In this episode recorded at the 2026 Business Information & Media Summit (BIMS) in New Orleans, Chris Mohr sits down with Jim Elliott, founder and president of The Elliott Company, one of the country’s largest outsourced media sales firms for advertising, exhibits, and sponsorships. With nearly $800 million generated for specialty media brands, Jim shares hard-earned wisdom from four decades of selling in B2B and consumer media—while offering a candid perspective on what too many publishers get wrong about sales.

Jim reflects on his early career at CBS Magazines and Road & Track, the decision to strike out on his own, and how he navigated the complexities of entrepreneurship while raising his kids. Along the way, he unpacks the myths of control in sales teams, the undervalued role of independent reps, and why most media CEOs still don't understand the function that funds their business. Chris and Jim also explore how the sales profession has evolved—and how it hasn’t—and what makes a great rep in an era of AI, ad tech, and shifting buying behavior.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Why sales is still misunderstood and underappreciated by many media founders

• How independent sales reps build deeper trust—and often outperform internal teams

• The hidden risks of relying on outdated org charts and relationships

• What CEOs often get wrong when trying to "control" the sales process

• Jim’s three core advantages of outsourcing your sales function

• What he means by stacking stress—and why decompression is a leadership skill

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In this episode of The Business of Information, Chris Mohr speaks with Reed Phillips, Managing Partner of Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips, about what it takes to navigate—and thrive in—the ever-evolving world of media M&A. With more than 35 years of experience and over 225 transactions under his belt, Reed shares stories from his early days in political publishing to leading major acquisitions and exits across B2B, consumer media, advertising, and events.

Reed reflects on why valuation is so often misunderstood by founders, how AI is reshaping priorities in the media space, and why face-to-face events continue to hold their value. He also shares insights from his book QuickValue—a practical guide for business owners on how to determine what their companies are worth and how to increase that value.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Why most entrepreneurs overestimate their company’s value—and how to fix that

• The difference between investment banking and private equity (in plain English)

• How media buyers are shifting attention—and budgets—toward AI adoption

• Why events remain “AI-proof” and continue to drive growth post-pandemic

• Lessons from selling and launching media businesses in the 1980s and beyond

• The cultural principle Reed hopes defines his legacy in the M&A world

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In this episode of The Business of Information, Chris Mohr speaks with Greg Watt, fourth-generation CEO of WATT Global Media, about steering a century-old B2B media company through waves of disruption—from print to digital to AI. Greg shares how his company has evolved while staying true to its roots in serving critical industries like poultry, pet food, and animal nutrition in more than 190 countries.

They explore everything from AI implementation and cultural change to the company’s unique “Results-Only Work Environment” (ROWE) approach, which has redefined how work gets done and how performance is measured. Greg also reflects on family business dynamics, sustainable succession planning, and why curiosity, trust, and content still lead the way—even in the age of algorithms.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• What it takes to lead a 108-year-old B2B media company into the AI era

• Why content and community remain at the core of event success

• How WATT’s transition to a results-only culture changed retention and performance

• How AI is already transforming poultry production, feed systems, and market intelligence

• The balance between honoring legacy and driving change in a fourth-generation business

• Why long-term relevance requires both structure and relentless curiosity

Whether you're leading through transition or navigating new technology in a legacy business, this episode offers practical wisdom—and an inside look at how a specialized media company stays ahead by staying true to its mission.

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In this episode of The Business of Information, Chris Mohr talks with Maggie White, Senior Associate in Market Data Sales at Cboe Global Markets and former Technical Account Manager at Bloomberg L.P., about what it really takes to drive innovation in the infrastructure behind financial markets. From her start in rural Texas to the heart of Wall Street, Maggie explores how market‑data professionals are quietly shaping how markets operate and how individuals invest.

