The Media Machine

A conversation with Niels Schuurmans on creative endurance, franchise thinking, and how lasting brands are built beyond the launch. The Media Machine is a strategy podcast that breaks down how media really works, unpacking the systems, deals, and decisions shaping the future of the industry. **** EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode of The Media Machine, Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading talk with Niels Schuurmans, Chief Marketing and Chief Creative Officer at 101 Studios, about what it takes to build durable brands in a franchise-driven media economy. Niels shares why marketing today is less about launches and more about infrastructure, how incentives shape creative risk, and why relevance must be actively maintained between releases. The conversation breaks down how legacy brands can be reintroduced without relying on nostalgia, how independent studios operate differently from conglomerates, and what operators should focus on if they want their work to compound over time. This episode is for media leaders, marketers, and creators who want to understand how cultural relevance is engineered, not hoped for. PLEASE NOTE: "This episode contains occasional adult language." **** FRAMEWORK TAKEAWAY Marketing compounds when it is built as a system, not a series of campaigns. Relevance must be earned continuously, not reintroduced at launch. Don't forget to subscribe, like, reshare, repost, or just say hello! Want to receive our newsletter or list of curated events --> SIGN UP FORM HERE **** WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS Why marketing has shifted from campaigns to long-term franchise systems The difference between launching new brands and relaunching legacy ones How familiarity opens the door, but meaning keeps audiences engaged Why creative ideas still matter more than platforms How incentives shape creative risk and marketing decisions The operational differences between conglomerates and independent studios Why working beyond your desk is now a career advantage Franchise management as an always-on discipline, not a launch phase When influencer marketing works, and when it doesn't How creators and operators can become known for something distinctive **** KEY THEMES Marketing as infrastructure, not promotion Franchise relevance versus launch momentum Creative ideas as the core differentiator Incentives shaping behavior and risk Entrepreneurial thinking inside large systems Disruption as a discipline, not a moment **** WHY THIS CONVERSATION MATTERS NOW As audiences fragment and traditional distribution power weakens, media companies can no longer rely on launches or legacy awareness to sustain attention. Operators are being asked to do more with fewer resources while maintaining cultural relevance across longer time horizons. This conversation offers a grounded look at how durable franchises are actually built, why relevance must be actively managed between releases, and how marketers and leaders can design systems that compound instead of reset. It helps listeners move from reactive tactics to long-term thinking at a moment when the media system is still being rewritten. **** ABOUT THE GUEST Niels Schuurmans is Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Creative Officer at 101 Studios. His career spans more than three decades across some of the most influential entertainment brands in modern media, including Nickelodeon, Spike TV, Paramount Network, and independent studio franchises such as Yellowstone. He is known for building creative and marketing systems that scale cultural relevance over time. **** ABOUT THE HOSTS Johanna Salazar is a media systems builder with more than two decades of experience operating across television, streaming, sports, and digital platforms. She brings an operator's lens to the industry, breaking down how media systems function and how decisions and incentives shape outcomes. Julie Kellman Reading is a creative executive, executive producer, and founder with experience spanning linear television, digital content, and independent ventures. She brings a people-first perspective and deep creative insight into how media is built, scaled, and sustained. **** SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW If someone sent you this episode, it's because they care about your future in media. Follow The Media Machine for weekly conversations breaking down the systems, deals, and decisions shaping the industry. **** CREDITS Created by: Johanna Salazar Hosts: Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading Executive Producers: Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading Edited by: Love + Daydreams, Canvas Films Colombia **** WEBSITE LINK the-mediamachine.com Built on lovable, here's my link: LOVABLE **** PODCAST SOCIALS Instagram: @themediamachinepodcast TikTok: @themediamachinepodcast Facebook: @themediamachinepodcast X/Twitter: @themediamachinepod YouTube: @TheMediaMachinePod **** PODCAST LINKS Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music **** HOST SOCIALS Johanna Salazar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_johannasalazar/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannasalazar/ Website: the-mediamachine.com Julie Kellman Reading Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveanddaydreams/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliekellmanreading/ Website: https://www.loveanddaydreams.com **** ABOUT THE PODCAST THE MEDIA MACHINE is a strategy podcast that breaks down how media really works. Each episode goes inside the systems, deals, and decisions shaping the future of media, tech, and content. The goal is not to react faster, but to see more clearly, understand long-term shifts, and make smarter short-term decisions. This show is for operators, builders, and decision-makers who want signal over noise, clarity over hype, and confidence over urgency.

