Next in Media

I sat down with Tusar Barik, the SVP of Marketing at the New York Times, who's just past his first year in this newly created role. We explored how the Times has transformed from a traditional newspaper into a multifaceted media company spanning news, games, podcasts, cooking, sports, and more. Tusar leads a comprehensive team managing everything from measurement and data insights to product marketing, editorial advertising opportunities, and traditional communications. What struck me most was learning that the Times now reaches over 150 million registered users with 50 to 100 million weekly engagers, seeing the highest growth among Gen Z adults and audiences in the Midwest and South. The digital advertising business delivered over 20% year-over-year growth, proving that quality journalism and a direct relationship with readers creates a powerhouse advertising platform.We dove deep into how the Times is meeting consumers where they are through video-forward strategies, producing over 75 hours of professional video monthly and transforming podcasts into multimodal shows available as both audio and video. Tusar shared insights on their Brand Match generative AI product that delivers 30% improvements in both click-through rates and brand lift by intelligently matching advertiser briefs with the right content. We explored how games like Wordle have been part of the Times' DNA since the 1940s crossword, how The Daily creates deeply personal connections with millions, and why the Times sees itself as a solar system with news at the center. The conversation revealed a company that's successfully balanced subscription-first strategy with a thriving advertising business by staying true to its mission while innovating how it reaches and serves audiences._______________________________________________Key Highlights📈 Unprecedented Scale & Growth: The Times now has over 12 million subscribers, 150 million registered users, and 50-100 million weekly engagers, with the highest growth coming from Gen Z adults and the Midwest/South, driving 20% digital advertising growth year-over-year.🤖 AI-Powered Brand Match: Tusar revealed their generative AI product that ingests advertiser RFPs and dynamically matches campaigns with the right content as it's produced, delivering 30%+ improvements in both click-through rates and brand lift.🎥 Video-First Evolution: The Times produces over 75 hours of professional video content monthly and has transformed audio podcasts into multimodal shows, recently launching a Watch tab in the app that creates new premium advertising inventory.🎮 Games as Core DNA: Gaming has been part of the Times since the 1940s crossword during World War II. Today, over 2,000 people per minute share their Wordle scores, and games advertising drives 21% awareness lift and 30%+ brand consideration growth when combined with news.🎙️ The Daily's Emotional Connection: Tusar shared a touching story about how Michael Barbaro's voice became a source of comfort for a reader who listened every morning while visiting her ailing father in the hospital for months, illustrating the deep personal relationships the Times builds.📊 Measurement Playbook Approach: The Times developed a comprehensive measurement strategy offering everything from MMM models for large advertisers to trending metrics for smaller campaigns, with solutions packages that span audio, video, and display inventory.🌐 Portfolio Beyond News: The Times has evolved into a solar system with news at the center, expanding into The Athletic (largest sports newsroom globally), Cooking, Games, Wirecutter, and more, each creating unique advertising entry points and audience segments.💼 Programmatic Done Right: The Times views programmatic as workflow pipes to reduce friction, not as a race to the bottom on CPMs. They've invested significantly in the past 18 months while maintaining quality standards and brand safety for advertisers._______________________________________________Resources & Next Steps🔗 Follow Tusar Barrick on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Next in Media on Apple Podcasts_______________________________________________YouTube Chapter Timestamps00:00 Elemental TV ad00:48 Introduction and guest overview01:50 Welcome to Next in Media02:03 Tor's role and first year at the Times04:19 The Times' evolution beyond news05:07 Core mission and solar system approach06:25 Audience scale: 150M registered users07:39 20% digital ad growth and earnings08:58 AI and Brand Match product10:46 Brand Match performance results11:31 Podcasting and The Daily's impact13:06 Michael Barbaro's emotional connection story14:02 Audio and video evolution15:31 Video production stats and strategy16:14 Navigating agency relationships17:44 Solutions-based approach to advertising18:01 Measurement playbook and strategies19:47 Outcome-based measurement approach20:59 Sabio ad21:05 Talent and newsletter strategy23:48 Gaming portfolio and DNA since 1940s26:03 The Athletic and portfolio expansion27:04 Games advertising opportunities28:28 Programmatic strategy and philosophy30:29 Video strategy and Watch tab launch33:49 Video advertising opportunities34:12 Closing thoughts and wrap-up34:24 Outro and thanks

