"Let's Talk About..."

To inaugurate this new series, I couldn't think of a better guest than the incredibly talented Carell Augustus talking about the Black Hollywood Book Project.

#Black #Hollywood is a groundbreaking reimagining of Hollywood's most beloved films, including Breakfast at Tiffany's, Singin' in the Rain, Mission: Impossible, Forrest Gump, and more. Visionary photographer Carell Augustus has created a "who's who" of today's Black entertainers recreating iconic cinematic scenes, renewing readers' appreciation of the past while asking questions about representation in media and inspiring the artists of the future.

Compiled over the course of more than ten years and highlighting more than sixty-five stars such as Vanessa L. Williams, Dulé Hill, Karamo Brown, Shemar Moore, and others, Carell Augustus says, "Black Hollywood is not just a book for Black people―it's a book for all people about Black people. About the dreams we were never told we could achieve. About the places we were never told we could go. And now, finally, about how we can get there."

Sophie is the co-founder and CEO of LiSA, a SaaS start-up which offers Live and Social Commerce enterprise solutions for the world’s leading e-retailers, marketplaces and brands such as Marks & Spencer, L’Oréal, AVON USA and many more.

Sophie is also a guest lecturer at Columbia University on the topics of social and live commerce. Her company, LiSA is on a mission to help e-retail easily transform into social discovery destinations for their communities and enable seamless cross-platform experiences for the entire ecosystem.

In this episode she talks about the foundation of LiSa and their commitment to providing a 360 approach to integrate video commerce centered on community by providing a cohesive and authentic experience across platforms and social media.

AI has the potential to add $4.4 trillion in value to the global economy annually. Despite its buzz, two key questions remain: What applications of AI will have the greatest transformational power, and how will these impact your organization? 

Our expert panelists will answer these and other questions about AI’s long term potential and how it’s being used today to transform (not replace people) across marketing and creative ecosystems.. They’ll also share tactical frameworks for the near-term adoption of AI within your organization, including how to navigate its risks and shortcomings.

Our esteemed panelists include:

Rouzbeh Aminpour, Principal Manager, Google Cloud Solution Engineering

Check this out! I just had an epic chat on my latest podcast episode with the one and only Jesse Kirshbaum, the powerhouse CEO of NUE Agency, where we dove headfirst into the juicy intersection of music, tech, and marketing. We got real about how music can level up any experience and how brands can ride the wave of culture using tunes. Plus, we took a stroll through some hot topics like the NTWRK & Universal snagging of Complex, the cosmic possibilities of the Moon Landing for branding, the legendary MTV VMA Moonman, and why it packed more punch than the Grammys. Oh, and let's not forget about the treasure trove of insights Jaimie drops every week in his must-read newsletter, Beats and Bytes. Trust me, this episode is one for the books and a blast for everyone to tune into! We literally could have gone on for hours!

Were you aware that a staggering 95% of videos lack searchability? It may sound improbable, but it's a fact. Allow me to introduce Ajay Bam, the CEO of Vyrill, who has dedicated the past four years to developing an AI-driven platform. This innovative platform not only enables comprehensive searches within videos, covering images, text, and voice, but it also generates actionable analytics. These analytics encompass sentiment analysis, demographics, brand safety, speech reports/SEO lists, and engagement reports.

This capability is invaluable not only for brands managing an extensive video library, helping them identify and repurpose successful content for their audience, but also for seeking USG (User-Generated) content that aligns with their brand values, fostering higher conversion rates and activation.

Today, I had the privilege of conversing with Nicolas Bailliache, the CEO of E-Streamly and the host of the Live E-Commerce Podcast. Since its inception in 2020, E-Streamly has been dedicated to not just bringing live shopping experiences to consumers but also closing the gap for mid-market companies. This involves integrating full payment and e-commerce capabilities into their existing technological framework. Our dynamic discussion delves into the future prospects of avatars in live streaming, exploring how AI can enhance not only chat functions but also play a role in product tagging within user-generated content videos and facilitate SMS notifications. Join us for this enlightening and enjoyable interview.

Starting with his journey in the gaming sector with Zynga, followed by a stint at StartX at Stanford, and subsequently spearheading the Ultra Music Festival while also fueling the ticketing platform for Billy Eilish, CEO Ari Evans possesses a profound understanding that for video commerce to thrive, attribution must be intricately linked to marketing KPIs.

Delving into their patented personalization overlays and his insights on the future applications of AI, this interview is chock full of practical advice about the enduring significance of video commerce and shedding light on the factors that have contributed to its delayed ascent.

In our first podcast of 2024, we engage in a conversation with EB Moss, a familiar name to many due to her extensive writing on a wide range of marketing and media subjects. Our discussion spans various topics, such as Retail Media, the latest trends in Digital Out Of Home, the compelling reasons for advertisers to increase their investments in news sites, and EB Moss's anticipations for the upcoming CES event in Vegas next week.

Mike Coner boasts an extensive background in the rock and roll hospitality sector, commencing with the establishment of a series of bars known as Automatic Slims. His early years, characterized by orchestrating numerous events (and acquiring a multitude of tattoos), have propelled him into the realms of Web3 and gaming. Here, he's carving out a significant presence in the live shopping and "phygital" industry. Tune in as he takes us on a thrilling journey through his experiences.

With a wealth of experience spanning more than 25 years in the video industry, CEO Eitan Koter has encountered diverse facets, from significant OTT platforms to e-commerce ventures. Tune in as he discusses Vimmi, the platform he leads, and the strategic decision to embrace an "all-in-one" video e-commerce platform technology stack. Gain insights into their utilization of AI to enhance business operations and hear Eitan's perspectives on the future, anticipating developments beyond 2024.