Most Admired Media and Entertainment Companies to watch December2021

Tom Allen

Humanshavealwayshadastrongneedto

interactwithoneanother Thedrawingsand writingsonthecavewallsbearwitnessto this.Furthermore,becauseancientmenlackedaccess totechnology,theyusedthewallsasoneoftheir primaryformsofcommunication.

Technologyhasinnovatedtheformofcommunication,fromcavepaintingstostereoscopicfilmmaking, andmassmediaisoneofthebestwaysto(communicate)expressfeelings.Themediasectorhaschanged dramaticallythroughouttheyears,encompassing virtuallyeverygenre.Themediakeepsusupdated aboutcurrentevents,whichmakesitevenmore necessaryandbeneficialtosociety’sprogress.In addition,themediaandentertainment(M&E)industry hasbenefitedthebusinesssector.

Movingonfromcavepaintings,manuscripts,and engravedstones,Gutenbergcouldnothavepredicted howmassmediawouldpavethewayfortheAgeof Enlightenment,Renaissance,andscientificdevelopmentwhenhedisruptedthescribingindustryin1440. Itwouldhavebeenunthinkabletoarriveatthe sophisticatedmediaecosystemwehavetoday

Thewayindividualsconsume,distribute,andpayformedia hasevolvedfromlisteningtomusiconaniPodtocreatinga personalizedSpotifyplaylist,frompagerstosmartphones, andfromdailynewspaperstodigitalsubscriptions.Theway weinteractwithmediahaschangedthroughouttime.Asa result,itisclearthatthemediasectorwillnevergooutof business.

Themediaandentertainmentindustriesareundergoing hugedigitaltransformationsatthemoment.Accordingto research,theworldwidemediasectorisanticipatedto generate$2.6trillioninrevenueby2023.Digitalmedia accountsforhalfoftheentireincomeinthesector.Asthe audiencegrowsyearafteryear,smartphonedataconsumptionplaysabigroleinthis.

Tosummarize,aworldwithoutmediaisunthinkable.Ifwe lookaroundusnow,wecanseethattheworldissurroundedbyandreliantonmedia.

Themediaindustryisthemostpowerfulbusinesssectorin theworld,sellingtimeandspaceonnumerousmedia platforms.Mediahasreconstructedthelinkagesthatwe haveseenatvariouslevels,fromcontenttogadgets,

includingmeaningsystemsandproductionandconsumptionbehaviors.

Sincethedawnoftime,mediahasremainedrelatively stable,althoughthewaysinwhichitisconsumedhave evolvedovertime.Othermediaenterthehegemonicphase assoonasanewmediumarises,forcingtheoldmediato adapttothechangesandsurvive.Themediaindustry continuestore-establishitselfbycoexistingalongsidenew mediamediumsinthesameecosystem.

Facilitatingthisverycoexistenceofoldandnewwaysof mediaaretheMediaandEntertainmentcompanieswhich arecontinuouslylettingtheindustryevolveandthrive.To recognizesomeoftheseexceptionalcompaniesthatprovide adynamicplatformtopresentmedia,wecameupwiththis editionofInsightsSuccess-MostAdmiredMediaand EntertainmentCompaniestoWatch.Readthiseditionto knowmoreabouttheever-evolvingworldofMedia.

Haveanentertainingread!

Sumita Sarkar

C O N T E N T S

CoverStory

THE AI JOURNAL

One Platform for All Things AI, and Beyond

Featuring Brief CompanyName

Avalon avalonuk.com

DavidMartin

CEO

EncoreLive encorelive.com

EpidemicSound epidemicsound.com

Hearst hearst.com ITV itv.com

LeafGroup leafgroup.com

WalterKinzie

FounderandCEO

Avalonisaverticallyintegratedmanufacturingcompany. ItcaterstoseveralreputedIndustrygiantsandleadingOriginal EquipmentManufacturers(OEM’s).

EncoreLiveservesastheconnectionpointbetweenworldrenownedartists,brands,andindividualstoactivateunique concertexperiencesforfans.

SaraBörsvik CFO StevenSwartz PresidentandCEO CarolynMcCall CEO SeanMoriarty CEO

EpidemicSoundisaglobalMusicTechcompanyheadquartered inStockholm,Sweden,thatisonamissiontosoundtrackthe world.

Hearstisaleadingglobal,diversifiedmedia,information,and servicescompanywithmorethan360businesses.

ITVHub-thenewhomeofITVPlayer,ITVondemandand liveTV

LeafGroupbuildsenduring,creator-drivenbrandsthatreach passionateaudiencesinlargeandgrowinglifestylecategories.

NITL nitl.app

TheAIJournal aijourn.com

TheSpringhillCompany TheSpringHillCo.com

WayfarerStudios wearewayfarer.com

MaanasMediratta

CEO TomAllen Founder MaverickCarter ChiefStrategyOfficer

NITListransformingthewaypeopleconsumenewsforgood. Upgradetoabetternewsexperienceandstartimpactful conversations.

TheAIJournalprovidebusinessesofallsizesfromstartupsto SME'sthroughtopubliclytradedwiththemarketintelligence tomakeexceptionaldecisionsthatdeliversuccessfuland progressiveresults.

SpringHilldevelopsandproducesentertainmentinpartnership withthebiggestbrandsandplatformsintheworld.

SteveSarowitz Co-chairman

WayfarerStudiosisanindependentfinancialandproduction enginefocusedoncreatingradicallysincerefilmandtelevision contentthatisbothplatformandgenreagnostic.

THE AI JOURNAL

One AI Platform for All Things , and Beyond

“ “

My vision with The AI Journal will always be to educate as many people in the universe on AI and emerging technologies as possible.

Tom Allen Founder

“

It’s an exciting time, and I’m grateful for everyone that has been a part of, and will become a part of, The AI Journal “

Most Admired Media and Entertainment Companies to Watch

Mediocritywillbethedeathofart.Apainting,a poem,asculpture,asymphony;allartformsare pronetoextinctionifmediocritybecomesa calamity AreweonthesamepagewhenIsaythatahuman beingisalsoapieceofart?Idon’tintendtousesarcasm. YoumightalsothinkIamgoingoff-topic.Idon’tintendto dothateither.Iwanttobringtoyourattentiontheprofound ironyconceivedwhenapieceofart—YOU—resortsto mediocrity.Mypointstands;thedeathofart.”

Wouldyoubelieveusifwesaidthattheselineswere manufacturedusingthe Generative Pre-Training Transformer 3,‘anautoregressivelanguagemodel,which usesartificialintelligenceanddeeplearningtoproduce textsthatsimulatehumanwriting’,asdefinedbyOpenAI, thecompanythatcreatedtheGPT-3.

Frombeingathingoffictiontowritingfiction,artificial intelligenceismetamorphosingintoanyimaginable possibilityineveryimaginableway.Evenso,dowereally knowenoughaboutAI?Haveweexhaustivelystudiedits capabilities?SomesayAIisathreat,whileotherssayit’s notgreaterthanhumanintellect.Who’sgottheright answers?Orbetter,who’saskingtherightquestions? Weknowthesequestionsareregularvisitorstoyourthinkboxwheneveryouhearthewordsartificialintelligence.The mostimportantquestionbeing,‘isthereaplatform availabletogettherightinformationfromtheright people?’

Webelieve,TheAIJournal—aplatformforallnews, events,reports,insights,andcareeropportunitieswithinthe fieldofAIandemergingtechnologies—istheanswer.

