Chief Change Officer

#210 César Couto Ferreira’s Next Act: From Madonna to Meaning


Listen Later

What happens when a media executive walks away from the world of celebrity and spotlights? 

César Couto Ferreira, the former MTV and Vice Media powerhouse, traded backstage passes with global icons like Madonna and Coldplay for a mission with more depth. After launching media empires across Europe and Brazil, he realized that glitz alone wasn’t enough—he wanted impact. Now, he’s bringing his creative and business savvy to olio.is and Streamhub, shaping the future of media with a blend of vision, strategy, and just the right amount of rockstar energy.

Key Highlights of Our Interview:

MTV: From a Dream to Daily Life

“Watching MTV as a kid, I thought, ‘That’s the dream.’ By 2003, I was living it. From Portugal to London, I went from fan to colleague—working with my idols and hanging out with heroes.”

A Front-Row Seat to Media Transformation

“From analog to digital, concerts to streaming, I’ve been at the frontline of media’s biggest shift. And yes, I saw REM’s last concert—jealous yet? Launching MTV Portugal, mentoring MTV Base Africa, bringing MTV Italy and Greece to life—it was a whirlwind of concerts, launches, and 1 billion viewers streaming the EMAs from Lisbon.”

The Dark Side of the Spotlight

“Being immersed in the industry, I witnessed its pitfalls. Amy Winehouse, a radiant talent, was in the wrong hands. Seeing how brilliance was overshadowed by exploitation made me question the industry’s priorities. When Amy died, it wasn’t just a loss; it was a wake-up call. I couldn’t be part of a system that profits from pain. That day, I knew—I needed to change the game.”

A Quest for a Better Industry

“Creativity deserves care, not exploitation. That realization sparked a mission to create spaces where artistry thrives without the shadows of industry’s darker sides.”

Designing Society, One Summit at a Time

“As a self-proclaimed ‘designer for society,’ I worked with governments and innovators to connect tourism and tech. The Web Summit is proof that big ideas and small countries can make magic.”

_________________________

Connect with Us:
Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Cesar Couto Ferreira

______________________

--**Chief Change Officer**--
Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.

Open a World of Deep Human Intelligence for 
Growth Progressives, Visionary Underdogs,
Transformation Gurus & Bold Hearts.

6 Million+ All-Time Downloads.
Reaching 80+ Countries Daily.
Global Top 3% Podcast.
Top 10 US Business.
Top 1 US Careers.

>>>100,000+ subscribers are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<

--Chief Change Officer--
Change Ambitiously. Outgrow Yourself.

Open a World of Expansive Human Intelligence
for Transformation Gurus, Black Sheep,
Unsung Visionaries & Bold Hearts.

EdTech Leadership Awards 2025 Finalist.
20 Million+ All-Time Downloads.
80+ Countries Reached Daily.
Global Top 1% Podcast.
Top 5 US Business.
Top 1 US Careers.

>>>180,000+ are outgrowing. Act Today.<<<

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Chief Change OfficerBy Vince Chan

  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5

4.5

41 ratings


More shows like Chief Change Officer

View all
The Ramsey Show by Ramsey Network

The Ramsey Show

38,704 Listeners

HBR IdeaCast by Harvard Business Review

HBR IdeaCast

177 Listeners

The $100 MBA Show by Omar Zenhom

The $100 MBA Show

1,115 Listeners

Find Your Dream Job: Insider Tips for Finding Work, Advancing your Career, and Loving Your Job by Mac Prichard

Find Your Dream Job: Insider Tips for Finding Work, Advancing your Career, and Loving Your Job

613 Listeners

How to Be Awesome at Your Job by How to be Awesome at Your Job

How to Be Awesome at Your Job

1,028 Listeners

Young and Profiting with Hala Taha (Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing) by Hala Taha | Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing | YAP Media Network

Young and Profiting with Hala Taha (Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing)

1,293 Listeners

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway by Vox Media Podcast Network

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

5,312 Listeners

A Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek

A Bit of Optimism

2,179 Listeners

3 Takeaways by Lynn Thoman

3 Takeaways

256 Listeners

Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

Huberman Lab

28,301 Listeners

Passion Struck with John R. Miles by John R. Miles

Passion Struck with John R. Miles

1,293 Listeners

Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin by Money News Network

Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin

1,735 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast by Mel Robbins

The Mel Robbins Podcast

20,358 Listeners

HBR On Strategy by Harvard Business Review

HBR On Strategy

84 Listeners

The Jefferson Fisher Podcast by Civility Media

The Jefferson Fisher Podcast

7,927 Listeners