A conversation with Tremaine Grant on pivoting, responsibility, and building with care when the system changes and execution stops being the differentiator. **** EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode of The Media Machine, hosts Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading sit down with Tremaine Grant, technologist and Founder and CEO of Pulse, for a conversation about what happens when execution stops being enough and responsibility becomes the real work. Tremaine traces his journey from deeply technical engineering roles inside large companies to building Pulse, a community-driven fitness platform designed around consistency, accountability, and care. Along the way, he reflects on the loss of structure after competitive athletics, the role of community in behavior change, and why motivation and discipline are learned socially, not individually. This conversation explores building as a long-term responsibility rather than a series of features. It examines how incentives shape culture, why consistency matters more than intensity, and what founders must become more careful with when their products touch people's bodies, habits, and sense of self. For anyone navigating a pivot, especially one they did not choose, this episode offers a grounded perspective on how to stay oriented, rebuild confidence, and make decisions when the system has shifted. **** FRAMEWORK TAKEAWAY When execution is no longer the differentiator, judgment becomes the work. What you build, what you reward, and what you choose not to optimize for defines the outcome. Don't forget to subscribe, like, reshare, repost, or just say hello! Want to receive our newsletter or list of curated events --> SIGN UP FORM HERE **** SHOW NOTES What This Episode Covers Tremaine's transition from engineer to founder and community builder How losing structure after athletics shaped his approach to fitness and technology Why Pulse is designed around consistency rather than intensity The role of community in sustaining motivation and discipline How creator incentives shape behavior and culture The shift from building quickly to building deliberately What it means to pivot when the choice is taken away How to stay grounded during forced transitions Tremaine's long-term vision for Pulse as a human-centered operating system Key Themes Execution versus responsibility Process as judgment, not speed Profit as a reflection of values People as participants, not users Care and restraint in health-adjacent products Pivoting as a structural reality, not a personal failure Why This Conversation Matters Now Many builders and media professionals are being forced to pivot, not because they planned to, but because the system changed. As roles disappear and certainty erodes, execution alone is no longer enough. This episode reframes pivoting as a moment that requires judgment, patience, and self-trust, not reinvention theater. It offers listeners language and perspective for navigating work that increasingly carries real human responsibility. **** ABOUT THE GUEST Tremaine Grant is a technologist and founder, and the Founder and CEO of Pulse. His career spans software engineering roles inside large organizations and entrepreneurship focused on human-centered products. Today, his work centers on building systems that prioritize consistency, accountability, and care, especially where technology intersects with health and daily habits. **** ABOUT THE HOSTS Johanna Salazar is a media systems builder with more than two decades of experience operating across television, streaming, sports, and digital platforms. She brings an operator's lens to the industry, breaking down how media systems function and how power actually moves. Julie Kellman Reading is a creative executive, executive producer, and founder who has built across linear television and digital content, and independent ventures. She brings a people-first perspective and deep creative insight into how media is made, scaled, and sustained. **** SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW If someone sent you this episode, it's because they care about your future in media. Follow The Media Machine for weekly conversations breaking down the systems, deals, and decisions shaping the industry. **** CREDITS Created by: Johanna Salazar Hosts: Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading Executive Producers: Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading Edited by: Love + Daydreams, Canvas Films Colombia **** WEBSITE LINK the-mediamachine.com **** SOCIALS LINKS Instagram: @themediamachinepodcast TikTok: @themediamachinepodcast Facebook: @themediamachinepodcast X/Twitter: @themediamachinepod **** PODCAST LINKS Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-media-machine/id1805996037 Spotify - ​​https://open.spotify.com/show/66NrkMVorc47Ov6qDsvfwn Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d9671a97-b026-45a5-8cf0-1e389f052b9e/the-media-machine **** YOUTUBE @TheMediaMachinePod **** Johanna + Julie's Social Pages Johanna Salazar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_johannasalazar/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannasalazar/ Website: the-mediamachine.com Julie Kellman Reading Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveanddaydreams/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliekellmanreading/ Website: https://www.loveanddaydreams.com **** ABOUT THE PODCAST THE MEDIA MACHINE is a strategy podcast that breaks down how media really works. Each episode goes inside the systems, deals, and decisions shaping the future of media, tech, and content. The goal is not to react faster, but to see more clearly, understand long-term shifts, and make smarter short-term decisions. This show is for operators, builders, and decision-makers who want signal over noise, clarity over hype, and confidence over urgency.

