Inside the World of Hunterbrook Media: Investigative Journalism Meets Hedge Fund Strategy

Hunterbrook Media, a new investigative journalism outlet, is making waves in the media industry with its unique approach to reporting and investing. Founded by Sam Koppelman and Nathaniel Horwitz, Hunterbrook Media is shaking up the traditional model of journalism by combining investigative reporting with hedge fund strategies.

Five days before the launch of Hunterbrook Media, Koppelman played a voicemail for a reporter outside an East Village coffee shop. The voicemail, allegedly from Mat Ishbia, the C.E.O. of United Wholesale Mortgage, boasted about taking down a rival company, Rocket Mortgage. Hunterbrook was preparing to publish an investigation into U.W.M.’s business practices, which allegedly pressured mortgage brokers to send business exclusively to U.W.M., potentially costing home buyers millions in extra closing costs.

What sets Hunterbrook apart is its dual nature as both a media outlet and a hedge fund. Before publishing the investigation, Hunterbrook Capital, the hedge fund arm, shorted U.W.M. stock and went long on Rocket Mortgage. This unique approach to journalism and investing has raised eyebrows in the industry, with some questioning the ethics of using journalism to inform market trading.

Despite the controversy, Hunterbrook’s investigation into U.W.M. received praise for its in-depth look at the company’s practices. The story prompted U.W.M. to remove videos from its website that Hunterbrook claimed contained misleading information about the mortgage broker process. Koppelman even appeared on CNBC and a podcast to discuss the investigation.

Central to Hunterbrook’s mission is a commitment to investigative journalism in areas that mainstream outlets may overlook. The company aims to be profitable while exposing wrongdoing in the corporate world. However, critics have raised concerns about the potential conflicts of interest that come with using journalism to inform investment decisions.

With a team of investigators and advisors, including former Wall Street Journal editors and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelists, Hunterbrook is poised to make a significant impact on the media landscape. As the company continues to grow, its unique approach to journalism and investing will undoubtedly spark further debate and discussion within the industry.