Strictly Business

The founder and CEO of the production banner that delivers high-volume unscripted hits including "Dr. Pimple Popper" and "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" explains how he rose from humble beginnings to become a business owner.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jarell Thompson, VP of Gaming for Havas Play, shares insights on connecting brands with gaming communities, while Shab Azma, CEO of ARK Collective, dives into how influencers monetize their skills. They discuss the dynamic world of influencer marketing and the importance of authenticity in reaching Gen Z. The conversation also highlights the rising influence of women in the creator economy and the benefits of long-term partnerships between brands and creators, making waves in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Strictly Business host Andrew Wallenstein offers a commentary on the new HBO movie “Mountainhead,” from “Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong, comparing the two productions and speaking to the film’s satirical take on AI and the moguls deploying the technology. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corey Erickson, an analyst at the Variety Intelligence Platform, delves into the burgeoning relationship between video games and Hollywood. He discusses the impact of 'The Minecraft Movie' nearing a billion-dollar milestone and what that means for the future of gaming IP in film. The conversation covers the highly anticipated 'Grand Theft Auto 6,' including its effects on market dynamics and other publishers. Additionally, Erickson explores Netflix's gaming strategies and the rise of cloud gaming, highlighting how these trends are reshaping the entertainment landscape.

The executive director of the Peabody Awards and professor at the communications school at the University of Georgia explains the uniqueness of the Peabody Awards and its process. He also discusses the difficulties of categorizing content these days and how electronic media is meeting the challenge of covering Trump 2.0.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Joseph Metelus, CAA Board member and Head of Athlete Brand Strategy & Entertainment for CAA Sports, joins a roundtable of senior leaders discussing the transformative impact of social media on the agency and its clients. They delve into how the evolving entertainment landscape has expanded the role of agents and fostered a culture of collaboration and inclusivity. The conversation touches on mentorship’s pivotal role, advocacy for women in the industry, and the importance of adapting strategies to nurture emerging talent.

Ben Silverman, Co-CEO and Chairman of Propagate Content, goes deep on how a modern independent studio generates profit from TV series, documentaries and original digital and audio content. As it marks its 10th year, Propagate has added social media creators, brand and management dealmaking into the mix. Silverman, a veteran producer and former head of NBC Entertainment, reflects on how industry dealmaking has changed in discussing where the content business is headed. Plus a bonus segment: Writer Bill Prady shares a memory that involves John Oliver, Jim Henson, “Nightline” and the 1987 stock market crash.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Courtney White, president of Wheelhouse Entertainment, discusses the high-wire act of managing seven production labels and juggling a portfolio of unscripted content under Brent Montgomery's Wheelhouse umbrella. The cable TV veteran explains why Wheelhouse has invested in the "Ladies Who Launch" networking events for creatives, and why she wants to recreate the "walk to the elevator moment" in a world of Zoom pitch meetings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a bonus episode, media industry veteran Tom Rogers weighs in on another few days of wild swings in the U.S. equities markets and how it's affecting Hollywood. Plus Variety business editor Todd Spangler unpacks the anti-trust issues that Google and Meta are fighting in Washington, D.C. courtrooms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Phil Murphy details the arc of New Jersey's campaign to bring film and TV production to the Garden State. Murphy also discusses the state of the Democrats and the alarming rise of politically motivated violence aimed at public officials.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.