Kevin Doohan

Are you prepared to get fired? You should be. This week, here in the SF Bay Area, media watchers are buzzing about some high-profile sports radio announcers who got the axe, unexpectedly. Including a guy who’d been on the air for 28 years and, arguably, help build the station. The economics of legacy media are a $#!& show, so cuts are hardly a surprise. But when big-name talent with highly-rated shows aren’t safe, it’s a good reminder that the nobody has job security. Even if everything seems rosy with your current gig, you should take steps to prepare yourself for your next one. Four tips: → Get your site together. Regardless of what you do, you should have a “portfolio site.” More than a resume, it’s a site that collects achievements and shows your work. (Non-creative types, you should have site/portfolio, too!) Grab copies of your work, decks, and performance metrics NOW before you lose access to the server. Don’t wait until you need it; build now and maintain as you go. → Build your personal brand. (I know, it’s cringe. But it’s the way of the world.) You don’t have to be a prolific LinkedIn poster, but you need to consider who you are professionally and what value you bring to the table. Find avenues to demonstrate that value. Identify 3-4 ways a year you can “get out there” and show your stuff. Maybe that’s creating your own projects, sharing work on your social channels, writing an article, speaking at a conference, starting a side hustle. → ABCYN. Always Be Cultivating Your Network. You don’t have to do this in a sleazy sales-y sort of way, but you’re going to NEED the help of your connections at various points of your career. So make those connections. Grab coffee. Drop notes. Congratulate people when you see them do something awesome. Offer help to others. Be genuine, but make an effort to reach out. → Take the interview. Even if you love your job, you should always see what’s out there and keep your options open. It’s helps keep your interview chops sharp and it helps you understand your current value in the marketplace. You don’t have to lead ‘em on—if you’re not a serious candidate after the first meeting, you can withdraw your name. It's still worth it. “But I’m super busy with projects for my current employer. I don’t have time for all this.” YOUR career is at least as important as the work you’re doing for somebody else. Invest some time in yourself. Don’t wait for that unexpected meeting with your manager and HR to pop onto your calendar before you get your act together. P.S. Seriously, if you don't have an up-to-date portfolio site, do SOMETHING today to move the ball forward. Buy the URL. Write down the 2-3 projects you'd want to include. Pull the assets off the server that you'll need. Take a micro-step toward taking charge of your career. Do it!

71

14 Comments

Here are a few highlights and notes from episode 109 of the Dan Rayburn podcast: https://lnkd.in/gT6Q7PYc 1. EchoStar's potential DISH-DirecTV merger: While the deal faces regulatory hurdles, it could create the largest ISP in the US. Dan questions the CEO's claim that this merger will give them leverage over content providers, calling it "old legacy thinking." 2. Netflix ad business: Despite ongoing criticism, Dan argues, and I agree, that it's "factually inaccurate" to call Netflix's ad business a failure. The company is meeting its projected goals and remains cash-flow positive. 3. Amazon's ad strategy: Amazon plans to "ramp up a little bit more" its ad load in 2025, but maintains it will have "meaningfully fewer ads than linear TV." They're seeing less churn than anticipated from introducing ads. 4. Disney's password-sharing crackdown: The rollout reveals interesting backend challenges, particularly with payment processing and account management. 5. CNN's paywall experiment: The news outlet tests a "soft" paywall, prompting questions about monetizing news in the digital age. 6. Comcast-Quilt deal: This partnership could significantly impact CDN strategies, with Quilt potentially reaching 55% of US broadband households by year-end. As always, Dan's analysis cuts through the hype, offering a clear-eyed view of the industry's evolving landscape. As we both agree, "The business is changing." Streaming companies are adapting their strategies, from advertising models to content delivery, in this rapidly shifting market. What do you think about these developments? How do you see them shaping the future of streaming? If you aren't a regular subscriber to the podcast, you may want to subscribe so that you don't miss out on the latest industry news and insights. >>>> https://lnkd.in/gT6Q7PYc #StreamingMedia #IndustryAnalysis #TechTrends

