Sean Moran
Builder of teams, backer of founders, and author of Sunday Night Factor. I try to lead in a way that helps people look forward to Monday.
What I’ve been up to lately…
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Becoming COO at Evergreen Trading, a media investment agency powered by trade
As COO, I’m excited to scale a model that turns underperforming assets into powerful trade currency, helping marketers stretch every dollar further. With a sharp, entrepreneurial team and a flexible approach to media, Evergreen is built for today’s marketing complexity—and tomorrow’s growth.
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Chatting with Digiday about turning client challenges into intellectual treasure hunts
After nearly 30 conversations with a variety of executives attending Possible last week in Miami, a few topics bubbled to the surface, from a cooling of a merger and acquisition market to the opportunities and challenges of retail media, to the power of sports to unify a divided country and world.
These conversations were captured at Digiday’s studio at Possible (Digiday is a media partner of the conference), and the following is a sampling of interviews.
Things I’m proud to be a part of
Exciting updates on the founders & NewCo’s I invest in and support—recent wins, fresh ideas, and founder momentum worth sharing.
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Opening a full-service “Di Fara Pizza Tavern” in the Horseshoe at Hub RTP (Research Triangle Park), bringing 145 seats, bar service, gelato, and outdoor seating in late 2025
Launching a frozen pizza line through BossBites, now stocked in ShopRite, Foodtown, Uncle Giuseppe’s, Instacart—and aiming for national grocers like Kroger, Ahold Delhaize, LIDL, and HEB by late spring
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Available in every major airport in the US, and the dominant water brand in SFO and LAX airports.
Finalized partnerships with Ball Arena in Denver (sales up 300% vs. historical products) and Cirque De Soleil; the NBA, and 7 other teams in pipeline (2 late stage), with an average revenue of $3M each.
Single bottle Velocities are 7.8x that of Liquid Death and 130% more than their next closest competitor. Working on several strategic distribution opportunities to accelerate the growth even faster.
Approaching annual sales of $100m!
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Launched 221 Target stores in Texas, Florida, and California—marking Target’s first-ever canned orange wine debut this March
Now available in 25 U.S. states via accounts like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Total Wine, and consistent momentum in off‑premise & lifestyle channels.
Highlighted in 2024 as a next‑gen beverage innovator with its sommelier‑curated, zero‑sugar, low‑intervention wines in eco‑friendly cans, spotlighting premium convenience & sustainability.
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Rolled out six products in 1,100 Target stores this February, featuring refreshed design and accessible price points ($14.99–$17.99), with projections aiming at $20 million in sales for the year
Sales doubled in 2023, and the brand is now on track to break even or cross into profitability
Closed a $3 million growth round early in 2024 to fuel retail expansion and broaden its product line, backed by investors including Willow Growth and Springdale Ventures
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Just raised $5.4 million in seed funding led by GV, enabling the launch of its “Gig marketplace”—where students find paid internships, part-time jobs, UGC roles, product testing, and consulting gigs with brands like Poppi, Aquaphor, Steve Madden, Etsy, and Burt’s Bees
Opened applications for a 30‑member Gen Z Advisory Board, selecting top students from the Home From College community to co-design platform features and influence future product direction
Platform now supports 100,000+ students and has facilitated “thousands and thousands” of paid opportunities—from social media gigs to resume‑studio services—helping young professionals build real‑world skills and launch early careers.
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Rolled out its CASTELVETRANO extra-virgin olive oil sourced directly from a Sicilian family farm—its first internationally harvested offering—selling out rapidly after a limited launch this spring.
Significantly increased its grocery footprint: now in 165 Whole Foods stores, with its flagship olive oils, balsamics, and popular Pizza Oil now in 125 additional locations, driving a 500% YoY grocery sales surge.
Continued strategic product expansion: from two SKUs in 2018 to a full lineup of flavored oils, vinegars, and honey, with revenue growing 5× last year.
Built a strong cultural presence: recognized as Oprah’s Favorite Things and praised by food communities—including being voted Reddit’s top olive oil brand in 2024.
Sunday Night Factor
How Leaders Create A Workplace Where People Love Mondays
Available for pre-order now, on shelves April 20, 2027.
For most of my career, I’ve measured leadership by one simple question: how do the people you lead feel on Sunday night? Sunday Night Factor is my attempt to share what I’ve learned, along with stories and insights from leaders I deeply admire, including Tom Freston, Mark Donovan, George Pyne, Lisa Sherman, Ross Martin, Alex Okosi, and Dr. Bob Rotella.
Ideapress Publishing · Distributed by Simon & Schuster · Hardcover · $28.95
About
I’ve been fortunate to spend most of my career in media, at Turner Broadcasting and at Viacom (now Paramount Global). Today I serve as COO of Evergreen Trading and lead Carpe Diem Holdings, where I advise and invest in founders I believe in. I’m part of Moran Family Holdings with my brothers, I run Smile Media, the home of my book, and I’m a founding investor in Lunch Partners. I try to think in decades, favor depth over noise, and let my faith steady the rest.