What is Robbins' new role at Substack?

He will be responsible for building the brand sponsorships and advertising strategy on the platform.

Why did Substack hire a head of brand sponsorships?

To diversify revenue beyond subscriptions and attract advertisers and brands.

Substack hires Dan Robbins as head of brand sponsorships

Substack has hired Dan Robbins, a former Roku and PayPal executive, as its first head of brand sponsorships. The move aims to boost revenue through advertising partnerships.

June 15, 2026

2 min read

Source: Axios

Substack has appointed Dan Robbins, a former executive at Roku and PayPal, as its first head of brand sponsorships, he exclusively told Axios.

Background

Robbins brings extensive experience in advertising and partnerships. At Roku, he led ad revenue initiatives, and at PayPal (ticker: PYPL), he worked on digital payment solutions.

Reasons for the Appointment

The move is part of Substack's strategy to diversify revenue beyond subscriptions. The new brand sponsorships division aims to attract advertisers and brands to promote on the platform, which hosts thousands of independent publishers.

Impact on the Company

Robbins is expected to build a comprehensive advertising strategy, potentially increasing Substack's appeal to writers and investors. No specific financial targets have been disclosed.

Market Reaction

Neither PayPal nor Roku has officially commented on the appointment. PayPal's stock (PYPL) showed no significant reaction to the news.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dan Robbins is a former executive at Roku and PayPal, appointed as Substack's first head of brand sponsorships.

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This article was rewritten in Wrqti's editorial style based on information from the original source above. Content is informational only — not investment advice.