The AMO Show

Jacob Cohen Donnelly
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This is the AMO Show. Every week, I interview entrepreneurs and operators that are building media and events companies. Over the course of our discussions, we dig into what’s working, what’s not, how they’re growing and the financials behind their businesses. If you like these discussions and want to go deeper, become an AMO Pro member by visiting A Media Operator dot com.

  1. 1D AGO

    From Media Company to Crypto's Market Infrastructure: Jason Yanowitz on Blockworks' Transformation

    Five years ago, Jason Yanowitz came on the AMO Show running a bootstrapped crypto media and events company doing $25 million in revenue. Since then, he's cut the news division, killed a conference brand, turned over half the company, and rebuilt Blockworks into a data and software platform now valued at $192 million. In this conversation, Jason walks through exactly how that transition happened, what the revenue actually looks like, why his investors asked him to strip media off the P&L, and why he thinks the Substack era is "mostly cope." Chapters: 00:00 — Introduction 01:33 — From media company to data platform 06:39 — Cutting news, Permissionless, and half the company 09:33 — Why enterprises replaced investors as the customer 12:44 — Raising at a $192M valuation 18:41 — The three products explained 24:59 — Three-sided monetization and usage-based pricing 32:07 — Are podcasts and events still revenue lines? 37:05 — Should Blockworks kill advertising entirely? 40:00 — The future of news, AI, and print 55:49 — Why Permissionless got cut 58:16 — DAS as an ARR growth engine 01:01:49 — ~$40M ARR, path to $100M by 2028 01:05:32 — M&A: rolling up 50 crypto data companies 01:10:30 — The IPO path 01:13:25 — Why the Substack era is cope 01:14:51 — Advice for operators

    1h 16m

  2. APR 28

    Jeff Mancini on Arizent's Intelligence Pivot and the Future of B2B Media

    Jacob sits down with Jeff Mancini, CEO of Arizent — the B2B information company behind American Banker, The Bond Buyer, Financial Planning, Accounting Today, and three other financial and professional services brands. Jeff joined the company (then SourceMedia) in 2018 as Chief Strategy Officer and took over as CEO in late 2023. In a detailed, numbers-rich conversation, Jeff breaks down how he flipped the revenue mix from 60% marketing services to nearly 50% subscriptions, why he's betting on role-based intelligence products and unlimited enterprise licensing, and how he's centralizing AI operations after watching decentralized experimentation remind him of the early dot-com era. He also shares the post-COVID events mistake that killed a flagship show — and the 30% EBITDA margins and 33% EBITDA growth the business posted last year.

    1h 15m

  3. APR 21

    Inside Skift: Rafat Ali on Intelligence-Driven Media and What Comes Next

    Takeaways: Rafat Ali discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic fundamentally transformed his approach to financial resilience and operational strategy.The evolution of Skift's events business towards a more intelligence-driven model is a response to post-pandemic market demands.A key focus for Skift is embracing AI technologies to enhance efficiency and profitability across various business operations.Rafat highlights the necessity of adapting staffing strategies in the context of an increasingly AI-driven workforce.The conversation reveals that Skift has shifted its revenue model, with an emphasis on sponsorships over ticket sales in events.Rafat emphasizes the importance of human connections in business, advocating for a growing focus on events and networking opportunities.

    1h 19m

  4. APR 14

    Decoding the Success of HubSpot's Media Ventures with Jonathan Hunt

    Takeaways: In our discussion, we addressed the strategic rationale behind HubSpot's acquisitions of media companies, emphasizing the importance of building valuable content properties that cater to high-intent audiences.Jonathan Hunt articulated the significance of measuring the effectiveness of media channels, particularly newsletters and YouTube, in generating software customers for HubSpot's offerings.We explored the notion that audience development has transformed into a more collaborative effort between content creators and businesses, aiming to maximize engagement and revenue generation.The integration of AI technology into the content production process has allowed HubSpot Media to enhance efficiency, enabling the rapid creation and distribution of diverse content formats across multiple platforms.We discussed the necessity for media companies to pivot towards a focus on intent-driven content, rather than merely chasing impressions, in order to foster deeper audience relationships.Jonathan Hunt highlighted the importance of allowing creators the autonomy to drive content direction, as their familiarity with audience preferences often leads to more authentic and engaging material.

