Jordan and Sam delve into Publicis's recent $150 million acquisition of Captivate, an influencer marketing company known for its extensive creator network and advancements in affiliate marketing technology. Their discussion highlights the shifting landscape of ad spending, as revenue increasingly moves from traditional formats to user-generated content platforms, accelerating the growth of the creator economy. They also examine strategic moves by major brands, such as MLB, which signal a broader...
Jun 20, 2025•23 min
In this episode, we dive into the evolving landscape of media with a focus on short form content and the economics behind it. Hosts discuss the rise in revenue from YouTube Shorts, new platforms like TTIKR, and the impact of podcasting giant PodX acquiring Lemonada. Discover how creators are navigating these changes, monetizing content, and the implications for the future of digital media. Plus, insights on the importance of repurposing long-form content into shorts and the potential of superfan...
Jun 02, 2025•24 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Exploring Spotify's $100M Payouts, YouTube's Creator Partnership Hub, and Rich Paul's New Venture!In this episode, we dive into the latest news in the podcasting and creator economy landscape. We discuss Spotify's impressive $100 million payout to podcasters in Q1 2025 and its continued growth in video podcasting. YouTube's new Creator Partnership Hub, which aims to simplify collaborations between brands and creators, is also covered. Finally, we explore Rich Paul's and Paul Rivera's new media v...
May 16, 2025•19 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Sam and Jordan discuss the significant deal that filmmaker Ryan Coogler has secured for his new movie, 'Sinners.' The deal includes highly unusual points such as final cut rights, first dollar gross, and ownership rights reverting to Coogler after 25 years. These terms represent a monumental shift in power dynamics for filmmakers, especially for those from marginalized communities. They also delve into historical precedents, highlighting similar deals by directors like Christopher Nolan and Tyle...
May 02, 2025•20 min•Season 2Ep. 11
This episode delves into the importance of diversifying income streams for creators, featuring a discussion on Epic Gardening's acquisition of Modern Farmer. The hosts also review Q1 2025's surge in creator economy funding and analyze how recent tariffs imposed by President Trump are impacting creator-led businesses. Finally, they explore the shift in creators identifying as entrepreneurs, as highlighted by Kajabi's 2025 State of Creator Commerce report. 00:00 Introduction and Diversifying Incom...
Apr 25, 2025•20 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, the hosts delve into the remarkable journey of Emma Chamberlain and her successful venture, Chamberlain Coffee. Starting as a YouTube influencer, Emma leveraged her online presence to build a $50 million valuation coffee brand. The conversation covers her early beginnings, the growth of Chamberlain Coffee, overcoming challenges, and key lessons for content creators looking to launch their own brands. The episode emphasizes authenticity, strategi...
Apr 09, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 9
In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Jordan and Sam explore innovative ways to monetize content and support creators. They dive into the recent developments surrounding Cam Newton's new creator studio in Atlanta and its potential impact on underrepresented voices. The episode also covers Fixated securing $13 million to enhance creator monetization and management, and India's $1 billion commitment to boost its creator economy. Tune in to understand the evolving landscape of me...
Mar 25, 2025•19 min•Season 2Ep. 8
In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Jordan and Sam are joined by special guest Isabel Li, a seasoned expert in influencer marketing and social strategy. Isabel has led successful campaigns for brands like Spotify, Netflix, HBO Max, and Target. The conversation dives into the key aspects of running impactful influencer marketing campaigns, setting strategic goals, and the importance of aligning creative content with influencers' authentic styles. Isabel also shares insights i...
Mar 18, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this episode of the Business Talent Podcast, hosts Jordan and Sam discuss the rise of talent-led brands and their potential long-term viability. They explore market shifts driven by technological advancements that have made it easier to create content and build audiences. Highlighting successful ventures like Logan Paul and KSI's Prime and Kim Kardashian's Skims, alongside flops like Travis Scott's Cacti, they analyze key factors for success in this space. The conversation delves into the imp...
Mar 11, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 7
In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Jordan and Sam delve into the latest trends and significant investments in the media and talent sectors. They discuss Fox Corporation's acquisition of Red Seat Ventures, Publicis Groupe's strategic purchase of BR Media Group, and Carlyle's noteworthy investment in Entertainment 360. The conversation explores the implications of these moves for creators, traditional media companies, and the shifting dynamics of content consumption. They emp...