Summary:This week on Next in Media, Mike Shields talks with Erick Opeka, President & Chief Strategy Officer at Cineverse and board member at the startup Micro Co. Opeka breaks down how short-form “micro-dramas”—already attracting hundreds of millions of daily viewers in China—are taking shape in the U.S. and why they could become a $20 billion category.He explains how Cineverse’s 22 streaming services, proprietary Matchpoint technology, and deep ad-tech stack position it to lead this wave. From Quibi’s missteps to AI-driven efficiencies, Opeka shares how the next generation of vertical video could transform storytelling, advertising, and the very idea of television.⭐ Key Highlights🎥 Cineverse 101: Operates a full-service film & TV studio plus 22 streaming platforms with under 200 employees—powered by its Matchpoint operating system.💡 Tech meets storytelling: Built its own ad-tech stack (C360) and data tools to monetize efficiently while controlling creative output.📱 Rise of micro-dramas: Already a $1 billion U.S. market and mainstream in China, drawing 600 million daily viewers.🧠 Why it works: Each 3-minute story triggers anticipation loops in the brain—more rewarding than endless scrolling.🌍 Cultural crossover: Format expected to reach 13–15% of all video consumption at maturity—larger than the entire U.S. theatrical market.🧩 Creative power team: Lloyd Braun, Susan Rovner, and Jana Winograde join Opeka to build a U.S.-based micro-drama studio.📺 Beyond romance: Expanding from steamy love stories to game shows, thrillers, and reality formats.💰 Business model: Starts with premium and pay-per-view, evolves toward ad-supported models—echoing the broader streaming trend.🤝 Brand opportunity: Advertisers aren’t yet in but white-space potential mirrors early anime and TikTok stages.🔮 Looking ahead: Launch slated for Spring 2026, combining platform tech + top-tier creatives to redefine mobile storytelling. 🔗 Resources & Next StepsFollow Erick Opeka on LinkedIn 🔗 Learn more about Cineverse → cineverse.com⭐ Rate & Review to help more listeners discover the show🎧Subscribe to Next in Media on Apple Podcasts ⏱️ YouTube Chapters00:00 – Intro and Erick Opeka’s role at Cineverse01:00 – How Cineverse runs 22 streaming services with Matchpoint04:00 – Ad-tech integration and C360 audience platform05:00 – The micro-drama trend and China’s 600 million viewers07:30 – Why micro-dramas hook audiences psychologically09:30 – U.S. market potential and viewer behavior11:00 – Genres evolving beyond romance13:00 – Demographics and comparison to K-drama boom14:30 – Business models: subscription vs ad-supported17:00 – Early lessons from China and U.S. adoption curve18:00 – Formation of Micro Co and the creative team21:00 – Building a U.S. platform with better UX and production quality26:00 – Quibi comparisons and why this time is different29:00 – Timeline for launch and platform strategy32:00 – Brand building and sustainable growth vs CAC race34:00 – CTV integration and cross-screen potential35:40 – Advertising ecosystem and brand interest37:40 – TERRIFIER franchise and Cineverse’s studio approach40:00 – Final thoughts on innovation and industry future

Why Brands Should Stop Avoiding News with Jack MarshallBrands have long shied away from advertising in news, fearing controversy or association with “negative” stories; but that hesitation is costing them results. This week, Mike Shields talks with Jack Marshall, Head of News at DoubleVerify, about why avoiding news is a missed opportunity and how advertisers can take a smarter, more nuanced approach to brand safety and suitability.Jack shares insights from DV’s research, which shows that news content drives 16% more engagement than non-news media, and explains how AI-driven tools are helping advertisers target responsibly while supporting trusted journalism. The conversation covers the shifting perceptions of news advertising, AI’s role in brand safety, and why authentic reporting may soon stand out as the antidote to AI-generated “slop.” Highlights:📰 The News Opportunity – DV data shows that news content generates 16% more engagement than non-news, yet many advertisers still block it.🔒 Brand Safety vs. Suitability – Safety covers truly unsafe content (malware, spam, copyright infringement); suitability is where nuanced strategy is needed.🧠 Educating the Industry – Jack’s role includes helping advertisers, agencies, and publishers understand how to unlock news environments safely.🛠️ Smarter Tools, Less Risk – DV’s AI-driven keyword optimization helps reduce false blocks and allows brands to use a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer.⚙️ Product Innovation – DV’s News Accelerator initiative and contextual categories like News+ and News+ Light make it easier to advertise in quality news at scale.📉 Myth-busting Fear – Consumers can separate ads from content; most don’t associate a brand with a nearby tough headline.🤖 AI & Trust – As AI-generated misinformation spreads, real journalism becomes more valuable — “the real connections stand out among the weirdness.”💬 Shift in Attitude – Advertisers are realizing they’ve been too conservative and are reopening budgets for trusted news environments.🪶 Publishers Adapting – From the New York Times’ strong ad growth to the rise of news creators, publishers are learning to leverage trust, voice, and engagement.🌍 Future Outlook – Expect closer ties between news brands and influencers, merging authenticity with scale in ad models. Resources and links:🔗 Follow Jack Marshall on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackmarshall/🌐 Learn more about DoubleVerify’s News Accelerator → doubleverify.comExplore Sabio’s platform: sabioctv.com ⭐ Rate & Review to help more listeners discover the show🎧Subscribe to Next in Media on Apple Podcasts Chapters:00:00 Research shows advertisers miss out by avoiding news00:40 Introducing Jack Marshall, Head of News at DoubleVerify02:00 Why DV created a Head of News role03:20 Educating advertisers and publishers on news investment04:50 The CMO vs. junior buyer disconnect06:00 Brand safety vs. brand suitability explained07:30 When it’s reasonable to exclude content — and when it’s not08:20 Modern tools vs. blunt keyword blocking09:20 Overgeneralizations and nuanced strategies10:00 The myth of “negative adjacency”11:10 How consumers actually perceive ads near news12:10 DV research: news drives 16% higher engagement13:30 Why advertisers should rethink “news avoidance”15:40 The DV News Accelerator and new AI keyword tools17:10 Cutting bloated keyword lists with automation18:30 Helping brands use a scalpel instead of a sledgehammer19:30 Making nuance easy for media buyers20:20 Is the pendulum swinging back toward openness?21:30 AI slop and why real news stands out23:00 Publishers finding optimism amid change24:20 Diversifying revenue and growing brand trust25:20 The rise of news creators and influencer-style partnerships26:00 Closing thoughts — supporting real journalism and connection

