Chloe Danko
Chloe Danko is a podcast growth consultant and media strategist who founded her consultancy, Elcho, in January 2026. Through her work, she helps brands strategically place advertising within podcasts and develop marketing approaches that leverage the power of long-form audio storytelling. Passionate about the unique influence of voice-driven content, Chloe believes podcasting allows brands to share deeper narratives, build trust with audiences, and achieve meaningful performance results.
Her work spans podcast media strategy, planning and placement, partnerships and negotiation, campaign measurement and optimization, and broader brand and social strategy, building performance-driven campaigns across brands, agencies, and podcast networks.
Chloe graduated from Western Michigan University in 2024 and discovered a strong professional connection to marketing and media after gaining exposure to the industry through family influences and networking opportunities. She entered the podcast and media industry shortly after, beginning her career at a startup agency where she developed hands-on experience in podcast advertising, performance tracking, and relationship management. This foundation led her to launch her own consultancy less than two years later.
Today, Chloe is recognized for her perspective on the evolving media landscape, particularly the integration of audio, video, and social platforms in podcast marketing strategies. She frequently works with health and wellness brands, helping them turn podcasting into a scalable, performance-driven channel.
• Western Michigan University- B.S.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute a lot of my success to my parents. From a young age, they instilled a strong work ethic in me and really emphasized the importance of earning everything you get. That mindset has stayed with me and continues to shape how I approach my work and the way I show up professionally.
My mom, in particular, has had a huge influence on my path. She’s been someone I’ve always gone to for advice, especially when I was first getting started. She has always taken the time to help me think through challenges and better understand the industry. It’s also been really special to be able to share parts of this experience with her, whether that’s attending conferences, traveling, or just being able to talk through work together. She’s someone I’m very close with, and honestly, she’s my best friend.
I’ve also been incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by special people within the space who have taken the time to mentor and train me throughout my career. Being around experienced individuals who were willing to teach, challenge me, and trust me early on helped me build confidence quickly and develop a much deeper understanding of the industry.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received is to always stay open to constructive feedback and always keep learning. Early on, I was surrounded by people who weren’t afraid to challenge me, and that made a huge difference in how quickly I was able to grow. Being willing to take feedback, adjust, and keep improving has been one of the most valuable parts of my development.
I’ve also learned to prioritize learning and execution over perfection. A lot of progress comes from being willing to figure things out as you go and putting yourself in environments where you’re constantly being pushed to think differently.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Focus on building strong relationships and being proactive from the start. The podcast and media space is a smaller, more connected industry than it may seem, so the relationships you build early on can have a lasting impact.
At the same time, it’s important to push yourself and not wait for opportunities to come to you. Take initiative, ask questions, and put yourself in situations where you’re constantly learning from the people around you. Some of the most valuable growth comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone and being willing to figure things out as you go.
There’s so much to learn from others in this space, and being open, curious, and willing to learn will take you much further than trying to have everything figured out upfront.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest shifts in the media space right now is the move toward a more integrated, multi-channel approach. Podcasting is no longer just audio; it now includes video through platforms like YouTube, as well as social, creating a more complete, 360 experience for both brands and consumers.
This presents a major opportunity. When campaigns are aligned across audio, video, and social, they become significantly more effective because audiences are engaging with the same message across multiple touchpoints. That consistency is what drives stronger performance.
At the same time, the pace of change in the industry is constant. New formats, platforms, and strategies are emerging quickly, which makes adaptability essential. The challenge is not just keeping up, but knowing what’s actually worth investing in. Those who stay close to the space, continue learning, and apply what works are able to stay ahead.
Another opportunity is how quickly you can grow within the industry. There’s a clear path to build experience early, take on responsibility, and eventually create something of your own. It’s a space that rewards initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to evolve.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me, both personally and professionally, are honesty, loyalty, and support.
I really value honesty and constructive feedback. I want to know where I can improve, where I can be better, and how I can continue to grow. I approach my work with the mindset that I should be improving every day, and that only happens when you’re open to feedback and willing to be challenged.
Loyalty is also very important to me. I believe in showing up for the people around me, whether that’s in my personal life or in a professional setting, and I value working with people who have that same level of respect and accountability.
Support is the third piece. Both life and work come with challenges, and having people around you who are willing to help, collaborate, and push through things together makes a huge difference. I think the best work comes from strong teams that communicate openly and support each other.