Jim Louderback explains why every media shift is really about removing gatekeepers, how AI is changing creation itself, and why trust, community, and systems thinking will determine who survives the next era of the creator economy. **** EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode of The Media Machine, hosts Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading chat with Jim Louderback, one of the few media leaders whose career spans every major shift in modern media. From PC Magazine to TechTV, from building Revision3 into one of the earliest digital video networks to scaling VidCon into a global creator event, Jim has consistently focused on one core mission: removing gatekeepers so talented people can reach audiences directly. Now, as the editor and voice behind Inside the Creator Economy, Jim helps creators, platforms, and media leaders make sense of where media is headed next, especially as AI reshapes how content is created, distributed, and trusted. This conversation explores media as a system, not a set of platforms. It examines how power shifts over time, why trust and community matter more as content becomes cheaper, and what it actually takes to build sustainable media businesses in an AI-accelerated world. If you are navigating change, building in public, or trying to understand how media keeps reinventing itself without losing its humanity, this episode offers both perspective and clarity. **** Framework Takeaway As media becomes more personalized and more automated, the builders who last are the ones who understand systems, not just platforms. Don't forget to subscribe, like, reshare, repost, or just say hello! Want to receive our newsletter or list of curated events --> SIGN UP FORM HERE **** SHOW NOTES What This Episode Covers How Jim's career across print, cable, digital video, and live events connects through a single mission Why removing gatekeepers has always been central to media innovation The evolution from creator-led media to interest-led media to AI-personalized media Why trust becomes more valuable as content becomes cheaper The difference between reinvention and continuity What AI changes about scale, attention, and sustainability Why IRL connection still matters in a digital-first world Key Themes Process over prestige Power shifts over time, not overnight Profit as a requirement, not a compromise People and trust as infrastructure Responsibility in building media systems that scale Designing for longevity instead of chasing trends Why This Conversation Matters Now The media industry is not in decline. It is in transition. As AI lowers the cost of creation and platforms compete for attention, the real differentiator becomes trust, community, and systems thinking. This episode reframes disruption as a recurring pattern, not a crisis, and offers listeners a clearer way to understand where leverage lives in modern media. **** ABOUT THE GUEST Jim Louderback is a media executive, writer, and strategist who has led and shaped multiple eras of modern media. He is the former Editor in Chief and Senior Vice President of PC Magazine, a senior executive at TechTV, the former CEO of Revision3, and the former CEO of VidCon. Today, he writes Inside the Creator Economy, one of the most widely read newsletters covering creators, platforms, and the future of media. You can find Jim here ... https://louderback.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlouderb/ https://insidethecreator.beehiiv.com/ **** ABOUT THE HOSTS Johanna Salazar is a media systems builder with more than two decades of experience operating across television, streaming, sports, and digital platforms. She brings an operator's lens to the industry, breaking down how media systems function and how power actually moves. Julie Kellman Reading is a creative executive, executive producer, and founder who has built across linear television and digital content, and independent ventures. She brings a people-first perspective and deep creative insight into how media is made, scaled, and sustained. **** SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW If someone sent you this episode, it's because they care about your future in media. Follow The Media Machine for weekly conversations breaking down the systems, deals, and decisions shaping the industry. **** CREDITS Created by: Johanna Salazar Hosts: Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading Executive Producers: Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading Edited by: Love + Daydreams, Canvas Films Colombia **** WEBSITE LINK the-mediamachine.com **** SOCIALS HANDLES Instagram: @themediamachinepodcast TikTok: @themediamachinepodcast Facebook: @themediamachinepodcast YouTube: @TheMediaMachinePod **** PODCAST LINKS Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3YHve2Q Spotify: ​​https://bit.ly/4pLnEPM Amazon Music: https://amzn.to/4qWiIIP YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMediaMachinePod **** HOST SOCIAL