Maggie shares how her early interest in helping people led her into finance, how she blends technical data expertise with a people‑first mindset, and how the evolution of artificial intelligence is creating both opportunity and responsibility in the market‑data ecosystem. She also reflects on her weekly service at The Bowery Mission and why giving back plays a role in her professional journey.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• How real‑time market data powers the structure of global financial markets and why it’s “closer to the markets” than many realize

• Why finance can be a path to helping people—beyond trading and speculation

• The transition from technical account manager to market‑data sales: what skills carry over and what changes

• How AI and technology are impacting market‑data delivery, accessibility, and “financial education” for non‑professionals

• Her approach to mentorship, sponsorship, and supporting diversity in market‑data careers

• What success, burnout and boundary‑setting look like in a high‑velocity industry

Whether you're involved in data, finance, tech or user education, this episode gives you a vivid view into the invisible foundation of how markets operate—and the people who keep them moving.

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In this episode of The Business of Information, Chris Mohr speaks with Anne Voigts, Partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP and head of the firm’s appellate practice, about the increasingly complex legal landscape surrounding data, privacy, regulation, and high-stakes litigation. Anne offers a rare window into how the courts are approaching novel issues in AI, cybersecurity, and digital compliance—and what information companies should be doing now to prepare for future scrutiny.

Anne shares what it’s like to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court, why the appellate process plays a unique role in shaping public policy, and how trial and appellate teams can better collaborate when the legal issues get thorny. She also explains why the current moment feels different—and more consequential—than any previous era of digital transformation.

Anne Voigts has argued over 70 cases in federal and state appellate courts and clerked for both the U.S. Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit. A former federal prosecutor and a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, Anne is recognized as one of the top appellate litigators in the country, with particular expertise in class actions, cybersecurity, privacy, and critical motions involving novel legal questions.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

How appellate courts are approaching cases involving AI, algorithms, and emerging tech

What businesses get wrong—and right—when preparing for litigation or regulatory inquiry

Why documentation and internal dialogue are key to building a strong legal position

The difference between writing for judges vs. persuading a jury

How lawyers are advising companies on “gray zone” compliance issues before regulators weigh in

Anne’s take on what’s coming next in tech policy litigation and enforcement

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In this episode of The Business of Information, Chris Mohr is joined by Alice Gambarin, Associate Director and Lead Economist at Oxford Economics, to unpack the complex relationship between innovation, regulation, and economic growth in the digital age. They explore how economic modeling and impact research can help policymakers navigate tradeoffs in digital market regulation—especially as new rules, like the EU’s Digital Markets Act, introduce real-world consequences for platforms and users alike.

Alice shares insights from her team’s recent work with SIIA and discusses why innovation—not just competition—must remain central to the global regulatory conversation. She explains how scale, data, and network effects shape the digital economy, and how misaligned policies could hinder both innovation and national security in the years ahead.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Why scale and innovation are tightly linked in digital markets

• Examples of unintended consequences from Europe’s DMA rollout

• How data and cybersecurity factor into national security debates

• The tension between regulatory goals and real-world user experience

• What policymakers should consider before targeting large platforms

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Wilma Jordan has played a central role in more than 800 M&A transactions across the media, marketing, and information sectors — and in this episode, she reflects on the defining moments that shaped her path. From her early role in the sale of the Esquire Magazine Group to building JEGI into one of the most respected M&A advisory firms in the industry, Wilma shares stories of deals won, lessons learned, and the values that have guided her career. She also talks about the recent merger between JEGI and Leonis Partners and why this next chapter brings new opportunities for clients and team members alike.

