Decoding the Future of Media and Commerce with Kevin Parakkattu at Plug and Play
Jul 27, 2023
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Kevin Parakkattu, Partner at Plug Play Ventures, discusses the potential of AI in media and the challenges faced by direct-to-consumer brands. He also explores growth opportunities in the venture capital space and how Plug Play Ventures creates value for their investments.
The rise of AI in media creation raises concerns about originality and patentability, presenting both risks and opportunities for the industry.
Plug and Play Ventures focuses on financing and supporting consumer brands, evaluating opportunities based on team capabilities, product viability, and wide application.
Deep dives
The Rise of AI in Media and the Challenges of Originality
The podcast episode discusses the growing concern in the media industry about the potential use of AI technology in content creation, such as marketing copy, TV series, and documentation. The inclusion of AI in these processes raises questions about what is considered original and patentable, as much of the technology relies on historical screenplays and other existing content. Legal issues, similar to those faced by Ed Sheeran, may arise due to issues of originality in music and media. This trend in AI adoption is seen as a potential risk but also an opportunity for innovation in the media industry, depending on how it is utilized.
The Genesis and Growth of Plug and Play
The podcast introduces Kevin Pericata, a partner at Plug and Play Ventures, where they invest in and connect entrepreneurs, corporations, and investors worldwide. The co-working space and investment platform began in the mid-90s and has since grown exponentially. The company's model focuses on creating a panel of corporations in various verticals and introducing them to startups, creating a many-to-many dynamic. The platform has expanded to include multiple locations and has now ventured into Austin, Texas. The discussion highlights the evolution of the company and their focus on financing and supporting consumer brands.
The Changing Landscape of Media and Commerce
The podcast explores the challenges and transformations happening in the media and commerce industries. In retail, there is a struggle with over-inventory due to supply chain issues, leading to mass liquidation and a need for cost-cutting measures. Media, on the other hand, is experiencing a shift towards streaming and OTT platforms, impacting the labor and royalty structure for writers and actors. The growing use of AI in media creation raises concerns about originality and trademarking issues. Additionally, the media and commerce industries are both focusing on reducing consumer acquisition costs and optimizing their business models.
Investing in Direct-to-Consumer Brands
The podcast delves into Plug and Play's investment approach, particularly in direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands. The platform's focus on B2B technology remains a priority, but they have also recognized opportunities in D2C brands due to white spaces in the market. Plug and Play evaluates these companies based on their team's capabilities, the viability of the product, and the potential for wide application. However, the valuation multiples for D2C brands have become more realistic as challenges like inventory management, consumer buying habits, and fundraising have emerged. The approach to investing in D2C brands is flexible, and the goal is to provide value through platform access and resources.
On this episode of the Consumer VC podcast, we are joined by Kevin Parakkattu, partner at Plug Play Ventures, for an intriguing exploration of the rapidly evolving landscape of the media industry, particularly the rise of GenAI. Kevin and I talk about the potential of AI to replace writers' jobs in the future and the potential legal implications surrounding the use of AI-generated content.
We then turn our attention to the commerce industry, discussing the challenges that direct-to-consumer brands face, such as inventory overstock and cost-cutting. Kevin provides insights into the need for working capital, growth opportunities in the venture capital space, and how Plug Play Ventures has been able to create value for their investments. We also delve into the changing multiples of direct-to-consumer brands and the criteria for investing in pre-revenue consumer brands.
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