2

Two big news items in this conversation with Jeff Baumgartner in Light Reading (link to story below) First, we are excited to launch with our newest partner, Ziply Fiber, who is investing a tremendous amount of capital to bring fiber to hundreds of thousands of homes in the Pacific Northwest. Our suite of tools is here to help them drive acquisition and fill up that fiber with happy customers! Speaking of suite of tools, we’re also thrilled to announce the launch of our next big product. The MyBundle Mobile App is now available to all consumers on iOS and Android, and it’s co-branded for our 100s of broadband partners. We all spend way too much time flipping around on our TV, going app to app, looking for something to watch when all we want to do is sit back and relax. And while the many different TV devices out there are trying to make discovery easier - it still doesn’t feel right. I can’t be the only one who gets “just pick something already!!!” from their significant other. We believe the phone in your pocket (or what you’re reading this on) is the solution. Not only is it a lot easier to navigate, type, etc., but it’s always with us on the go! I don’t know about you, but sitting in front of the TV at 11 o’clock at night is not when my friends tell me about the latest show they watched; it’s more likely at dinner, a BBQ, etc. Big thanks to Scott Barton, Danny Cohen, Sara H. and the entire team for putting this all together and tackling the many problems facing consumers in the new streaming age. Here are just a few features/uses: 1. Quickly discover what to watch next across all your services in one place BEFORE turning on the TV and create multiple watchlists anytime, for different moods or people you watch with. 2. Stream on your phone or tablet? The MyBundle app can be your content hub to jump into playback across any of your streaming apps. 3. Share and receive recommendations for shows and movies from your friends and family. 4. Easily track all your streaming services and costs in one place. Of course, the free MyBundle app not only helps consumers but also supports our broadband and streaming partners, who are more focused than ever on customer delight and retention. And, like everything else we do at MyBundle, there is a lot more to come! Don't forget to head over to the app store and download the MyBundle app today. https://lnkd.in/eqUzaNWJ

88

12 Comments

“We continue to see strong momentum in our podcast business” - Bob Pittman during the iHeartMedia earnings call this morning. Podcast revenue was $105m for Q2, up 8%, and overall revenue was $929m, up 1%, beating estimates. Unsurprisingly, radio revenue continues to decline while podcasting continues to be the highest growth opportunity for iHeart and other more traditional audio companies. Over the last two years, radio revenue has declined 4.3%, while podcasting revenue has grown 8.5%… and it’s not slowing down. The story here is pretty straightforward. Podcasting is the future of audio. Let’s start investing in it. I’ll summarize what we learned in Q2 in my letter to investors in the next week or so. Feel free to sign up: https://lnkd.in/e63PbEh7 https://lnkd.in/er6VKGQc #podcasting #audio #iheartmedia #investing

39

4 Comments

The IABC Global Standard is one of my go-to frameworks for #communication planning. The six core principles encompass the strategic contributions that communication professionals make to their organizations and their clients. I summarized key points here, but the full version is a great read for those starting out or mid-career pros looking for a refresher: https://lnkd.in/ePABq7-p #communications #globalstandard

24

2 Comments

This article makes a colossal blunder regarding how barter works. It does not run on remnants or use bushels of apples and last season's Herman Miller chairs as compensation for media. I wonder if the author spent any time speaking to someone who knows how barter works. Corporate barter and trade is a principal risk capital finance practice that takes on that risk in the form of a depressed or depreciated asset from a client in exchange for a commitment from that client to spend a multiple of the value of that asset through the barter and trade company on goods and services the client would ordinarily be buying. The goods typically on offer are media. The way the barter company secures that media at an undisclosed cost basis that is lower than the market happens in any number of ways. While an exchange with the media owner to secure that leverage can include goods and services they want that the barter company has access to, it is never in lieu of money, and it is rarely -- except for travel-related assets -- done using the distressed or depreciated assets in which the barter company has taken its principle risk.