In this special episode recorded live at Amazon UnBox in Nashville, I sit down with Charlotte Maines, Head of Device Advertising for Fire TV at Amazon. We dive into the massive reach of Fire TV—over 300 million devices sold globally—and what that means for brands aiming to connect with high-value, logged-in Amazon customers.Charlotte shares how Amazon is evolving the ad experience from simple tune-in campaigns to interactive, full-funnel marketing opportunities. We unpack the growing role of Alexa Plus, Amazon’s new LLM-powered assistant, and how it’s revolutionizing personalized, voice-driven engagement across devices. From shoppable connected TV to dynamic creative powered by GenAI, this episode is packed with insights for any brand looking to harness the next wave of CTV innovation.Timeline Summary:[0:38] - Why Fire TV’s 300M device footprint is a game-changer for advertisers[2:40] - The “six-minute window”: How brands can show up during viewer decision time[4:22] - Evolution of Fire TV advertising—from HBO tune-ins to full-funnel brand engagement[6:12] - Inside Alexa Plus: How LLMs are powering Amazon’s new conversational AI[8:10] - Shopping with your voice: Fire TV and Alexa’s seamless commerce experiences[10:00] - The future rotator: Amazon’s prime CTV ad real estate explained[12:45] - Full-funnel advertising: How Amazon connects the dots across devices and media[15:15] - GenAI in action: How brands are creating audio ads in seconds using Amazon tools[18:12] - What brands—big and small—are learning from Amazon’s self-service creative tools[20:33] - Why devices are key to Amazon’s dominance in full-funnel marketingLinks & Resources:Learn more about Alexa Plus: Amazon AlexaExplore Sabio’s platform: sabioctv.com🎧Subscribe to Next in Media on Apple PodcastsClosing Remarks:If you found this episode insightful, I’d love it if you’d take a moment to rate, follow, and share the show. And don’t forget to leave a review—your support helps more people discover Next in Media. See you next time!

This week on Next in Media, I sat down with Nielsen CEO Karthik Rao to get an inside look at the company’s transformation in a fast-evolving media landscape. From the explosive rise of YouTube on connected TVs to tackling fragmentation across platforms, Karthik breaks down how Nielsen is reinventing itself with big data, AI, and a mission to future-proof measurement.We talked about the company’s response to public challenges, its roadmap for creator measurement, and why the shift to big data plus panel is more than just a tech upgrade—it’s a foundational change in how the industry understands audiences. Whether you're curious about the "currency wars," the power of creators, or the role AI could play in stitching together digital and linear, this episode delivers some fascinating insight straight from the top.Timestamps:[0:00] - Karthik Rao on AI’s role in unifying disparate parts of the media world[1:07] - From CEO of Nielsen Global Media to CEO of Nielsen: Karthik’s journey[2:36] - Why Nielsen’s transformation was necessary to keep up with fragmentation and streaming[3:39] - The company’s shift from panel-only to big data plus panel—what that means and why it matters[5:45] - Balancing innovation, trust, and marketplace readiness[8:28] - What really happened with the NFL and how Nielsen navigated public scrutiny[13:16] - Media negotiations in the press and why everyone keeps coming back to Nielsen[15:01] - The underestimated breadth of Nielsen’s business beyond just ratings[17:04] - AI’s game-changing potential in media buying and data integration[20:01] - YouTube’s dominance on CTVs and why creator content is more serious than many assume[22:57] - How Nielsen plans to help creators scale across media ecosystems[25:56] - The current state of "currency wars" and why standardizing to human truths matters[27:21] - Nielsen’s plan to measure podcasting’s evolving video/audio landscapeLinks & ResourcesLearn more about Nielsen’s work at nielsen.comExplore Sabio’s platform: sabioctv.com🎧Subscribe to Next in Media on Apple PodcastsEnjoyed the episode?Please consider rating, reviewing, and sharing Next in Media. And don’t forget to hit that follow button so you never miss what’s next in the world of media.

Robert Wheeler — longtime communications leader at WarnerMedia, AT&T/Xandr, and GroupM — shares why he left the corporate world to build At the Moment Media (ATM), a people-first, video-led publication spotlighting personalities across advertising, technology, and media.He walks through how the brand came to life — from the black-and-white design and animated “M” mascot to its 5–6 minute storytelling format and short-form social clips. Robert also opens up about startup lessons, the state of modern comms, and how ATM plans to cover cultural business moments like the Latin GRAMMYs and BravoCon. Key Highlights🚀 Why he jumped – Robert left senior comms roles at WarnerMedia, AT&T/Xandr, and GroupM to launch At the Moment Media (ATM), aiming to humanize B2B storytelling.🎥 Format that works – Core videos run 5–6 minutes each, repurposed into 15–30-second social cuts designed for engagement and discoverability.🎨 Brand design – A black-and-white aesthetic lets guests provide the color; the animated “M” mascot adds warmth and identity to the platform.🗣️ Rethinking B2B – Robert urges the industry to drop jargon and speak like humans, applying the same clarity and creativity used in consumer ads.📣 The PR truth – “Your comms team can’t fix a bad story.” Great coverage comes from authentic ideas and honest narratives, not spin.🌎 Culture meets commerce – ATM spotlights the business side of cultural events like the Latin GRAMMYs and BravoCon — moments that blend fandom, influence, and brand dollars.⚠️ Crisis lessons – From 2020’s triple-whammy week (CEO exit, major deal, COVID shutdown) to WarnerMedia’s Project Popcorn, Robert shares how to stay steady under fire.📈 Startup execution – Early success driven by global editors, social-first distribution, and sponsor partnerships proving the model works. Resources & Next Steps🔗 Follow Robert Wheeler on LinkedIn🌐 Explore ATM Media🎧Subscribe to Next in Media on Apple Podcasts YouTube Chapter Timestamps00:00 Why leave big media to start ATM01:02 Episode setup and who Robert is01:32 Meet Robert Wheeler and ATM’s mission02:26 From WPP/Warner to taking the plunge05:30 Press pressure and changing journalism07:06 What is ATM and what it’s becoming10:14 Naming ATM and the brand spark11:18 Black-and-white look and the “M” mascot13:31 People-first POV vs old trade vibes15:27 Comfort unlocks better on-camera stories16:26 How to launch a media brand in 202517:33 Format: 5–6 minute features plus social cuts18:56 B2B that talks like B2C22:40 Covering culture: Latin GRAMMYs and BravoCon25:05 What comms can and cannot fix27:14 Managing teams and why he still loves comms28:05 Crisis week 2020: CEO exit, mega deal, COVID30:04 Project Popcorn and more war stories31:35 Wrap-up and calls to action

