Insider Interviews with E.B. Moss E.B. Moss

Insider Interviews host E.B. Moss engages with Phil Andrews, the dynamic CEO of USA Fencing - recently named a "40 under 40" among sports CEOs. Phil's journey is remarkable—coming from the UK to turn around USA Weightlifting and now making waves in USA Fencing. Think “British Ted Lasso”, not just because of his optimistic outlook on life, but also for his knack for turning niche sports into mainstream successes. Phil shares his innovative and data-driven marketing strategies that have significantly boosted revenue, sponsorships, and membership... including the NGB's award for diversity and inclusion, support of NCAA scholarships, and how these efforts have been woven into the fabric of USA Fencing.



He emphasizes, "Our job is to help people find their way to grabbing the sword for the first time," showcasing his approach to growing the sport.

For example, one tactic, 'Fence Across America,' will bring the excitement of fencing to major U.S. cities simultaneously with the Paris Olympic Games on TV, making the sport more accessible to all. He also unravels the complexities of Olympic and Paralympic sports sponsorships... and the very terminology of the sport itself.



Towards the end, we take a personal turn. Phil mentions how he and his wife, Jessica, support causes like Boarding for Breast Cancer. On a lighter note, despite discovering a distant family connection to the host, Phil explains why he told Sports Business Journal that “Insider Interviews” is his favorite podcast!



Hear more about Phil Andrews' significant contributions to niche sports, his innovative marketing strategies, and his genuine commitment to making sports accessible and exciting for everyone.



Allez!

Meet 17-year-old Braden Blacker, who is disrupting the creator marketing industry and already managing billions of monthly views, (yes, while still in high school.) He shares his journey from childhood entrepreneurialism to working with top influencers – from The Botez Sisters to Sketch -- on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.



Also in Epi 22 of Insider Interviews, host E.B. Moss features more insights captured during the May 2024 Streaming Media conference in New York – from Braden on a panel with senior media executives, to EShap founder Evan Shapiro on the intricacies of the CTV (connected TV) landscape...and where ad money is coming from... and going to. Hint: think YouTube again!



Get practical advice on leveraging trends, creating impactful content, and understanding the backend of social media. Perfect for anyone looking to understand the future of media and influencer marketing.



00:00 Introduction and Recap of Episode 21

01:47 Evan Shapiro on the Connected TV Landscape

05:40 Meet Braden Blacker: The Teenage Media Prodigy

08:43 Braden's Journey: From Childhood to Media Strategist

12:28 Building a Career in Social Media Management

17:40 Insights on Trends, Content Creation, and how Mr. Beast does it!

23:36 Future Plans and Final Thoughts on Digital Marketing Best Practices

Media cartographer Evan Shapiro and renowned author/digital strategist Robert Tercek join host E.B. Moss to discuss what’s essential for surviving in the world of CTV, and embracing AI to thrive in the content arena. These enlightening discussions on the challenges and innovations facing the media industry were recorded at the Streaming Media Conference in New York, and spotlight the potential of AI to revolutionize content creation while ensuring human ingenuity thrives.



Evan Shapiro unpacks the current landscape, emphasizing the need for interoperability to keep CTV companies competitive against tech giants like Amazon, Google and Walmart – let alone YouTube.



Then, educator/futurist Robert Tercek weighs in on our attitudes and use of AI. From the controversial use of copyrighted works for training AI to the widespread anxiety of job loss due to automation, are we too fearful to notice what's truly important? Tercek argues that these issues might be distractions from the more pressing opportunities at the intersection of AI and media. He makes a passionate case for embracing AI as an empowering creative tool, not a threat. Hear Tercek's balanced perspective on AI's possibilities in media:

"There is potential where you might use the AI likeness of a performer to do reshoots. That would be a win for everybody because the artist would get paid, the film would get finished, and they'd be able to fill in the shot."



Get insights on the future of interconnected platforms, AI's role in content creation, and ensuring advances enhance rather than diminish human creativity and jobs.

(Part 2 offers more insights from Evan, and 17-year-old Braden Blacker who is already leveraging digital media full time to “disrupt the creator economy.”)

Key Moments:

00:00 Introduction to Insider Interviews

01:13 Evan Shapiro on Media Industry Insights

03:36 Interoperability and CTV Success

08:58 Robert Tercek on AI and Media

10:42 Controversies in AI: Copyright and Jobs

15:41 The Positive Potential of AI

21:12 Blended Authorship and Copyright Evolution

26:03 AI's Role in Creative Expression, the Future of Writing and Screenwriting

31:28 Synthetic Voice and AI in Media

35:53 Opportunities and Ethical Considerations in AI



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President/CEO of Triton Digital, John Rosso, joins podcast host E.B. Moss in an upbeat and interesting conversation as they move from fun nostalgia over their shared work history in radio, to Triton's own history of playing a pivotal role in shaping the digital audio space...and the future of audio ad tech. Rosso shares his unique perspective on the industry's transformation overall, including how Triton, as a first-to-market game changer, offered dynamic ad insertion and programmatic audio advertising. The two also touch on the challenges of navigating digital audio advertising, Triton's global impact on content management, advertising technology, and audience measurement to leveraging platforms like YouTube. Even the cautionary tale of synthetic voice.