    1h 12m

  5. APR 7

    The Dispatch's Strategy for Growth: A Deep Dive with Mike Rothman

    Mike Rothman, the President of The Dispatch, engages in an enlightening dialogue with moderator Jacob Donnelly regarding the intricate dynamics of operating a subscription-based media entity amidst the evolving landscape of news consumption. Central to our discussion is the strategic interplay between advertising and member subscriptions, as Rothman elucidates how The Dispatch deftly navigates the challenges of maintaining a membership-first model while incorporating advertising without compromising subscriber value. We delve into the implications of acquiring SCOTUS Blog, which symbolizes a bold step in expanding The Dispatch's influence and content offerings. Furthermore, Rothman shares insights into the company's growth trajectory, marked by a significant uptick in subscriptions and revenue, alongside a commitment to enhancing engagement through innovative events and community-building initiatives. This episode offers a profound examination of the current state and future aspirations of The Dispatch, emphasizing the importance of credibility and thoughtful content in a polarized media environment. Takeaways: The Dispatch operates with a subscription-first model, balancing advertising without compromise.Mike Rothman emphasizes the importance of a direct relationship with customers in media.Significant growth in subscriptions has been achieved through strategic marketing and conversion efforts.The Dispatch aims to expand its B2B offerings, particularly in the legal sector, after acquiring SCOTUS Blog.Community-driven events, known as Juntos, foster deeper member engagement and participation.The overall vision for The Dispatch is to become a household name while maintaining its core values.

    1h 12m

  6. MAR 31

    Building Value: Louise White's Vision for Sift's Growth and Transformation

    The dialogue between Jacob Donnelly and Louise White, CEO of Sift, encapsulates critical insights into the evolution of a media and events company specializing in the accounting sector. White elucidates her journey from a non-executive director to the helm of Sift, highlighting the company's strategic shift from a subscription-based model to a robust focus on events and marketing services. This change, she argues, was necessitated by the realization that the subscription model was not yielding the desired market engagement or financial returns. Instead, Sift is now poised to leverage its deep-rooted community engagement and proprietary data to drive growth and profitability through events that foster genuine connections within the accounting industry. White's perspective on pricing as a pivotal lever for business growth further underscores her strategic acumen, as she advocates for a pricing model that reflects the true value delivered to clients. Her insights into the operational transformations at Sift provide a blueprint for other media businesses navigating similar challenges in a rapidly changing market landscape. Takeaways: Louise White emphasizes the significance of community engagement and data-driven insights in transforming Sift's business model.The decision to cease the paid subscription service reflects Sift's strategic shift towards enhancing event-driven revenue streams.Effective pricing strategies are crucial for profitability, as they serve as a primary lever for business growth and sustainability.Louise White advocates for understanding customer needs to provide tailored solutions, fostering long-term relationships with clients.Sift's events business has experienced a remarkable growth trajectory, showcasing the value of personalized engagement with vendors and attendees.The importance of continuous transformation in business emphasizes building value through strategic decisions and innovative service offerings.

    1h 34m

  7. MAR 24

    The Interplay of Media and Events: A Conversation with Questex's CEO

    Paul Miller, the CEO of Questex, articulates the transformative potential of the B2B media and events industry in this insightful discussion. He explores the pivotal notion that 2026 may herald a significant shift in the mergers and acquisitions landscape, emphasizing Questex's commitment to a mixed model that synergizes media and events. The conversation delves into the strategic rationale behind reducing the number of annual events, shifting focus towards quality and impact, and adapting to evolving market demands. With an eye on both organic growth and acquisitions, Miller outlines Questex's proactive approach to maintaining relevance and driving innovation in sectors such as life sciences and healthcare. The episode culminates in an examination of the company’s robust growth trajectory, underscoring its resilience in an ever-evolving marketplace.

    1h 24m

  8. MAR 17

    From Newsletter to Multimedia: Morning Brew's Shift With Devin Emery

    This podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with Devin Emery, President of Morning Brew Inc., who elucidates the transformative journey of the company from a singular daily newsletter to a multifaceted media entity. The central theme revolves around the strategic evolution of Morning Brew's consumer business, particularly its innovative pivot towards a creator-led portfolio. Emery articulates how the organization has effectively partnered with creators to enhance brand engagement and expand its multimedia presence, while also addressing the challenges faced by other media companies in making similar transitions. Throughout the discourse, we delve into the financial dynamics underpinning this evolution, exploring the intricate balance between revenue generation and maintaining the brand's core identity amidst rapid growth. Emery's insights reflect a keen awareness of the changing landscape of media consumption and the imperative for companies to adapt to sustain relevance and profitability. Takeaways: The evolution of Morning Brew's consumer business is a striking example of successful adaptation in a competitive media landscape.Devin Emery emphasizes the importance of aligning creator partnerships with the core values of the Morning Brew brand.The transition from a newsletter-focused strategy to a multimedia approach has presented unique challenges and opportunities for Morning Brew.Understanding audience engagement metrics is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the brand amidst a rapidly changing media environment.Morning Brew's strategic focus on first-party data is a key differentiator in enhancing advertiser relationships and generating insights.Maintaining the essence of the brand while expanding into new content areas is essential for sustainable growth and audience retention.

    1h 15m
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About

This is the AMO Show. Every week, I interview entrepreneurs and operators that are building media and events companies. Over the course of our discussions, we dig into what’s working, what’s not, how they’re growing and the financials behind their businesses. If you like these discussions and want to go deeper, become an AMO Pro member by visiting A Media Operator dot com.

Information

  • Creator
    Jacob Cohen Donnelly
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Jacob Cohen Donnelly
  • Show Website
    The AMO Show

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