TechieBytes

Episode 48: We spoke with Ash Karbasfrooshan, CEO at WatchMojo, one of the largest YouTube channels with more than 20 million subscribers. We discuss how Ash realized YouTube was the best platform for video, why listicles have such staying power, how to keep your audience fully engaged, and if he's concerned about brand safety on YouTube.

Episode 47: We spoke with Jesus Chavez, CEO at Vertical Networks, a company building a mobile-first premium content studio featuring hit shows like Brother and Phone Swap. We discuss what it means to be mobile-first, what the future of mobile video looks like from a content and distribution standpoint, and what it's like being a first-time CEO.

Jesus has a deep understanding of digital operations, content marketing, social platforms and business strategy, prior to becoming CEO at Vertical Networks, he was most recently the COO for Mitu a digital media company focused on Latino youth. Before building digital organizations in the startup world, Jesus spent almost 9 years with Univision in multiple senior leadership roles where he ran digital operations and strategy for the Univision Television Group (UTG) and previously the Local Interactive Media Group. Under his leadership the UTG digital group achieved profitability. He also successfully led the expansion of the local digital business for the Radio and TV groups, re-launched 70 online and mobile sites in a seven-month period as well as the first Univision music branded app. 

Episode 46: We spoke with Travis Bernard, Senior Director of Subscriptions and Audience Insights at TechCrunch. We discuss what audience development looks like at TechCrunch, what analytics TechCrunch utilizes (as well as who gets access to them), and the recent launch of Extra Crunch (including a sneak peek of what's to come).

Travis has helped TechCrunch nearly double its monthly active users since he started and is responsible for running paid and organic media campaigns to help promote TechCrunch's event business, resulting in millions of dollars in new revenue. He was also engaged in business development and partnership operations, including TechCrunch's work with Facebook Live, Messenger chat bot, and event integration with audio startup Otter.ai. He's currently running audience development for TechCrunch as well as leading the business operations and marketing effort behind Extra Crunch. 

Episode 45: We spoke with John Biggs, entrepreneur and former TechCrunch East Coast Editor. He's currently working on projects including HypeHop, Tech4Reporters, and Typewriter Plus. We discuss TechCrunch in the early days, tips for pitching reporters, and ideas to save the media industry.

Episode 44: We spoke with Melanie Deziel, founder at Storyfuel and also an international keynote speaker who is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in native advertising and branded content. We discuss the biggest myths about content marketing, how to properly brainstorm your content, as well as how to distribute it effectively.

Hey guys, Jeff here from BestTechie.com! Today’s episode is more a quick update, as some of you may know in January I started in the Harvard Business Analytics Program and being that I do all the behind the scenes work of the podcast myself such as scheduling guests, research and writing of questions & topics, as well as editing and uploading, oh and of course hosting each episode—it’s been a little hectic around here. And that doesn’t even include my day-to-day stuff at BestTechie.

That being said, I plan to continue hosting the podcast and releasing every Tuesday. I’m currently working on booking a bunch of really great guests, in fact, some upcoming guests include, early TechCrunch editor and entrepreneur, John Biggs, leading native advertising and branded content expert, Melanie Deziel, founder & CEO at Taboola, Adam Singolda, Senior Director of Subscriptions and Audience Insights at TechCrunch, Travis Bernard, and so many more!

Thanks to everyone for listening, I’m super excited to continue releasing the podcast. I’d also encourage you to visit BestTechie.com for new content every day. If you want to get in touch with me, you can email me [email protected] or feel free to tweet me @jeffweisbein or @besttechie. 

Episode 43: We spoke with Callie Schweitzer, founder at The Callie Co, a creative strategy and consulting firm that helps businesses and individuals increase reach, relevance and revenue. She previously worked as Chief Content Officer at Thrive Global alongside Arianna Huffington. We discuss the future of media, including what Callie calls "conveners," how "town squares" will play an important role in the media landscape, and why engagement trumps everything.

Episode 42: We spoke with Apu Gupta, CEO at Curalate, a social commerce company that turns any image or video into a storefront for brands like Whole Foods, Nordstrom, and Crate & Barrel. We discuss how Curalate was born out of the ashes of a failed startup, the best ways to leverage influencers, the editorialization of ecommerce, and more.

Episode 41: We spoke with Alissa Fleck, Managing Editor at ICO Ranker, a site dedicated to providing honest in-depth ICO reviews and analysis. We discuss the current state of ICOs, what to look for when investing, and also spent time talking at length about crime and crypto including the anatomy of an ICO scam and which celebrities to be wary of.

Episode 40: We spoke with Manny Medina, CEO at Outreach, a sales engagement platform that increases the productivity of sales teams. We discuss what it was like to be on the original team building Amazon Web Services, the unique way he realized it was time to pivot his HR company into Outreach, and what it takes to create an effective cold email.