Google Ads just turned 25, and it’s entering a new era—one driven by AI, conversations, and context. In this episode, Dan Taylor, VP of Global Ads at Google, joins Mike Shields to unpack how the search giant is transforming its ads business for the age of AI Overviews, Performance Max, and long-form conversational queries. He explains why this shift feels bigger than mobile, how advertisers are adopting AI faster than ever, and why trust and accuracy remain Google’s north stars.Dan also reveals how AI is expanding the search funnel, creating new commercial moments that brands never could have targeted before. From tools like AI Max to agent-powered shopping, the future of advertising is about reducing friction, improving relevance, and meeting consumers wherever their curiosity starts. It’s a rare inside look at how Google plans to keep Search indispensable for the next 25 years.Key Highlights🔍 Google Ads at 25: Why AI is the next great shift in how people find and act on information.🤖 AI Overviews & Ads: What Google has learned about where ads fit into AI-powered experiences.📊 Performance Max & AI Max: How AI expands discovery beyond keyword targeting.🧠 Smart Bidding & Measurement: Google’s decade-long head start in predictive AI.🛍️ Retail Media Meets Agents: New tools like Agentic Checkout and visual search that cut friction in shopping.💬 Trust, Quality & Competition: Why Google believes this isn’t a zero-sum game—it’s an expanding marketplace.Resources & Next Steps🌐 Explore Google Ads AI Tools🔗Follow Dan Taylor on Linkedin🎧Subscribe to Next in Media on Apple PodcastsYouTube Chapters00:00 Cold open — AI shift and trust in information  00:55 Setting the stage — Google Search at 25  01:24 Mike introduces guest Dan Taylor (VP, Global Ads at Google)  01:49 Dan’s early career and move from broadcast to digital  03:11 Early experiments — Google TV and Audio Ads  03:49 Conversational search and AI-driven behavior change  06:32 Comparing AI to the mobile shift  08:18 How advertisers are adopting AI tools faster  09:27 Did Google move too slow? Inside its AI journey  12:16 Ads in AI Overviews — finding the right moment  13:40 Marathon example — how intent shapes relevance  15:48 AI expands search — new commercial moments emerge  16:32 Dorm room case study — Gemini and query fan-out  19:03 Performance Max and AI Max monetization insights  21:06 Generative creative tools and advertiser experiments  22:58 Retail and agentic experiences in shopping  24:59 Reducing friction — price tracking and visual search  26:08 Competition across AI, retail, and social platforms  27:10 Wrap-up — the future of AI-powered search  

In this episode of Next in Media, Mike Shields speaks with Peter Hamilton, Head of Ad Innovation at Roku, about the rapid evolution of connected TV (CTV) advertising and how Roku is bridging the gap between big-brand budgets and small-business accessibility.Peter shares what’s really happening behind the scenes as digital-first advertisers and DTC brands move into television, the challenges of onboarding thousands of SMBs, and how Roku’s self-serve ad tools and shoppable innovations are reshaping the CTV landscape. He also explains Roku’s partnership with Amazon, the growth of shoppable TV, and why “press OK to text” could redefine viewer engagement.With clarity and insider perspective, Peter outlines what’s next for CTV—from AI-driven creative experimentation to real-time data loops that empower advertisers of all sizes. Key Highlights📈 CTV’s Fastest-Growing Segment: How performance-driven advertisers, not traditional TV buyers, are fueling Roku’s rapid growth.💡 SMBs Meet Streaming: Why onboarding small advertisers takes time—and how Roku’s self-serve tools are solving it.📺 Amazon Partnership Explained: Why Roku isn’t competing with Amazon but collaborating to improve advertiser reach and data performance.📱 Shoppable TV & “OK to Text”: How one button on the Roku remote is changing interactive ad engagement forever.🧠 AI in Creative Production: The rise of self-serve advertisers testing dozens of AI-generated ads and what’s working so far.⚙️ The Open Platform Approach: Roku’s strategy to stay partner-first while integrating performance data and real-time conversions. Resources & Next Steps 📊 Learn about Roku’s performance tools and integrations🎧Subscribe to Next in Media on Apple Podcasts YouTube Chapter Timestamps00:00 Setting the stage – CTV’s transformation  00:53 Introducing Peter Hamilton of Roku  02:00 Why new advertisers are coming to TV  03:31 The challenge of onboarding SMBs  05:01 How performance marketers are driving CTV growth  06:07 Roku Ads Manager and self-serve evolution  07:32 Moving beyond search and social saturation  09:12 Why analysts underestimate CTV’s growth  10:02 Fundamentals of marketing still apply  11:18 Building new DR paths for DTC brands  12:28 How Roku attracts small businesses  13:59 Success stories: Shopify and Fatty 15  15:15 What’s holding CTV adoption back?  16:00 Inside Roku’s partnership with Amazon  17:51 The open-platform strategy  18:52 Acquiring Friendly and launching Howdy  20:25 Experimenting with subscription bundles  21:15 The rise of shoppable TV and “OK to Text”  22:51 How interactivity and texting are becoming normalized  24:18 Building habitual shoppable behavior  25:43 Why creative clarity drives conversions  26:54 The future of AI-generated ads on CTV  27:46 Data loops, APIs, and intelligent optimization  28:04 Closing thoughts – what’s next for CTV advertising 

