Meet Melissa Rosenthal | Co-founder, Outlever

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Rosenthal and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My journey to building Outlever was truly the culmination of my entire career. From being one of the earliest employees at BuzzFeed to building Cheddar, my goal has always been to create compelling content that brands want to align with and that gives them a distinct voice.

Transitioning from media to B2B SaaS, I saw firsthand how challenging it is for companies to reach their core customers at scale, efficiently. Outlever was born out of a desire to solve this problem. Our mission is to help companies become authorities in their space by creating content that matters—both to them and their customers—at scale.

Given my experience, I felt uniquely positioned to tackle this challenge. There was no other path for me; this was the natural next step in my career.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our business is all about redefining how brands approach sales and marketing by creating what we call “account-based media.” Through my journey from media companies to hyper-growth B2B SaaS, and then into consumer-facing roles, I’ve discovered a common thread: to succeed, you need to be absolutely everywhere, all the time, engaging the right people in the right conversations. This presence is what ultimately drives buying decisions.

At companies like ClickUp, we invested millions in various channels—not just SEO or paid ads, not just billboards or even a Super Bowl ad. It was about being at the forefront of conversations in our industry, absolutely dominating them. That kind of omnipresence has always been challenging to achieve at scale, and it became clear to me that traditional marketing strategies alone couldn’t accomplish it.

This realization led to the foundation of our business. We enable a new type of sales and marketing strategy that no one else offers—account-based media. This strategy is a perfect complement to existing content and SEO approaches. Think of it as creating your own “dream trade publication” that lives on your sites, social channels, and through downstream partners, publishing hundreds of stories a week.

We help companies become the #1 news source in their industry by generating relevant news content and thought leadership that directly engages partners and prospects at scale. Whether it’s market intelligence, industry trade news, or amplifying news, hires, and launches for companies in your ICP set, we keep conversations going 24/7.

Was it easy to get here? Not at all. There were challenges, particularly in breaking away from the traditional playbook and building something entirely new. But through relentless focus on innovation and a belief in the power of conversation, we’ve created a platform that not only drives conversations but also maps every single one back to your brand.

The lesson we’ve learned along the way is simple: If you want to stand out and lead in today’s digital landscape, you need to own the conversation. And that’s exactly what we help our customers do.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The beauty of San Diego is that it’s a mix of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and diverse activities. If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d want them to experience the full range of what this incredible city has to offer.

Day 1: Coastal Adventure
We’d kick off with a morning hike at Torrey Pines State Reserve to take in those stunning coastal views. Nothing beats the fresh ocean air and the beautiful scenery that instantly puts you in a California state of mind. After the hike, we’d head to Bird Rock Coffee Roasters for some of the best coffee in San Diego, enjoying it while overlooking the marsh. From there, we’d drive up the coast to Encinitas for lunch—because you can’t visit San Diego without getting some incredible tacos. Encinitas Fish Shop or The Taco Stand would be the top picks. The afternoon would be spent exploring the charming streets and shops of Solana Beach, especially Cedros Avenue. For dinner, Rare Society offers a great atmosphere and delicious food to wind down the first day.

Day 2: City and Culture
The next day would be all about soaking up the culture. We’d start with a visit to Balboa Park, wandering through its beautiful gardens, and maybe popping into a few museums like the San Diego Museum of Art. Lunch at Panama 66 is a must for its fantastic outdoor setting. In the evening, we’d head to Little Italy for dinner at Born & Raised.

Day 3: Waterfront and Wildlife
We’d start Day 3 with a morning stroll through La Jolla Cove to see the sea lions and walk along the coast, followed by brunch at The Cottage. Afterward, it’s off to the San Diego Zoo—one of the best in the world—for an afternoon of exploring. We’d wrap up with an evening in Coronado, enjoying the sunset by the Hotel del Coronado with a drink in hand.

Day 4: A Taste of Tijuana
For a little adventure, we’d cross the border to Tijuana for a day of food and culture. We’d start with street tacos and end with a visit to the galleries at Pasaje Rodriguez, experiencing the unique blend of traditional and contemporary Mexican art. The nightlife in Tijuana is also something to experience, so we’d make sure to visit a few trendy bars or speakeasies.

Day 5: Beach Day and Brewery Hopping
A trip to San Diego isn’t complete without a full beach day. Pacific Beach or Mission Beach is perfect for relaxing, surfing, or grabbing a bike to ride along the boardwalk. After a day of sun and sand, we’d hit up a few of San Diego’s famous breweries in North Park or Miramar—think Modern Times, Ballast Point, or Pure Project.

Day 6: North County Exploration
On Day 6, we’d head back up the coast to explore more of North County. Start with breakfast at Pipes Cafe in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, followed by paddleboarding or kayaking in Carlsbad. After some water activities, we’d explore Carlsbad Village for shopping and a laid-back lunch. Dinner at Campfire or Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad would be a great way to end the day.

Day 7: Wine and Relaxation in Temecula
To cap off the week, we’d drive out to the Temecula Valley Wine Country. We’d spend the day wine tasting at some of the best vineyards like Wilson Creek Winery or Leoness Cellars. After a day of indulging in wine, we’d have dinner at one of the winery restaurants or head back to San Diego for a final meal at a local favorite, like Wolf in the Woods.

San Diego is full of surprises, and the people, places, and experiences here are some of the most vibrant you’ll find anywhere. From beach days to city nights, there’s no shortage of ways to show friends and family the best time ever!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Everyone who has helped, mentored, and supported me along the way.

Website: https://www.outlever.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outleverco/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissarosenthal5/