Adam Neuhaus of ESPN Films - Stories, Stories, Stories Content Is Your Business

How does an Oscar-winning, major sports network look at content creation and battle changing consumer priorities? Adam Neuhaus, Director of Development for ESPN Films and Original Content, discusses going from pitching ideas to hearing pitches, the nature of content through the lens of filmmakers, why ESPN took a revolutionary strategy and won, why story is first and sport is second, the need to take risks, and great ideas always win over whatever format in which they are presented. He joins hosts Natasha Cholerton Brown (COO of Clippn), Ritesh Gupta (Head of Content for Vayner Productions), and Michael Villasenor (Executive Creative Director of Product Design Experience for Hearst). 


Why the demand for quality storytelling has led to a rise in true crime and multi-part documentaries
The explosion of content in recent years, and how that is likely to continue with Disney and Apple entering the video streaming service marketplace
The role of gatekeepers of media, and the importance of curation and honing a brand
The importance of the directorial “POV” voice in media, and how that directorial focus has been utilized by ESPN with 30 For 30 to let filmmakers tell the stories they want to tell
How that unique and unpredictable element drives engagement from viewers and builds a following
The importance of relationships in how Adam and ESPN Films’ approach to working with directors and documentary projects
How ESPN Films initiates projects, from pitches being sent in to Adam and his team looking for people who have stories they want to tell
Some of Adam’s favorite projects he’s worked on 
What Adam is doing to widen the aperture of ESPN Films’ scope to encompass athleticism, adventure, and competition in general, and not limited to strictly “sports” 
The “target goal” for ESPN Films, and how programming like 30 For 30 has broken beyond content made only for sports fans
Adam brings in some nondairy allergen-friendly ice cream 
Adam’s career trajectory, from working at small production companies, to working at IFP, to the William Morris Agency (now WME), and Paradigm as he shifted gears from working with agencies towards working as a creative
Why film is so important to Adam
Adam’s path towards being a media developer, from being an assistant to a producer
The importance of doing what it is you want to do, even if it’s starting on a small scale, as you play the long game towards the position you want
Headsets and Highballs, the networking group Adam started back when he was working as an assistant, and how it has grown over the years
Cord cutting, and how ESPN has reacted to this by embracing streaming and taking part in other network bundles, along with forward-thinking business ventures
The new opportunities that streaming platforms provide to ESPN that would be impossible on a broadcast schedule
Adam’s work at Radical Media and Original Media, working on indie films, branded content, YouTube channels, and reality TV, which prepared him to work at ESPN Films
How Adam’s work in various areas of media has shaped the enthusiastic, honest, and respectful approach he brings to his job now
Adam breaks down what makes (or breaks) a successful pitch that lands on his desk
Plus, we get to know a little more about Adam, his career goals, his love for basketball, and how according to his 3rd grade report card, he hasn’t changed all that much!
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