PAGES Johanna Salazar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_johannasalazar/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannasalazar/ Website: the-mediamachine.com Julie Kellman Reading Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveanddaydreams/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliekellmanreading/ Website: https://www.loveanddaydreams.com **** ABOUT THE PODCAST The Media Machine is a podcast about how media actually works and the systems behind modern media. Hosted by Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading, the show explores how media is built, scaled, and sustained across platforms, creators, and emerging technology through the lenses of Process, Profits, People, and Planet.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION Season 2 of The Media Machine opens with a reset. In this episode, host Johanna Salazar is joined by new co-host Julie Kellman Reading to set the tone for a season focused less on hot takes and more on how media actually works. Together, they unpack what happens when legacy models break, why reinvention is often the wrong frame, and how builders who understand systems, not just ideas, are shaping what comes next. This conversation is about media as infrastructure, with power shifting from institutions to operators and creators. And about why this moment, while uncertain, is also one of the most generative periods the industry has seen. If you're navigating a pivot, questioning old paths, or trying to understand where leverage really lives in modern media, this episode lays the foundation. Don't forget to subscribe, like, reshare, repost, or just say hello! Want to receive our newsletter or list of small curated events --> SIGN UP FORM HERE **** Framework Takeaway When old models collapse, clarity comes from understanding systems, not chasing identities. **** What This Episode Covers Why media should be understood as a system, recognizing your skills and leaving your previous titles behind The difference between reinvention and reframing How creators, producers, and executives already have the skills needed to build what's next Why generalists and systems thinkers are gaining an advantage How technology has shifted power from institutions to individuals What it means to be a "media systems builder" (Coined term by Johanna Salazar) Why this industry moment feels unprecedented, and why it isn't **** Key Themes Process over prestige Profit as a requirement, not a taboo People as infrastructure Responsibility in how media is built and scaled Designing new containers instead of chasing new labels **** Why This Conversation Matters Now The media industry is in a structural transition, not a temporary downturn. Understanding how systems break, rebuild, and reconfigure is now a core skill, not optional knowledge. This episode reframes uncertainty as a design phase and invites listeners to see themselves not as displaced talent, but as builders with leverage. Subscribe & Follow If someone sent you this episode, it's because they care about your future in media. Follow The Media Machine for weekly conversations breaking down the systems, deals, and decisions shaping the industry. **** CREDITS Created by: Johanna Salazar Hosts: Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading Executive Producers: Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading Edited by: Love + Daydreams WEBSITE LINK the-mediamachine.com SOCIALS LINKS Instagram: @themediamachinepodcast TikTok: @themediamachinepodcast Facebook: @themediamachinepodcast PODCAST LINKS Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-media-machine/id1805996037 Spotify - ​​https://open.spotify.com/show/66NrkMVorc47Ov6qDsvfwn Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d9671a97-b026-45a5-8cf0-1e389f052b9e/the-media-machine YOUTUBE @TheMediaMachinePod **** ABOUT THE PODCAST The Media Machine is a podcast about the systems behind modern media. Hosted by Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading, the show explores how media is built, scaled, and sustained across platforms, creators, and emerging technology through the lenses of Process, Profits, People, and Planet. FOLLOW US! ABOUT THE HOSTS Johanna Salazar is a media systems builder with more than two decades of experience operating across television, streaming, sports, and digital platforms. She brings an operator's lens to the industry, breaking down how media systems function and how power actually moves. Julie Kellman Reading is a creative executive, executive producer, and founder who has built across linear television and digital content, and independent ventures. She brings a people-first perspective and deep creative insight into how media is made, scaled, and sustained. Johanna Salazar Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_johannasalazar/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannasalazar/ Website: https://johanasalazar.com/ Julie Kellman Reading Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveanddaydreams/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliekellmanreading/ Shop: https://www.loveanddaydreams.com/shop