7

2 Comments

A new age of mythical brands Last July, I posted a piece titled "The Shot That Got Trump Re-elected." It was hyperbole, but it seemed as if the “orange Jesus” would resurrect and reclaim the White House—not because of the assassination attempt itself, but due to the powerful symbolism that image captured. I received a wave of messages from many who disagreed with me. Here’s another prediction: the rise of mythical brands. While classic brands, nostalgia brands, and “love brands” will always exist, the return of Trump will be seen as proof of the power of myth-making. Mythical brands are those that become woven into the cultural fabric. They possess distinct narratives that tap into universal themes, beliefs, or values, evoking identity, nostalgia, or aspiration. These brands sell a worldview, a deeply felt value system that resonates so strongly with people that they develop a sense of ownership and even personal relationships with these brands. These brands often carry a kind of mystique—an aura that elevates them to an almost larger-than-life status. Mythical brands excel at reading the zeitgeist. They have an almost uncanny ability to sense cultural shifts and adapt their storytelling to align with the values, fears, and aspirations of the moment. Rather than responding to trends, they shape them, embedding themselves in the cultural conversation in a way that feels organic and inevitable. They tap into enduring, sometimes primal, themes that feel urgent to the current era. They elevate and amplify the zeitgeist, crystallizing emotions people feel but haven’t yet articulated. Like shrewd politicians, mythical brands have a keen understanding of the Overton Window—the range of ideas that are acceptable to the public at any given moment. They know where the cultural boundaries lie and how to navigate the edge of acceptability, where the strongest emotions and loyalties are stirred. They’re unafraid to push societal buttons, sparking curiosity and even controversy, while staying just inside the line to avoid alienating their base. Like politicians who skillfully maneuver the Overton Window, these brands understand not only where people stand today but where they might be willing to go tomorrow. They influence culture by nudging the window open, positioning themselves as thought leaders who not only speak to the current moment but inspire what comes next. Or, perhaps, they’re just exceptionally skilled bullshitters. https://lnkd.in/eWRKchab

5

1 Comment

Another personal post... Our son, Miller, just spent two weeks playing Mark Cohen in Children's Musical Theater of San Jose's production of Rent. I'm not sure I've ever been so happy for him. It was the role of a lifetime and hopefully a stepping stone to his future career. I've been reflecting on this tour de force of a production and thinking about what it takes to be successful. Top of mind for me as we integrate our new organization is creating and nurturing a culture of trust so we can move faster and be successful. 🌟 Be open to notes. Miller, the entire cast, and the directorial team have to listen to each other to pull off a successful production. I want everyone on my team, especially junior team members, to open my eyes to what they think can be done more effectively. I also want to be able to mentor them in a way that helps them grow and builds them up. Their success drives the success of the organization. 🌟 No one succeeds alone. It takes an army of talent to pull off CMT productions. The kids on stage are supported by makeup and hair artists, costume designers (ask me about the time I was tasked with weaving a mechanism into Cinderella's dress so that her ball gown would "magically" appear as she spun in circles on stage... 😨), prop managers, musicians, directors, vocal coaches, caterers...there are just too many professionals to mention. These performances don't happen without a team of people who care about each other and the success of the group. #proudmom #teamwork #trust

153

22 Comments

Mitch Mitchem, CEO of Hive Interactive, recently appeared on the Speakipedia Media podcast with Dave Bricker to discuss the intersection of AI and leadership. In this insightful conversation, Mitch covers: • AI’s evolving role in SEO and business strategy • How leaders can leverage AI while maintaining human connection • The importance of empathy, communication, and leadership skills in the AI era This is a must-watch for business professionals looking to navigate AI’s rapid evolution while keeping authenticity at the forefront. Watch the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/gfkGMEU8 #AI #Leadership #HumanConnection #Innovation #HiveInteractive #Podcast

