Our Story
Built on authenticity.
Starlight is an independent podcast ad network focused on building strong partnerships between hosts, listeners, and advertisers.
Many of the largest podcast ad networks are focused on achieving scale by forfeiting custom, bespoke ad reads — turning instead to the scalability of programmatic, preproduced spots.
While those ads have their place, Starlight is focused on show-specific, host-voiced ads — the ones proven to be most effective at convincing listeners to take action.
Listeners trust their favorite hosts. Custom, heartfelt, genuine ad reads drive real results for advertisers.
We built Starlight as a boutique alternative — small enough to give every advertiser and every show real attention, experienced enough to execute campaigns at the standard of the biggest networks in the industry.
Who we are
Decades of premium audio.
Shirin Peykar
Founder & CEO
A seasoned advertising sales executive with 24+ years of experience in both video and audio ad sales at premium media networks including Viacom, Comcast, Univision, Midroll / Stitcher / SiriusXM and Audacy. Shirin founded Starlight to give independent shows and considered advertisers a true partner — one that treats every campaign as a craft, not a commodity.
Lex Friedman
Lead Advisor
15+ years of podcast monetization experience. Cofounded Midroll (later Stitcher) and served as its CRO. Later served as Art19's CRO (acquired by Amazon) and ran strategy at Wondery. Lex helps shape Starlight's strategy, pricing, and approach to host-read partnerships.