EPISODE SUMMARY In this special guest-hosted episode, Julie Kellman Reading sits down with Media Machine creator and Host Johanna Salazar for an intimate and wide-ranging conversation on creativity, innovation, and the discipline of building your own path. Johanna opens up about her professional reinventions, her philosophy of learning by doing, and the systems she's using to expand the future of media, tech, and FoodTech. This is a candid look at what it really takes to create momentum without waiting for approval. WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERS This conversation explores one of the Media Machine's central ideas: the future belongs to those willing to build before they feel ready. Julie and Johanna move through the realities of reinvention, the power of gaining traction through imperfect action, and the role of AI as both collaborator and amplifier in modern creative work. For an industry where many feel stuck between ambition and uncertainty, this episode offers both a strategic blueprint and permission to step forward with clarity, ethics, and confidence. It's a reminder that the next era of media will be shaped by people who choose themselves long before the system does. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How Johanna rebuilt her relationship to creativity after burnout and career pivots Why "learning by doing" is the most underrated strategy for growth in media and tech How to use AI ethically and intelligently as a creative partner, not a replacement Why traction matters more than talent when pitching, building, or launching The role of systems, discipline, and emotional intelligence in staying consistent Why giving yourself permission is the most important step in reinvention KEY TOPICS & TIMESTAMPS 00:19 - Opening: Why this episode is guest-hosted by Julie 03:21 - Johanna on rebuilding her creativity and flow 08:41 - Reinvention, self-trust, and the cost of waiting 10:16 - AI as augmentation and a creative multiplier 39:23 - The discipline behind consistency 40:32 - Permission, confidence, and the future Johanna is designing 41:58 - Closing reflections: What Johanna is dreaming toward next LINKS & MENTIONS Foodstream Network The Media Machine Podcast website Tools and workflows referenced during the episode (to be updated post-edit) FOLLOW THE GUEST Johanna: Instagram: @johanna_salazar LinkedIn: Johanna Salazar Website: mediamachinepodcast.com Julie: Instagram: @loveanddaydreams LinkedIn: @juliekellmanreading Website: www.loveanddaydreams.com CREDITS The Media Machine is hosted by Johanna Salazar. This special episode was guest-hosted by Julie Kellman Reading. Executive Producers Johanna Salazar and Julie Kellman Reading. Produced and Edited by Julie Kellman Reading. Music, graphics, and visuals by Envato Elements. THE MEDIA MACHINE LINKS Website: https://mediamachinepodcast.com Instagram: @themediamachinepodcast TikTok: @themediamachinepodcast YouTube: @TheMediaMachinePod X/Twitter: @mediamachinepod Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-media-machine/id1805996037 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/66NrkMVorc47Ov6qDsvfwn ABOUT THE PODCAST The Media Machine explores the intersection of media, business, and innovation through four pillars: process, profits, people, and planet. Johanna Salazar uncovers the future of content, technology, and creative leadership through conversations with visionaries, disruptors, and pioneers shaping the next era of media.

Profit is one of the most pressing, and rapidly evolving, challenges in today's media landscape. In this special compilation episode of The Media Machine, we dive into how companies and creators are rethinking monetization, ad revenues, and growth strategies in a shifting economy. Featuring industry leaders like Cathy Hackl, Sean Atkins, Larry Jones, Alan Wolk, Evan Shapiro, and Stuart Snyder, the conversation dives into how media companies can monetize in an era shaped by gaming, AI, and immersive tech. Discover the secrets behind scaling billion-dollar businesses, the evolution of streaming profits, the challenges of ad-supported models, and whether the current sports content boom is a strategic move or a bubble waiting to burst. Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, or media executive, this episode offers critical lessons on the business side of storytelling and innovation. In this episode we revisit: Cathy Hackl walks us through how to monetize future tech like gaming, AI, and immersive platforms. Sean Atkins shares how he found a "fifth quarter" of revenue by repurposing creator content with 5th Quarter Agency. Evan Shapiro explains why massive sports-rights spending is creating a bubble. SHOW NOTES 00:00 Introduction to Media Profits 00:30 Exploring Revenue Models in Media 01:18 Blueprints for Future Media Monetization 03:28 Dhar Mann's Fifth Quarter Agency 06:39 New Streaming Models and Bundling 10:13 The Challenges of Netflix's Ad Tier 14:01 The Sports Gold Rush: Strategy or Bubble? 