Sam T.

Let's talk about parody. Parody is protected under our first amendment right to freedom of speech. That said, the tools that we now have at our disposal, per advancements in technology particularly in AI, have changed the entire parody game. For example, let's think of a more traditional example of parody. One of the first ones I can remember was Dana Carvey impersonating former President George Bush Sr. Because Saturday Night Live is a comedic parody show and it is clear that this wasn't actually George Bush Sr., seems pretty obvious that it's parody. But what about the tweet below from Elon Musk using a voice clone of Vice President Kamala Harris' voice (i.e. sounds like her but not her) saying things about how she knows she's a diversity hire with only the text "This is amazing" See here to watch the video: https://lnkd.in/eXUuiDYj Obvious that it's a parody? Well that's the question here. Where's the line between disinformation and parody? One is protected by the first amendment and the new federal "No Fakes Act" (https://lnkd.in/e_J9DQkV) and one is not. I got deep y'all and read the text of the bill and there is no designation that I saw defining what makes something a parody and what isn't. Now, just to split across bi-partisan lines because this is NOT a political post, remember when deep fakes were popping up of former President Trump in an orange prison jumpsuit? Obvious parody or did it actually convince folks? Because if it did convince, seems like disinformation and should be regulated. But then, how many people does it need to convince? Is there a threshold? How would we know even if there was? And so, the only answer I can think of is the one that X employs, except for the man at the top who can clearly tweet whatever he wants, which is to clearly label something online as parody. Or perhaps if you have only a parody account, that's enough of a signifier. But we need to think through these things and not at the glacial pace that government typically moves, because these will continue to grow in quantity and quality. So what do you think? In this digital age of new AI technology creating digital replicas, should we have tighter regulation over what a parody is? Or no? #deepfake #ai #parody #harris #elonmusk

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If we're connected on FB, you've already seen this: In December, I was contacted by a dear friend from my LA days - Wendy Hartman. We've always wanted to collaborate on something, and we felt it was about time to do that. Over the next several months I wrote a script based on some ideas that we pitched back and forth. Some major and unexpected life events, in both of our lives, derailed us for a bit, but, I'm very proud to publicly announce, that I am directing a film based on a script that I wrote this summer in Hingham, MA called 'The Peppermint Twist.' The short synopsis: "The Peppermint Twist" follows Karen McClain, a relatable yet under appreciated mother, whose life implodes when her husband demands a divorce to marry his pregnant girlfriend. Plunged into a downward spiral, Karen and her rebellious daughter Hailey inadvertently enter the world of a Christmas movie ("The Ginger Snap," starring Dee Wallace) where they become central characters, disrupting the saccharine plot with hilariously unpredictable twists. As they grapple with personal demons and the looming threat of a serial killer, Karen is faced with a choice between the comforting illusion of her alternate reality and the messy but authentic life she's always known. Blending holiday cheer, existential comedy, and a little magic from Dee Wallace, the story takes us on a genre-deconstructing rollercoaster ride that will leave audiences laughing and crying long after the credits roll. “The Peppermint Twist” is written and directed by JW Myers, and produced by Chris Fairall, Wendy Hartman, and JW Myers. Filming Summer 2024 in Hingham, Massachusetts. So - 2 Things. If you're in the industry and local to Hingham (Boston area) - or if you know / can recommend anyone - reach out. There are still roles and crew positions to fill. We are primarily hiring local, due to state tax incentives. Here's the important one: Seeking a DIGITAL ARTIST to collaborate on a line of NFTs and graphics that tie directly into the plot of the film. I want to hire someone I know directly. More to follow, but it's time to "go public" with the announcement. Shooting dates are July 9th - August 7th. - JWM Oh - feel free to message through the inbox here - but for referrals - use this email - [email protected]

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This is one of the finest examples of a spontaneous explanation of what D&D is that I've ever seen. The real magic starts at the fifty-fourth second: https://lnkd.in/dh3M6pby

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Dmitry Belianin, your latest newsletter hit home. The story of Spalletti and the principles you shared resonated with me deeply. Building a business is like playing a long football game full of false starts, missed shots, and hard-fought victories. I've been at this game for 9 years, navigating the highs and lows, celebrating small wins, and learning from countless setbacks. I've embraced failure as a friend and constantly iterated on our product, strategies, and myself. But here's my question: How long should one be prepared to stay in the game to achieve success truly? How do we balance patience with the relentless drive to push forward? Would love to hear your thoughts.

