The Business of Information

SIIA

What drives the business of information? From data and media to AI and regulation, the forces shaping our digital world are evolving fast. This podcast unpacks the strategies, policies, and innovations redefining how we create, distribute, and govern information. Each episode features candid conversations with CEOs, policymakers, and industry experts tackling educational technology, market and alternative data, AI disruption, and beyond. Join us as we decode the business of information—one episode at a time. Presented by the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA).

  1. 5d ago

    The Global Competition for Tech Leadership with Nigel Cory of Crowell Global Advisors

    For decades, U.S. technology leadership was treated as a given. Today, that assumption is under pressure. In this episode, Chris Mohr sits down with Nigel Cory, Director of Digital, Trade, and Technology Policy at Crowell Global Advisors, to explore why the global race for AI, cloud infrastructure, and advanced technologies is no longer just about innovation—it's about economic competitiveness, national security, and geopolitical influence. Drawing on his experience across government, international trade, and technology policy, Nigel explains how China has evolved from a fast follower to a formidable competitor, why countries around the world are reshaping the rules governing data and digital trade, and what the United States must do to maintain its technological edge. The conversation explores everything from AI adoption and cloud infrastructure to antitrust policy, data localization, and why America's biggest technology companies have become central to the country's long-term competitiveness. In this conversation, you'll hear: Why China's technology challenge is no longer about catching up—it's about competing for global leadership How AI, cloud infrastructure, and data policy have become matters of national security Why the next phase of competition may be won through adoption, not just better AI models How data localization laws around the world can quietly undermine innovation and U.S. competitivenessWhy antitrust policy can no longer be viewed only through a domestic lens Learn more about SIIA:⁠ https://www.siia.net⁠ Follow SIIA on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/siia/⁠ Follow SIIA on X:⁠ https://x.com/SIIA

    40 min

  2. Jun 2

    The Data Layer Behind Modern Investing with Andrew Lebbos of Benzinga

    In this episode of The Business of Information, Chris Mohr sits down with Andrew Lebbos to explore how Benzinga evolved from a scrappy financial news startup into one of the invisible engines powering modern retail investing platforms. Andrew explains how Benzinga’s real-time news, APIs, and market data quietly sit behind many of the trading apps millions of investors use every day—and why the company sees itself as both a media company and a data infrastructure provider. They discuss the rise of retail trading, the challenge of balancing AI automation with human-driven journalism, and why the future of financial media may belong to companies that can combine proprietary content with highly structured data. Andrew also reflects on Detroit’s post-bankruptcy reinvention, the startup mentality that shaped Benzinga’s culture, and what makes sales teams succeed in an industry where relationships and adaptability matter just as much as technical knowledge. In this conversation, you’ll hear: How Benzinga became the “thing behind the thing” on major brokerage platforms Why human-written financial news still matters in the AI era The difference between commoditized market data and proprietary insights How retail trading transformed the fintech and brokerage ecosystem Why prediction markets, AI, and crypto are reshaping investor behavior What startup grit looks like inside a fast-moving financial media company To learn more about the Software and Information Industry Association, visit: https://www.siia.net Follow SIIA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/siia

    38 min

  3. Apr 28

    A Global View on AI Policy, Power, and the Pace of Change with Joe Miller of the Financial Times

    In this episode of The Business of Information, Chris Mohr sits down with Joe Miller, Washington correspondent for the Financial Times, to explore how tech policy, global power dynamics, and journalism intersect at a uniquely volatile moment. From covering Brexit-era Europe to reporting on the Trump administration and the rise of AI, Joe shares how the center of gravity in global storytelling has shifted—and why today’s policy debates are lagging behind reality. They discuss the growing disconnect between Washington and the real world, the fractured and often misunderstood narratives around AI, and why the most important policy conversations aren’t actually happening yet. Joe also reflects on the thin line between innovation and misconduct from his time covering white-collar crime, and how that lens shapes his reporting on emerging technologies today. In this conversation, you’ll hear: Why AI policy debates are still stuck at a surface level—and what’s missing The real divide between U.S. and European approaches to risk and innovation How journalists decide what’s signal vs. noise in a chaotic political environment Why internal disagreements within tech and policy organizations are the real story What Operation Warp Speed can teach us about modern tech policy The surprising ways media coverage can both clarify and distort reality To learn more about the Software and Information Industry Association, visit: https://www.siia.netFollow SIIA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/siiaFollow SIIA on X: https://twitter.com/SIIA