16:53 Scaling to a Billion Dollars in Revenue at Cartoon Network and Adult Swim 19:59 Conclusion, Future Insights and Credits CREDITS The Media Machine is hosted by Johanna Salazar. Our producers are Johanna Salazar and Mia Vinciguerra. This episode was edited by Adriana Saravia and Mia Vinciguerra. Our show art was designed by Gabriel Pareja. This episode features music, graphics and visuals from Envato Elements. WEBSITE LINK https://mediamachinepodcast.com SOCIALS LINKS Instagram: @themediamachinepodcast TikTok: @themediamachinepodcast Facebook: @themediamachinepodcast PODCAST LINKS Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-media-machine/id1805996037 Spotify - ​​https://open.spotify.com/show/66NrkMVorc47Ov6qDsvfwn Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d9671a97-b026-45a5-8cf0-1e389f052b9e/the-media-machine YOUTUBE @TheMediaMachinePod ABOUT THE PODCAST This is The Media Machine - where media, business and innovation intersect. Host Johanna Salazar will explore the future of content, technology, and entertainment through the lens of four key pillars - process, profits, people and planet. Through insightful conversations with visionaries, disruptors, and pioneers, The Media Machine unpacks the challenges and opportunities shaping the next era of media. #TheMediaMachinePodcast #JohannaSalazar #CathyHackl #SeanAtkins #LarryJones #AlanWolk #EvanShapiro #StuartSnyder #5thQuarterAgency #Netflix #NFL #CartoonNetwork #AdultSwim #Facebook #Youtube

In this special compilation episode of The Media Machine, we explore the behind-the-scenes journeys of projects that pushed boundaries, captured imaginations, and redefined industries. From the cultural phenomenon of South Park and the groundbreaking James Webb Telescope documentary on NASA+, to Disney Fam Jam, Duolingo's viral "Dead Duo" campaign, and bold programming pivots like Younger, our guests reveal the risks, timing, and creative sparks that shaped their success. Whether it's greenlighting a show, rethinking a brand campaign, or designing user-centered tech experiences, this episode highlights the vision, persistence, and storytelling it takes to turn ideas into reality. Tune in for candid stories, surprising lessons, and a rare look at the processes behind some of media and tech's most impactful projects. We're joined by Season 1 guests including Julie Kellman Reading, Doug Herzog, Rebecca Sirmons, Kevin Flores, Larry Jones, and Rebeca Ricoy, who share their stories with us. In this episode we revisit: Doug Herzog recalls the early days of South Park, when an outrageous short film convinced Comedy Central to take a chance on a show that would go on to become a cultural phenomenon. Rebecca Sirmons shares how she uncovered 25 years of archival footage of the James Webb Space Telescope and transformed it into a powerful documentary for NASA+. Rebeca Ricoy explains how a simple A/B test unexpectedly led Duolingo's marketing team to "kill the owl," sparking a viral global campaign. SHOW NOTES 00:00 Introduction to the Media Machine 01:25 Exploring the Creative Process 01:37 Greenlighting and Development Insights 02:59 Case Study: Disney's Fam Jam - A Dance Competition Show 04:26 A Cultural Phenomenon: The Making of South Park 06:04 The Story Behind Cosmic Dawn: The NASA+ James Webb Telescope Documentary 09:25 23andMe: A Journey Through Personal Genetics 13:14 Programming Shifts: From Multicam to Single Cam with TVLand's Younger 16:04 Duolingo's Marketing Genius: The Dead Duo Campaign 21:09 Conclusion, Next Week's Preview & Credits CREDITS The Media Machine is hosted by Johanna Salazar. Our producers are Johanna Salazar and Mia Vinciguerra. This episode was edited by Adriana Saravia and Mia Vinciguerra. Our show art was designed by Gabriel Pareja. This episode features music, graphics and visuals from Envato Elements. WEBSITE LINK https://mediamachinepodcast.com SOCIALS LINKS Instagram: @themediamachinepodcast TikTok: @themediamachinepodcast Facebook: @themediamachinepodcast PODCAST LINKS Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-media-machine/id1805996037 Spotify - ​​https://open.spotify.com/show/66NrkMVorc47Ov6qDsvfwn Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d9671a97-b026-45a5-8cf0-1e389f052b9e/the-media-machine YOUTUBE @TheMediaMachinePod ABOUT THE PODCAST This is The Media Machine - where media, business and innovation intersect. Host Johanna Salazar will explore the future of content, technology, and entertainment through the lens of four key pillars - process, profits, people and planet. Through insightful conversations with visionaries, disruptors, and pioneers, The Media Machine unpacks the challenges and opportunities shaping the next era of media. #TheMediaMachinePodcast #JohannaSalazar #JulieKellmanReading #DougHerzog #RebeccaSirmons #KevinFlores #LarryJones #RebecaRicoy #Disney #DisneyFamJam #ComedyCentral #SouthPark #NASA #CosmicDawn #JamesWebbTelescope #23andMe #Younger #TVLand #Duolingo #DeadDuo

