All Things Video

Josh Swartz is the COO of Popdog, an esports technology and services company. Josh started his career as General Counsel of iFilm and later served as COO of Wasserman, President of Relativity Sports, and Managing Partner of Diamond Ridge Ventures. Most recently, Josh co-founded Catalyst Sports & Media, which joined the Popdog family in December 2018.

In this episode, Josh and I discuss the increasing competition for esports player representation from both established talent management firms and new entrants. We also examine the differences between traditional sports and professional gaming, and Josh argues that esports teams are not analogous to pro sports franchises but rather more like talent agencies and multi-channel networks (MCNs). Finally, Josh expresses skepticism about venture capital investments in esports teams and predicts a market correction as a result of inflated valuations.

Host: James Creech

ABOUT THE SHOW

All Things Video is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the past and charting the future of the online video ecosystem. Listen to interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders from the world’s leading media companies and engage in thought-provoking debates about the issues shaping the next generation of entertainment. From the short-form content revolution to the fragmentation of video viewership in an always-on world, All Things Video reveals the key trends and insights from the world of digital media.

 

Follow All Things Video on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for new episodes and updates!

ABOUT THE HOST

James Creech is an entrepreneur focused on technology, online video, and digital media. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Paladin, the essential influencer marketing platform for media companies, agencies, and brands.

OUR SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by TubeBuddy, the complete toolkit for YouTube channel management. This power-packed browser extension helps with everything from bulk metadata edits and trending keyword suggestions to thumbnail optimization, fan engagement tools, and so much more. Visit TubeBuddy.com to meet your new best friend on YouTube.

David Craig is a Clinical Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California (USC). David is also the co-author of multiple books and articles about social media entertainment and the rise of creator culture. Prior to academia, David spent three decades as a Hollywood producer and television executive, during which time his projects received over 60 Emmy, Golden Globe, and Peabody nominations.

In this episode, David and I explore the cultural influence of social media entertainment. Much attention is paid to shocking and negative online content, but David argues that progressive voices are leveraging social media to increase awareness and raise money for good causes, uplift their audiences, and lobby for policy change. We also examine differences between the Chinese and Western social media economies, taking a closer look at key Chinese platforms like Kuaishou, Tencent’s Bigo Live, and Douyin (the Chinese equivalent of Tik Tok). Finally, we discuss social media’s impact on the changing nature of work and greater media representation for diverse cultures.

Host: James Creech

ABOUT THE SHOW

All Things Video is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the past and charting the future of the online video ecosystem. Listen to interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders from the world’s leading media companies and engage in thought-provoking debates about the issues shaping the next generation of entertainment. From the short-form content revolution to the fragmentation of video viewership in an always-on world, All Things Video reveals the key trends and insights from the world of digital media.

 

Follow All Things Video on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for new episodes and updates!

 

ABOUT THE HOST

James Creech is an entrepreneur focused on technology, online video, and digital media. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Paladin, the essential influencer marketing platform for media companies, agencies, and brands.

OUR SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by Shareability, a social content company that makes videos people actually want to watch. They work with brands and influencers to create content that explodes across the web through social sharing and organic discovery. For years, Shareability has been topping the charts with crowd captivating videos for brands like Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Sony Entertainment, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s ROC, delivering over 1B views, 5M shares, and 50,000 press mentions. Check out some examples of their work on shareability.com.

James DeJulio is the Co-Founder & CEO of Tongal, a global community of creators that develops video content for networks, studios, and brands. Prior to launching Tongal, James was an executive at How2TV, The Robert Evans Company / Paramount, and Half Shell Entertainment.

In this episode, we explore the changing nature of the entertainment landscape. James argues that the traditional Hollywood model is outdated, which has led to fewer films being produced, a greater reliance on sequels built around major franchises, and a risk aversion that prohibits creativity and experimentation. As a result, James and his partners launched Tongal to provide opportunities for talented but undiscovered creatives and produce high quality content at a lower cost than traditional studios. We also discuss Disney’s big bet on streaming media, the continuing arms race for big Hollywood talent, and the ongoing negotiations between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Association of Talent Agents (ATA). Finally, we highlight how toy companies have embraced digital media to reinvent their brands and Amazon’s ability to influence consumer action from show to shelf.

