The Media Odyssey

Evan Shapiro & Marion Ranchet
The Media Odyssey

Each week, two of media’s most influential thinkers, Evan Shapiro & Marion Ranchet, take on the hottest media topics with their hottest takes, helping their audience chart a course through the maelstrom that is today’s Media Odyssey. Based in the US, Evan Shapiro is the Media Industry’s official Cartographer, known for his well-researched and provocative analysis of the entertainment ecosystem in his must read treatises on Media’s latest trends and trajectories. Marion Ranchet, French expat based in Amsterdam, has become the industry’s go-to expert in all things streaming, building a following for turning even the most complex problems into easily digestible and actionable insights. Ranchet and Shapiro are known for their sharp-yet-accessible content on Media consumption, audience trends, and the shifting fundamentals of the business itself. Even during the toughest of topics, they each make talking about Media fun. Together every week, these two will offer entertaining, often humorous, and always educational content on today’s Media Odyssey.

  1. MAR 16 · BONUS

    CHATTING AT SXSW: Lydia Daly | Paramount

    In this episode of "Chatting at SXSW", Evan Shapiro speaks with Lydia Daly, EVP, Head of Advertising Research and Insights at Paramount, about how brands navigate the rapidly evolving cultural landscape. Daly's team studies audience behaviors, market trends, and cultural shifts to help advertisers make informed, data-driven decisions. She highlights the increasing velocity of cultural change, where trends emerge and disappear quickly, making it challenging for brands to determine when and how to engage. Daly emphasizes that brands must develop social listening capabilities, understand trend cycles, and establish clear brand guidelines to navigate this fast-moving space effectively. She also notes that partnering with established content creators or platforms can help brands stay relevant without taking on the full burden of trend management alone. Interested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8 Connect with us on Linkedin:Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/ Newsletters:Marion Ranchet - https://marionranchet.substack.com/Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/ (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Introduction (00:22) - Role and Responsibilities at Paramount (01:29) - Audience Insights and Cultural Trends (02:03) - Generational Studies and Creative Strategy (03:11) - Velocity of Culture and Brand Adaptation (04:15) - Brand Strategies and Social Listening (05:24) - Understanding Trends and Signals (06:23) - Importance of Brand Guidelines (07:03) - Working with Publishers and Content Creators (07:38) - Panel Discussion and Closing Remarks

    9 min
  2. MAR 16 · BONUS

    CHATTING AT SXSW: Nicki Sheard | BBC Studios

    In this episode of "Chatting at SXSW", Evan Shapiro speaks with Nicki Sheard, CEO of Brands and Licensing at BBC Studios, about how the company monetizes its vast content library globally. Sheard highlights the success of Bluey, which was the most-streamed TV show in the U.S. in 2024 and has grown into a massive franchise with consumer products, stage shows, a movie in development, and upcoming integration into Disney parks. BBC Studios strategically distributes its brands, including Doctor Who, Top Gear, and BBC Earth, across multiple platforms—linear TV, streaming, social media, and YouTube, where it now has 90 active channels. Sheard discusses how digital-first content can fuel traditional broadcast deals and how multi-platform exposure is essential for building lasting franchises. While some kids' brands originate online and transition to traditional media, she notes that long-term success still depends on content quality and authenticity. Interested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8 Connect with us on Linkedin:Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/ Newsletters:Marion Ranchet - https://marionranchet.substack.com/Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/ (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Introduction (00:17) - Role and Responsibilities at BBC Studios (00:49) - Exploring BBC Brands and Bluey's Success (02:06) - Bluey's Distribution and YouTube Strategy (03:52) - Building a Global Brand (04:35) - Challenges in Children's Media (05:16) - Future of Kids' Brands and Conclusion

    7 min
  3. SUPER BUNDLING

    MAR 13

    SUPER BUNDLING

    HOW IS BUNDLING RESHAPING MEDIA TODAY?In this episode of The Media Odyssey, hosts Evan Shapiro and Marion Ranchet dive deep into the world of subscription bundling with special guest Anil Malhotra, co-founder of Bango. They explore how the digital subscription economy is evolving, why consumers are increasingly turning to indirect subscription bundles, and how bundling can drive brand loyalty and lower churn rates. From streaming services to AI tools and retail subscriptions, Anil shares fascinating insights from Bango’s latest research report, Subscriptions Assemble, revealing key trends shaping the bundle economy. Learn more about how telcos, retailers, and even social media platforms are becoming key bundlers, and why the "digital vending machine" is revolutionizing the way subscriptions are managed. Check out Bango's, "Subscription's Assemble" HERE (tap to go). Anil Malhotra (Co-Founder, Bango):Anil is responsible for Bango’s global marketing activities and partnerships with app store, OEMs and global network operators. Anil has extensive experience of creating successful partnerships between fast-moving innovators and major market players. Before co-founding Bango, Anil developed global partnerships for Cyberlife Technology, one of Europe’s leading computer games technology developers, which resulted in the licensing of the company’s AI technology to the world’s leading games publishers including Warner and Hasbro. Before that he worked with Bango Exec Chair Ray Anderson at IXI, establishing a technology called X.desktop as the global user interface standard for networked computers. Interested in sponsorship? https://forms.gle/2LCWfX2HBNT8mtpx8 Connect with us on Linkedin:Evan Shapiro - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshap-media-cartographer/Marion Ranchet - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionranchet/ Newsletters:Marion Ranchet - https://marionranchet.substack.com/Evan Shapiro - https://eshap.substack.com/ (00:00) - Introduction to Subscription Bundling (00:32) - Welcome and Guest Introduction (00:59) - Bango's Expertise in Subscription Bundling (02:03) - The Evolution of Subscription Services (05:45) - Case Studies: Successful Bundling Examples (09:28) - Consumer Behavior and Research Insights (18:08) - Global Trends and Future of Bundling (32:50) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    35 min
5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Each week, two of media’s most influential thinkers, Evan Shapiro & Marion Ranchet, take on the hottest media topics with their hottest takes, helping their audience chart a course through the maelstrom that is today’s Media Odyssey. Based in the US, Evan Shapiro is the Media Industry’s official Cartographer, known for his well-researched and provocative analysis of the entertainment ecosystem in his must read treatises on Media’s latest trends and trajectories. Marion Ranchet, French expat based in Amsterdam, has become the industry’s go-to expert in all things streaming, building a following for turning even the most complex problems into easily digestible and actionable insights. Ranchet and Shapiro are known for their sharp-yet-accessible content on Media consumption, audience trends, and the shifting fundamentals of the business itself. Even during the toughest of topics, they each make talking about Media fun. Together every week, these two will offer entertaining, often humorous, and always educational content on today’s Media Odyssey.

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