In this compilation episode of The Media Machine, hosted by Johanna Salazar, we dive into the essential tools and platforms used by industry experts in media, technology, and entertainment. Topics include the expansive capabilities of Unity for AR and VR, the user-friendly website creation platform lovable.dev, the versatile design tool Canva, and the efficient drop-shipping service Printify. We also explore tech setups for podcasting and video editing, strategic partnerships with big names like Netflix, and the evolving landscape of ad monetization in streaming. Join us as we uncover insights and recommendations to help you launch your idea, streamline your business, or discover apps that industry insiders are swearing by. This episode includes industry experts Alex Grady, Cathy Hackl, Julie Kellman Reading, Leslie Arredondo, Nicki Sun, Rebecca Sirmons, Peter Blacker and Evan Shapiro. In this episode we revisit: Cathy Hackl explains how Lovable.dev makes it possible for anyone to build websites or apps with simple text-based prompts. Julie Kellman Reading shares how she uses Canva, Printify, Shopify, and Etsy to design, produce, and sell everything from t-shirts to yoga mats. Evan Shapiro breaks down why YouTube is both the biggest competitor and most important distribution partner for media companies. SHOW NOTES 00:00 Introduction to the Media Machine 01:24 Exploring Unity: The Game Development Powerhouse 02:27 Lovable.dev: Revolutionizing Web and App Development 03:22 Canva: The Ultimate Design Tool 04:29 Print on Demand with Printify and Shopify 06:39 Starting a Business: Legal and Technical Steps & Using LegalZoom 08:51 Essential Tech for Creators 11:11 The Future of Streaming and Ad Monetization 15:04 The Rise of Mobile Commerce 16:20 YouTube: The Underrated Giant 18:29 Leveraging Social Media for Brand Partnerships 21:59 Conclusion, Next Week's Preview and Credits CREDITS The Media Machine is hosted by Johanna Salazar. Our producers are Johanna Salazar and Mia Vinciguerra. This episode was edited by Adriana Saravia and Mia Vinciguerra. Our show art was designed by Gabriel Pareja. This episode features music, graphics and visuals from Envato Elements. WEBSITE LINK https://mediamachinepodcast.com SOCIALS LINKS Instagram: @themediamachinepodcast TikTok: @themediamachinepodcast Facebook: @themediamachinepodcast PODCAST LINKS Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-media-machine/id1805996037 Spotify - ​​https://open.spotify.com/show/66NrkMVorc47Ov6qDsvfwn Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d9671a97-b026-45a5-8cf0-1e389f052b9e/the-media-machine YOUTUBE @TheMediaMachinePod ABOUT THE PODCAST This is The Media Machine - where media, business and innovation intersect. Host Johanna Salazar will explore the future of content, technology, and entertainment through the lens of four key pillars - process, profits, people and planet. Through insightful conversations with visionaries, disruptors, and pioneers, The Media Machine unpacks the challenges and opportunities shaping the next era of media. #TheMediaMachinePodcast #JohannaSalazar #AlexGrady #CathyHackl #Julie KellmanReading #LeslieArredondo #NickiSun #RebeccaSirmons #PeterBlacker #EvanShapiro #Unity #Lovable #Canva #Shopify #Etsy #Printify#GoDaddy #LegalZoom #OpusClips #DaVinciResolve #RodeMicrophones #TascamPortacaptureX6 #Netflix #Youtube #Amazon #Mountain #TikTok #Instagram

Season 1 of The Media Machine brought powerful advice from media leaders, creators, and innovators. In this special highlights episode, discover essential lessons on branding, career pivots, and thriving in the next era of content. From the importance of strategic content development, to embracing platforms like TikTok for promotion, and leveraging data for tailored user experiences - we cover it all. The conversation delves into the shifting landscape of advertising, emphasizing the value of authenticity and multiculturalism in business. We share how to equip young talent with necessary skills without traditional degrees, the significance of resilience and adaptability in career pivots, and advice for creatives looking to own their IP or launch their brands. This episode features interview highlights from Julie Kellman Reading, Leslie Arredondo, Nicki Sun, Evan Shapiro, Ken Gibbs Jr., Peter Blacker, Rebeca Ricoy, Alex Grady, Kevin Flores, Simon Leslie, and Michael Tanzer. In this episode we revisit: Nicki Sun advises to treat yourself like a brand & how to prepare all content through a marketing perspective. Rebeca Ricoy shares that if you want to be promoted you should never be indispensable - your team should be able to function smoothly if you were out for a month. Kevin Flores encourages career professionals to "be open to disrupting ourselves" and how to approach