The Big Swing: Secret stories from the pioneers of content Sam Barcroft

Dawn Airey is a legendary leader in British Media. 
She has been at the top of ITV, Sky, Channel 4 and most famously Channel Five where she was the debut Director of Programmes before becoming CEO and Chair of the Board.
And that’s before heading off to Yahoo!, before becoming CEO of Getty images and then moving upstairs into board roles at Thomas Cook, EasyJet and the FA, leading the development of women’s football.
In this special episode, Dawn shares some of the ups, downs and sheer craziness of her media career at the top of the tree, and explains why:
⁃ She learned early on to be happy feeling uncomfortable in new roles
⁃ Why the truism that “nobody knows anything” is part of the fun of working in media
⁃ How the tech culture of radical 360 assessments every quarter gave her new skills to help lead her teams

In the week that has seen International Women's Day, and the debacle of cancel culture finally taking hold at the BBC, it was my pleasure to deal with one of the smartest and most positive leaders in media.

Let's all celebrate Dawn.
Produced in association with the brilliant Spirit Studios

Executive Producer: Fred Casella
Sound Designer: Will Horrocks
Producer: Lauren Abery
Created by: Sam Barcroft

And to join the Creatorville community, where we support creative entrepreneurs to grow valuable businesses, subscribe at Creatorville.co

The Big Swing on Twitter
The Big Swing on LinkedIn

Justin Crosby founded Boom Dialogue 13 years ago. Boom is a go-to, international PR agency representing prestigious clients who produce and distribute award-winning TV and video content across all genres. Justin has successfully raised the profile of many companies, including my previous business Barcroft Studios. 
But when Covid hit, years of his hard work were wiped away as the PR industry shut down overnight.  Armed with a black book of TV's biggest names, he created called Tellycast, a weekly TV industry news show podcast. Tellycast has grown from a podcast into a franchise, including a newsletter, website and events business.
Justin’s inspiring story shows how with nothing more than a microphone and computer, he grew a podcast that helped keep the conversation going for producers when they needed it most, during lockdown. 
Hosted by pioneering new media entrepreneur Sam Barcroft, in this episode, Sam explores:


The role of PR in the content and media. How the two need each other.How conquering imposter syndrome and following a passion can build into much more. Being armed with one skillset and the right network, you can conquer different markets and succeed. 

Justin Crosby
Boom Dialogue
Tellycast


Sam Barcroft
@sambarcroft
Creatorville.co



Produced in association with the brilliant Spirit Studios

Executive Producer: Fred Casella
Sound Designer: Will Horrocks
Producer: Lauren Abery
Created by: Sam Barcroft

And to join the Creatorville community, where we support creative entrepreneurs to grow valuable businesses, subscribe at Creatorville.co

The Big Swing on Twitter
The Big Swing on LinkedIn

Dan Snow co-founded History Hit - the world’s premier digital platform for all things history - on the sly, as a few anonymous social media accounts whilst presenting prime-time history shows for the BBC. 

As a top television presenter, Dan was living a charmed life.  But he was passionate about joining the digital revolution - so he jumped in despite the potential danger of disrupting his career.
Today, HistoryHit is a subscription video service, home to extraordinary documentaries; one of the most popular history podcasts on the planet, and of course there’s all the action on twitter,  instagram and across the socials too.
What is amazing about Dan's story is that he didn’t have to do it. As he regularly acknowledges he was deeply privileged to be born into a family who loved history and understood content: both his parents were journalists. And yet he opted to take the hard road of entrepreneurialism rather than the easy path that many expected.
Hosted by pioneering new media entrepreneur Sam Barcroft, in this episode Sam explores:
Just how small the first entrepreneurial move can be to set the ball rollingThe role that pride and shame can play in the entrepreneurial journeyHow important it is that the initial dream behind your idea is true to your personal passion

Dan Snow
@thehsitoryguy
HistoryHit


Sam Barcroft
@sambarcroft
Creatorville.co



Produced in association with the brilliant Spirit Studios

Executive Producer: Fred Casella
Sound Designer: Will Horrocks
Producer: Lauren Abery
Created by: Sam Barcroft

And to join the Creatorville community, where we support creative entrepreneurs to grow valuable businesses, subscribe at Creatorville.co

The Big Swing on Twitter
The Big Swing on LinkedIn

Remy Blumenfeld is one of television’s original entrepreneurs. 

He is a trailblazer who set up Brighter Pictures, one of Britain’s most successful independent production companies from his front room in 1991.