FoundedbyTomAllen,TheAIJournalgetsinformation frompeopleacrosstheworldinrelevantrolestoshare insightintoeverythingrelatedtoAI.Inthisprocess,the platformisdemocratisingthewaypeoplelearnaboutthis technology

TheAIJournalisafree,open-sourceinformationhubfor users,withnofirewallsorlimitedreadability.“Wepublish freereportstogiveprimeexamples;connectpeoplewith thebestpeopletolearnfrom,suchas the free list of people to follow,soreaderscanintegratetheseideasandpickitup withtheirsocialchannelsfrompeoplewhoconsistently postaroundrelatedtopics,”saysTom.

ThePrologue

WeaskedTomonwhatgavehimtheideaoffoundingThe AIJournalandabouthisvisionfortheplatformgoing forward,towhichhesaid,“Asoneofmyrolesinan engineeringcompany,wesuppliedvariousautomation solutionsthatwoulduseamixtureoftechnologiessuchas machinevisioncombinedwithphysicalroboticsofvarious sizes.Iwentintothisrolewithlittleknowledgeonthe topics,whichwasahurdletogetover,aswaswritingup articles,casestudies,andwritingpress-relatedmaterials. Thisnaturallyledmetolookatandlearnabouttopicssuch asAI,automation,computervision,androboticsinmy sparetime.”

“I’mnotsayingitdidn’texistatthetime,butIcouldn’tfind realinsightsfrompeoplethatwereactuallyinvolvedin theseprojects.Thecontentavailablewasalwaysfocusedon explodingtopicssuchaswhichbusinessgotthelargest fundingroundorfromajournalistonwaysacompanywas innovating.Iwantedtounderstandfromthepeoplewho wereinthetrenches,whattheframeworkswere,bestuses, challengestowatchoutfor–frompeoplewhohave experience.ThatiswhatledmetotheideaofTheAI Journal.”

“Myvisionwiththeplatformwillalwaysbetoeducateas manypeopleintheuniverseonAIandemerging technologiesaspossible.Userengagementanduser experiencewillalwaysbethetwocorevaluesforTheAI Journal.We’rebringinginvariousnewserviceofferingsto connectpeople,helpbusinessesgainnewclientsthattrust them,educatepeopleinawaythatisdigestibleand accessible,continuebuildingacollaborativecommunity thatupliftseachotherwithsupport,andmostimportantof all–maketheplatformfunandmemorableforallusers!” Tomadds.

TomhasbeenatthehelmofTheAIJournal’searlysuccess. Sharingdetailsintohisprofessionaljourneysofar,hesays, “I’mamarketeratheart.Connectingapersonwithastory, sotheyhavethatemotionalattachmentisanareaIenjoy.I alsoloveconnectingpeopletogethertocreateanetwork withopportunitiesforsuccessandresultsbetweenpeople andbusinesses.”

“MajorityofwhatIamyettocontributeisaheadofmeand willbefuelledbytheongoingsuccessofTheAIJournal. I’mconfidentthatwe’vehelpeddemocratisethesharingof knowledgebyreducingthecosttohigh-qualityaccessand reportsthatyouhavetopayotherbusinessestensof thousandsofpoundsfor Andhavingmadepeopleawareof alltheconferencesthatareavailabletothemtolearnfrom.”

“We’vehelpedbrandsthroughournewaudiencetoreach peopleconsistentlywithmessagesthatarerelevanttotheir audience.AndweplanforthattogrowalongsideTheAI Journal’sengagedaudience,”statesTom.

OvercomingAdversities

GivinginsightsintothechallengesimposeonTheAI JournalbytheCOVID-19pandemicandthewayheandhis teampivotedfromthosechallenges,Tomsays,“Westarted atthebeginningofthepandemic,justaspeoplewere hearingandlearningaboutthewordCOVID-19.It’sbeena silverliningforusastheworldhasbeenmoreaccessibleto connectwith,whichwillhavelikelybeenhardertoconnect withthepeopleandbusinesseswenowhavesuper relationshipswith,includingplacessuchasSanFrancisco, Washington,Nashville,NewYork,Santiago,Belfast, Berlin,Geneva,Paris,Dubai,Singapore,andSydney.”

“It’shorriblewhat’shappenedwiththepandemic.IfIcould manipulatetime,sothepandemicneverhappened,Iwould. Wouldnevervalueabusiness—regardlessofitsvaluation, product,valuetothemarketplace,orallbusinessesinthe worldcombinedforthatmatter—asmoreimportantthana humanlife.Buttherehavebeenpositivesthathavecome outofitforTheAIJournal,asI’msuretherehavebeen withcountlessotherbusinessesofallsizes,andwe’ve embracedandcontinuetoembraceasmanyofthe opportunitiesaswecan.We’rearemoteteamwiththe strategytocontinuehiringpeopleacrosstheworldtoreach ourglobalaudience.Don’twanttothinkwhatTheAI Journal’sclimatefootprintwouldbeintenyearsfromnow ifwewereallbasedoutofLondon,goingtodifferentparts oftheworldonaregularbasistogetfacetimewith people.”

“It’simportanttomethatthebusinessoperatesona4-day week(withexceptionstoattendingconferencesfromThe AIJournal’samazingmediapartners)andkeepflexibilityto ouroperationsasitsimportanttoputtheteam’shealthand wellbeingfirst.Anaspectthata4-dayweeksupports.I wouldn’tsayit’sachallenge,butsomethingwenoticedis thatwithouttheteam’swellbeing,andiftheyaredrainedof

energy,thebusiness,friendlinesswithclients,and productivitysuffersasaresult.That’snotgoodforanyone oranybusiness,community,individualsweengagewith andsomethingthatwewanttoneverbepresentinTheAI Journal,internallyandexternally.”

CriticalOpinions

Whenaskedforhisopinionontheimpactofadopting artificialintelligencewithinthemediaandentertainment space,Tomsaidthatithasbarelytouchedthesidesandthat AIisstillinitsinfancy.Healsobelievesthattheinclusion ofAIinthisindustrywillhelpremovealotofheadlines thatarenotaccurateandlowertheamountoffakenews thatwesee,eventuallyhelpingpeoplesignificantlytoget theinformationtheyneedtomakedecisions.

Talkingaboutthepossiblefutureofthemediaand entertainmentindustryintermsofleveragingAI,Tomsays, “We’realreadytriallingsoftwarerobotsorAIwriting storiesandmakingfilms,it’snotcurrentlythatgreat althoughimpressive,andthat’swhereitseemstobegoing. Businesseswillbeabletomaximisegeneratingcontentthat isrelevanttowhattheyneed,matcheswiththeircontent calendarandtrendinginformation,forexample.”

“Idoubttherewillevernotbejournalists,filmdirectors, actors,producers,andsoonastheycanemotionallyreactto asituationthatprovidescreativityfornewsituations,ideas, andstories.Incontrast,AIislargelydrivenbydataandpast events,makingitderivative,andthismakesittrickyforAI tocomeupwithnewideasthatmightnotmatchthedata butbeagreatnewangleofthinking.”

“IdoseeAIsparkingthehumancreativityaswellwithnew anglesoflookingatasituationordecidingwhattypeof filmaHollywoodstudioshoulddonextwithwhatcastand crewtomatchthatfilmorseriestoincreasechancesofa boxofficehit.However,IcanseebotsandAIdoingthe tasksthatarelastonpeople’sto-dolistsormightbea nuisancetodoandnottakingmuchcognitivethinking whiletakingtime.Leavingmoretimeforcreativityand betteruseofhumancognitivethinkingandfocusonother moreimportanttasks.”