Mar 05, 2025•26 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Jordan and Sam dive into the evolving landscape of the creator economy, emphasizing the growing significance of niche content creators and creator-led businesses. They discuss Slow Ventures' $60 million fund aimed at investing in niche creators, touching on the challenges and opportunities presented by algorithm-driven platforms and creator burnout. The episode also analyzes key insights from Patreon's State of Create report and celebrates...
Feb 25, 2025•18 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Sam Hysell and Jordan Williams dive into 11 surprising statistics about the creator economy. They discuss the rapid growth projections for the industry, the increasing influence of brand collaborations, and the evolving landscape for content creators. They highlight key insights such as the rise of creator-led brands, the dominance of short-form videos, and the varied categories of creators. They also touch on the potential for a middle cl...
Feb 18, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts dive into an engaging conversation with Mike Boyd from Gary Vaynerchuk's (Gary Vee) VaynerX. They discuss Boyd's journey in the music industry, including his transition from managing artists to becoming the head of music at VaynerX. Boyd shares stories about discovering and supporting emerging talent like Tierra Whack and Gunna, as well as his experience with music-related campaigns for brands such as Budweiser and K-Swiss. Special guest G...
Feb 11, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In this episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Sam and Jordan are joined by Tiffany Kelly, the founder and CEO of Curastory. They discuss the transformative impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) for student-athletes, the future of influencer media, and how creators can better monetize their content. Tiffany shares her journey from being a sports analytics associate at ESPN to creating Curastory, a platform enabling creators to monetize across their social profiles. The episode’s news s...
Feb 04, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In the first episode of the Business of Talent Podcast, hosts Jordan and Sam are joined by special guest Caleb Simpson. Caleb is widely recognized as the 'apartment guy' with over 13M followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Caleb shares insights from his journey from a tennis trainer to a viral content creator, discussing the nuances of working with brands, leveraging different platforms, and the importance of maintaining authenticity. The episode also covers trending news such as TikTo...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 2
We’re back! Join Sam Hysell & Jordan Chude Williams as they return after a hiatus with a special announcement… The Music Business Podcast is coming back with Season 2, The Business of Talent. Catch up with the hosts as they reflect on what’s happened in the past couple of years and dive into what’s coming with Season 2. Get ready for weekly episodes, which include guest interviews and news segments focused on how talent, media and the creator economy are redefining how businesses are built a...
Jan 25, 2025•27 min•Season 2Ep. 1
After 124 episodes, we are switching it up. We're putting a nice, big red bow on Season 1. Thank you all so much for the incredible support over the past 2 years and we are so so thankful for the amazing community that now surrounds the podcast and everything it stands for. This is our opportunity to reimagine and continue to level up how we operate, the conversations we have, the potential to organise events and come back like never before. BRB on September 23rd. Don't be a stranger. Hosted on ...
Aug 22, 2021•2 min
On this episode of the Music Business Podcast, we invite Alexander Fruchter aka DJ RTC. Born and raised in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, he has been a mainstay in Chicago’s Hip Hop community as a DJ, journalist, and label owner for close to 20 years. Fruchter is the founder of the significant underground Hip Hop blog rubyhornet, an accomplished DJ, and an Associate Professor of Instruction at Columbia College Chicago. Fruchter is the founder of the indie Hip Hop label, Closed Sessions, and w...
Aug 13, 2021•54 min
This week we talked with Vice President, Creative, BMI New York, Samantha Cox. Samantha is responsible for overseeing the Pop, Rock and Indie team based in BMI’s New York office. She is also responsible for scouting and signing new songwriters and publishers, and maintaining relationships with existing BMI affiliates worldwide. Cox has additionally launched several successful programs including, BMI’s Speed Dating for Songwriters®, BMI Pick of the Month, the Annual BMI Acoustic Brunch at the Sou...
Jul 23, 2021•42 min
On today's episode of the Music Business Podcast, we interview shesaid.so Founder and Partnership Strategist Andreea Magdalina. Andreea is an experienced speaker on topics such as music and brand partnerships, business development, brand strategy, building community, marketing, and diversity & inclusion. She has spent the past 4 years working with creative agencies to develop digital-first content, technology products and strategic partnerships for global brands. As of May 2019, she is focus...
Jul 15, 2021•51 min
On today's episode of the Music Business Podcast, we interview artist and singer-songwriter Marc E. Bassy. Since 2014, Bassy has grown his listenership to over five million monthly listeners on Spotify and has become an in-demand songwriter. His list of collaborations include Kehlani, YG, Ty Dolla $ign, Charlie Puth, G-Eazy, Hailee Steinfeld and more. He's additionally the founder of his own independent record label, New Gold Medal Records. On the episode, we discuss the process of building a bu...