mid-career pivots. SHOW NOTES 00:00 Business Strategy - The Ubiquity of Sales 00:38 Introduction: Key Lessons from Season One 01:17 Common Mistakes and Best Practices for Creators 02:07 The Power of TikTok and Social Media Strategies 03:34 Monetization and the Creator Economy 05:47 Radical Collaboration in Media 08:06 Leveraging Data for Content Creation 10:06 Attracting and Retaining Talent 15:58 Career Pivots and Transferable Skills 21:17 Empowerment and Advice for Creators 23:29 Conclusion, Final Thoughts and Credits CREDITS The Media Machine is hosted by Johanna Salazar. Our producers are Johanna Salazar and Mia Vinciguerra. This episode was edited by Adriana Saravia and Mia Vinciguerra. Our show art was designed by Gabriel Pareja. This episode features music, graphics and visuals from Envato Elements. WEBSITE LINK https://mediamachinepodcast.com SOCIALS LINKS Instagram: @themediamachinepodcast TikTok: @themediamachinepodcast Facebook: @themediamachinepodcast PODCAST LINKS Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-media-machine/id1805996037 Spotify - ​​https://open.spotify.com/show/66NrkMVorc47Ov6qDsvfwn Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d9671a97-b026-45a5-8cf0-1e389f052b9e/the-media-machine YOUTUBE @TheMediaMachinePod ABOUT THE PODCAST This is The Media Machine - where media, business and innovation intersect. Host Johanna Salazar will explore the future of content, technology, and entertainment through the lens of four key pillars - process, profits, people and planet. Through insightful conversations with visionaries, disruptors, and pioneers, The Media Machine unpacks the challenges and opportunities shaping the next era of media. #MediaBusiness #PodcastHighlights #InnovationInMedia #ContentStrategy #TheMediaMachinePodcast #MediaMachine #TheMediaMachinePodcast #MediaMachinePodcast #JohannaSalazar #JulieKellmanReading #LeslieArredondo #NickiSun #EvanShapiro, #KenGibbsJr. #PeterBlacker #RebecaRicoy #AlexGrady #KevinFlores #SimonLeslie #MichaelTanzer #TikTok #Youtube #LawandOrder

Season 1 of The Media Machine explored how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping content, trust, and the business of media. This special compilation brings together the most insightful conversations on generative AI, deepfakes, syntehtic media, shoppable TV, and the future of storytelling. Discover how AI will transform business processes, content creation, and trust in media. Industry experts discuss innovative tools, shoppable TV, and the profound implications of AI on legal systems and content production. Dive into the conversation about the evolution of our interaction with technology and the exciting future ahead. This episode features interview highlights from industry experts Cathy Hackl. Soribel Feliz, Luis Salazar, Larry Jones, Sean Atkins, Peter Blacker, Alan Wolk and Alex Grady. In this episode we revisit: Soribel Feliz explains the pros and cons of AI- it can give us superpowers but can also spread misinformation and disinformation. Luis Salazar outlines the new era of deep fake synthetic media. Larry Jones walks us through how he created ADLAR Studio - where immersive AI meets fine art SHOW NOTES 00:00 AI's Next Frontier 00:18 Welcome to The Media Machine 00:40 Introduction to Season One Highlights: AI/New Tech 01:17 Generative AI: Pros and Cons 03:12 AI in Media Production 06:30 The Impact of Deepfakes 10:43 ADLAR Studio: Innovations in Fine Art and AR 12:59 AI in Content Creation and Distribution 20:39 Unity in Education 22:33 Final Thoughts and Credits CREDITS The Media Machine is hosted by Johanna Salazar. Our producers are Johanna Salazar and Mia Vinciguerra. This episode was edited by Adriana Saravia and Mia Vinciguerra. Our show art was designed by Gabriel Pareja. This episode features music, graphics and visuals from Envato Elements. WEBSITE LINK https://mediamachinepodcast.com SOCIALS LINKS Instagram: @themediamachinepodcast TikTok: @themediamachinepodcast Facebook: @themediamachinepodcast X/Twitter: @themediamachinepod PODCAST LINKS Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-media-machine/id1805996037 Spotify - ​​https://open.spotify.com/show/66NrkMVorc47Ov6qDsvfwn Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d9671a97-b026-45a5-8cf0-1e389f052b9e/the-media-machine YOUTUBE @TheMediaMachinePod ABOUT THE PODCAST This is The Media Machine - where media, business and innovation intersect. Host Johanna Salazar will explore the future of content, technology, and entertainment through the lens of four key pillars - process, profits, people and planet. Through insightful conversations with visionaries, disruptors, and pioneers, The Media Machine unpacks the challenges and opportunities shaping the next era of media. #MediaBusiness #PodcastHighlights #InnovationInMedia #ContentStrategy #TheMediaMachinePodcast #JohannaSalazar #CathyHackl #SoribelFeliz #LarryJones #SeanAtkins #Peter Blacker #AlanWolk #AlexGrady #GenAI #AI #DeepFakes #CSI #ADLAR #Unity