Today, we’re speaking to the CEO of Flightradar24, Fredrik Lindahl. Flightradar24 might not qualify as a traditional media company but it does attract millions of people to its content every day and I, for one, am a huge fan. It is the clear leader in flight tracking globally and its stats are wildly impressive. They track around 250,000 flights every day and have over 4 million daily users. Their app – which tops many charts – has been downloaded 75 million times. Perhaps the most impressive fact, though, is that they lean on their community to help track all of those planes. 

All of that rolls up into a great business, which generated nearly $20 million in pre-tax profit last year. We get into the whole story and how the business has grown in this discussion. Matt joins me for a debrief at the end. Please enjoy this conversation with Fredrik Lindahl.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.

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This episode is brought to you by Scribe. Scribe is the presenting sponsor of this episode of Making Media and the magic behind the Colossus transcripts. One of the best decisions we made at Colossus was transcribing all of our audio into a searchable transcript library. We had been using another provider up until the summer of 2022 but we were constantly having issues with accuracy if our audio was just the slightest bit impaired. Whether it's training sessions, internal Q&As, or for media purposes, the value of transcripts is huge. And we are not alone. Scribe is the transcription service that powers all of S&P Global - like CapIQ - and the client list includes our friends at Tegus. Go to joincolossus.com/scribe to unlock 150 minutes of free transcription and test their capabilities.

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Making Media is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Media, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @MakingMediaPod | @JoinColossus 

Show Notes

(00:03:52) - (First question) - Exploring FlightRadar24's global tracking network and its technical complexity

(00:02:15) - FlightRadar24's growth from local to global via volunteer networks and Raspberry Pi

(00:08:44) - Challenges in Africa and Cuba due to low population and bandwidth

(00:09:56) - How FlightRadar24 evolved from a SEO tool to a standalone flight tracking business

(00:12:57) - Why their tech-heavy team prioritizes UX/UI and data quality

(00:15:15) - Setting themselves apart via a user-friendly design and quick media responsiveness

(00:17:12) - Striking a balance between info depth and usability

(00:18:21) - How the real-time data and sheer volume of planes make FlightRadar24 addictive

(00:19:54) - Adapting from one-off payments to subscriptions was a risk that ultimately paid off

(00:29:59) - Using programmatic ads due to diverse, international user base

(00:25:01) - Started B2B due to inquiries, serving aviation and other industries

(00:27:01) - How EasyJet integrated FlightRadar24's SDK to offer real-time flight tracking in their app

(00:28:12) - FlightRadar24's content serves two goals: promoting hosting and engaging users

(00:30:07) - Why covering contributors, professionals, enthusiasts, and casual users is central to their strategy

(00:32:33) - Providing relevant data to media without speculation, allowing accurate reporting

(00:34:45) - Engaging media and users through crowdsourcing, receiver hosts, photos, and tracked flights

(00:36:07) - Looking at Weather Underground, AllTrails, and MarineTraffic for crowdsourcing and comparison

(00:37:56) - Considering price comparison, but competitive OTA space requires clear user intent

(00:40:04) - Debrief

Our guest today is David Law. David is a broadcaster and co-founder of the biggest podcast in tennis, aptly named - The Tennis Podcast. This is an exceptional conversation on what it takes to be successful as a podcaster. David and his co-presenters have recorded over 1000 episodes. They went 5 years without earning a penny from the podcast. It took over 10 years to become a full-time gig. But David and his team stuck with it. And now they have the biggest podcast in their field, a large and growing subscriber base, and count a host of famous names as listeners, including Billie Jean King and Lin-Manual Miranda. Growth, monetization, persistence, broadcasting – this episode has it all. Please enjoy our conversation with David Law.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.

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This episode is brought to you by Scribe. Scribe is the presenting sponsor of this episode of Making Media and the magic behind the Colossus transcripts. One of the best decisions we made at Colossus was transcribing all of our audio into a searchable transcript library. We had been using another provider up until the summer of 2022 but we were constantly having issues with accuracy if our audio was just the slightest bit impaired. Whether it's training sessions, internal Q&As, or for media purposes, the value of transcripts is huge. And we are not alone. Scribe is the transcription service that powers all of S&P Global - like CapIQ - and the client list includes our friends at Tegus. Go to joincolossus.com/scribe to unlock 150 minutes of free transcription and test their capabilities.