BequeathingtheKeystoSuccess

Asadvicetobuddingentrepreneurswhoaspiretoventure intothemediaandentertainmentspace,Tomsays,“Ifyou wanttodoit,youshoulddoitortryit.Ignorepessimists wholookateveryreasonwhyyoucan’tdoit;they’renot

Best w by doing. A running a busine you do a lot of t It mak more v giving y basic underst of c

“

muchfuntobearound.Bestwaytolearnisbydoing.And byrunningabusiness,youdoalotofthings.Itmakesyour skillsetmorevaluablewhilegivingyouawiderbasic understandingofconcepts.I’mamarketerandnever thoughtI’dbeinpublishing.Onething’sforcertain,lifeis boundtoendsomeday.Mightaswellspendthattime workingtowardssomethingthatyou’reaspiringtodo,such asamediaorentertainmentbusiness.”

“I’dabsolutelyloveforallmyteammemberstohaveaside gigthattheydoinsparetimeoronaFriday,whetherthat’s aneCommercestore,blog,petwalkingservice,travel reviewsite,etc.Showstheyhaveapassionforsomething,I canlearnfromthem(whichiswhateveryownershould aspiretodo,havepeoplesurroundthemthatcanteachthem andownthethingstheycan’t),andtheycanbetrustedwith theirowninterests.Can’tspeakforanyoneelse,butit’s exactlywhatwewantteammemberstohaveatTheAI Journal.Ifthebusinessdoeswell,I’llencouragemyteamto tellme;I’llhappilybethefirstonetolookatinvestingin it!”

“Whenyou’reinentertainmentandmedia,youneedto thinkwhereyou’regoingtogetengagementandattention. Sure,everybusinesswantsthat,butacompanyselling software,inmycurrentopinion,whichcouldbewrong,is measuredonaspectssuchastheproduct,howitintegrates withtheirplatform,andhowitwillgetataskdonequicker Theentertainmentandmediaindustryisbasedonother aspectsasgettingtheclientsnameinfrontofrelevant brands.Howcanyourbusinessgenerateleads?Howcan yourplatformgettheirbrandinfrontofthelargeaudience you’veamassedforsomethingasspecificasratingmovies? Howareyougoingtoentertainyouraudience?”

“Startingsmall,measuringwhat’sworking,followingyour gutfeeling,andtakinghugeamountsofactiontowhat you’repicturinginyourheadorwhatoutcomeyouwant, aretheaspectsthatwillmakeyouunstoppable.Don’teven botherspendingyourtimelookingatcompetitors.Themore timeandenergyyougivethem,thelesstime,energyand focusyou’regivingyourbusinessandpassion.Youcan’t controlwhattheydo,andyoushouldbeforfair competitionwhateverindustryornicheyou’rein.Focuson yourteam,customer,userbase,andyou’llbeflyingahead ofthecompetition.Withalotmoreenergyandfocusas well.”

TheEpilogue

WhenitcomestohisvisionforscalingTheAIJournal’s operationsin2021andfurther,Tomsaysthatthrough2021 theplatformisaddingsupporttotheoperationsitcurrently has.Hesaysthathisteamisalwaysaimingtolookthree yearsaheadtomeetthebigger10,15-,and20-yearvision. Headdsthatthereareaspectsthathaveworked,suchasthe awards,reports,andwebinarsareofferingsthattheywill continuetorollout,andtherehavebeenaspectsthat haven’tworkedorweren’tattherighttime.

“Welookatourselvesasaninformationhub,nota publication.Anyrouteorstrategywherewecangetmore impactfulinformation,helpcompaniesgetthatinformation theyneed,giveuserstheinsightstosucceedorbecome moreknowledgable,andengagebusinesses,communities, andindividualswiththerelevantaudience,issomething we’realwaysgoingtofollow,”Tomexpressed.

“We’vegotgoalstohitwithaninitialroadmaptointegrate withuniversitiesandhelpstudentsgetbetteraccessto trainingfromtheprosinthefield.Wearealsoaimingto helpinvestmentcompanies,VCs,andangelinvestorsmake betterandincreasinglyaccuratedecisionswithfinding companies,individuals,andopportunitiesthatareasound investmentandadditionallyanalysingthemarket landscape.It’sanexcitingtime,andI’mgratefulfor everyonethathasbeenapartof,andwill

apartof, TheAIJournal,”heconcluded.

become

“

I do see the AI sparking human creativity as well with new angles of looking at a situation or deciding what type of film a should Hollywood studio do next with what cast and crew to match that film or series to increase chances of a box office hit.

Epidemic Sound

Limitless Music That Empowers You

Wehumansareambitiouscreatureswhodwellin themadnessofourowncreativity.This creativityhasconceivedmanygreatthings–musicbeingaprominentoneamongthem.

Weoftenexpressourfeelingsthroughmusic,makingitan essentialaspectofhumanlife.Oneofthebestthingsabout musicingeneralisthatitopensupawholenewuniverseof experiencethatimprovesmental,physical,andexpressive abilities.Musichasvarieddegreesofcharactersthat refreshesthemindandcanhealourmood.

Musicalsoallowsustofeelpotentiallyalloftheemotions weexperienceinourlife,whichiscrucial.Ithastheability toliftsomeone’sspiritsandstimulatethem.Ifmusicis blendedwithanexcellentcontent,itleadstoasoulsoothingcreation.

Tomakesuchacreation,EpidemicSoundisoneofthe bestplatformsthatbuildsauniqueatmosphereofartsand artists.EpidemicSoundisamusicTechcompanyfocused onitsmissionofsoundtrackingtheworld.

InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,SaraBörsvik,the ChiefFinancialOfficerofEpidemicSoundshedslighton thecompany’sjourney,itsofferings,andthefuture endeavorsofthecompany.

PleasebriefouraudienceaboutEpidemicSound,its USPs,andhowitiscurrentlypositionedasaleading nameinthemediaandentertainmentindustry.

EpidemicSound,themarket-leadingplatformfor restriction-freemusic,isheadquarteredinStockholm,heard aroundtheglobeandonamissiontosoundtracktheworld.

,,

,,

Itistheleadingpartnerforartistsandmusiccreatorswho wanttobuildanaudience,makealiving,andthrivethrough music.EpidemicSoundisbuildingauniqueecosystemof creativesthatengagewithusforacommonpurpose—to thrivethroughmusicandachievecreativeandcommercial success.

EpidemicSoundwasfoundedin2009tosolvetwo problems:musiclicensingwastimeconsumingand complicatedforstorytellers,andthemajorityofmusicians didn’tgetfinancialorcreativestabilityinthetraditional musicindustry

EpidemicSound’sco-founders,OscarHöglundandJan Zachrisson(SwedishTVproducerswhohaveworkedon productionssuchasTheGirlwiththeDragonTattoo),and PeerÅströmandDavidStenmarck(successfulmusicians withover220entriesontheUSBillboardworkingwiththe likesofMadonnaandCelineDion),hadexperiencedthese problemsfirsthandandsetouttosolvethemtogetherwith HjalmarWinbladh,aserialdigitalentrepreneurwho foundedtheworld’sfirstmobileinternetcompany,Sendit (whichwasacquiredbyMicrosoftin1999).

AbouttheLeader

Sara Börsvik joined Epidemic Sound in April 2021. Before that, she worked at Sweden’s leading publishing house, Bonnierförlagen, which works closely with creators to spread “stories that touch, inform, entertain and develop.”