    35 min

  4. Apr 14

    Digital Privacy and the Future of the Fourth Amendment with Anne Voigts of Pillsbury

    In this episode of The Business of Information, Chris Mohr sits down with returning guest Anne Voigts, Partner at Pillsbury, to unpack one of the most complex and consequential legal questions in the digital age: how the Fourth Amendment applies when law enforcement uses massive datasets to identify suspects after the fact. At the center of the conversation is United States v. Chatrie, a case involving geofence warrants that sweep in location data from potentially hundreds of millions of devices before narrowing to a suspect—raising urgent questions about privacy, surveillance, and constitutional limits in a world of pervasive data collection. Chris and Anne break down how these warrants work, why courts are deeply divided on whether they even constitute a “search,” and how doctrines like the third-party rule are being stretched to their limits. They explore the tension between privacy and property-based interpretations of the Fourth Amendment, the risks of dragnet-style data collection, and the real-world implications for both individuals and tech companies. The conversation also examines how AI, data abundance, and evolving legal frameworks are reshaping expectations of privacy—and why this case could redefine the balance of power between government, platforms, and citizens. In this conversation, you’ll hear: How geofence warrants work—and why they flip traditional search logic on its head Why the third-party doctrine is increasingly at odds with modern digital life The legal fragmentation across courts—and what it signals about future rulings The risks of large-scale data sweeps, including false arrests and privacy exposure How tech companies may respond if the government’s position prevails What this case reveals about the future of AI, data ownership, and constitutional protections To learn more about SIIA and stay connected: Visit: https://www.siia.net LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/siia X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/SIIA

    29 min

  5. Mar 24

    Monetizing Data in an AI-Driven World with Barbara Arnold of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange

    In this episode of The Business of Information, Chris Mohr speaks with Barbara Arnold, Head of Market Data at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, about how exchanges are rethinking the value of data in an era defined by abundance, APIs, and artificial intelligence. With nearly three decades in market data, Barbara shares how the industry has evolved from scarcity to saturation—and why the real opportunity now lies in packaging, delivering, and monetizing data in ways that align with how modern users consume it. Barbara Arnold leads market data strategy at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, one of the largest exchanges in the world. She joined the JSE in 2018 after senior leadership roles at Iress and INET BFA, where she built deep expertise across product, sales, and data strategy. With a career spanning more than 30 years, Barbara brings a unique perspective shaped by experience on both the vendor and exchange sides of the market data ecosystem. How the shift from data scarcity to abundance is reshaping market data strategy Why data marketplaces and sandbox environments are becoming critical for innovation What “AI-ready data” means—and why it’s essential for future monetization How exchanges can better understand and serve their end users directly The growing opportunity to combine market data with ESG and alternative datasets Why embracing AI as an amplifier—not a threat—is key to long-term success In this conversation, you’ll hear:Subscribe and share to help us spread the word.Learn more at https://www.siia.netFollow SIIA on LinkedIn and X