-----

Making Media is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Media, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @MakingMediaPod | @JoinColossus 

Show Notes 

(00:03:07) - (First question) - David reflects on 11 years of podcasting

(00:06:00) - Starting The Tennis Podcast in 2012, David and his co-founder combined their love for tennis and podcasts

(00:08:45) - Focusing on audience growth and personal enjoyment

(00:11:26) - How David began as a tennis commentator

(00:14:10) - Conveying the feel of the match on the radio

(00:19:09) - The evolution of the podcast team

(00:25:33) - Deriving content from what's happening in the tennis world

(00:27:02) - Podcasting success relies on innate ability, unique voices, chemistry, and honing skills

(00:28:50) - How to maintain journalistic integrity

(00:32:05) - How The Tennis Podcast began monetizing through Kickstarter in 2017

(00:38:13) - Sponsors hesitation due to unfamiliarity with podcast medium

(00:42:04) - Podcasting creates a personal connection with listeners, unlike traditional broadcasting

(00:50:28) - David's most vivid memories surrounding tennis

(00:53:30) - Debrief

Our guest today is Greg Rose, who has worked closely with Richard Branson at Virgin for nearly 15 years. As Virgin’s Content and Communications Director, Greg is responsible for what you see from Richard or Virgin’s companies across social media, Richard’s autobiographies, and more traditional public outlets. He is the man who convinced Virgin’s famous founder to take social media seriously in the early days and has built Virgin’s digital image in sync with Richard’s philosophy and outlook. Matt and Dom discuss all aspects of that process with him and unearth what he’s learned about managing a huge personal and corporate brand. Please enjoy this conversation with Greg Rose.

__

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.

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This episode is brought to you by Scribe. Scribe is the presenting sponsor of this episode of Making Media and the magic behind the Colossus transcripts. One of the best decisions we made at Colossus was transcribing all of our audio into a searchable transcript library. We had been using another provider up until the summer of 2022 but we were constantly having issues with accuracy if our audio was just the slightest bit impaired. Whether it's training sessions, internal Q&As, or for media purposes, the value of transcripts is huge. And we are not alone. Scribe is the transcription service that powers all of S&P Global - like CapIQ - and the client list includes our friends at Tegus. Go to joincolossus.com/scribe to unlock 150 minutes of free transcription and test their capabilities.

-----

Making Media is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Media, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @MakingMediaPod | @JoinColossus 

Show Notes

(00:03:06) - (First question) - Greg's backstory and how he started with The Virgin Group 

(00:05:37) - Pitching his social media idea to Richard Branson and getting him involved

(00:07:24) - Sharing the Virgin brand and content ideas across all companies 

(00:08:31) - How Greg convinced Virgin to lean into social media

(00:11:53) - Measuring success on social media 

(00:12:41) - The mechanics behind the early days of Richard on social media

(00:14:39) - Finding the balance between organized posts and authenticity 

(00:16:25) - Insight into what Greg has learned about brand accounts  

(00:18:44) - Talking in the brand's voice while trying to stay relevant and grow on social media 

(00:20:21) - Brands that Greg admires 

(00:22:08) - Matching a new business's brand to the masterbrand while maintaining some individuality  

(00:25:06) - The importance of brand collaborations and activations 

(00:26:28) - How the companies respond to negativity and public backlash online  

(00:27:51) - How Richard's path to success could influence others and be emulated 

(00:30:17) - Integrating Holly Branson into the brand and amplifying her voice

(00:31:58) - How much of Greg's job is reactive versus proactive 

(00:34:24) - Combining PR with the rest of the social media vision  

(00:36:09) - The value behind advertisements that don’t highlight the service provided 

(00:37:37) - Greg's love for ghost writing and how it ties into his role at Virgin 

(00:38:23) - Keys to becoming a good ghost writer

(00:41:33) - Debrief

Today, we’re answering a question we get a lot. How do you start a podcast? We’ll tell you everything you need to know, from hardware to software to thoughts on content and format. Scroll down to our shownotes for a full list of the products and services discussed. Enjoy.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here. 