Most recently, she held the posion of CEO, overseeing a 40% increase in profits and a milestone year in which the company sold more books than ever before in its 183-year history. This followed snts as both CFO and COO and her tenure at the company also saw her named as Sustainable Leader of the Year in 2019.

Prior to Bonnierförlagen, she was CFO at the fast-growing tech company, Rebtel, and held a management posion at the listed business, Tele2 – one of Sweden’s leading telecom operators. With more than ten years of senior leadership experience, B örsvik has also been recognized as one of Sweden’s 125 most powerful women in business.

To Epidemic Sound, Börsvik brings with her significant industry knowledge as well as experience of building processes that can scale not only the business model, but also internal structures, which is the key for a fast-growing company like Epidemic Sound.

TodayEpidemicSoundhasofficesinsixmajorcitiesacross theglobe:Stockholm,NewYork,LosAngeles,Seoul, Hamburg,andAmsterdam.Thecompanyhasdemocratized accesstomusicforstorytellers.Itsinnovativedigitalrights modelpavesthewayforcreators–everyonefrom YouTubers,andsmallbusinessestotheworld’slargest brands–touserestriction-freemusictotaketheircontentto thenextlevel,whilstsimultaneouslysupportingthe musiciansitworkswithbothfinanciallyandcreatively.

Tellusmoreaboutyourofferings,throughwhichyou haveascertainedyourstrongholdwithinthemediaand entertainmentspace.

Ourmodelhelpsmusiccreatorsmakealivinginmusic,and digitalstorytellerstomaketheirstorycometolifewith music.EpidemicSoundtakesthecomplexityoutof creating,finding,andusingmusic—breakingdownbarriers inthetraditionalmusicindustry.Thankstoourdirect licensingmodel,ourmusiccomeswithallthenecessary rightsincludedandcanbeclearedforallplatforms worldwide.

Wepartnerwithartistsandmusiccreatorstoproduce original,world-classmusicfortheEpidemicSoundplayer. Ourplayerholdsover35,000tracksand90,000sound effects,whichareusedbyourglobalnetworkofcontent creators,brands,andpartnerstoelevatetheirvideosand productions.

Beinganexperiencedleader,shareyouropiniononwhy adoptingmoderntechnologiesisnecessaryforthemedia andentertainmentindustryandhowyouhaveleveraged thesetechnologiestodeliveryourofferings?

Theneedforadoptingmoderntechnologiesisnotuniqueto themediaandentertainmentindustrybutisindeed applicabletoallindustries.Thecompaniesthatdon’tadapt tomoderntechnologydon’tstandachance.I’veusedthese technologiestomybenefitbybeingcurious,adaptive,and agile.

ConsideringtheCOVID-19pandemic,whatchallenges didyouface,andhowareyoucurrentlysustaining operationswhileensuringthesafetyofyouremployees?

Sinceweareafast-growingcompany,theimportanceof companyculturecannotbestressedenough,andthe pandemichasofcoursemadethatchallenging,with everyoneworkingfromhome.However,asourproductis digital,we’vebeenluckyintermsofhowthepandemichas affectedus.Keepingouremployeessafeisatoppriorityfor usandwemakesuretofollowlocalrestrictionsand regulationseverywherewehaveoffices.

Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothemediaandentertainment space?

Myrecommendationtoyoungleadersandbudding entrepreneurswhoaspiretoventureintomediaand entertainmentwouldbetotapintomacrotrends,suchasthe riseofvideoasaformatandthegrowthofthecreator economy.Forexample,accordingtoCisco,bynextyear, onlinevideosareexpectedtomakeupmorethan82percent ofallconsumerinternettraffic,whichis15timeshigher thanthatofin2017.

HowdoyouenvisionscalingEpidemicSound’s operationsandofferingsin2022andfurther?

Theinternetisahugeplace,andwe’vejustgotstarted.Our productiscurrentlyonlyavailableinEnglish.We’re lookingtorampupourfocusonglobalexpansionand increaseourinvestmentsinmusic.Afterall,thereare contentcreatorsallovertheworldlookingfortheperfect soundtracktotheirvideos!

AppreciationofExcellence

“Epidemic Sound has introduced me to an incredible community of producers, songwriters, and collaborators, while introducing my music to an audience of content creators and music lovers worldwide.”

– King Sis, one of Epidemic Sound’s music creators.

“Epidemic Sound has enabled me to turn my passion into a career. I never thought I’d be able to make a living through music—now I work with extremely talented producers and arsts I’d never have met without them.”

– Pandaraps, one of Epidemic Sound’s music creators.

"The results from using Epidemic Sound's music in our videos have been staggering, with longer watch me and higher engagement.”

– Andy Mackenzie, Head of Audio and Films, The Telegraph.

SettingNewBenchmarks

Epidemic Sound’s music is played more than 1.5 billion hours per month on an average on YouTube.

The company’s music catalog is used by leading content creators, broadcasters, ad agencies, and world-renowned brands all over the world to take their producons to the next level.

In 2019, Epidemic Sound was named as the second fastest growing Swedish technology company on the Financial Times’ list of Europe’s fastest-growing companies.

The company’s player holds over 35,000 tracks and 90,000 sound effects, which are used by our global network to elevate their videos and producons.

In March 2021, Epidemic Sound became a unicorn aer closing a $450 million round at a $1.4 billion valuaon, teaming up with EQT Growth and Blackstone Growth ‘BXG’. As global demand for restricon-free music connues to explode, the funds will be used to further accelerate the plaorm’s customer acquision and invest even more aggressively in its core user experience.

Technology,science,anddigitalizationhave

completelychangedthewayweconsumenewsor eveninformationtoday.Lookingaroundourselves, weareconstantlysurroundedbyinformationindifferent forms.Digitalizationandbusinesseshavefoundawayto maketheiraudienceconsumeinformationthroughdifferent mediumswithmoreinnovativemeans.However, digitalizationandtheriseofsocialmediamadeitmuch easierforustoconsumeinformation.

Traditionallythewayweconsumedinformationwas throughbooks,newspapers,radio,television,orwordof mouth.Beingtheonlysourceofinformation,traditional mediawereconsideredthemostreliablesourcefor consuminginformation.

Socialmediaslowlyevolvedandbegantodeliverinformationtousers.Itwasnotaone-dayprocessthatmadesocial mediaaplacetoconsumeinformation.Today,thereliability

ofconsuminginformationonsocialmediaplatformsis questionedbymanyusersaroundtheworld.Thoughitis quitehardtofigureoutifsocialmediaisareliablesourceto consumeinformationornot?Letusbrieflypointoutafew prosandconsofsocialmediaregardingtheconsumptionof informationandthendecideitforourselves.

Agatewaytonewandinnovativeideas

Thereisnohidingthefactthatsocialmediahaschanged thelifeofmanypeopleacrosstheworld.Theeasethatit providesinassessingtheinformationissimplyremarkable. Socialmediaissoflexiblethatitprovidesinformationin almostalltypes.Overtheyears,socialmediahasboosted manybusinessesandpromotedartiststofacilitatetheir creativityandartformonlinethroughsocialmedia.

AccordingtoPatientsLikeMe,around11%ofthetotal Americanpopulationusessocialmediafornewhealth

information.Thisshowstheflexibilitythatsocialmedia providesfornewideas.Apartfromthat,ithasalwaysbeen awaytomeetnewpeopleandstayconnectedwiththemall thetime.Formorethan40%ofthepeoplewhorelyupon socialmediaforpoliticalnewsfindnewideasand perceptionsregardingtrendingpoliticaltopics.

