This interview features Taehoon (TK) Kim, Co-Founder and CEO of nWay. We discuss going to arcades with his mom in South Korea, why he wasn't allowed to play console games as a kid in Canada, what he learned from Samsung's work culture, why it's hard for VCs to invest in gaming, finding passion at the intersection of technology and art, the best type of IP for game partnerships, how he ended up selling nWay to Animoca Brands, and how player ownership in games creates attachment and meaning, and p...
Nov 10, 2022•56 min•Ep. 28
This interview features Zach Blume, Co-Founder and President of Portal A. We discuss how he built a 360 monetization strategy for an early Internet video series, launching one of the first branded content studios with his childhood friends, creating one of the most well-known and longest-running digital formats in YouTube Rewind, how Portal A ended up selling a minority stake to Brett Montgomery's Wheelhouse, why feeling like outsiders is central to their identity, and what's up next for the Por...
Oct 13, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 27
This interview features Camila Victoriano, Co-Founder and Head of Partnerships at Sonoro. We discuss how fan fiction taught her to see nerds as heroes, being in the room when Dirty John was pitched to become a podcast, her crash course to figure out the business of podcasting, becoming a first time founder during COVID, why the Mexico audio market is like the US four years ago, Sonoro's growth to a global entertainment company, and why there are no limits to Latino stories. Subscribe to our news...
Sep 15, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 26
This interview features Mike Grisko, CFO and Co-Founder of Atmosphere. We discuss running an NCAA tourney at age 7, getting laid off during the Great Financial crisis, almost selling the Chive to Playboy, the challenge with professional politeness in UK work culture, raising $150 million in growth capital and quadrupling the team in 5 years, and what he looks forward to next. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn more abou...
Aug 04, 2022•47 min•Ep. 25
This interview features Adam Rymer, CEO of OpTic Gaming. We discuss what he learned from running Harvard’s campus store, adapting to Napster at Universal Music, why entertainment doesn’t value innovation, being on Universal Pictures’ greenlight committee, scaling Legendary Digital and working alongside Chris Hardwick and Amy Poehler, how to create communities for gamers, why he plays Fornite with his son, and how to follow your own roadmap. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersectio...
Jul 07, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 24
This interview features James Creech, SVP Influencer Strategy at Brandwatch and founder of Paladin . We discuss how former GE CEO Jack Welch inspired James to be a number one category leader, using his down payment on a house to start Paladin, his make or break pivot when the creator economy evolved in 2018, working till 3AM over Christmas to sell his company, why James and I are kindred spirits, and the power of recasting your success. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of...
Jun 09, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 23
This interview features Michael Cohen, CEO at Team Whistle . We discuss being denied by a Goldman Sachs recruiter, when wearing a suit can be bad for business, being on the launch team of Whistle Sports, why the movie The Martian inspires his leadership, executing an M&A roll-up strategy and going from $0-100M in revenue, exiting to ELEVEN Group, and learning how to “play it where it lies”. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up l...
Apr 14, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 22
This interview features Brendan Gahan, Partner and Chief Social Officer at Mekanism . We discuss working with OG YouTubers like Smosh back in 2005, founding Epic Signal and selling it to his former employer, hanging out in El Salvador’s Bitcoin Beach, why it takes him 100 drafts to publish content, the future of the creator economy, and learning how to enjoy what you create. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn more about...
Mar 17, 2022•55 min•Ep. 21
This interview features Sarah Penna, Senior Manager of Creator Launch at Patreon . We discuss how a trip to India inspired her media career, being one of the youngest YouTube MCN founders, her $15 million exit to DreamWorks Animation, how she picks co-founders, marrying a YouTuber-turned Hollywood filmmaker, founding a female-forward entertainment brand, and what’s up next for Patreon. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn...
Feb 03, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 20
This interview features Dev Sethi, Head of Sports at Instagram . We discuss being separated from his twin in highschool, his side door into sports at YouTube, launching the first sports MCN at Whistle, why NIL is this century’s most important breakthrough for athletes, why he left the incredible team at Complex for Instagram, and the metaverse’s impact on the personalization of sports. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn...
Dec 16, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 19
This interview features Brian Volk-Weiss, CEO at The Nacelle Company . We discuss why betting big on standup specials got him Netflix's first streamer deal, how Iowa taught him about empathy in content production, bombing on stage and the genius of comedians, producing The Movies That Made Us, toy shopping as therapy, and why he'll retire when his first feature film is greenlit. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn more a...
Nov 18, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 18
Doug Bernstein is the GM at Bleacher Report's House of Highlights. We discuss what he learned from launching his own fantasy sports website, predicting the future of sports fandoms, how he convinced Turner and Bleacher Report to buy House of Highlights, why he’s inspired by Faze Clan and 100 Thieves, and fulfilling his destiny as a sports media savant. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn more about our market research an...
Oct 07, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 17
Alison Eakle is the EVP and Head of Creative Development at Shondaland. We discuss how imagining movie posters makes her a better creative exec, being a co-EP on Netflix’s #1 show Bridgerton, why she’s racked up so many recent promotions, and being part of new Hollywood’s most groundbreaking streamer partnerships. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn more about our market research and executive advisory: RockWater website...
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 16
Naomi Shah is the founder and CEO of Meet Cute. We discuss Naomi's early passion for STEM, being a Goldman Sachs equity trader, leaving VC to be a founder, why a rom-com podcast network solves a problem in the wellbeing market, raising $6M of capital during COVID, and how a non-Hollywood background makes her a better media entrepreneur. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn more about our market research and executive advi...
Aug 19, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 15
Dan Levitt is the founder and CEO of Long Haul Management. We discuss how Dan paid rent while making only $6,000 a year out of college (many side hustles), beating me in an office rap battle, Disney's big miss in digital music, executive producing one of YouTube's premium original series, and what it's like to represent some of the biggest sports and gamer personalities on the Internet. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Lear...