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This episode is brought to you by Scribe. Scribe is the presenting sponsor of this episode of Making Media and the magic behind the Colossus transcripts. One of the best decisions we made at Colossus was transcribing all of our audio into a searchable transcript library. We had been using another provider up until the summer of 2022 but we were constantly having issues with accuracy if our audio was just the slightest bit impaired. Whether it's training sessions, internal Q&As, or for media purposes, the value of transcripts is huge. And we are not alone. Scribe is the transcription service that powers all of S&P Global - like CapIQ - and the client list includes our friends at Tegus. Go to joincolossus.com/scribe to unlock 150 minutes of free transcription and test their capabilities.

-----

Making Media is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Media, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @MakingMediaPod | @JoinColossus 

Show Notes 

Hardware

(00:03:57) - (First question) - The hardware needed to start a podcast

(00:05:16) - Considering different microphone options

Shure MV7 | Shure SM7B | ATR2100x

Software

(00:06:20) - Software required to record a podcast

(00:09:48) - Specific devices made for podcasting when not using an iPhone or laptop - Podtrak, RODECaster

(00:10:23) - A breakdown of Descript, a transcript and audio editing program 

(00:14:14) - Getting the audio file to the masses, creating an RSS feed

Libsyn | Megaphone | Transistor 

(00:16:33) - Uploading to the digital distributor 

(00:19:57) - The costs involved with distributing your podcast to the world

(00:20:58) - The statistics and a breakdown of downloads and streams

Music

(00:24:33) - Creating the theme music

Pond5 | Epidemic Sound

(00:27:22) - Sourcing narrators for the introduction voice over

Content

(00:29:07) - Deciding on what content to create a podcast about

(00:33:54) - Focussing content to make the podcast unique

(00:35:17) - Choosing a title for the podcast

(00:38:46) - The key thing to get started - just do it! 

Launch

(00:40:59) - The launch strategy 

(00:44:03) - Networking with existing podcasters in your area to create a buzz

Our guest today is someone we've mentioned frequently on this podcast, Liberty RPF. It's difficult to define exactly what Liberty writes about - but that might explain why we find his work so fascinating. He is a curator of great content and acts a sherpa for his audience, pushing them to find new things that resonate with them. It's a role that feels increasingly needed as we live in a world of infinite content. During this conversation, we discuss that role, how Liberty has approached his craft, and how this led him to new opportunities like Infinite Media at O'Shaughnessy Ventures. Please enjoy this conversation with Liberty.

Read Liberty's Newsletter Here.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here. 

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This episode is brought to you by Scribe. Scribe is the presenting sponsor of this episode of Making Media and the magic behind the Colossus transcripts. One of the best decisions we made at Colossus was transcribing all of our audio into a searchable transcript library. We had been using another provider up until the summer of 2022 but we were constantly having issues with accuracy if our audio was just the slightest bit impaired. Whether it's training sessions, internal Q&As, or for media purposes, the value of transcripts is huge. And we are not alone. Scribe is the transcription service that powers all of S&P Global - like CapIQ - and the client list includes our friends at Tegus. Go to joincolossus.com/scribe to unlock 150 minutes of free transcription and test their capabilities.

-----

Making Media is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Media, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @MakingMediaPod | @JoinColossus 

Show Notes

(00:03:22) - (First question) - He expands on the idea that not every experiment has to last forever

(00:05:25) - Knowing when to keep going or move on from something 

(00:06:58) - How he finds his tribe by covering a wide range of interests

(00:11:16) - His view on curation and how it could be taught to others

(00:12:47) - The potential to dominate the market

(00:15:51) - Where he places himself on the niche spectrum

(00:17:28) - How he grows his audience

(00:19:44) - His transition to a paid subscription newsletter 

(00:23:58) - Unique characteristics and demographics about his audience 

(00:25:36) - The impact your reach can have on the world

(00:27:07) - His pursuit to help people find their favorite thing

(00:30:08) - Brand lead interests versus trusted individual lead interests

(00:33:06) - Would he change his branding to be more broad?

