Date: 2026-09-05 Source: Email thread “Re: Megaphone linkedin promos” - Ben Ornstein (ben@megaphone.network) to Michael Houck Parties: Devan Sood (me@devansood.com), Ben Ornstein, Michael Houck
Signal
Ben flagged concern to Michael: Devan Sood is pushing back on the standard Megaphone roster protection agreement and asking for a 12-month term reduction. Ben suspects Devan is using the campaign to map the creator network and then route around Megaphone in 6 months. Ben’s question to Michael: “should we move forward with Devan/Devan’s company?”
Devan’s business context: he runs a SaaS platform that helps marketing teams identify creators for campaigns. He claims he cannot control what his own customers discover or reach out to independently.
Key Facts
- Campaign budget: $2.5k (reduced from $3k just before this email, per Devan)
- Devan’s campaign timeline goal: posts live week of Sept 14, 2026
- Devan invoicing: plans to pay Monday or Tuesday (Sept 8-9)
- Devan’s counter-position on the NDA: will only sign personal commitment (not for his company’s SaaS users); wants term shortened from 12 months to something shorter
Michael’s Response (Sep 5)
Michael sided with proceeding but held the 12-month term and set two non-negotiable covenants:
- The creator list Megaphone sends cannot be fed into Devan’s AI/SaaS system and resold to his customers.
- If Devan is not already personally in touch with a creator on the list, he goes through Megaphone for any further partnerships with them for 12 months.
Michael’s framing: “Assuming we have an understanding on that then I’m good to proceed.”
Status
Waiting on Devan’s acceptance of Michael’s two terms. Invoice expected paid Sep 8-9. Campaign launch target: week of Sept 14.
Risk Note
Ben’s instinct was that Devan is a discovery risk (SaaS angle = potential roster mapping). Michael acknowledged concern but conditionally approved. Monitor: if Devan resists the AI/resell covenant, treat as a deal-breaker per Michael’s position.
Next Steps
Ben to relay Michael’s terms to Devan and collect acceptance + payment. If accepted, proceed to creator list curation with 6-person cap (per Devan’s proposal). File under clients/roster.md once signed and paid.
Update: 2026-09-12 - Michael Followed Up
Michael followed up directly on the thread (2026-09-12 12:36 UTC): “Hey Devan, wanted to check in here” - cc: Ben Ornstein. No reply from Devan yet. Active management of stall.
Update: 2026-09-21 - Re-Engaged After Two-Week Stall, Client Pending
Source: Email “Fwd: Megaphone linkedin promos” - Ben Ornstein (ben@megaphone.network) to Michael, Sep 21
Devan Sood resurfaced Sep 21 after the Sep 14 stall caused by a new client of his pushing back. Devan called a 2pm Sep 21 meeting with his client to realign on scope. Update: “They should have our plan’s final approval tomorrow” (Sep 22), and the client asked about adding ghostwriting for 3-8 employees posting regularly.
Michael’s response: “Nw!” (no worries / acknowledged).
Ben’s earlier note (Sep 21 forward to Michael): “This is starting to get complicated. I’m not sure we should move forward with Devan/Devan’s company - what do you think? To me it seems like he’s just trying to see who is in the network and get information.”
Michael’s prior guidance (Sep 5) stands: proceed under the two non-negotiable covenants. No new reversal from Michael on this read.
Current status: Pending Devan client approval by Sep 22. Ghostwriting scope expansion may be on the table. Ben still skeptical on Devan’s intent.
Update: 2026-09-22 - Client Approval Received, Ghostwriting Framing Set
Source: Email “Fwd: Megaphone linkedin promos” - Devan Sood (me@devansood.com) to Michael, Sep 21-22
Devan’s client gave final approval on Sep 22. Devan also flagged ghostwriting interest: 3-8 employees posting regularly at 3 posts/week each, to be run by Devan as an agency.
Michael’s response (Sep 22 08:57 UTC): recommended a direct referral arrangement rather than Devan whitelabeling Megaphone. Rationale: distance between writer and client degrades post results and retention. Michael willing to make it financially worth Devan’s while but wants Rye Valley as the direct account manager for ghostwriting clients.
Current status: LinkedIn promo deal moving to contract/execution. Ghostwriting scope is a live expansion conversation, structured as referral not reseller. Watch: Ben’s final sign-off and creator list delivery.