1

**One correction: Desktop app is only for Apple. Interesting play with some implications on the Bing integration and the MSFT relationship.** OpenAI rolls out GPT-4o in their big announcement today. The big themes that I have seen so far all seem to coalesce around the goal of making ChatGPT the accepted user experience and benchmark for LLMs now and in the future. Ways that they're hoping GPT-4o can help with that- - Making many paid features available for free users. - Making GPT-4o more efficient and higher performing. - Allowing memory to persist, which means multi-device personalization becomes more real. - Focusing on the concept of interactivity, especially via speech to text. Real time voice processing is one of the key features/advances as part of the GPT-4o. This part of the demo glitched a bit- hard to gauge if that was due to the live stream room noise interrupting the model. Voice demos seemed to emphasize human feeling which is strategic - as AI becomes intrusive and prevalent in society and our normal person to person interactions, we're going to want to avoid the uncanny valley experience. We also saw glitches where ChatGPT hallucinated seeing imagery before the camera was enabled- strange to see how the text hallucination tendency interplays with vision features (which could get weird and creepy IRL). #OpenAI opted to use an Apple device for the desktop app code demo (which felt significant given some recent rumors on that front). I'll note, I found the ChatGPT overshare/verbosity to be obnoxious, reminiscent of the phone trees that make you listen to the full cycle of text. While I could interrupt, more human seeming interactions might make that feel unnormal and uncomfortable. Even the presenters seemed to be a bit uncomfortable. #AI #machinelearning #openai #gpt4o

6

2 Comments

Dear Agency CEO, I see you. Standing at the end of another unpredictable, bouncy year. I see you because I’ve met 189 of you this year. And while your offerings, markets, and teams may be completely unique, so many of your challenges are the same. I see the part of you that’s fighting on, fueled by passion, grit, and sheer determination. I see the part of you that’s thinking ‘is this actually worth it?’ tempted by the idea of stopping. I see the part of you that believes your agency offering is unique. I see the part of you that’s looking over at an eeeerily similar competitor. I see the part of you that’s unsure what’s next, navigating the unknown with equal parts hope and hesitation. I see the part of you that stands tall, confidently pointing the way forward for your team and your clients. I see the part of you that looks back, longing for the simpler, easier days. I see the part of you that’s being asked for your expert opinion on everything from AI to the latest trends. (And make you wonder how you’ve ended up on a panel chatting about it. 🤪) I see the part of you that’s wondering if you’re keeping up. I see the part of you that feels unstoppable, yet sometimes fragile. I see the part of you that is thriving—and the part that feels like it’s just surviving. Here’s the thing: there will always be parts of you in conflict. I feel it the whole time. That’s the nature of leadership, of running an agency, of being you. But what I know for sure: something remarkable about you got you here. Something about you sparked trust, belief, and momentum in others—enough for them to follow your lead. That spark, that light, is still glowing inside of you. But… To move forward, you have to let go of the things that weigh you down. The doubts. The unnecessary layers. The distractions. What got you here might not be what gets you to the next level. It’s time for addition by subtraction. This month, I’m asking my CEOs: • What are you letting go of as this year comes to a close? • And what are you doubling down on as you prepare for the next? Because clarity comes when we stop carrying the things we don’t need and give attention to the things we do. Subscribe to hear what a bunch of CEOs said to the q’s 👇

53

5 Comments

The recent news about Lionsgate's AI deal raises big questions about the future of Hollywood. As AI tools become more advanced, they promise to transform everything from scriptwriting to VFX to how we consume content. But with this transformation comes a complex debate: What happens to human creativity when AI plays a bigger role in storytelling? Will it enhance the creative process or will it dilute the magic that makes entertainment so unique? As we stand on the edge of a new era, I can't help but wonder—where should we draw the line between AI's utility and preserving the heart of human-driven art? How can we ensure technology complements creativity without overshadowing it? https://lnkd.in/d9B3Yahr #AI #Hollywood #Creativity #Innovation

18

6 Comments

If ppl are willing to pay, I'm sure Disney will be happy to take their $$. But I wonder if it's good for Disney's brand in the eyes of those who pay approx $200/day to stand in long lines? Disney's concocted a lot of options for ppl to avoid long waits (Lightning Lane Premier Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass, Disney Genie, Lightning Lane Multi Pass, etc.). That's good for ppl who can afford to maximize their Disney Experience time (and don't mind having to consult their phones constantly to figure out their "game plan" for the day). Upping the price will also lead to fewer people in the park...also good for reducing wait times. But the middle-class family of 4 is finding it increasingly difficult to step foot in the Happiest Place On Earth. Whether or not that leads to the kind of resentment that bruises Brand Disney remains to be seen. But a word of wisdom to Disney's C-Suite: Listen to your bread-and-butter middle class families as intently as you watch your stock price. https://lnkd.in/gQHwrZeG