Remy built it into one of the UK’s leading production companies, identifying a niche that allowed the company to pioneer a television format revolution. 

They created hit series such as FLAVA for Channel 4, Love Match for ITV, Take the Mic and Gay Straight or Taken  - elevating minority culture into the mainstream.

A decade later, Remy sold Brighter Pictures to TV powerhouse Endemol,  becoming creative director.  

But at a time in his life that warranted a celebration, Remy faced the break up of his relationship, and a life-threatening health condition... 
After being a successful entrepreneur, Remy retrained to become a leading media coach, and now is helping other people - including our host - to find success. 
Hosted by pioneering new media entrepreneur Sam Barcroft, in this episode Sam explores:
 - The reasons we seek acceptance
 - Why becoming known for being the best at a particular thing is vital to success

 - How cheating death can be a gift


SOCIAL LINKS
REMY BLUMENFELD  https://www.vitality.guru/
Twitter: @RemyUK


Sam Barcroft
@sambarcroft
Creatorville.co



Produced in association with the brilliant Spirit Studios

Executive Producer: Fred Casella
Sound Designer: Will Horrocks
Producer: Lauren Abery
Created by: Sam Barcroft

And to join the Creatorville community, where we support creative entrepreneurs to grow valuable businesses, subscribe at Creatorville.co

The Big Swing on Twitter
The Big Swing on LinkedIn

Jonathan Skogmo is not easily put off. His first business was shut down for being deemed illegal by the grown-ups. He was 10 and had syndicated his newspaper delivery round.


A few businesses later (including above ground pool installation and mobile DJing), he found himself unable to get hired as a valet in Hollywood, desperate to break into the entertainment industry. 

 Eventually, whilst working as a labourer, his employer took pity and granted him an entry into the world of clip shows. Once he survived the hazing, Jonathan quickly realised that the dinosaurs employing him had no idea how the internet, and Youtube, could disrupt the entire sector.


And that is when Jonathan’s rollercoaster ride to success starts.


Jonathan went on to found and run Jukin Media, the viral video powerhouse that figured out how to pay people for their home videos, and then licence this user-generated-content for brands.  


From Wired Magazine to the Wall Street Journal - Disney, CBS, Paramount, pretty much any media brand you care to mention have featured Jukin videos. Fail Army, People are Awesome and Pet Collective are all Jukin channels which together have garnered over 200 million fans and 110 billion lifetime views.


‘Pioneer’ almost doesn’t feel like a big enough word for what Jonathan has achieved in an industry which didn’t exist before he founded Jukin in 2009.


Hosted by new media entrepreneur Sam Barcroft, in this episode Sam explores:


The importance of test business micro-proofs as soon as possibly after startingHow to seize the opportunity of capturing multiple revenue streamsWhen  when to walk away from an offer to buy your company


Jonathan Skogmo
@JonSkogmo


Sam Barcroft
@sambarcroft
Creatorville.co



Produced in association with the brilliant Spirit Studios

Executive Producer: Fred Casella
Sound Designer: Will Horrocks
Producer: Lauren Abery
Created by: Sam Barcroft

And to join the Creatorville community, where we support creative entrepreneurs to grow valuable businesses, subscribe at Creatorville.co

The Big Swing on Twitter
The Big Swing on LinkedIn

Debs Paterson is a multi-award winning director of premier drama shows - especially fantasy and sci-fi -  for the likes of Netflix, Showtime and now Disney+. Check out her work helming the resurrection of the Willow saga.
But her journey to the top required unusual levels of resilience, persistence and positivity: she had to recover from a near-death experience and rebuild her career from scratch not once, but twice. 

Even then, the success she wanted nearly eluded her.
If you need to listen to an inspiring story of possibility in the face of adversity then this is the one for you.
Hosted by pioneering new media entrepreneur Sam Barcroft, in this episode Sam explores:
How to face up to the reality that the trajectory of your career will definitely not pan out as you expect it to.The power of finding positivity, of finding hope in the most unlikely moments to carry you through the toughest challenges. And why being adaptable is vital on your journey to the starsDebs Paterson
@DebsPaterson
Debs Paterson


Sam Barcroft
@sambarcroft
Creatorville.co



Produced in association with the brilliant Spirit Studios

Executive Producer: Fred Casella
Sound Designer: Will Horrocks
Producer: Lauren Abery
Created by: Sam Barcroft

And to join the Creatorville community, where we support creative entrepreneurs to grow valuable businesses, subscribe at Creatorville.co

The Big Swing on Twitter
The Big Swing on LinkedIn