In this episode, we talk with Nic Hill, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Sawhorse and host of the Brands in Play podcast. Nic is at the front lines of connecting brands with interactive experiences. In the past year alone, his agency has brought How to Train Your Dragon to Roblox and Sinners to Fortnite. Join us as we discuss

• The impact of AI on the creative process
• Would you rather own a C3PO or an R2D2?
• The near future of smart glasses
• The role of avatars in consumers' online identity
• Finding the right fit and finish for e-commerce in virtual spaces

More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content:

• Hands are hard, but robots give physical AI high five at CES 2026 | S&P Global
• Not quite automatic: Decision optimization in the AI age is complex | S&P Global
• Media Quick Take: Netflix closes out 2025 on a strong note | S&P Global

For S&P Global subscribers (login required):

• S&P Capital IQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Metaverse investment tracker Q4'25: Netflix buys in, physical AI builds up
• S&P Capital IQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Brainrot mania sends Roblox revenue to new heights
• S&P Capital IQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Apple product tracker 2025: iPhone shipments hit record high, surpass 2021 peak

Credits:

• Hosts: Neil Barbour
• Guest: Nic Hill, co-founder and CIO of Sawhorse; host of Brands in Play podcast
• Produced & Edited By: Neil Barbour
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

In this episode, we discuss the emerging consumer metaverse with Sean Mann, CEO of RP1. He sees the emergence of smart glasses as a key computing paradigm shift, connecting people with their environment with a way that isn't possible with current hardware.

To respond to that changing dynamic, RP1 is building the "world's first 3D browser," offering relevant visual data to users as they move through physical space. To achieve that, RP1 links the real world to its digital twin and populates that twin with the data that retailers, restaurants, banks and other points of interest need to serve to patrons. Think about directions to product locations, stocking levels and nutritional information all served in low-friction, heads-up visualizations.

More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content:

• Are consumers ready for Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses? | S&P Global
• Startups aim to improve AR visualization tools for the future of AI | S&P Global
• Metaverse Digest: Generative AI interactive world-building accelerates | S&P Global

For S&P Global subscribers (login required):

• CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Metaverse Survey: Nearly half of consumers interested in buy…
• CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Metaverse forecast through 2029: Revenue opportunity set to …
• CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Metaverse Survey 2025: More consumers piling into virtual wo…

Credit:

• Hosts: Neil Barbour, Ian Hughes
• Guest: Sean Mann, CEO of RP1
• Produced & Edited By: Neil Barbour
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

In this episode, we discuss the emerging industrial metaverse with one of the segment's foremost experts, our very own Ian Hughes. A digital twin can help train employees, allow robots to map out their workspace and give new dimension to operational data.

Ian walks us through highlights from S&P Global Market Intelligence Worldwide Metaverse B2B Survey 2025, including adoption levels, top use cases and the potential return on investment. We also sift through the key challenges and points of friction among key stakeholders.

More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content:

• 451 Digital Industries Insider – August 2025 | S&P Global
• Metaverse Digest: A look at Augmented World Expo, Snap updates Lens Studio | S&P Global
• Next in Tech | Ep. 238: Industrial Metaverse | S&P Global

For S&P Global subscribers (login required):

• Industrial metaverse adoption grows – Highlights from Metaverse B2B survey
• Fujitsu's strategic shift emphasizes AI, modernization and global services
• Ask the Analyst: Can AI make work fun?

Credits:

• Hosts: Neil Barbour
• Guest: Ian Hughes
• Produced & Edited By: Neil Barbour
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

Meta recently scaled backs its commitment to the Quest ecosystem after struggling to build a durable, self-sustaining community in virtual reality.

We spoke with Wagner James Au, author of Making a Metaverse That Matters, to unpack why Meta struggled to grow in VR after a strong start and what those missteps can teach other builders in the space.

We also contrast Meta's experience with Roblox's explosive growth, exploring why user-generated platforms continue to scale while much of the games industry stalls, even while serious concerns remain around safety and security for younger players.

More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content:

• Electronic Arts acquisition is 2nd-largest video game deal on record | S&P Global
• Video game industry sheds jobs to protect margins | S&P Global
• Metaverse Digest: Generative AI interactive world-building accelerates | S&P Global

For S&P Global subscribers (login required):

• CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Brainrot mania sends Roblox revenue to new heights
• CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Kagan analyst embeds in Battlefield 6, the new hope for EA revenue growth
• CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Kagan analyst embeds in Battlefield 6, the new hope for EA revenue growth

Credits:

• Hosts: Neil Barbour, Ian Hughes
• Guest: Wagner James Au
• Edited By: Neil Barbour
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney

Data & Dimensions is a podcast dedicated to exploring the transformative evolution of the internet into immersive 3D virtual spaces.

Guided by S&P Global's coverage of the metaverse, where the tools and tech of video games shape the next phase of the internet into shared 3D virtual spaces, where humans and machines interact with one another and with data, enhancing and augmenting the physical world as much as replacing it.

We delve into the multifaceted implications of this digital frontier for industry, enterprises, consumers and society in general.

In the inaugural episode of Data & Dimensions, we discuss the next class of AR/VR headsets entering the market from Samsung and Apple and go in depth with Chris Parkinson, president of enterprise systems at Vuzix, about the future of smart glasses.

XR hardware has evolved from a curiosity among gamers to an increasingly vital component in industrial and enterprise work. And now it may be headed back to consumers as a smart phone peripheral/replacement. Walk through the key use cases and underlying technology pushing forward the next big story in wearable computing.

More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content:

• Metaverse Digest: Generative AI interactive world-building accelerates | S&P Global
• Are consumers ready for Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses? | S&P Global
• 451 Digital Industries Insider – August 2025 | S&P Global

For S&P Global subscribers (login required):

• CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: S&P 500 companies no longer say 'metaverse' but underlyi…
• CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Apple product tracker Q3 2025: Product shipments growing des…
• CIQ Pro: Economics of Streaming Media: Metaverse investment tracker Q3 2025: Ready for smart contac…

Credits:

• Hosts: Neil Barbour, Ian Hughes
• Guest: Chris Parkinson
• Edited By: Neil Barbour
• Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun, Patrick Moroney