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 14
Damian Pelliccione is the co-founder and CEO of Revry. We discuss saying no to his family cheese business, being an early expert in live video for car shows, launching the 1st Queer streamer network from his living room, how a delayed mortgage and the launch of QueerX festival almost bankrupt the company, the power of grassroots marketing during SF Pride, how diversity inclusion starts with ownership, and changing the narrative for the Queer community. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the...
Jun 24, 2021•52 min•Ep. 13
Matthias Matternich is the co-founder and CEO of Art of Sport. We discuss growing up as the son of a German ambassador, starting his first company at 14, when Brexit devalued his investment capital, selling women's smimwear, pitching Kobe Bryant, his 500 mile trek in the Alps, and redefining body and skincare for athletes. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn more about our market research and executive advisory: RockWate...
Jun 03, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 12
Kevin Jones is the founder and CEO of Blue Wire. We discuss getting fired over a 49ers Tweet, when it makes sense to be a bad Facebook employee, why 500 Startups first turned him down, his groundbreaking new WynnBet partnership, and why Kevin wants to be the Ted Turner of this generation. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn more about our market research and executive advisory: RockWater website Follow The Come Up on Twi...
May 06, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 11
Chris Ovitz is the Co-Founder and President of OK Play. We discuss growing up in a Hollywood family, building technology-enabled media companies, life revelations during an Alabama roadtrip, "humble magnetism", launching a venture fund with the co-founder of Twitter, YouTube as a babysitter, and why the future of play is putting kids at the center of story and creation. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn more about our ...
Apr 07, 2021•54 min•Ep. 10
Aditi Dash is a Partner at CircleUp and invests in consumer brands like Beyond Meat, nutpods, and Black Medicine. We discuss emigrating from India at age 8, being told to "not sit at the table" while working at Morgan Stanley, taking the advice to "get out of the building" during a surprise FDA visit at La Colombe Coffee, and why hormone health and the convergence of Media x Consumer excite her as an investor. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and com...
Mar 17, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 9
Aaron Levant is the CEO of NTWRK. He's one of the most exciting builders at the intersection of fashion, culture, events, and media. We discuss launching a profitable car magazine at age 9, pitching Marc Ecko on ComplexCon, raising tens of millions for NTWRK from star investors like Jimmy Iovine and LeBron, being "oppositionally defiant", and how he thinks about his career in thirds. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn m...
Feb 24, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 8
Kevin Gould is the founder and CEO of Kombo Ventures. Many people say they’re the bridge between Hollywood and Silicon Valley, but Kevin’s the real deal. We discuss why he outsourced his script coverage as a young talent agent, when he liquidated his IRA to start angel investing, how "sliding into DMs" helped him launch 3 beauty brands with $75 million in sales, and how I misjudged Kevin when we first met. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerc...
Feb 03, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 7
Gretta Cohn is the founder and CEO of Transmitter Media. Gretta's experience runs the gamut of all things audio, from public radio and ringtones, to producing chart-topping podcasts. We discuss her time touring with the band Bright Eyes, being hired as the first production executive at Midroll Media and Earwolf, and starting her own podcast company with only $7,000 of savings. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn more abo...
Jan 11, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 6
Mike Gaston is the President of Stage TEN Studios, and a creative and social provocateur known for "programming between the lines". We discuss launching a profitable poetry press and soon after declaring personal banktuptcy, selling his first music video to MTV, founding viral digital studio Cut.com, and how he’ll shape the future of livestream media. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn more about our market research and...
Dec 17, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 5
Christian Baesler is the President of Complex Networks. Christian is a young media savant, who in his 20’s had more media experience than most executives have in a lifetime. We discuss his humble German childhood, how he launched Bauer Media's digital business at just 21 years old, being a touring DJ, and Complex's international growth plans for 2021. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up link Learn more about our market research and...
Nov 18, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 4
Chas Lacaillade is the founder and CEO of Bottle Rocket Management. Chas took a big bet on the digital video revolution, and now builds businesses for some of the most exciting creative talent from New Hollywood. We discuss why he left a prestigious talent agency to sell water pumps, Louisiana roadtrips, and how he converted a $5,000 bank loan into a multi-million dollar business. Full episode transcript is below. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and...
Oct 28, 2020•47 min•Ep. 3
Adam Sachs is the COO of Team Coco and a veteran podcast and digital media executive. Adam works with some of the biggest names in Hollywood like Conan O'Brien, and even Barack and Michelle Obama. We discuss his time as CEO of Midroll Media and its sale to E.W. Scripps, founding a group dating website that he sold to IAC, and the power of being foolishly confident. Full episode transcript is below. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-...
Oct 07, 2020•59 min•Ep. 2
Nicole Staple is the co-founder and CEO of Brideside. Nicole and her team reinvented the bridal shopping experience, and have raised more venture capital than any other female-led business out of Chicago. We discuss investor bias towards women, managing through rapid growth during her husband's cancer battle, and what rap lyrics have to do with ending meetings. Full episode transcript is below. Subscribe to our newsletter. We explore the intersection of media, technology, and commerce: sign-up l...
Sep 16, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 1
Introducing a new podcast featuring entrepreneurs and executives who are shaking things up and building exciting new companies. In industries like New Hollywood, podcasting, ecommerce, and the metaverse. Entertaining you with stories you won't hear anywhere else, from the next generation of leaders who are going to change the world. Brought to you by Chris Erwin, the founder of RockWater and 15-year operator, seller, and investor of companies operating at the intersection of media, technology, a...
Aug 13, 2020•2 min•Ep. 1