Quicknessandtheimmortalityofinformation

DidyouknowthatTwitterwasthefirstplatformthatbroke thenewsoftheTsunamiandearthquakeinJapanin2008? Well,thisdefinesthecredibilityandquicknessofsocial mediaifusedproperly.Beingamediumwherethereisno barriertoconveyingtheinformation,socialmediagives youthelibertytoaccessinformationindifferentformsat anygivenmoment.Videos,text,audio,motiongraphics, GIF,etc.,socialmediamakesconsumptionandsharingof informationeasyandconvenient.Thisquickriseintheuse ofsocialmediagaveriseto‘mobilejournalism,’awayto practicejournalismwithmobileandsharethenewsand informationviasocialmediaortheinternet.

Apartfromthat,theinformationonsocialmediastaysthere forever.Unlesstheuserortheplatformdecidestoremoveit fromthesystem.Socialmediaislikealibraryandeven archivesforallsortsofinformationthatisonceuploaded there.Alongwiththat,socialmediaprovidesexternal hyperlinksthatmakeiteasierfortheusertoaccess additionalinformation.Todaymanyphotographersand artistsuseittodumptheirphotographsandartwork,asit notonlystoresitbutalsoputsitupfordisplaytotheworld.

Misleadingfactsandfakenews

Quicknessoftenaffectsthecredibilityoftheinformation. Manypeopleacrosstheworldareavictimofmisleading factsthatkeepsoncirculatingonsocialmedia.Oneofthe mostmisleadingfactsisregardingthequoteswhich, accordingtothatpost,aresaidbyfamouspersonalities. Whereasthepersoninreallifeneversaidit.Thisisnot entirelytrueassuchquotesarenotpublishedbycredible sources.

Totrustornottotrustthesocialmediaplatformsentirely dependsonthepostandreliabilityofthesourceof

information.Withtheriseofsocialmedia,theriseoffake newsorincorrectinformationalsoincreased.Accordingto PewResearchSurveyCentre,morethan50%ofAmerica consumesnewsthroughsocialmedia.Fakenewsand incorrectinformationarelikegossipsthatarenottobe believedunlessitiscross-checked.Also,socialmediabeing aplacewheretheinformationisoverloadedhelpsthefake informationspreadquickly

Areyouincontroloftheinformationyouconsume throughSocialMedia?

Ifyouusesocialmedia,thenaskyourselfthisquestion,‘are youincontroloftheinformationyouconsumeonsocial media?’Onemightstronglyargueaboutit,sayingyes,as socialmediagivesyouthecontrolofwhomtofollowand whatkindofcontentyouwanttosee.Indeed,wewhouse socialmediaarenotincontroloftheinformationwe consumethroughit.

Itisthealgorithmthatdecideswhatcontenttoshowus, dependingonouractivitiesonsocialmedia.

Basically,socialmediaprovidesyoucontentthatyoulike andwhatyoumostlyrelatewith.Alongwiththat,social mediaisaboutconnectingandthetimespentonother’s contentmakesusvividlyconsumeinformationthatwe mightnotevenrequire.Inshort,alongwithyourbusiness marketingcompanies,yourfollowersandfollowing,and thesocialmediaalgorithmareincontroloftheinformation youconsumethroughsocialmedia.Thisisnotacredible waytoconsumeinformationifyouarenotcompletelyin control.

Havingsaidthat,abovearetheprosandconsofthe consumptionofinformationonsocialmedia.Itisnow completelyuptoushowweconsumeinformationthrough socialmedia.Socialmedia’smainmotiveisconnectivity, andithasdonethatwonderfullyovertheyears.Now,asit isbecomingamajorsourceofinformationformany,make sureyourtrustinformationonlyfromreliablesourcesand notblindlytrustthatpopsuponyoursocialmediafeed.As forthereliabilityoftheconsumptionofinformation throughsocialmediaplatforms,itcompletelydependson thesourceandtheplatform.Alongwithyoubeinga conscioususer

-Ashlesh Khadse

Christian de Boer

Time to Stop

Pledging & Start Acting

by Christian de Boer, Managing Director, Jaya House River Park

Asamasstourismdestination,Cambodiastaysabit intheshadowsofitsbiggerneighbourssuchas ThailandandVietnam.Withmorethan90%ofits tourismarrivalsmakingitintotheawe-inspiringsiteof AngkorArchaeologicalSitebeforemovingon,thecountry oftheKhmerisanunmissablestoponanyIndochina itinerary.

WhileotherpartsofCambodiaremainslightlyinits shadows,theslowyetdecisivemeanstogrowbeyondthis UNESCOWorldHeritageSitearestampedinthecountry’s marketingplan.Creatingawarenesstotheinternational travelcommunity,whilestayingontrackwithcontinuous effortstomarketingbeyondtheAngkortempleruins,is seenasacollaborativeeffortfromlocalsuppliersand accommodationproviders.

TheideatoexpandthatwhatisCambodiatoo–small businessownersorhome-stayprojectswithhuesof authenticityflowinginabundancebetweensunriseand sunsetinmoreruralregions–dependonafewthatarekeen togetthesedestinationsonthemap.

Educationistheprimarypillar.Acentralizedapproachof howtomarketthesequaintestablishmentswithamutual vision,mission,andcorevaluesisanother.Itmustbea win-winsituationforall,andthismustincludethe environment.

Plastic does not belong in a travel scenario when demands for authentic experiences fuel wanderlust.

Tourismisafunnybusinessfromthisperspective. Hospitalityandtravelbusinessestendtoblastout wonderfulideas,conductingstudygroups,seminarsabout responsibletourismandpresentations.Theyplan,rethink,

travelanddraftoutnumerouspageswhileblastawayonthe socialstheyare‘workingtowardssustainability’. Announcingplanstolaunchtheirgooddeedsin5,10,or evenlongerfromnow Talkingabouttakingitseriously

Sustainableinitiativesslowlyfadeawaylikesnowunder themorningsunwhenthereisnomeasurableshort-term gain.

Afewmavericksinthetravelindustrylistentothe consumer,knowexactlythatspreadingoutthetourism wingstoallcornersofGreaterCambodiabenefitsthewhole industry Theseoutspokenpurveyorsofsustainabilityfillin thevoidofwhatmodern-daytravellerwants–authenticity withoutmodern-dayeyesoresandpollutionissues.They activelyengagewiththeselocalentrepreneursinexplaining thewantsandneedstokeeptourismnotonlysustainable butwithahigh-educationalaspect.

Whatwewanttoseenowisalsowhatwewanttoshowto orfuturegenerations.Thesefamily-runbusinessesmaylack skillsandknowledgeonhowtomanageandmaintaina sustainabletourismproject.Bereftofthisknowledge,they tendtoseekouttheseuniquespecialistswhohavethedrive tothinklong-termandlistentothedemandsofdiscerned travellerswithanauthenticstreak.

Today’sdiscernedtravellerexpectsauthenticity.Beit standinginlinetotakethatInstagram-perfectshotor standingknee-deepinaricepaddyfield.Vantagepoints withlittletonoobstructionofwhateverisdepositedby equallyimage-savvytravellers.Themorevisitorsa destinationreceives,thebiggerthechangesthatpollutionof anykindisplacedineverynookandcrannyofwhereonce emperorsandkingsroamedfreely.Itisjustthenameofthe tourismgame.

Plasticisaseriouscontendertotakethefirstpriceinthis contest.

