Janice Min emphasizes the importance of adapting to changing media landscapes by building The Ankler as a focused and profitable brand.
The Ankler's success showcases the advantages of lean operations in contrast to traditional media's reliance on large infrastructures and scale.
Min highlights the evolving role of editors, encouraging individual expression from writers to foster authenticity and deeper audience connection.
Deep dives
Janice Min's Media Legacy
Janice Min has a significant impact on the media industry, notably through her work at Us Weekly and The Hollywood Reporter. At Us Weekly, she transformed the celebrity magazine into a cultural powerhouse, setting trends for entertainment coverage while achieving remarkable newsstand success. Later, she revitalized The Hollywood Reporter, shifting it from a dated trade publication to a modern digital player with a significant audience and improved print quality. These experiences shaped her approach to media, emphasizing the need to adapt to changing landscapes and directly influencing her vision for her current venture, The Ankler.
The Shift to Leaner Media Models
The Ankler represents a new model for media, focusing on efficiency and specialization rather than scale. With a small team, Min has built a subscription-based business that remains profitable while also venturing into events and advertising. This approach contrasts with traditional media's reliance on large infrastructures, showcasing how smaller, focused operations can thrive in today's landscape. The success of The Ankler underscores the effectiveness of operating with fewer resources while addressing a specific audience with targeted content.
Competition and Market Dynamics
In the current media landscape, competition has intensified as traditional Hollywood trades consolidate under singular ownership, leading to homogeneity in coverage and voices. Min discusses the challenges posed by the prevalence of competing outlets such as Deadline, Variety, and Hollywood Reporter, all owned by Jay Penske. The Ankler distinguishes itself by maintaining editorial integrity and focusing on delivering unique insights without chasing the broadest possible audience. This strategy allows for a more nuanced understanding of the Hollywood ecosystem and caters to industry professionals looking for specialized information.
Navigating New Revenue Streams
A significant portion of The Ankler's revenue comes from subscriptions and advertising, strategically balancing the two to create a sustainable business model. Min emphasizes the increasing importance of For Your Consideration (FYC) advertising as streaming services vie for accolades and attention. The shift in advertising strategies reflects a broader understanding of audience engagement, with advertisers increasingly seeking well-defined markets. By focusing on specialized audiences, The Ankler leverages tailored content to attract more relevant advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
The Evolving Role of Editors
The role of editors has transformed in the current media environment, now emphasizing collaboration and personal voice over strict adherence to brand representation. Min fosters a culture where her writers can express their individuality while still benefiting from her editorial oversight. This shift aligns with the broader trend in media where authenticity and personal narratives are increasingly valued by audiences. As audiences seek more engaging and relatable content, editors must adapt their oversight to enable journalists to tell their stories more genuinely.
Janice Min joins to talk about building The Ankler into a focused, profitable media brand—and why she believes the future belongs to lean operators, not her past life helming glossy franchises. We talk about her transition from the high-gloss days of The Hollywood Reporter to the scrappy Substack era, the limits of venture capital in media, and how The Ankler is growing through high-impact events and B2B subscriptions. Janice shares lessons from Y Combinator, explains why editorial quality still matters, and reflects on the changing power dynamics in Hollywood.
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