With Moss’s trademark style of the personal mixed with professional, and the dry wit of Rosso matched with his deep institutional knowledge, Episode 20 of Insider Interviews makes for a compelling conversation that elicits laughs and plenty of learnings around the evolving world of audio.



Key Moments:

01:16 The Evolution of Media and a Media Career: From Radio to Digital Audio

03:47 Demystifying Triton Digital: The Backbone of Online Audio

06:48 Pioneering Ad Insertion and Programmatic Advertising

09:58 Global Reach, Local Impact: Triton's Diverse Audio Ecosystem

12:31 Monetization and Trends in Digital Audio: From Local to Global

16:44 Contextual Advertising and Brand Suitability

20:29 The Future of Audio: Synthetic Voices and AI Developments

29:11 Best Practices for Audio Advertisers

35:24 Radio's Public Service Power and Personal Insights

Hear from the Angie behind Angi - the home services powerhouse formerly known as Angie's List. Imagine being a shy recent college grad and launching a service business -- by knocking on doors.... Now imagine evolving it into an international corporation. Angie Hicks describes this remarkable entrepreneurial story – and why she is encouraging others on their own business path – in the skilled trades. Oh, and why she would never encourage anyone to try to hang wallpaper with their spouse!

Marketers will appreciate this informative conversation around Angie's 25+ year story of brand building, innovative growth strategies, and how tenacity can make all the difference in scaling a startup into an industry leader. 



It's fun to hear how Angie applied scrappy early stage local marketing tactics --  and the difference it made when she placed her first major media with an NPR sponsorship that helped explode the brand's early visibility!



Everybody said that little ad wasn't going to work, but you know what? It worked. And the phone started ringing, and we started selling memberships. And within the year, a thousand homeowners had joined in Columbus. Maybe I was a fearless marketer that I was willing to try anything.



Gotta love audio. It’s part of why Angie is now hosting her own podcast, "Trade Up with Angi," which I'm proud to have produced through Moss Appeal, with Steve Lack as expert editor.



Trade Up with Angi Podcast art - Epi 1



Why? The Angi goal was, and is, to help homeowners get home projects done well. 



But it's also to help home service professionals grow their business, and podcast lets Angie, now Chief Customer Officer, continue her customer conversations and spotlight some inspiring pros who speak to how rewarding – and  well-paid  -- the trades can be. 

We talk a lot about being entrepreneurs, but we don't talk enough about the local plumber being an entrepreneur, which they absolutely are.

From Angi's corporate milestones – including the rebrand in 2021 – we truly get the insider’s scoop on leadership philosophies to brand evolution, nurturing connections, and the power of grit, ingenuity and keeping people at the core of your business. But it's clear her warmth and approachability are hand carved into Angi's community-focused culture.  I loved hearing Angie's personal musings on a growth mindset, purpose-driven leadership, the value of building relationships, and just when she realized she needed to build a relationship with an expert for her own home projects!  



People in the trades really like what they do and I think that's something we should be talking about more, especially with GenZ: it's really important for them that they find real value and satisfaction in their career, and I think the trades can be a great option. And, I do not think AI is gonna take over the trades any time soon. -- Angie Hicks



Chapters:

0:00 - Angie's Origin Story: From Door-to-Door in Ohio to IPO



3:45 - Early Marketing Wins: Newspapers, Trade Shows and NPR



08:54 - Launching 'Trade Up With Angi' Podcast (with Moss Appeal!)



9:04 - Making it Personal: Staying Connected Through Team & Customer Relationships



11:36 - Angie's Own Evolution: From Co-Founder to Chief Customer Officer



13:57 - Strategic Rebrand: Unveiling Angi and Expanded Service Offerings



20:47 - The Value of Considering the Skilled Trades, Being a Part of the Community and Leading with Purpose  

Take a dive deep into the evolving landscape of podcast monetization and technology. Host E.B. Moss captures the pulse of Podcast Movement Evolutions, bringing on-the-fly conversations with three industry trailblazers who are shaping the future of podcasting -- with AI, Adtech and advances in monetization.



First up, Justine Benjamin, the global head of marketing for Adswizz and Simplecast, part of the SiriusXM family, shares her expertise on simplifying the complex ecosystem of podcast technology. She discusses the strategic union of Adswizz's enterprise-level monetization platforms with Simplecast's podcast hosting and distribution services. Justine's insights on global trends and the need for education to bridge the ad dollar gap in podcasting are invaluable.



Next, podcast hall of famer Todd Cochrane, CEO of Blubrry Podcasting, unveils new AI-driven production tools designed to streamline podcast planning, production, and promotion. Their innovative 'Vid2Pod' service is a game-changer for YouTube-first creators, allowing them to effortlessly transform video content into bona fide audio podcasts. He also shares his optimistic outlook on podcast growth and the unique opportunities for creators in today's market.



Lastly, Sam Sethi, entrepreneur and podcast industry expert and journalist, introduces us to 'TrueFans'—a platform he founded to enable microtransactions for podcasters. Sam demystifies the concept of 'sats' (fractions of Bitcoin) and the 'value for value' model, which allows direct financial appreciation from fans to creators. He also discusses the potential of a new advertising model that rewards listeners for their time and attention, fundamentally changing the way we think about podcast monetization.



This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, monetization, and the future of podcasting. Join E.B. Moss as she uncovers the latest trends and tools that are redefining the podcast industry, one microtransaction at a time.