Thereisaquotethatresonatesacrossthesocialswhen sustainabletravelisatopic,saying“TakeOnlyMemories, LeaveOnlyFootprints.”ThequoteisbyaformerIndian leadercalledChiefSeattle,andperfectlyencapsulates wherethetourismindustrymustheadtowards.

Sustainable,orregenerative,tourismonlyfunctionswhen long-termplanstofollowinthefootstepofChiefSeattle’s wordsarehonoured.Weallwanttoexplorethelesserknownasitwashundredsofyearsago.Asceniclandscape, watchingthesunsetwhilethesmellsoftraditionalKhmer cuisinefillstheair.Whodoesn’tdreamaboutthis?

Whenweumbrellaalltheplansfromleadingtourismand hospitalityproviderstogether,weallstrivetodeliver authenticity.Deliveringthisexperiencerequiresseriously consideringeducatingalllayersofthetourismsectorabout theilleffectsofhowourdrivetoexplorebeyondthe troddenpathcanaffectthecountry'simage.

Andasweallknow,motivationisfleeting.Motivationis neveraconstant.

Action to keep that level of authenticity for generations to come must start now And not as a side project, scheduled to commence 5, 10 years from now. Or in 2050, according to a recent blast from a well-known international hotel chain.

Andtobesuccessful,consistencyisessential.Itseffects mustworklikearippleeffectwithinandoutsideitsborders.

AsasmallmaverickintheCambodianhospitalityindustry, theJayaHouseRiverParkinSiemReaphaskeptitsword tothedeedinbeingthedrivingforceofnotonlyshowing theauthenticsideofKhmerhospitality.Since2016,ithas effectivelyandsuccessfullyeradicatedallsingle-useplastic outofitsboutiqueproperty.

ButknowingthatCambodiaismorethanjustSiemReap, itsownershavebeenthedrivingforcebehindRefillNot Landfill,anot-for-profitorganization.Itaimstocreate awarenesstocutoutsingle-useplasticcompletely,educate aboutproperwatermanagement,andputtingeducationat theforefrontofitscorevalues.ItsManagingDirectorhas beenofficiallyappointedasanambassadorforthe

UNWTO,WTO,andtheEllenMacArthurFoundationsasa spokespersontoeliminatesingle-useplasticoutofour lives.

Actingconsistentlyonitsaimnottoleavethesmall businessownerleftaside,JayaHouseRiverPark’songoing effortsnowseethatmuch-neededrippleeffect.Resonating beyondtheKhmerborders,surroundingcountriesandother businesseswithintheSiemReapcommunityareeagerto followintheirfootsteps.

Alsotouchingonthehealthdamagesplastichasonthe humanbody,JayaHouseRiverParkhasteamedupwitha Bangkok-basedhealthcompany,TheThriveApproach,in spreadingthismessagebeyondtheearlierauthenticand environmentalpointsofview.

AsNielsSteemanofTheThriveApproachstates,“The incrementaluseofplasticwaterbottlesispronetohavea detrimentaleffectonourhealth.Thereleaseofso-called microplasticsinmass-producedplasticmayaccumulateto upto20kilogrammesofnoteasy-to-digestmaterialinour bodyduringourlife.Scienceaffirmsthatmodern-day diseasesandbirthdefectsmaybedirectlycorrelatedtoour unconsciousconsumptionofplastic”.

Thebenefitsofauthenticallymaintaininglocaltraditions outweightheshort-termgains.Thiscomeswithconsidering thatourfuturegenerationisaskeentoseewhattheAngkor Kingsofolddidseecenturiesago.Orwitnessafarmer ploughingthroughhisfamily-ownedfieldswithhisbuffalo asthesunisrisingabovethehorizon,welcominganother dayinCambodia.

Plasticdidnotexistatthattime.

Plasticdoesnotbelonginatravelscenariowhendemands forauthenticexperiencesfuelwanderlust.Plasticwillhave noplaceforfuturetravelgenerations,whowillbekeenon seekingthatgenuinelookandfeelofanydestinationinthe world.

COVID-19

OTT Platforms

Thecoronaviruspandemiccausedamassive

imbalanceacrossindustries.Thetraditional businesseswerestrugglingforsurvivalandhoping forthereopeningofthemarkets.Ontheotherhand,digital businessplatformsbecamethesourceofinformation, entertainment,education,etc.,fortheworld.Theoptions fortheaudiencewerelimited,presentingaperfectopportunityforOvertheTop(OTT)platformstogivethemselves therequiredboost.

OTTplatformswereagrowingindustryevenbeforethe startoftheCOVID-19pandemic.WiththeCompound AnnualGrowthRate(CAGR)of16%,theOTTplatform industryhadanestimatedvalueof$110billion.However, afterasuddenlockdownacrosstheworld,thegrowthand demandfortheOTTplatformsskyrocketed.Thecurrent evaluatedvalueoftheOTTplatformindustry,accordingto ResearchDive,is$438.5billion.Apartfromthat,the marketisestimatedtogrowby19%bytheyear2026.

So,whatexactlytriggeredthegrowthofOTTplatformsin thiscoronaviruspandemic?Let’sexplorethisindetail:

Pandemiccreatingafavorablesituation

Thecoronaviruspandemicdisruptedthetraditionalmarket, whichforcedthetemporaryclosingofthelocalmarketplace,shoppingmalls,theatres,etc.Thisforcedstepmade peoplestayindoors.Theonlyoptionthatwasleftforthe commonpeoplewastoturntoOTTplatformsforalmost everypurpose.

ThealreadygrowingdemandforNetflix,AmazonPrime Video,AppleTV,andotherpopularOTTplatformscaused adebateofOTTplatformsreplacingtheatres,whichfora briefperiodseemedareality.Astheaudienceturnedtoa moreflexibleandcomfortablemediumforentertainment,it resultedinthedemandfortheOTTplatform.Apartfrom entertainment,othersourcesforeducationandinformation alsochanged.Astheonlypossiblewaytoreachthe customer,otherindustriesalsostartedrelyingupontheOTT platform,causingrapidgrowthintheindustry

Demandandsupply

Therestrictedmovementofthepeopleforcedmanypeople tochooseOTTplatformsasamodeofentertainment.Even governmentsacrosstheworldsupporteddigitalmeansto keepeveryonesafeandcontainthespreadofthevirus.The increasingdemandfortheOTTplatformsincreasedasit seemedliketheonlywaythroughthepandemic.Eventhe advancedtechnologysupportedthegrowththatagain triggeredthedemandfortheOTTplatform.

Asthedemandincreased,theconsumptionofcontentover theplatformsalsoincreased.ItnowbecametheresponsibilityoftheOTTplatformstokeepupwiththeincreasing demandofthecustomers.Duetotheuncertaintyinthe traditionalmarket,theprojectsthatweresupposedtobe releasedintheatresturnedtoOTTplatforms.Alongwith theseadditionalprojects,theoriginalprojectsofthe platformsalsoaddedtothesupplychainoftheplatforms. Anobstacleforthetraditionalmarketinthepandemic presentedanopportunityfortheOTTplatformsthat triggeredthegrowth.

TheflexibilityoftheOTTplatforms

TheOTTplatformsprovidedtheflexibilitythatmadeit morecomfortablefortheuserstoopttotheplatformeasily Theadvancementintechnologyallowedtheprovidersto providehigh-qualitycontent.Onthecontrary,theflexibility ofusingtheOTTplatformsonmobiles,TVs,computers, etc.,allowedtheuserstoconsumethehighqualitytheway theypreferred.