Jul 09, 2021•43 min
EPISODE SWAP TIME! This week, we are switching episodes with Dan Runcie's 'Trapital' Podcast. The episode with Jonnyshipes discusses establishing Cinematic, indie label deals, and how a label brands itself. Alongside this, it's a great example of how to manage personal branding and branding for businesses. Find out more info on Trapital Podcast here: https://trapital.co/pod/ Leave a review and join us in our discord via our Patreon at https://musicbusinesspodcast.com/community to discuss the epi...
Jul 01, 2021•47 min
This week, we sat down with Moody Jones, SVP of Digital and Creative at EMPIRE. He has gained majority of his experience in the music and lifestyle industry where he has been able to work with some of today’s top artists such as Tyga, Iggy Azalea, XXXtentacion, Carnage, Snoop Dogg and many more. Leave a review and join us in our discord via our Patreon at https://musicbusinesspodcast.com/community to discuss the episode with Sam, Jordan, and the Music Business Podcast community. Follow us on IG ...
Jun 24, 2021•34 min
On this episode, we’re really excited to have Niko Ivanov, a Partner & the Head of Accounts at NOX Media. Outside of NOX, Niko also manages Chad Tepper and Gaddo. He’s a close friend and business partner of our co-host Sam Hysell and in this episode Niko dives into frameworks he’s used to help artists grow and prosper through content and digital marketing. Beyond diving into marketing principles, Niko also speaks to various tactics he’s used to create a high performance culture internally at...
Jun 17, 2021•50 min
To celebrate Sam starting 'nft now', a web3 digital media company on a mission to empower the creators of culture through freshly minted NFT news, curation and analysis, we're re-publishing an episode with Cooper Turley. Cooper Turley is the Head of Crypto Strategy at Audius, an emerging streaming platform. He sits at the intersection of the music industry and the exciting developments in the world of blockchain and crypto currency. He's helped numerous artists launch projects and monetize by se...
Jun 10, 2021•46 min
In this week’s episode, we spoke with Jeremy Lascelles, CEO of Chrysallis Blue Raincoat Group. Blue Raincoat Music is an artist management company, music publishing company and record label, founded in 2014 by Jeremy Lascelles and Robin Millar. In 2016 the company launched a new publishing arm and bought Chrysalis Records, one of the leading British independent labels. Chrysalis Records then re-launched as a frontline label in February 2020, marking a return to releasing new music for the first ...
Jun 03, 2021•45 min
This week, we talked with Authentic Empire Music Group CEO, Boomman. AEMG is home to artists such as Euro, G.A., Geezy Escobar, Foogiano, and many more. In 2017, Boomman partnered up and consulted for The Lights Global who is known for the Juju on that Beat and signing global sensation Lil Pump. In the show, we talk about starting and building AEMG, what he considers when signing a new artist, what has made him so successful, and the importance of mentorship within business and music. Leave a re...
May 27, 2021•46 min
This week, we sat down with Tim Collins and Hugo LePrince from Creed Media. In the last 3 years (since 2018) they have grown Creed from 0-40 employees and they talk us through strategies and mindsets that massively helped them in the process of achieving this. In one of the most entertaining episodes of Music Business Podcast, we discuss the journey of Creed, how they acquire clients and invaluable growth tips for independent artists through TikTok. Leave a review and join us in our discord via ...
May 20, 2021•55 min
Happy Thursday Everyone! In this week’s episode, we talk with Artist Manager Zael Ellenhorn from YM&U Group. So far in his career, he has managed the likes of Ryan Caraveo, Kina and RAC. As RAC entered the NFT and crypto space nearly a decade ago, it was amazing to hear Zael’s experience with working with a pioneer in this field. We talk about early experiences, getting into management, working with a management company, community engagement, and so much more. If you liked this episode, plea...
May 13, 2021•50 min
In this week’s episode, we sit down with Eddie Sears, Creative Director for Ultra Records and DJ/Producer, ‘Rocket Pengwin’. We discuss what his roles and duties are as both creative director for Ultra Records, and how he balances his own artist career with his role at the label. It was super interesting to hear his take on effectively utilizing budgeting. And additionally, how to work out what the artist’s creative vision is, form a strategy to make it a reality, and constructively manage the c...
May 06, 2021•42 min
