made room for a new wave of creators and independent outlets—more agile, more transparent, and often more engaging.

It’s also a strong counterpoint to what’s happening in legacy media, where Rosen suggests that clinging to outdated models is no longer viable.

The Case for Newsletters

At the heart of Opening Bell Daily’s strategy is the humble email newsletter, and Rosen is bullish. “With newsletters, you own your audience,” he says. “You’re not relying on algorithms or SEO. It’s direct, scalable, and incredibly sticky.”

For brands, the message is clear—if you want sustained engagement you can’t just chase visibility, you need to build relationships. The inbox offers a direct line to that audience, especially as social algorithms become less reliable and more pay-to-play.

What PR Teams Should Know

Rosen welcomes pitches related to the markets, the U.S. economy, public companies, IPOs, and policy, but warns that relevance is key. “Our readers expect original reporting with real insight,” he says.

That means PR professionals should focus on market-moving developments, clear data points, and timely narratives. If you’re reaching out, keep it crisp, clear and tied to current financial dynamics.

What He’s Reading

Rosen shares what’s on his bookshelf:

• The Smartest Guys in the Room – a deep dive into the Enron scandal
• Table for Two by Amor Towles – a short story collection from his favorite fiction writer

Even in a world of quick takes and streaming content, Rosen reminds us that longform still has a place, as long as the story is worth telling.

Need help building newsletter or media-first strategies for your brand? At 829 Studios, we help companies launch content that builds authority and drives results—whether it’s delivered in inboxes, on air, or in headlines. Let’s connect.