    24 min

  6. Feb 10

    The Misunderstood Business of Sales with Jim Elliott of The Elliott Company

    In this episode recorded at the 2026 Business Information & Media Summit (BIMS) in New Orleans, Chris Mohr sits down with Jim Elliott, founder and president of The Elliott Company, one of the country’s largest outsourced media sales firms for advertising, exhibits, and sponsorships. With nearly $800 million generated for specialty media brands, Jim shares hard-earned wisdom from four decades of selling in B2B and consumer media—while offering a candid perspective on what too many publishers get wrong about sales. Jim reflects on his early career at CBS Magazines and Road & Track, the decision to strike out on his own, and how he navigated the complexities of entrepreneurship while raising his kids. Along the way, he unpacks the myths of control in sales teams, the undervalued role of independent reps, and why most media CEOs still don't understand the function that funds their business. Chris and Jim also explore how the sales profession has evolved—and how it hasn’t—and what makes a great rep in an era of AI, ad tech, and shifting buying behavior. In this conversation, you’ll hear: Why sales is still misunderstood and underappreciated by many media founders How independent sales reps build deeper trust—and often outperform internal teams The hidden risks of relying on outdated org charts and relationships What CEOs often get wrong when trying to "control" the sales process Jim’s three core advantages of outsourcing your sales function What he means by stacking stress—and why decompression is a leadership skill Subscribe and share to help us spread the word.Learn more at SIIA.netFollow SIIA on LinkedIn and X

    33 min

  7. 12/09/2025

    Valuing Media in an Era of Change with Reed Phillips of Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips

    In this episode of The Business of Information, Chris Mohr speaks with Reed Phillips, Managing Partner of Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips, about what it takes to navigate—and thrive in—the ever-evolving world of media M&A. With more than 35 years of experience and over 225 transactions under his belt, Reed shares stories from his early days in political publishing to leading major acquisitions and exits across B2B, consumer media, advertising, and events. Reed reflects on why valuation is so often misunderstood by founders, how AI is reshaping priorities in the media space, and why face-to-face events continue to hold their value. He also shares insights from his book QuickValue—a practical guide for business owners on how to determine what their companies are worth and how to increase that value. In this conversation, you’ll hear: Why most entrepreneurs overestimate their company’s value—and how to fix that The difference between investment banking and private equity (in plain English) How media buyers are shifting attention—and budgets—toward AI adoption Why events remain “AI-proof” and continue to drive growth post-pandemic Lessons from selling and launching media businesses in the 1980s and beyond The cultural principle Reed hopes defines his legacy in the M&A world Subscribe and share to help us grow the conversation. Learn more at siia.net Follow SIIA on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Bluesky

    26 min

  8. 11/25/2025

    Leading Through Legacy and Disruption with Greg Watt of WATT Global Media

    In this episode of The Business of Information, Chris Mohr speaks with Greg Watt, fourth-generation CEO of WATT Global Media, about steering a century-old B2B media company through waves of disruption—from print to digital to AI. Greg shares how his company has evolved while staying true to its roots in serving critical industries like poultry, pet food, and animal nutrition in more than 190 countries. They explore everything from AI implementation and cultural change to the company’s unique “Results-Only Work Environment” (ROWE) approach, which has redefined how work gets done and how performance is measured. Greg also reflects on family business dynamics, sustainable succession planning, and why curiosity, trust, and content still lead the way—even in the age of algorithms. In this conversation, you’ll hear: What it takes to lead a 108-year-old B2B media company into the AI era Why content and community remain at the core of event success How WATT’s transition to a results-only culture changed retention and performance How AI is already transforming poultry production, feed systems, and market intelligence The balance between honoring legacy and driving change in a fourth-generation business Why long-term relevance requires both structure and relentless curiosity Whether you're leading through transition or navigating new technology in a legacy business, this episode offers practical wisdom—and an inside look at how a specialized media company stays ahead by staying true to its mission. Subscribe and share to help us spread the word. Learn more at siia.netFollow SIIA on LinkedIn, X, and Bluesky

    43 min
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What drives the business of information? From data and media to AI and regulation, the forces shaping our digital world are evolving fast. This podcast unpacks the strategies, policies, and innovations redefining how we create, distribute, and govern information. Each episode features candid conversations with CEOs, policymakers, and industry experts tackling educational technology, market and alternative data, AI disruption, and beyond. Join us as we decode the business of information—one episode at a time. Presented by the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA).

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