Wilma also reflects on her early days in New York finance, how being one of the only women in the room shaped her approach, and why “white glove service” has been a core differentiator for the firm since day one. She shares the role divine intervention has played in key moments — including the cold call that led to JEGI Leonis — and how giving back keeps her grounded in both life and business.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• How Wilma’s first experience selling a company sparked her M&A career

• Why she believes hands-on client service is a competitive advantage

• Her reflections on being a woman in 1980s Wall Street — and how she used it to her benefit

• What drove the merger between JEGI and Leonis, and how the combined firm is positioned for the future

• Her perspective on legacy, leadership, and how business fits into a well-lived life

To hear more conversations like this, be sure to follow The Business of Information on your favorite podcast platform, and visit siia.net

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In this episode, Chris Mohr sits down with John Buchanan, Chief Growth Officer at GoGuardian, to discuss how data, AI, and purpose-driven strategy are shaping the future of education technology. Drawing on leadership experience at Adobe, the NFL, Electronic Arts, and LegalZoom, John shares how his focus on listening, learning, and calculated risk-taking helps drive meaningful transformation—inside classrooms and across organizations.

GoGuardian supports K–12 students and educators through AI-powered tools that improve learning outcomes, promote digital safety, and optimize classroom engagement. John discusses how these technologies are being embraced (and debated) in real-time by teachers, administrators, students—and even his own children. From privacy and student wellbeing to mission alignment and measurement of academic ROI, this is a candid look at how innovation can help schools move forward without leaving trust or nuance behind.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• Why “listen and learn” is John’s go-to leadership playbook across industries

• How AI is being used in classrooms today—beyond just “saving time”

• The difference between teacher and administrator needs—and why both matter

• What keeps John up at night (hint: it’s the opportunity, not the risk)

• How GoGuardian measures academic impact and builds trust with educators

• Why mission and commercial growth don’t have to be at odds
  

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In this episode, Chris Mohr sits down with Kelly Koscuiszka, co-chair of Schulte Roth & Zabel’s (now McDermott Will & Schulte) Investment Management Regulatory & Compliance Group, to explore how private fund firms are navigating the regulatory terrain of artificial intelligence, alternative data, and cybersecurity. Kelly discusses her unique journey from history major to legal expert and how that background informs her role advising on exam preparedness, emerging tech risks, and enforcement strategy.

Kelly has built her practice at the intersection of private fund regulation and emerging technology—handling SEC examinations, managing deficiency letters, and helping clients stay ahead with governance and compliance frameworks. She’s recognized as a leader in securities compliance and frequently presents on AI governance, valuation controls, and policy best practices across the fintech and investment adviser space.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• How Kelly’s liberal arts background shaped her approach to tech regulation and compliance

• Why compliance needs a meaningful seat at the table before AI is adopted firm-wide

• Key exam considerations: documentation, training, governance committees, and showing your work

• Common pitfalls in valuation controls, electronic communications, and emerging data use

• How to approach AI washing, MNPI exposure, and fiduciary risk in private fund contexts

• The importance of transparency, dialogue, and exam-focused governance in rapidly evolving technology environments

If you're advising or working at a private fund, or you're shaping compliance programs under new regulatory scrutiny, this episode cuts through the noise on AI and data governance with real-world clarity.

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In this episode of the Business of Information, Chris Mohr speaks with Brad Bailey, Research Director at Burton-Taylor International Consulting, about the transformation of financial markets through data and AI. From the early days of electronic trading to the current explosion of machine learning, Brad offers a behind-the-scenes look at how technology is reshaping everything from trade execution to data infrastructure—and what the future holds for those who build and buy financial information.

Brad brings a unique perspective to this conversation, combining an academic background in mechanical and aerospace engineering with decades of experience in trading, strategy, and research. Before joining Burton-Taylor, he held leadership roles at global financial institutions and technology firms. Today, he leads research at the intersection of market structure, data analytics, and fintech innovation.

In this conversation, you’ll hear:

• How the role of market data has evolved into a strategic asset across the capital markets

• Why firms are investing in AI-ready datasets and data infrastructure at record pace

• What’s driving demand for packaged insights, derived data, and machine-readable content

• The commercial and compliance challenges of applying AI to proprietary data sets

• How data vendors may start to resemble SaaS platforms in the age of cloud and automation

• What Brad believes every firm needs to do now to stay competitive in the next wave of market transformation

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