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Kareem Rahma's 'Subway Takes' Redefines Branded Content TV

Wall Street Journal US Business •
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Former media hopeful turned comedian Kareem Rahma has turned the sandwich chain’s new series, Subway Takes, into a fresh branded‑content format. At 33, Rahma left a conventional media path, poured $14,000 into production gear and began crafting short‑form shows aimed at the single screen most viewers now dominate – their phones.

The venture arrives as advertisers scramble for attention beyond traditional TV, leveraging platforms where audiences binge snack‑size video. Rahma’s background in improv and screenwriting lets him blend humor with product placement, giving Subway a narrative hook that feels less like a commercial and more like a shareable story. Early episodes have already generated buzz on social feeds, suggesting the model could attract other brands seeking similar low‑cost, high‑engagement content.

Industry analysts note that the $14,000 outlay is tiny compared to typical TV pilot budgets, yet the potential reach rivals legacy network slots because each clip can be redistributed across YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. If advertisers can replicate Rahma’s formula, the economics of brand‑funded programming could shift, pressuring networks to offer more flexible, performance‑based deals.

For now, Subway Takes proves a single creator can produce a viable, brand‑aligned series without the overhead of a studio, delivering measurable audience interaction while keeping the sponsor’s spend modest.