Host: James Creech

ABOUT THE SHOW

All Things Video is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the past and charting the future of the online video ecosystem. Listen to interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders from the world’s leading media companies and engage in thought-provoking debates about the issues shaping the next generation of entertainment. From the short-form content revolution to the fragmentation of video viewership in an always-on world, All Things Video reveals the key trends and insights from the world of digital media.

 

Follow All Things Video on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for new episodes and updates!

ABOUT THE HOST

James Creech is an entrepreneur focused on technology, online video, and digital media. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Paladin, the essential influencer marketing platform for media companies, agencies, and brands.

OUR SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by Epidemic Sound, the company reimagining music licensing for the digital age. Epidemic’s library contains tens of thousands of tracks that you can license a la carte or on a subscription basis. Unlike other music licensing companies, Epidemic Sound owns its entire catalogue and makes tracks available via one straightforward license to cover all your needs, worldwide and in perpetuity – no headaches around usage reporting, performance royalties, or murky rights ownership. It’s better for the artists and better for you, the creator! So whatever your music needs, Epidemic Sound has got you covered!

Jacqueline Twillie is the Founder & President of ZeroGap, which provides training programs for women's leadership development. ZeroGap’s mission is to eliminate the gender wage gap and increase the longevity of women in leadership roles, particularly within male-dominated industries. Jackie is also an instructor for General Assembly, career coach, and the best-selling author of Navigating the Career Jungle: A Guide for Young Professionals.

In this episode, Jackie offers suggestions to help women improve their executive presence, risk and resilience, and negotiation skills. She encourages young women to “stand in your success” by accepting praise in the workplace and shares some lessons from her upcoming book Don’t Leave Money on the Table. Finally, she explains how men can support their female colleagues’ professional development, and she discusses how she leverages LinkedIn to engage her community online.

Host: James Creech

ABOUT THE SHOW

All Things Video is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the past and charting the future of the online video ecosystem. Listen to interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders from the world’s leading media companies and engage in thought-provoking debates about the issues shaping the next generation of entertainment. From the short-form content revolution to the fragmentation of video viewership in an always-on world, All Things Video reveals the key trends and insights from the world of digital media.

 

Follow All Things Video on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for new episodes and updates!

ABOUT THE HOST

James Creech is an entrepreneur focused on technology, online video, and digital media. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Paladin, the essential influencer marketing platform for media companies, agencies, and brands.

OUR SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by TubeBuddy, the complete toolkit for YouTube channel management. This power-packed browser extension helps with everything from bulk metadata edits and trending keyword suggestions to thumbnail optimization, fan engagement tools, and so much more. Visit TubeBuddy.com to meet your new best friend on YouTube.

Chris Stokel-Walker is a British journalist specializing in YouTube and digital culture. His work has appeared in a variety of publications, including BBC, Wired, The Economist, The Guardian, and BuzzFeed.

In this episode, Chris and I explore the intersection of politics and social media platforms. We discuss U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and U.K. Chancellor Philip Hammond’s recent critiques of large tech firms, social media’s impact on the changing nature of public speech, and the implications of fake news. Chris also shares a few findings from his upcoming book YouTubers, including the impact of YouTube’s recent policy updates, why he considers Jake Paul “the first post-modern YouTuber,” and what happens when creators outgrow the content their audience enjoys.

Host: James Creech

ABOUT THE SHOW

All Things Video is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the past and charting the future of the online video ecosystem. Listen to interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders from the world’s leading media companies and engage in thought-provoking debates about the issues shaping the next generation of entertainment. From the short-form content revolution to the fragmentation of video viewership in an always-on world, All Things Video reveals the key trends and insights from the world of digital media.

 

Follow All Things Video on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for new episodes and updates!

ABOUT THE HOST

James Creech is an entrepreneur focused on technology, online video, and digital media. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Paladin, the essential influencer marketing platform for media companies, agencies, and brands.

OUR SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by Toonstar, an animation tech startup that produces snackable, interactive content experiences for mobile audiences. To learn more, visit toonstar.com or download the app.