Alongwiththat,thelibertyofchoosingthecontentgave customerstheoptiontobrowseandchoosetowatchfrom thecontentthattheypreferred.Eventhesimplerand engaginguserinterface,whichalsoprovidedprivacyto users,resultedinthefavourabilityoftheplatforms.Even beforethecoronaviruspandemic,itwastheflexibilitythat theseplatformsprovidedthatwasthekeygrowthfactorfor theOTTindustry.Thelibertyofchoosingthecontentand consumingitastheypleaseagainhelpedinincreasingthe popularityofOTTplatformsinthepandemic.

Innovativepricingmodel

Thecompaniespricedtheirserviceinsuchawaythat allowedtheusertoeasilyaccessthecontent.Netflix introducedmobilestreamingbeforethepandemicmadeit easierfortheuserstopersonalizeandusethestreaming platformeasily.Disney+andAmazonPrimehavea competitivepricingrange,whichmakestheusersaccess differentgenreseasilyandeffectively

EventhesportingeventsgainedpopularityoftheOTT platforms.Aslatertherestrictionswereeased,andsports wereallowedtobeplayedincloseddoors.Thisalso attractedmanysportsloversandcomparedtothat,a competitivepricethatwasaffordableforeveryonehelpedin increasingthepopularityoftheOTTplatforms.

Eventhoughthecoronaviruspandemicwillceasetoexist oneday,andeverythingwillreturntonormalcy,itcannot beignoredthattheOTTplatformshavemadeapermanent placeinthemodernmarket.Thepandemiccreateda favorablesituationfortheplatformstoflourish.Eventhe strategiesusedbytheplatformsmadethemapartofmost ofourlives.Asthesayinggoes,‘Someone’strashis another’streasure’suitsperfectlyfortheOTTplatformsin theCOVID-19pandemic.

-Ashlesh Khadse

Revolutionizing the Digital Space through Blended Experiences Leaf Group

Digitalmediahasgrowninpopularityoverthelast fewdecades.Asmoreandmorepeopleareusing smartphonesandlaptopsforentertainment,digital mediacompanieshavebeenabletocreatecompletelynew waystoreachthedemandofaudience.Peoplecan instantaneouslyaccesstheirfavoriteshows,games,and newsfrompracticallyanywhereintheworldwithjusta click.

Fromsocialmediatosmartphoneapplications,digital mediacontinuestobeadrivingforce.Giventhatmajority ofthesocietyusessmartphones,theinfluenceofdigital mediaappearstoberapidlygrowing.

Lookingatthisgrowth,LeafGroup,adigitalmedia company,starteditsendeavortoreachthepassionate audience.LeafGroupisadiversifiedconsumerinternet companythatbuildsplatformsacrossthemediaand marketplaceproperties.

InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,SeanMoriarty,the CEOofLeafGroup,shedslightonthecompany’,its offerings,andthefutureofdigitalmediaspace.

PleasebriefouraudienceaboutLeafGroup,itsUSPs, andhowitiscurrentlypositionedasaleadingnamein themediaandentertainmentindustry.

LeafGroupisthelargestdigitalmediacompanywithamix ofbothe-commercebrandslikeSociety6andSaatchiArt, andpublisherslikeWell+GoodandHunkerinourportfolio. Wereachapassionateandengagedaudienceofnearlya quarterofthecountry’sinternetusers.Fromhealthand wellnesstoart,design,andtravel,we’refocusedon lifestylecategoriesthathaveaglobalappeal.

Tellusmoreaboutyourofferings,throughwhichyou haveascertainedyourstrongholdwithinthemediaand entertainmentspace.

LeafGrouphasbuiltaportfolioofbrandsthatspanacross popularlifestylesegmentsincludingwellness,homedecor, art,andtravel.Theteamsthatrunourbrandsarejustas passionateaboutthesetopicsasourreadersandcustomers, andtherefore,authenticallyconnectwithouraudiences.

Byspecializinginbothcommerceandcontent,LeafGroup isalsoabletoleverageconsumerinsightsfrombothsides ofitsbusinesstohelpadvertiserslikeBombaySapphire, DysonandAthletaidentifytherighttrendsfortheright audiencesattherighttimes.Ourplatformalsoprovides opportunitiesforcollaborationacrossourbrandsand audiences,deliveringsuccessfulcampaignsthat authenticallycombineexperiences,retail,andcontent.

Asfirst-partydatabecomesincreasinglyvaluableto advertisers,LeafGroup’scombinationofmarketplaceand digitalmediabrandsgivesusauniqueadvantage.Many publishersaretryingtoachieveasimilarstrategyby developingtheirowncuratedshopsandcommerce solutions,butwehavethisdeepknowledgebasedonyears ofexperience.

Sean,pleasebriefusaboutyourself,yourjourneyinthe industry,andhowyouhavecontributedtowardsLeaf Group’ssuccess.

Atalmosteverystageofmycareer,I’vebeenproudtowork withinnovativetechnologycompaniesthatarepioneering howpeoplebuygoodsandservices,getinformation,and connectonline.

,, ,,

Moriarty CEO of Leaf Group

IstartedoutatCitySearchin1997,shortlyafteritwas founded.Iwaspartoftheteamthatdevelopedoneofthe firstsearchengineslongbeforeGoogleorYelpexisted.I wentontorunTicketmasterandeventuallySaatchiArt. Theseexperienceshelpedmedevelopthevisionfora digitalcompanythatblendscommerce,media,and experiences.Iamincrediblyproudtoseethatvision realizedatLeafGroup.

Beinganexperiencedleader,shareyouropiniononwhy adoptingmoderntechnologiesisnecessaryforthemedia andentertainmentindustryandhowyouhaveleveraged thesetechnologiestodeliveryourofferings?

Asaleader,youneedtoconstantlylookaheadandnotonly anticipatewhatconsumersdesirebutinnovatetogobeyond theirexpectations.Whatreallyexcitesmerightnowisthe democratizationofourdigitallandscape.WithSaatchiArt andSociety6,LeafGrouphasbeenfocusedforyearson helpingcreatorsscaletheirbusiness,selltheirartworkand reachmillions—wellbeforetermslike‘thecreator economy’becamecommonplace.

Asanaturalevolutioninourmissiontosupportemerging artistsandprovideaspaceforpeoplearoundtheworldto discoverandbuyhighqualityarttheylove,SaatchiArt recentlyexpandedintotheNFTspace.Astheworld’s leadingonlineartgalleryforemergingartists,weare uniquelypositionedtointroducebothartistsandcollectors intotheworldofNFTsinanenvironmentthatiscurated, transparent,andwelcoming.

Tokickthingsoff,weareexcitedtodebutTheOther Avatars,ourfirst-everartNFTcollectionthatreflectsthe incrediblebreadth,diversity,andtalentofSaatchiArt’s globalcommunityofartists.InresponsetothecurrentNFT avatarlandscapedominatedbygenerativeprofilepic collections,TheOtherAvatarsisthefirstofitskindanda projectthatonlySaatchiArtcouldmakeareality:aseries ofhandmade,originallydesigned,andstylisticallyvaried avatarscreatedbyacollectiveofhundredsofartists selectedbyourcurators.

TheOtherAvatarsisafirststeptowardsrealizingourlongtermvisionofdisplayingandsellingtraditionalartand NFTsside-by-sideinanintegratedmarketplace.Aswe continuetoexpandinthisspace,the100,000emerging artistssellingtheirworkonSaatchiArtwillhaveaturn-key waytomonetizetheirfineartthroughanentirelynew digitalmedium.

