Rapid Response: From Taylor Swift to the Emmys, lessons in celebrity, with The Ankler’s Janice Min
Sep 17, 2024
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Janice Min, Co-founder and CEO of The Ankler, dives into the intersection of celebrity and politics, highlighting Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris and its implications. She examines recent Emmy Awards successes and the tension between traditional TV and streaming services. The conversation explores celebrities' cautious roles in political discourse and the challenges of maintaining brand integrity in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape. Min skillfully unpacks the evolving dynamics of fame and influence in today's society.
The Emmy Awards reveal a significant shift in the entertainment industry, highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented by streaming dominance.
Taylor Swift's political endorsement illustrates the complex dynamics of celebrity influence in contemporary politics and the cautious approach needed by public figures.
Deep dives
The Atlantic Festival Insights
The Atlantic Festival, scheduled for September 19th and 20th in Washington, DC, features prominent figures discussing critical contemporary issues. Esteemed guests include CEOs, tech innovators, and policymakers, as well as journalists from The Atlantic, who will address themes such as artificial intelligence and the future of small businesses. Notable speakers include Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, highlighting the intersection of finance, politics, and technology. This event aims to foster dialogue around pivotal topics impacting the audience's understanding of the evolving landscape.
Emmys and Changing Television Dynamics
The recent Emmy Awards showcased significant shifts in the entertainment industry, revealing evolving audience preferences and the challenges faced by traditional television. With a notable history of long and often tedious ceremonies, the awards reflect the current competitive landscape where streaming services are increasingly dominating viewership. The discussion highlighted the unpredictability of what constitutes a 'hit' in today’s market, with shows like Shogun and The Bear illustrating the risks and rewards of innovative programming. As the industry shifts away from prestige television, the focus has moved to securing profitable projects despite the apparent dilution of creative investment.
The Intersection of Celebrity and Politics
Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris sparked a media frenzy, underscoring the complex relationship between celebrities and political expression in today's climate. Swift's strategic social media message, framed in the context of political debates and reactions to AI-generated endorsements, emphasizes the careful navigation public figures must now undertake. The celebrity landscape has changed, with many stars and business leaders opting for neutrality to avoid alienating audiences and sponsors. The conversation suggests a growing cautiousness among public figures, reflecting broader societal fatigue with political discourse and the evolving demands placed on them to engage with political issues.
While Shōgun, Hacks, and Baby Reindeer bask in their success at The Emmys, the awards reveal deeper lessons about TV’s future. Janice Min, co-founder and CEO of The Ankler, guides us through the key storylines, from Disney to HBO to Netflix. We also dig deep on Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris and what it says about the politics of celebrity in 2024 — for stars and for CEOs.