In this episode of Next in Media, Mike Shields sits down with Jordan Matter, the YouTuber, photographer, and entrepreneur behind one of the most surprising creator success stories of the year. What started as a simple series of dance photography videos turned into a global family brand with more than 300 million monthly views—and now, a Sephora skincare line that drew an unbelievable 87,000 fans to its launch.Jordan opens up about his journey from photographing dancers in New York to building a thriving father-daughter YouTube channel with his daughter Salish, how they created an authentic bond with Gen Alpha viewers, and the lessons learned from turning that trust into a real-world business. He also reflects on the emotional chaos of their record-breaking Sephora event, balancing parenthood with content creation, and why he believes authenticity—not virality—is the real currency of influence. Key Highlights📸 From Photographer to Creator: How Jordan’s 10-Minute Photo Challenge videos transformed a niche dance-photography channel into a viral YouTube phenomenon.👨‍👧 The Power of Relationship: Why shifting focus to his daughter Salish created a stronger emotional bond with viewers—and opened up an untapped “father–daughter” niche on YouTube.💡 Avoiding Creator Pitfalls: Jordan’s take on why so many influencers burn out chasing money—and why his team refuses to flood their audience with endless brand deals.🧴 Skincare Meets Storytelling: How Salish’s new “Sincerely Yours” line with Sephora became the Gen Alpha skincare brand—selling out instantly and drawing *twice the crowd of MrBeast’s burger launch.😱 87,000 Fans, One Mall: Behind the scenes of the record-breaking American Dream launch event that shut down highways and had teens camping overnight.❤️ Authenticity Over Hype: Why Jordan believes creators should focus on connection, care, and consistency instead of algorithms and short-term trends.🎬 Beyond YouTube: His future plans for animation, apparel, and storytelling beyond the camera—while still keeping Salish’s childhood sacred. Resources & Next Steps📺 Watch Jordan Matter’s videos on YouTube🧴 Explore Sincerely Yours skincare at Sephora.com📲 Follow @JordanMatter and @saysaymatter on Instagram🎧Subscribe to Next in Media on Apple Podcasts

In this episode of Next in Media, Mike Shields sits down with Janina Lundy, EVP and Head of Marketing & Brand Partnerships at Hartbeat, the production company founded by comedian and actor Kevin Hart. Heartbeat has become a creative force at the intersection of comedy, culture, and branded entertainment — developing hit shows like Cold as Balls with Old Spice and original films like Group Therapy with AXA.Janina and Mike discuss how Hartbeat helps brands navigate the tricky but powerful blend of humor and marketing, the rise of brand-funded entertainment, and why comedy isn’t dead — it’s just evolving. From collaborating with emerging comedians to educating brands on YouTube’s premium value, this episode explores how Heartbeat is redefining what it means to be a talent-led media company in 2025. Key Highlights:🎬 From Ad Agencies to Entertainment: How Janina ’s 20+ year career in advertising and media led her to bridge the gap between brands and comedy at Heartbeat.😂 Comedy + Culture: Why Heartbeat sits “at the intersection of comedy and culture” — and how humor can bring levity to topics like mental health or allergies without losing authenticity.💡 Brand-Funded Entertainment: Behind-the-scenes of Group Therapy — a feature-length film on Amazon created with AXA and WPP, blending purpose-driven storytelling with laughs.🏆 Award-Winning Collaborations: How Hartbeat projects like Group Therapy have earned Cannes Lions, proving that branded entertainment can also be creative entertainment.🧊 100+ Episodes of “Cold as Balls”: The hit Old Spice–backed series with Kevin Hart in an ice bath interviewing athletes — now in its 12th season.📺 Distribution Power: Why Hartbeat LOL Network gives them a unique edge, reaching audiences via YouTube, FAST channels, SiriusXM, Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, and more.🚀 Comedy Isn’t Cancelled: How brands can safely embrace humor even in a cautious social climate — and why audiences still crave laughter.🎭 Comedy’s Next Wave: Sketch, music-comedy fusion, and emerging creators — how Heartbeat is nurturing the next generation of comedic talent. Resources & Next Steps: 🎥 Watch Cold as Balls on YouTube (presented by Old Spice)📺 Stream Group Therapy on Amazon Prime Video🎧Subscribe to Next in Media on Apple Podcasts Episode Breakdown:00:00 Intro00:48 Meet Janina Lundy & Heartbeat  02:00 How Heartbeat Was Born  03:10 Kevin Hart’s Vision for Creators  04:20 Co-Creating with Brands  05:15 Group Therapy: Comedy Meets Mental Health  06:40 The New Branded Storytelling  07:20 When Brands Become Movie Stars  08:30 Finding the Next Great Comedians  09:45 Balancing Creativity & Business  11:20 How Brands Reach Heartbeat  13:00 The Fear of Being Funny  14:00 Keeping Brands & Artists Aligned  15:00 Inside LOL Network & Distribution  16:10 Why YouTube Is Premium Now  17:20 Heartbeat’s Big Partnerships  18:10 Measuring Creative Success  19:45 The Future of Comedy  21:00 Can Sitcoms Come Back?  22:10 Smart Brand Investments in Entertainment  

In this episode of Next in Media, Mike Shields sits down with Michael Komasinski, CEO of Criteo, to unpack how one of ad tech’s best-known companies has reinvented itself for a privacy-first world. Once synonymous with retargeting, Criteo has successfully evolved into a powerhouse in retail media, supporting more than 230 retailers and $160 billion in GMV.Michael shares how the company’s early investments in addressability technology and diversification under Megan Clarkin laid the foundation for long-term resilience. He also discusses the industry’s next big shifts from the end of “easy money” in retail media to the rise of agentic workflows, AI-powered ad optimization, and Criteo’s surprising new partnership with Google. Key Highlights:🌐 From Retargeting to Retail Media: How Criteo transformed from a cookie-based ad firm to a retail media leader serving hundreds of partners worldwide.🔒 Future-Proofing Addressability: Why early investments in weak-signal harvesting and privacy-first tech weren’t wasted, and how they keep Criteo competitive post-cookie.⚙️ Independent & Neutral: The value of being a tech provider that supports both the sell and buy sides of retail media without owning retail inventory.📉 “The Easy Money Is Over”: What Criteo’s leadership means by this and why the next growth phase depends on cross-retailer buying, measurement consistency, and reduced friction.🤖 AI & Agentic Buying: How Criteo is already experimenting with conversational campaign setup through Claude and what that means for SMB advertisers.📺 CTV and Commerce: Insights on how retail media is converging with connected TV, including a major partnership between Roku, WPP, and Criteo.🤝 The Google Partnership: Why Criteo’s deal with Google’s SA360 is less surprising than it seems, and what it signals for future ad tech collaboration.💬 The Open Web Isn’t Dead: Michael’s view on why the web is becoming more efficient, not obsolete, in the age of AI and conversational search. Resources & Next Steps:🔗 Learn more about Criteo and its retail media solutions🎧Subscribe to Next in Media on Apple Podcasts📺 Explore Next in Media episodes on the evolution of ad tech and retail partnerships📰 Read Eric Seufert & Andrew Sussman’s analysis on agentic systems and automation