ConsideringtheCOVID-19pandemic,whatchallenges didyouface,andhowareyoucurrentlysustaining operationswhileensuringthesafetyofyouremployees?

Ourprimaryfocusisalwaysonthehealthandwellbeingof ourteamandmakingsurewearelookingaftereachother Beforethepandemic,LeafGroupwasalreadytestinga hybridworkmodelandinearlyMarch2020,wemoved veryquicklytocompletelyremotework.OurPeopleteam, ledbyJillAngel,hasbeenincredibleatdevelopingwaysto keepourteamengaged.We’reconstantlyadaptingtoensure thatweareoperatingatthesamebusinesstempoasprepandemic,withawork-lifebalancethatisvitaltomaintain.

At Leaf Group, we have the economic strength of operating multiple brands under one roof.

Sean

Ourteamhasseamlesslyadaptedandhasgoneaboveand beyondforclients.Forexample,TheOtherArtFair,the leadingfairfordiscoveringemergingartistspresentedby SaatchiArt,immediatelypivoted,andlaunchednewOnline StudioswhenfairswerecancelledinApril2020.Injustthe firstfourmonths,OnlineStudiosgeneratedmorethan$1 millioninGrossTransactionValue(GTV).

Byearly2021,wecreatedathree-dimensional,virtual environmentthatvisitorscouldexploredigitally–complete withsimilarprogrammingyouwouldexperienceataninpersonfair,providingourglobalaudiencewiththechance todiscoverandconnectwithhundredsofup-and-coming artistsandexperiencebespokedigitalinstallationsinan immersiveVRenvironment.

Withthemassintroductionofvaccines,we’venowbeen abletoreturntoin-personeventsandhaveproducedsoldoutshowsaroundtheworld.Wefollowalllocalsafety

ExhibitingExcellence

The team at Leaf Group exemplifies the mission of its family of digital brands, including celebrating creativity and diversity, and empowering creators across the globe through its platforms.

benefits.

guidelinesandprotocolstoensurewearehostingasafe, welcoming,andfunexperienceforeveryone.

Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothemediaandentertainment space?

Likeanyotherbusiness,knowingyouraudienceis absolutelykeytosucceedinthedigitalmediaspace.Your audiencehastobeyourtruenorth.Theonlywaytobuilda deepbrandisbyunderstandingwhattheconsumerwants anddeliveringthattothemonthehighestlevelpossible.If youfocusonbuildingabrandthatconsumersloveand trust,youwillwin.

HowdoyouenvisionscalingLeafGroup’soperations andofferingsin2022andfurther?

Wehavealotofyoung,excitingbrandswithsignificant potentialforgrowthandourportfolioisrichfor opportunities.Forexample,Well+Goodsinceitsinception hasbeenaleaderinshapinganddefininghowtolivea balancedlife.Thatgoalhasbecomeevenmoreimportantto consumersduringthepandemic.

AtLeafGroup,wehavetheeconomicstrengthofoperating multiplebrandsunderoneroof.Eachbrandhasthe opportunitytobebiggerandstrongerthantheywouldbe independently,buttheyarestillguidedbyacoreexpertise andpeoplewholivethetopiceveryday

Creating a company culture that honors the diversity of its people is an ongoing journey

The team feels honored to be frequently recognized as a leading workplace and have recently been featured by Comparably for its exceptional culture, leadership, employee compensation, and other

Inaneraofunprecedented informationconsumption,many ofushavecometoquestionour waysofconsumingnewsandother crucialmedia.Areweconsumingthe rightcontent?Areweconsumingreal newsorfake?Howmuchtimedowe spendinadayreadingfromavariety ofsources?

Thisseriesofconcernshasfurtherled ustoabigquestion;isnewsinthe digitalagefullofinaccuracies,biases, hyperbole,andpropaganda?

MaanasMediratta,CEOofthe NITLapp,apparentlyhastheright answertothisquestion.

Thefollowingconversationtakeson theimportanceofbringingoutfactcheckednewstothereaders,theroleof technologyinhelpingusframeclear andtransparentopinions,andNITL’s futureplansofscalingtomore developedcountries.

Pleasebriefouraudienceaboutyour company,itsUSPs,andhowitis currentlypositionedasaleading nameisthemediaand entertainmentindustry.

Wewanttocreatemassactionand awarenessonissuesthatwefaceasa

society.Ourstartupsfocusonbridging thegapbetweenempathyandactionin thenewssothatpeoplefeelthatthey aremakingadifferenceinwhatthey careabout.

Additionally,wewereawardedthebest appin2020.

Ourreadersalsoloveusastheysee thisastheeasiestwaytostaysocially conscious.

Tellusmoreaboutyourofferings, throughwhichyouhaveascertained yourstrongholdwithinthemedia andentertainmentspace.

Usetechnologytoprovideasnackable wayforourreaderstounderstandwhat happenedandenablereaderstomake animpactonwhatmovesthem.

Beinganexperiencedleader,share youropiniononwhyadopting moderntechnologiesisnecessaryfor themediaandentertainment industryandhowyouhave leveragedthesetechnologiesto deliveryourofferings?

Moderntechnologiesareanecessary instrumentforustotackleglobal issues.Thekeydifferencebetween whatwedovsothersisusingethical

technologyforthepeople.Our platformsfacilitateactiononthenews withouttrackingreadersorpushing themanyadstobuyproductsand services.WehaveusedAItocreate concisecontentforpeopletobecome awareandourdatascienceto understandhowwecanprovide impact-drivenactionsonnewsthat readerscareabout!

ConsideringtheCOVID-19 pandemic,whatchallengesdidyou face,andhowareyoucurrently sustainingoperationswhileensuring thesafetyofyouremployees?

Thebiggestchallengehasbeen buildingtheteam.It'simportantto makesurepeoplearemotivated towardsthevision.Havingsaidthat, thebiggestthingIamproudofisthe awesometeamwehavebeenableto build.

Whatwouldbeyouradviceto buddingentrepreneurswhoaspireto ventureintothemediaand entertainmentspace?

Thinkaboutwhatproblemareyou tryingtosolveandsticktoone problem.Thereareaplethoraof problemsinthenewsspaceandit's importanttocreateasolutionfor

somethingthatpeoplecareabout–whetheritbebias,misinformation,or lackofaction–whichissomethingwe arepassionateabout.

Howdoyouenvisionscalingyour company’soperationsandofferings in2022andfurther?

Wehopetoaccessmoreandmore geographiesinthenextthreequarters. Ourphilosophyissimple.Wewantto servepeoplewhowanttotakesocial actionandbridgetheirgapofempathy andpositiveaction.Mostofthe developedworldreallycaresabout takingactiononthenews–weplanto gofromthenationswheresocialaction isofprimeimportancesuchastheUK, Scandinaviannations,US,andthen scaletomoredevelopingnations.

Whatisyouropiniononthefuture ofthemediaandentertainment industrypostthepandemic?

Thefutureofmedia,postthepandemic isgoingtobechallenging.Peoplehave beenexposedtosomuchnegativity thatmanyaretakingaconscious choiceofavoidingmediaaltogether Butforasocietytofunctionwell,we mustallbeawareofwhatishappening sothatwecanchooseandmove towardsapositivefuture.Thus,forthe mediaindustryneedstoempowerits reader,it’simportantforustogive readersthetoolstodosomeformof actionandmeasuretheimpactofthose actions.