(00:34:06) - Literature consumption and its importance 

(00:37:22) - How reading books at certain times in your life can impact you 

(00:40:43) - Books he found difficult but rewarding to read

(00:43:16) - His preferred form of literature consumption

(00:44:16) - A high-level look at Infinite Media 

(00:48:32) - What he looks for in a potentially successful content creator  

(00:52:26) - Where he looks to find people who aren’t creating yet but have great potential

(00:54:11) - How he feels about steering people to focus on their content creation

(00:57:33) - Debrief

Today’s episode is a little different. Rather than bring a guest on, we’re going to break down how Forbes works. As former investors now operating in the media space, a few brands particularly intrigue us. Forbes is near the top of that list, not least because its current owners are trying to sell it for $800 million. It has been around for over 100 years, is often referenced in pop culture, and is quickly building out a suite of consumer products. It might also be the antithesis of our own business, Colossus, in its strategy and approach, making it all the more interesting to explore and draw out lessons. We hope you enjoy this deep dive into Forbes.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.

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This episode is brought to you by Scribe. Scribe is the presenting sponsor of this episode of Making Media and the magic behind the Colossus transcripts. One of the best decisions we made at Colossus was transcribing all of our audio into a searchable transcript library. We had been using another provider up until the summer of 2022 but we were constantly having issues with accuracy if our audio was just the slightest bit impaired. Whether it's training sessions, internal Q&As, or for media purposes, the value of transcripts is huge. And we are not alone. Scribe is the transcription service that powers all of S&P Global - like CapIQ - and the client list includes our friends at Tegus. Go to joincolossus.com/scribe to unlock 150 minutes of free transcription and test their capabilities.

-----

Making Media is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Media, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @MakingMediaPod | @JoinColossus 

Show Notes

(00:03:18) - (First question) - Forbes’ European reach, a household name in UK

(00:04:46) - Fun facts that stood out for Matt and Dom when researching Forbes 

(00:10:46) - How Forbes is creating so much content 

(00:15:36) - Various interesting factors involved in the consumer business 

(00:19:02) - The level of independence when it comes to analysis of affiliate links and recommendations by Forbes

(00:21:21) - An example of scaling a business too quickly; the immediate takeaway from the business

(00:23:18) - Dilution of the brand and its quality

(00:29:58) - Forbes' failed acquisition deals since put up for sale

(00:32:30) - The lessons learned from researching the business

(00:33:50) - The business’ brand power amongst its target audience

(00:35:41) - "Forbes list" influence on popular culture 

(00:37:27) - Reality versus propaganda 

(00:38:38) - Closing thoughts

Our guest today is Kevin Espiritu. Kevin is the founder and CEO of the world’s most followed gardening brand and online garden store – Epic Gardening. Matt and I had been following Epic and Kevin’s journey for a while but when we met him in person at Capital Camp in May, we knew we had to get him on the show. Since going full time on Epic Gardening in 2013, Kevin has cracked all forms of media. The business has 3.6 million followers across social and YouTube, over 20 million podcast downloads, and some 50 million blog visits. He is the trusted voice for gardeners all across the US and while we could happily talk to Kevin all day about each of those properties, we wanted to go deep with him on something else. His acquisition of Botanical Interests, a 28-year old business that sells seed and garden products. As you’ll hear, Epic’s transition from content to commerce has been incredibly successful and today, it makes far more money from selling product than it generates from making content. We ask Kevin about raising money from The Chernin Group to make the acquisition, the process itself, and what second-order effects it’s had on Epic as a business. I hope you enjoy learning from Kevin as much as we do.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.

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This episode is brought to you by Scribe. Scribe is the presenting sponsor of this episode of Making Media and the magic behind the Colossus transcripts. One of the best decisions we made at Colossus was transcribing all of our audio into a searchable transcript library. We had been using another provider up until the summer of 2022 but we were constantly having issues with accuracy if our audio was just the slightest bit impaired. Whether it's training sessions, internal Q&As, or for media purposes, the value of transcripts is huge. And we are not alone. Scribe is the transcription service that powers all of S&P Global - like CapIQ - and the client list includes our friends at Tegus. Go to joincolossus.com/scribe to unlock 150 minutes of free transcription and test their capabilities.