9

14 Comments

And Then There Was One Shari Redstone, the controlling shareholder and non-executive chair of Paramount Global, is wavering on the potential sale of the media conglomerate, according to recent reports. Redstone has been exploring various options for Paramount, including a potential acquisition by Skydance Media. However, she has been sending mixed signals in recent days regarding her willingness to sell the company. What will be her final decision? #media #streaming #entertainment

2

2 Comments

Google’s $250M pledge to fund California journalism is making waves, but is it really a win for publishers, or just another strategic play to avoid regulation? 🤔 With AI-driven search reshaping the landscape and Big Tech under scrutiny, this move raises big questions about the future of news. Explore how this deal impacts local journalism, AI, and the power balance between tech and media. Discover the full story on AdMonsters and how it could affect the future of digital publishing. #AdTech #Publishing #Journalism #Google

1

Every media consumption survey is dumb (people routinely have no idea where they heard/saw something so it's just performative answers from them), but this one from NBC News (recently highlighted by Politico) is really just the height of intentional stupidity. Few questions... 1. WTF is a "digital website"? 2. How the hell are you defining newspapers, and how are the different than the aforementioned “digital websites”? Cause there are zero segments of the population that gets dead trees delivered to their door at a 70% clip -- and that's been true for decades at this point. 3. Why are Google and YouTube the same category? I get that they're the same company but people who play amateur investigative reporter using search vs people who only get political information because ads get served between Mr. Beast videos strike me as somewhat different. 4. The segments of people who report they get their news from cable and broadcast television are laughable. 6% of the country watches Sunday Night Football each week...and that is by far the highest rated show on television. I have more questions but that's just belaboring the point...which is if you ask dumb ass questions you get dumb ass answers. I'm spotlighting this survey because a ton of lefty orgs are going into postmortem mode right now...and a lot of the decisions coming out of those meetings will be based on post-election surveys of the electorate on stuff like media consumption (ignore for a second that every ad and message in these losing races was ad-tested and poll-tested to hell, that's a whole separate problem.) The left leans so hard on polling because we always make decisions by consensus -- and it's just easier to "let the data decide" than to have a point of view. But if we set up our data to give us official looking nonsense, we're going to make nonsense decisions. Basically use your brains before you start asking questions folks. Polls are like my two-year old. If you ask a question you will get an answers. Whether that answer is true to even approaching the information you're seeking is a whole separate issue.

19

3 Comments

Print is totally going to make a comeback. Don't agree? Let's get into it. I’ll go first 👇🏻 1. People want excuses not to stare at their screens. They will pay for them. 2. People don't want to be tracked by advertisers. 3. They want a trusted expert to curate the right information for them. 4. They want that information to be factual. 5. Having the right newspaper or magazine tucked under your arm or discreetly peeking out on a coffee table is a status symbol (see: The New Yorker). 6. Advertisers want to be attached to predictable, fact-checked content that is read by affluent, local, or niche readers and sticky enough to sit on a table for a day (or end up in packing materials, let's be honest). 7. GenZ loves the analog. Millennials do, too. I'd argue everyone does at this point. 8. With more foundation money going to support the future of news (local in particular), there's more money to invest in print. 9. Newspapers and magazines, designed tastefully, can be marketed as luxurious rituals. The right publishers will get this and nail it. 10. The ability to personalize printed newspapers has been around for over a decade. Not saying that most people want personalized newspapers (see number 2), but that's also a reason for print making a comeback. 11. As more reporters get laid off, the depth of news coverage will become very obvious in America. We will hit a breaking point in which more Americans will start paying again for news. But because we are status-conscious or looking for alternatives to staring at screens, more of us will turn to print. 12. Numerous brands have experimented with print publications in the last decade (Net-a-porter, Magnolia, Bumble). This will increase as brands are looking for omnichannel experiences that are sticky, experiential, and refreshing. The media entrepreneur in me could go on....but I'd rather hear your take. What do you think? Will print make a comeback?

16

10 Comments