Benjamin Grubbs is the Founder & CEO of Next 10 Ventures, an investment firm that incubates and accelerates new businesses within the global creator economy. Prior to launching Next 10, Ben spent 15 years in Southeast Asia helping to grow the Yahoo! broadcast business, spearheading eBay’s marketing efforts, and leading Turner’s interactive media group. Most recently, he served as the Head of YouTube Kids in APAC and then the Global Head of Top Creator Partnerships for YouTube.

Ben and I cover a lot of ground in this wide-ranging conversation, from his experience building commerce and media businesses in APAC to his decision to launch a venture fund focused on the next 10 years of creator-led innovation. We talk about challenging conventional wisdom and using data insights to inform international strategy, how existing infrastructure in the U.S. is at times a barrier to adopting new technologies, and the cultural export value of media. Ben shares lessons learned from Taobao’s success over eBay in China, experiments in creating digital-first IP during his time at Turner, and what prevented Google from launching YouTube Kids as a subscription VOD service.

Host: James Creech

ABOUT THE SHOW

All Things Video is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the past and charting the future of the online video ecosystem. Listen to interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders from the world’s leading media companies and engage in thought-provoking debates about the issues shaping the next generation of entertainment. From the short-form content revolution to the fragmentation of video viewership in an always-on world, All Things Video reveals the key trends and insights from the world of digital media.

 

Follow All Things Video on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for new episodes and updates!

ABOUT THE HOST

James Creech is an entrepreneur focused on technology, online video, and digital media. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Paladin, the essential influencer marketing platform for media companies, agencies, and brands.

OUR SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by TubeBuddy, the complete toolkit for YouTube channel management. This power-packed browser extension helps with everything from bulk metadata edits and trending keyword suggestions to thumbnail optimization, fan engagement tools, and so much more. Visit TubeBuddy.com to meet your new best friend on YouTube.

Jesus Chavez is the CEO of Vertical Networks, a digital studio that produces mobile-first content. Prior to Vertical Networks, Jesus was an executive at Univision for 8 years and then served as COO of mitú.

In this episode, we share the recipe for success as a digital publisher: develop IP, distribute across multiple platforms, and pursue multiple revenue streams. We also discuss the future of mobile entertainment and how to engage an audience in a distracted environment. Finally, Jesus offers his thoughts on Mitú’s decision to pivot from an MCN to a consumer-facing brand, Netflix’s interactive episode of Black Mirror, and the importance of owning versus renting your distribution channels.

Host: James Creech

ABOUT THE SHOW

All Things Video is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the past and charting the future of the online video ecosystem. Listen to interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders from the world’s leading media companies and engage in thought-provoking debates about the issues shaping the next generation of entertainment. From the short-form content revolution to the fragmentation of video viewership in an always-on world, All Things Video reveals the key trends and insights from the world of digital media.

 

Follow All Things Video on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for new episodes and updates!

ABOUT THE HOST

James Creech is an entrepreneur focused on technology, online video, and digital media. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Paladin, the essential influencer marketing platform for media companies, agencies, and brands.

OUR SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by Toonstar, an animation tech startup that produces snackable, interactive content experiences for mobile audiences. To learn more, visit toonstar.com or download the app.

Chang Kim is the Founder & CEO of Tapas Media, a content publishing, distribution, and monetization platform for comic artists, illustrators, and novelists. Prior to Tapas, Chang worked at Samsung and then co-founded Korean blogging software company TNC, which was ultimately acquired by Google.

In this episode, we explore the digital disruption of the publishing industry. From the early days of blogging to today’s ebooks, online newspapers, and digital magazines, we evaluate the cost advantages and interactivity of digital versus physical distribution. Chang also shares lessons learned from the gaming industry, from monetization models like virtual credits and in-app purchases to the success of publishing platforms like Steam and game development platforms like Roblox. Finally, we discuss differences between startup ecosystems in Korea and the U.S., the future of cryptocurrency, and how to solve for the chicken and egg problem when building a two-sided marketplace.