-----

Making Media is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Media, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @MakingMediaPod | @JoinColossus 

Show Notes 

(00:03:15) - (First question) - His obsession with gardening and turning it into a success

(00:05:02) - How he maximized opportunity with his time playing poker

(00:07:31) - Events leading up to the acquisition on his many companies

(00:12:08) - Key people he worked with while growing his opportunities 

(00:13:01) - Raising capital to use directly as a use of proceeds for acquisitions 

(00:13:50) - The difference between acquiring acquisitions with and without investors

(00:16:05) - The length of time it took to complete the Botanical Interest deal

(00:17:47) - Potential competitors trying to acquire the business 

(00:19:55) - Possible disadvantages of going into a business deal as a video content creator

(00:21:13) - The synergy behind bringing more business into stores

(00:23:09) - Knowing when you should expanding into commerce as a content creator

(00:25:42) - Choosing the right investors to help build your company

(00:29:33) - How his mentality has changed over the years

(00:32:04) - Rules of thumb for using media correctly

(00:35:49) - Advice he has for bring new creators onto the team

(00:37:51) - His hands free approach to founding a business and creating a business multiverse 

(00:41:49) - A look into how he schedules his week

(00:43:11) - The future growth potential of his business

(00:45:15) - People he thinks are great to learn from

(00:49:20) - Debrief

Our guest today is Jay Clouse. Past guest Chris Hutchins told us that Jay had given him some of the best, contrarian advice on memberships. Naturally, that was enough of a hook for us so we got on the phone and asked him how to build a community around your product. Please enjoy this conversation with Jay Clouse.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here. 

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This episode is brought to you by Scribe. Scribe is the presenting sponsor of this episode of Making Media and the magic behind the Colossus transcripts. One of the best decisions we made at Colossus was transcribing all of our audio into a searchable transcript library. We had been using another provider up until the summer of 2022 but we were constantly having issues with accuracy if our audio was just the slightest bit impaired. Whether it's training sessions, internal Q&As, or for media purposes, the value of transcripts is huge. And we are not alone. Scribe is the transcription service that powers all of S&P Global - like CapIQ - and the client list includes our friends at Tegus. Go to joincolossus.com/scribe to unlock 150 minutes of free transcription and test their capabilities.

-----

Making Media is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Media, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @MakingMediaPod | @JoinColossus 

Show Notes

(00:02:35) - (First question) – He tells us about is lead social experience 

(00:04:14) – The difference between online versus in-person communities

(00:06:18) – What he thinks makes a good online community

(00:07:54) – How he incorporates his principles into The Lab

(00:10:31) – The driving force behind using videos on the platform

(00:11:50) – Transitioning out of a guiding role when introducing new members to the platform

(00:14:12) – The potential for replication of his platform membership idea

(00:16:42) – The meaning of sticky community and its measure of success

(00:18:21) – How scaling membership size can affect overall monetary growth

(00:20:20) – His opinions on turning his business into solely a membership platform

(00:22:01) – He explains how the renewal process for members works

(00:24:10) – The percentage of creators treating their content as a business

(00:26:00) – Moving from a multimedia business to just a singular outlet for content

(00:28:13) – The dangers of consistent content advice 

(00:29:36) – Other advice to be cautious of when wanting to grow your platform

(00:30:36) – The balance between giving up creative freedom for growth and staying true yourself

(00:34:31) – His advice for those who are struggling to find success 

(00:35:56) – Timeless strategies for content growth

(00:37:24) – His feelings on taking advice from experts in the field while being one himself

(00:41:28) – Who he thinks people should study in the creator space

(00:43:34) – Potentially acquiring jay.com 

(00:46:21) - Debrief 

Our guest today is Om Malik. Back in 2015, Om published an interview, or what might better be described as a conversation, with Brunello Cucinelli. It's a truly special conversation, and I know many people that find it's a life changing conversation. Brunello seems to be the rare, maybe the only, billionaire that has somehow found balance in life. He's deeply philosophical. He approaches business with empathy. He has a strong family life. And he cares deeply about the people that work under his namesake brand. Om captured all of this in a spontaneous afternoon in Italy. For those who haven't read the piece, I recommend you pause the podcast and click the link in the show notes. We wanted to speak to Om about that experience meeting Brunello. And truthfully, this conversation with Om turned into something much deeper. Please enjoy our conversation with Om Malik.

Read Om's interview with Brunello Cucinelli.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.

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This episode is brought to you by Scribe. Scribe is the presenting sponsor of this episode of Making Media and the magic behind the Colossus transcripts. One of the best decisions we made at Colossus was transcribing all of our audio into a searchable transcript library. We had been using another provider up until the summer of 2022 but we were constantly having issues with accuracy if our audio was just the slightest bit impaired. Whether it's training sessions, internal Q&As, or for media purposes, the value of transcripts is huge. And we are not alone. Scribe is the transcription service that powers all of S&P Global - like CapIQ - and the client list includes our friends at Tegus. Go to joincolossus.com/scribe to unlock 150 minutes of free transcription and test their capabilities.

