Gap Finders: Alex Partridge, founder of UniLab and LadBible, plus ADHD Chatter podcast
Alex Partridge was a pioneer of blending advertising with social media content, he now creates content around ADHD and mental health.
Alex Partridge spotted the potential of advertising on social media almost by accident, when he was a student.
He created UniLad in 2010 whilst studying at Oxford Brookes University, and then the following year started LadBible – both titles became well known for sharing entertaining, sometimes controversial content on their Facebook pages. They grew rapidly, millions followed them, and Alex spotted that he could sell advertising to put in front of all those eyes.
As they grew a lot of controversy followed - many saw their content as sexist and deliberately offensive - and in 2012 an article was published that trivialised rape. Alex issued an apology, sold LadBible in 2012, then took UniLad down briefly before entering in to a partnership and relaunching. All before a lengthy court battle around ownership – which he won.
By the age of 30 he had enough money to retire, but his battles with addiction had left him questioning the way he handled UniLad and LadBible, and a diagnosis of ADHD has led him to use his creative and business skills to make the podcast ADHD Chatter and become a leading voice in mental health and wellbeing.
PRESENTER: Winifred Robinson
PRODUCER: Dave James