Next in Media talked to Michael Wayne, co-founder and CEO of Kin, about his nearly 20-year journey building a media company alongside YouTube's evolution. Wayne shared how his company navigated multiple business model shifts—from the MCN era to working with traditional celebrities on digital platforms, licensing content to streaming services and cable networks during the pandemic, and experimenting with FAST channels. The conversation explored the challenges of the changing creator economy, why YouTube is no longer the sole focus for content distribution, and how AI might transform storytelling and the media industry. Wayne also discussed his work with AI LA and his optimistic view on technology's potential to create new opportunities rather than just displacement.Join us for this fascinating conversation about adapting to constant change in digital media.🔖 Chapters:00:00 - Introduction and Early Days: From Blogging to YouTube04:40 - The Smosh Discovery and Early MCN Era11:00 - The Funded Channels Project and Working with Traditional Celebrities17:00 - The Pandemic Opportunity: Licensing to Streaming and Cable19:44 - The FAST Channel Experiment and Why They Shuttered It23:12 - The Changing YouTube Landscape and Creator Economy Challenges28:00 - Getting Involved in AI: From Paper Cup to AI LA32:00 - AI Avatars and the Future of Lifestyle Content34:00 - Hollywood's Challenges Beyond AI and Reasons for Optimism💡 Takeaways:🎬 Kin's core mission has always been creating and monetizing IP, even as distribution models constantly evolved over 18 years.📺 The pandemic created unexpected opportunities to license YouTube content to streaming platforms and cable networks hungry for programming.⚡ FAST channels require significant resources to operate successfully—licensing content proved more profitable for Kin than running their own channel.📉 The middle class of YouTube creators faces more challenges post-COVID, with changing monetization models and the rise of short-form content.🔄 YouTube is no longer the only starting point—many creators now build audiences on TikTok or Instagram before expanding to long-form platforms.🤖 AI might impact lifestyle creators first through avatar technology, allowing fans to interact with AI versions of personalities like Gordon Ramsay.🎯 The media industry is bifurcating: tech giants with massive resources on one end, the creator economy on the other, with traditional media in the middle facing consolidation.💡 New technologies historically create more jobs than they eliminate—the key is being open to opportunities we can't yet imagine.🎪 Working with traditional celebrities on YouTube required a true partnership model with shared equity, not traditional talent deals.  Follow Michael Wayne: https://linkedin.com/in/michael-wayne-kinKin Community: https://www.kincommunity.com

Next in Media talked to Selina Sykes, Global Marketing Transformation Leader for Beauty and Wellbeing at Unilever, about the company's ambitious goal to allocate half of its media budget to creators. The conversation explored how a legacy CPG giant is reimagining its marketing model to stay relevant in a social-first world.Sykes discussed Unilever's shift from traditional broadcast advertising to a "many-to-many" model that harnesses communities and creators. She shared insights on building authentic creator partnerships, the success of campaigns like Vaseline Verified, and how AI is being integrated into their content supply chain. The conversation also covered social commerce opportunities, the balance between scaled operations and authentic creator relationships, and the future of AI-driven shopping experiences.Join us for this insightful discussion on how traditional brands can successfully navigate the creator economy while maintaining authenticity at scale.🔖Chapters:[00:01:18] Introduction and Selina's Role at Unilever[00:03:02] Staying Relevant in Beauty's Fast-Moving Landscape[00:06:30] The Decision to Spend Half Media Budget on Creators[00:08:29] Executing Creator Partnerships at Scale[00:12:45] Case Study: Vaseline Verified Campaign Success[00:15:24] Social Commerce and TikTok Shop Strategy[00:18:18] AI Integration in Content Creation and Media[00:21:53] The Future of AI Shopping Agents💡Takeaways:🎯 Unilever is shifting from "one-to-many" broadcast to "many-to-many" creator-driven marketing to stay culturally relevant📊 The company aims to allocate exactly 50% of its media budget to creator partnerships and content🤝 Creator relationships range from long-term "co-founder" collaborations to scaled content partnerships with smaller creators✨ The Vaseline Verified campaign leveraged 3.5 million organic brand mentions, working with creators to scientifically verify popular "hacks"🛒 Social commerce is viewed as a key channel, with emphasis on affiliate programs and shoppable content experiences🤖 AI is being integrated across the marketing ecosystem through "AI studios" in each market, focusing on human-AI collaboration🎨 Quality control remains paramount - AI augments human creativity rather than replacing human oversight🛍️ AI shopping agents are expected to become a new channel complementing rather than replacing existing shopping experiences🔄 The creator economy allows brands to tap into authentic community conversations that were previously happening without brand involvement🌟 Success requires balancing brand authenticity with the need to operate at Unilever's massive scaleFollow Silena Sykes: https://linkedin.com/in/selina-sykes-0619b62b?originalSubdomain=uk Unilever: https://unilever.com 