-----

Making Media is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Media, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here.

Follow us on Twitter: @ReustleMatt | @domcooke | @MakingMediaPod | @JoinColossus 

Show Notes 

(00:02:42) - (First question) - Events leading up to his conversation with Brunello Cucinelli

(00:07:50) - What he learned about the person behind the brand 

(00:10:52) - Moving from casual conversation to interview 

(00:11:32) - His preferred interview style 

(00:13:34) - How much philosophy he knew before entering the conversation with Cucinelli 

(00:15:15) - Types of books he noticed in Cucinelli’s office

(00:16:01) - Other moments during the interview that created a casual talking environment 

(00:17:47) - Practicing the concept of finding balance within a company

(00:21:11) - Whether Cucinelli’s philosophy could work for other entrepreneurs 

(00:22:34) - Business sense behind the brand

(00:23:16) - The speed at which the meeting was put together

(00:23:42) - What he took away from the interview and applied to his own life

(00:25:29) - Post interview visits with Cucinelli in America

(00:26:16) - Cucinelli’s Italian national pride versus other countries

(00:27:35) - The tech industry being America's biggest export 

(00:30:16) - The reaction to this interview compared to others he’s written

(00:31:19) - The cultural significance of this piece 

(00:36:02) - People who are similar to Cucinelli’s personality

(00:37:38) - The biggest lesson learned from his conversation with Cucinelli

(00:39:10) - Potential impacts on the piece due to current life events 

(00:40:17) - Advice he has for others in the media industry

(00:42:20) - Debrief

Our guest today is Adam Ryan, the founder of Workweek. At Colossus, we're big fans of Workweek. We've hosted the Wolf of Franchises for an excellent Business Breakdown on Orangetheory and I'm an avid reader of Adam's Perpetual newsletter. For this conversation, we discuss the ongoing shift towards individuals over institutions, how media companies might solve the business model challenge that currently plagues the industry, and where we are in the niche media cycle. Everyone seems to love B2B media, but is that really everyone? Please enjoy my conversation with Adam and then stay tuned for my debrief with Dom.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.

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This episode is brought to you by Scribe. Scribe is the presenting sponsor of this episode of Making Media and the magic behind the Colossus transcripts. One of the best decisions we made at Colossus was transcribing all of our audio into a searchable transcript library. We had been using another provider up until the summer of 2022 but we were constantly having issues with accuracy if our audio was just the slightest bit impaired. Whether it's training sessions, internal Q&As, or for media purposes, the value of transcripts is huge. And we are not alone. Scribe is the transcription service that powers all of S&P Global - like CapIQ - and the client list includes our friends at Tegus. Go to joincolossus.com/scribe to unlock 150 minutes of free transcription and test their capabilities.

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Show Notes

(00:01:08) - (First question) - Institution building allows scale and market expansion while preserving individual influence 

(00:04:45) - Workweek focuses on individual brands to enhance recognition and attract talent

(00:06:18) - Prioritizing fair pay, early creator partnerships, and career stability

(00:11:03) - Identifying talent requires gauging industry fit, expertise, and ambition

(00:15:22) - Guiding creators in audience growth and amplifying their strengths

(00:19:24) - Influence and market valuation gap is due to business model issues in media

(00:22:28) - Disrupting the media industry by sharing net margins with talent

(00:25:14) - Expanding with talent search and franchise financial planning platforms

(00:27:35) - Creating shared entities with tailored cap structures for long-term alignment

(00:28:54) - Substack has simplified content creation, but their business model has flaws

(00:31:12) - Incentivized growth can lead to misleading metrics and detrimental ecosystem effects

(00:34:55) - Niche media is still in its early innings with high barriers to entry

(00:39:34) - Rising tide lifts all boats in the content industry, not winner take all

(00:42:40) - Newsletters drive intention, podcasts engage

(00:43:25) - Companies that stand out to him moving forward

(00:45:42) - The optionality of building complementary businesses exists for those with audience retention

(00:48:10) - Debrief