Host: James Creech

ABOUT THE SHOW

All Things Video is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the past and charting the future of the online video ecosystem. Listen to interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders from the world’s leading media companies and engage in thought-provoking debates about the issues shaping the next generation of entertainment. From the short-form content revolution to the fragmentation of video viewership in an always-on world, All Things Video reveals the key trends and insights from the world of digital media.

 

Follow All Things Video on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for new episodes and updates!

ABOUT THE HOST

James Creech is an entrepreneur focused on technology, online video, and digital media. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Paladin, the essential influencer marketing platform for media companies, agencies, and brands.

OUR SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by Epidemic Sound, the company reimagining music licensing for the digital age. Epidemic’s library contains tens of thousands of tracks that you can license a la carte or on a subscription basis. Unlike other music licensing companies, Epidemic Sound owns its entire catalogue and makes tracks available via one straightforward license to cover all your needs, worldwide and in perpetuity – no headaches around usage reporting, performance royalties, or murky rights ownership. It’s better for the artists and better for you, the creator! So whatever your music needs, Epidemic Sound has got you covered!

Justin Lefkovitch is the Founder & CEO of Mirrored Media, an experiential marketing agency that works with brands, music artists, and influencers. Justin launched the business in 2010 after graduating from Pepperdine University.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of experiential marketing, and Justin explains what it takes to create memorable events worth sharing. We also discuss the resurgence of touring and live events as a significant revenue driver for the music industry and debate the possibility of new music services like Spotify and Apple Music launching new artists directly without help from traditional record labels. Finally, Justin predicts that new technologies like holograms, augmented reality, and virtual reality will create even more immersive experiences for fans, from large tentpole activations to pop-up events.

Host: James Creech

ABOUT THE SHOW

All Things Video is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the past and charting the future of the online video ecosystem. Listen to interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders from the world’s leading media companies and engage in thought-provoking debates about the issues shaping the next generation of entertainment. From the short-form content revolution to the fragmentation of video viewership in an always-on world, All Things Video reveals the key trends and insights from the world of digital media.

 

Follow All Things Video on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for new episodes and updates!

ABOUT THE HOST

James Creech is an entrepreneur focused on technology, online video, and digital media. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Paladin, the essential influencer marketing platform for media companies, agencies, and brands.

OUR SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by Shareability, a social content company that makes videos people actually want to watch. They work with brands and influencers to create content that explodes across the web through social sharing and organic discovery. For years, Shareability has been topping the charts with crowd captivating videos for brands like Pepsi, Pizza Hut, Sony Entertainment, and Cristiano Ronaldo’s ROC, delivering over 1B views, 5M shares, and 50,000 press mentions. Check out some examples of their work on shareability.com.

Benedikt Kraus is an esports industry veteran and the former Vice President of Global Media Network at ESL. Prior to joining ESL, Benedikt competed in professional Counter-Strike, worked as an editor at early esports magazines, and served as a TV editor for GIGA Digital Television.

In this episode, we discuss the evolution of esports and the competitive gaming industry. Benedikt explains how monetization has improved over time, from the early days of display advertising to the current focus on influencer marketing and integrated sponsorships. We also debate the merits of a franchise system versus open leagues, the future of new streaming services like Mixer and Caffeine, and the differences between esports in the U.S. and Europe. Finally, Benedikt shares his thoughts on underrated game titles and his fascination with the potential for AI-driven content creation.

Host: James Creech

ABOUT THE SHOW

All Things Video is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the past and charting the future of the online video ecosystem. Listen to interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders from the world’s leading media companies and engage in thought-provoking debates about the issues shaping the next generation of entertainment. From the short-form content revolution to the fragmentation of video viewership in an always-on world, All Things Video reveals the key trends and insights from the world of digital media.

 

Follow All Things Video on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for new episodes and updates!

ABOUT THE HOST

James Creech is an entrepreneur focused on technology, online video, and digital media. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Paladin, the essential influencer marketing platform for media companies, agencies, and brands.

OUR SPONSOR

This episode is brought to you by TubeBuddy, the complete toolkit for YouTube channel management. This power-packed browser extension helps with everything from bulk metadata edits and trending keyword suggestions to thumbnail optimization, fan engagement tools, and so much more. Visit TubeBuddy.com to meet your new best friend on YouTube.