Next in Media talked to Dhar Mann, Creator and founder of Dhar Mann Studios, and Sean Atkins, CEO of Dhar Mann Studios, about building one of YouTube's most successful scripted content operations. They discussed creating family-friendly scripted series at scale, working with brands beyond traditional advertising, and expanding their studio model to support other creators.Mann and Atkins also covered why scripted content is breaking through on YouTube, their Samsung TV Plus deal, and positioning as the future of creator-driven media.🔖Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Dhar Mann and Sean Atkins02:36 - From Personal Stories to Scripted Content at Scale06:00 - Building Infrastructure and Leadership08:22 - Expanding to Multi-Creator Studio Model11:50 - Why Scripted Content Works on YouTube14:49 - Traditional Media's Failed Creator Acquisitions18:20 - Brand Partnerships Beyond Platform Revenue22:17 - YouTube's Role in Creator-Brand Relationships26:00 - Television and Fast Channels for Creators29:00 - What Brands Need for Creator Success💡Takeaways:🎬 Dhar Mann Studios produces five shows weekly on a 21-day script-to-screen cycle, enabling real-time cultural relevance.📺 The company operates 66 sets across 125,000 square feet with creator-level efficiency and economics.🚀 Unlike talent-dependent creators, Dhar Mann built a scalable format not requiring his appearance in every video.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family-friendly co-viewing content serves a massive underserved audience.💰 Bootstrapped and profitable since day one through platform revenue before expanding to brand partnerships.🎯 Brands are shifting from transactional relationships to long-term partnerships including co-developed studios.⚡ The 21-day production cycle lets brands move at culture's speed for scripted content.🏢 Fifth Quarter agency helps other creators build sustainable businesses using their infrastructure.📱 Samsung TV Plus provides validation and revenue diversification while reaching traditional viewing audiences.🔮 Creators will become challenger brands in verticals where they've built expertise through partnerships.Follow Dhar Mann: linkedin.com/in/dharmann

🔖Chapters:[00:01:12] - Kelly's Background: From Soccer to Ad Tech[00:03:22] - Making the Move from Meta to Amazon[00:04:44] - Amazon DSP's Evolution from Single to Multi-Purpose[00:06:10] - Adapting to the Streaming TV Revolution[00:07:31] - Technical Differentiators and Competitive Positioning[00:13:30] - AI Integration and the "Crystal Box" Approach[00:16:54] - The Future of Automated Advertising Agents[00:18:03] - Impact of Changing Consumer Search Behavior[00:19:56] - What's Next and Amazon Unboxed Preview💡Takeaways:🏆 Kelly MacLean's competitive background as a professional soccer player shaped her approach to building fast-moving, high-performing ad tech teams.🔧 Amazon completely re-architected their DSP backend and frontend, moving from single-purpose to fully functioning multi-purpose platform, improving overall performance by over 40%.📺 Amazon DSP is now the only platform offering authenticated reach to over 80 million CTV households in the US through partnerships with Roku and other premium publishers.🤖 Amazon's "crystal box" approach to AI provides transparency and control while leveraging automation, contrasting with traditional "black box" systems.💰 Amazon offers industry-leading low fees: 0% for programmatic guaranteed deals on Amazon properties and 1% across premium streaming publishers.🎯 Performance Plus campaigns have driven over 51% improvement in customer acquisition costs through AI-powered optimization.📱 Amazon launched Complete TV ahead of upfronts, using AI to help marketers plan, manage, and measure holistic streaming TV buys across platforms.🔮 The future will likely combine simplified AI-driven products with complex expert features, as different campaigns and brands will require varying degrees of automation.🏈 Live sports remains one of the "last best places" where consumers are truly engaged for long durations, making it increasingly valuable for advertisers.📊 Amazon's approach focuses on deterministic identity and frequency capping to provide more efficient spend and clearer impact measurement.Amazon DSP: https://advertising.amazon.com/solutions/products/amazon-dsp

 🔖Chapters:00:00 - Introduction and DAZN Overview01:12 - DAZN's Global Sports Streaming Scale03:58 - Creating the FIFA Club World Cup Tournament07:43 - Managing Complex Global Live Streaming14:26 - The State of Sports and Streaming Industry18:40 - Lessons from Amazon's Thursday Night Football Launch27:30 - DAZN's US Growth Strategy and Original Content💡Takeaways:🌍 DAZN operates as the world's largest sports streaming service, handling over 90,000 live events annually across 200+ countries and territories.⚽ The FIFA Club World Cup represented the most ambitious global streaming project ever attempted, featuring 64 matches in 13 languages across 196 countries with just six months of preparation time.🤝 Strategic partnerships with linear broadcasters like TNT Sports and Univision helped maximize reach while building the DAZN brand in new markets.📺 80 of the top 100 broadcasts in 2024 were live sports, highlighting the critical importance of sports content for both traditional and streaming platforms.🎯 When entering established sports advertising markets, new streaming platforms should focus on "not screwing up" the basics before attempting to revolutionize the experience.📱 DAZN is integrating its Whistle Sports original content division with its live streaming platform, creating DAZN Originals that will be exclusive initially before going wide.🏈 The company is expanding its US footprint beyond boxing with Spanish-language soccer rights and new NFL-themed original programming.🚀 Success in global sports streaming requires massive technical preparation, with CDN capacity planning and platform stability being critical for simultaneous worldwide viewership.Follow Walker Jacobs: https://linkedin.com/in/walkerjacobs DAZN: https://dazn.com

