"Media Empires" | The Business of Newsletters, Podcasts, Creators, and Data Acquisition Turpentine

Craig Fuller, Founder and CEO of FreightWaves which began as a combination media company and data provider for the logistics industry, joins Erik Torenberg to discuss the evolution of FreightWaves, different media models and their scalability, and shares his thoughts on what the future of AI media will look like.
—
SPONSORS: BEEHIIV

Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 to https://Beehiiv.com and use code “EMPIRES” for 20% off your first three months.
—
LINKS:
FreightWaves: https://www.freightwaves.com/
Subscribe to the Media Empires Newsletter: https://media-empires.beehiiv.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@FreightAlley (Craig)
—
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:15) The Evolution of Freight Waves
(03:01) Breaking Down Media Business Models and Monetization Strategies
(08:42) Complex Landscape of Media and Audience Engagement
(12:35) Sponsor: Turpentine
(13:26) Strategic Synergy Between Media and SaaS Businesses
(17:27) Underrated Potential of Media Businesses
(27:35) Opportunities and Challenges of Niche Media
(29:59) Vertical Media Opportunities Across Industries
(30:54) Dynamics of Media in the Supply Chain Industry
(32:33) Expanding Media Ventures
(33:41) Potential for Vertical Media in AI and Crypto
(35:39) Critique and Future of Tech Journalism
(37:34) Strategies and Challenges of Building a Vertical Media Business
(43:06) Importance of Breaking News and Building Credibility
(48:48) Evaluating Business Models for a New Media Venture
(58:06) Wrap
--
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

Zawwar Khan, a CPG consultant for creators (Rel Brands), joins Erik Torenberg to talk about his journey from being the youngest brand manager at Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo, to advising media creators on building their own commerce brands. He also shares some strategies for creators to expand beyond their audience, the potential of creator-incubated businesses, and the future of the creator economy through innovative financing and business models.

This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.
--
LINKS:
Zawwar Khan: https://www.hellorel.com/
--
X/ TWITTER:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@zawwarkhan_ (Zawwar)
--
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:49) Zawwar’s journey from Brand Manager to CPG Consultant
(05:51) Evolution of Media and Commerce
(09:13) Strategies for Success
(16:56) Sponsor: Turpentine
(17:44) Rise of B2B Influencers and Creator Opportunities
(26:32) Potential of Creator-Led Ventures
(28:56) Building Brands as a Creator
(34:32) Venture Capital Perspectives on the Creator Economy
(40:09) The Future of Investing: Venture Studios for Creators
(49:25) Wrap

SPONSOR:
Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox.  🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "EMPIRES" for 20% off your first three months.

Danny Crichton, a Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, Head of Editorial at Lux Capital, and former Managing Editor at TechCrunch, joins Erik Torenberg to discuss the evolution of TechCrunch+, alternative business models, strategic investments in media, and tips for building a tech media company.
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

—
LINKS:

Danny Crichton: https://www.dannycrichton.com/


Lux Capital: https://www.luxcapital.com/securities


TechCrunch: https://techcrunch.com/


TechCrunch+: https://techcrunch.com/techcrunchplus/




X/ TWITTER:

@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@DannyCrichton (Danny)
—
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(00:28) Evolution of TechCrunch+
(01:27) Building a new product, ExtraCrunch
(04:50) Challenges of subscription media
(06:26) Identifying the core audience
(08:57) Exploring alternative business models in media
(15:26) Sponsor: Turpentine
(16:07) History of TechCrunch
(22:00) What worked and what didn't for TechCrunch
(29:20) Building a significant tech media company
(30:12) Strategies for success
(31:03) The need of focus formula
(35:32) Challenges of monetizing journalism
(37:50) Rethinking media products
(51:21) Potential of vertical media
(56:30) Wrap

SPONSOR:
Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox.  🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "EMPIRES" for 20% off your first three months.

Dave Nemetz, Founder of Bleacher Report and Inverse, joins Erik Torenberg to share his insights on media business models and the future of the creator economy. They also cover the growth of sports, web3, and B2B media. This conversation was recorded in early 2023
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.
—
LINKS:
Dave Nemetz: https://davenemetz.com/
The Inverted Curiousity Pyramid: https://davenemetz.com/inverted-curiosity-pyramid/
Bleacher Report: https://bleacherreport.com/

Inverse: https://www.inverse.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@davenemetz (Dave)
—
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(01:13) Insights behind Starting Bleacher Report
(03:21) Pros and Cons of Subscriptions and Ads
(06:12) Funding and Business Models in Media
(14:22) Sponsor: Turpentine
(15:10) Rise of B2B Media and Future Opportunities
(23:03) Strategies for Media Companies
(30:17) Innovative Approaches to Supporting Creators
(48:02) Wrap

SPONSOR:
Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox.  🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "EMPIRES" for 20% off your first three months.

Jamie Rawsthorne, formerly of the Zac and Jay show and now a YouTube strategist behind The YouTube Views Machine methodology, joins Erik to explore growth and success tactics on YouTube, monetization, and where he thinks the platform is going. This conversation with Jamie was recorded in 2023

This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

—
LINKS:
Jamie Rawsthorne: https://www.jamierawsthorne.com/
Zac and Jay Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/@ZacandJayShorts
—

X / TWITTER:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@jamierawsthorne (Jamie)

—
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(01:26) Jamie’s YouTube story
(04:47) Transition from creator to strategist
(12:45) The biggest video that went viral
(13:20) Sponsor: Turpentine
(14:08) Making a big bet on YouTube
(20:08) Getting 400,000 views on a video in the first month
(24:53) Key to getting a great title and thumbnail
(29:12) Exploring YouTube monetization
(36:17) From vlogs to business opportunities
(40:43) Understanding the YouTuber ecosystem and opportunities for growth
(49:11) Wrap

SPONSOR:
Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox.  🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "EMPIRES" for 20% off your first three months.

Jordan Zaslav, COO at Axios HQ, joins Erik to talk about the inspiration and launch of Axios. He shares his key lessons learned along the way and the importance of the smart brevity approach. They also chat about AI's impact on media and the need for companies to adapt.
This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.
—
LINKS:
Axios: https://www.axios.com/
Axios HQ: https://www.axioshq.com/
—
X / TWITTER:
@eriktorenberg (Erik)
@jz (Jordan)
—
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Intro
(01:48) Smart Brevity Approach
(04:12) Key to Axios' Success
(06:38) Exploring Axios' Business Model and Diverse Offerings
(11:45) Sponsor: Turpentine
(16:23) The Axios HQ Product
(18:17) What Has Made the Most Money at Axios.
(21:11) Challenges of Media Business Growth
(25:13) Audience Selection on Digital Media
(30:07) Value of Different Audiences
(32:28) Post-Internet Challenges and Cable's Future
(37:57) Embracing AI in Media: Opportunities and Challenges
(41:56) Wrap

SPONSOR:
Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox.  🐝to https://Beehiiv.com and use code "EMPIRES" for 20% off your first three months.