Next in Media spoke with Drew Muller, VP and General Manager of House of Highlights, about how the Warner Discovery-owned property is looking to bridge sports fandom with top creators' content via the Creator League. The event, founded in 2023, features top creators such as Kai Cenat, Jesser and FaZe Rug playing a series of tournaments in sports such as slamball, dodgeball and basketball for big prize money, both on social platforms and streaming services like HBO Max.💡Takeaways:🔄 Evolving Beyond Aggregation: Media brands are transitioning from being simple content aggregators to becoming original content producers to keep their audience engaged. 🎯 Prioritizing the Youth Audience: Despite reaching a mass scale of over 100 million followers, House of Highlights focuses on its core under-34 sports fan base to maintain its brand voice and avoid being diluted by trying to appeal to everyone. 📈 The Rise of CTV and YouTube: The growth of YouTube consumption on TV devices (CTV) signifies a new "lean-back" viewing environment for younger audiences, which presents a significant opportunity for advertisers. 🤝 Partnerships Beyond Traditional Ads: Brands are moving past traditional ad placements and integrating themselves into the "fabric of the competition" within custom content. 🏆 Creating Owned Sports Leagues: Instead of only covering traditional sports, media companies can create their own leagues, like the "Creator League" by House of Highlights, featuring creators and personalities. 🎙 Guest: Dan Muller🎤 Host: Mike Shields📺 Sponsor: VuePlanner🎬 Producer: FEL Creative

Next in Media chatted with Rich Bloom, GM, Creator Programs & EVP, Business Development at Tubi, about the Fox-owned streamers new creator program, which has quickly expanded for five to 50 participants. Bloom also talked about Tubi's overall growth, Gen Z misconceptions, and whether TV needs to adopt more YouTube-like qualities.💡Takeaways:🎬 Creator Content is Blurring the Lines with Traditional TV: The distinction between content from native digital creators and traditional Hollywood content is becoming increasingly blurry, with creators now producing longer-form, high-quality content that is being watched on television.🤝 Collaborative Partnerships are a New Path to Hollywood: Tubi is creating a program called "Tubi For Creators" that provides native digital creators with a path to elevate their careers and businesses by giving them a way to work with Tubi.📈 Success Comes from Leveraging Existing Audiences: The success of Tubi’s original movie Sideline was a result of bringing together the built-in fandoms of a popular Wattpad novel and a huge TikTok star, Noah Beck, who was eager to cross over into acting.🚫 Accessibility and Low Friction are Key to Attracting Young Viewers: The absence of a paywall on Tubi makes it an accessible platform that encourages young audiences, like those on TikTok, to easily transition from a clip on their phone to watching the full content on Tubi.💰 Creators Are the New Media Startups: Creators are seen as sophisticated media startups that produce content, own their own IP, have large distribution channels, and have huge, loyal fan bases.🎙 Guest: Rich Bloom🎤 Host: Mike Shields📺 Sponsor: Elemental TV & Linkedin🎬 Producer: FEL Creative

Next in Media spoke with Marketecture CEO Ari Paparo, author of the new book "Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance" about how Google was able to build a monopoly on programmatic ads, despite so many people in the ad industry shouting about it for years - and whether we can stop the next one.💡Takeaways:🏛️ The initial small scale of programmatic advertising in the early 2000s made it difficult for regulators to foresee its future dominance, allowing Google's DoubleClick acquisition to proceed with less scrutiny than it might warrant today.⚔️ Google's ownership of the ad server provided a significant competitive advantage, enabling it to "snipe" bids and secure ad inventory by having insight into auction prices.🔍 Regulators initially overlooked the critical advantage of Google's ad server being connected to its exchange, a factor that proved more significant than simply a company selling ads also owning a marketplace.🤫 Google's acquisition of Invite Media (which became DV360) for a relatively low price (around $80 million) reportedly allowed it to avoid significant antitrust scrutiny, highlighting a potential loophole in regulatory oversight based on transaction size.⚖️ The lack of specific regulations governing advertising market transactions, unlike financial markets, meant that the ad industry operated largely on "best behavior and contract law," creating vulnerabilities for anti-competitive practices.🗣️ Publisher dissatisfaction with Google's actions, such as removing features like UPR, played a significant role in fueling antitrust scrutiny and demonstrating the company's "total arrogance".🌍 Unlike the US, the Digital Markets Act in Europe provides regulators with tools to intervene based on a company's scale of power, offering a potential model for preventing future monopolies in the digital advertising space.🎙 Guest: Ari Paparo🎤 Host: Mike Shields📺 Sponsor: Elemental TV🎬 Producer: FEL Creative

Next in Media spoke with WPP Media's Jessica Brown and Spark Foundry Worldwide's Kelly Metz, focusing on YouTube's growing role in the TV marketplace, the shift towards holistic video measurement, the increasing importance of AI and streamlined approaches in media buying, and the evolving challenges and opportunities in creator partnerships and cross-platform attribution.💡Takeaways:📺 YouTube's Growing TV Presence: YouTube is increasingly seen as a significant part of the TV landscape, with viewership numbers supporting its inclusion in TV consumption.📱 Short-Form Content on TV: YouTube Shorts are surprisingly popular on television, prompting discussions on whether short-form content like TikTok and YouTube Shorts should be considered alongside traditional TV in video strategies.🚀 Social-First and Short-Form Strategies: Brands should consider starting with social-first and short-form content, depending on their audience and message, as there are various options for reaching consumers.🤝 Streamlined Creator Partnerships: While finding and activating creators at scale remains challenging, companies are making strategic acquisitions and developing agile processes to simplify creator deals and get campaigns to market quickly.📊 Need for Holistic Measurement: There's a strong demand for better, more comprehensive, and consistent measurement across all media platforms, including walled gardens, to compare performance effectively and understand ROI.🤖 AI and Tech in Media Buying: Technology and AI are becoming increasingly important for media buying, helping to streamline approaches, inform product choices, and create more effective and impactful campaigns.🎙 Guests: Jessica Brown & Kelly Metz🎤 Host: Mike Shields📺 Sponsor: Elemental TV🎬 Producer: FEL Creative