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In 1933, FDR introduced us podcasts. That's right. Almost 100 years ago, he did what no president before him had ever done, when he introduced FIRESIDE CHATS to communicate LIVE and directly with the American people on the radio. This series of conversations was an opportunity for him to build/rebuild trust during the Great Depression, one of the most difficult seasons, by informing the public about the actions and decisions of the government, without interruption, leading, assumption, or speculation (or fact-checking, for that matter). And, the traditional media, which was more limited at the time, was STUNNED and now forced to contend with (and sometimes/often received lower ratings than) a direct line to the President -- a rough estimate says about 54 million Americans tuned in. These conversations often felt casual and informal, with the listener feeling like they were talked TO (and not AT or ABOUT) and in a way that still felt personal and intentional. Let that sit for a moment. While everyone has been losing their minds over the "podcast election" or even having the most forward-facing cabinet picks we've ever seen, I've been over here doing my best not to say, "I told you this was going to happen." We've seen this before! (That's not me endorsing a candidate; that's me seeing between so many lines (and across both sides) of communication and having the ability to identify when and how a strategy is working.) For over a decade and a half, I've been analyzing (and predicting) PATTERNS of traditional and new media, and my observations and, thus, guidance have always been consistent, from producers to business owners: You build trust with your ability to meet your people where they are at, whether it's at home and/or on the phone, and connect TO them in a way that feels personal and in terms that they understand. (I've also been preparing my audience and my clients for the next merge of traditional media and new media, with traditional becoming more social, and social becoming more programmatic, for example, but I digress.) TLDR: A President using a podcast (or social media or not the mainstream media) to connect with the masses isn't new; it's history repeating itself. We've never been more connected and yet feel more disconnected than ever (and like we can trust no one). Disruption is inevitable. And I'm genuinely optimistic for this renewed demand for access, conversation, and transparency, far beyond politics and across all industries.

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Mark your calendars! 🗓️ Exciting news for all podcast enthusiasts - Katra's new episode is set to premiere tomorrow, Monday, August 19th at 11 am EST. 🎙️ Subscribe to our YouTube page and click the notify button to ensure you don't miss out on this insightful discussion! 📲 #podcast #newepisode #YouTube #Katra #katra2024 #katrafilmseries #filmfreeway #madeinny #launchingcinematicdreams #katrapodcast #katraalumnipodcast

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Check out my blog post https://wix.to/z6JyJHn When legends collide: Trump joins Rogan for an unfiltered, rule-breaking conversation you’ll have to hear to believe! This isn’t just another episode—it’s the future of media, where voices meet raw truth. Are you ready to listen? 🎙️ #PodcastingPower #EpicConversations #FreeSpeechRevolution" #newblogpost

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Night bought Bottle Rocket Management. Yup, more M&A consolidation amongst talent rep companies! BIG congrats to Chas Lacaillade, BRM’s founder and a close friend of mine. Chas is a shrewd operator, and over the years I enjoyed watching him build a high-performing creator management company. Awesome to see him pick a strategic partner that aligns with his plan for future growth and improved client servicing. RockWater Industries served as financial advisor to BRM. I therefore can’t go into deal specifics due to the NDA between our companies. Let's break it down… ---TARGET: Bottle Rocket Management--- OVERVIEW • Talent management firm for digital content creators • Founded 2015 by Chas Lacaillade • Bootstrapped, no outside capital • Focus on YouTube creators • Reps ~40 talent clients • Based in Austin, TX TALENT HIGHLIGHTS • Austin Evans • BroScienceLife • JerryRigEverything • UrAvgConsumer ---BUYER: Night--- OVERVIEW • Next-gen representation platform for artists • Founded 2015 by Reed Duchscher • 75-100+ team per LinkedIn • Reps 100+ talent clients • Based in Austin, TX BIZ UNITS • Talent - management, focused on digital creators being entertainers and entrepreneurs • Studios - content studio, helps digital creators create and package shows for TV, streaming • Labs - venture studio, pairs operators with creators to build companies e.g. Feastables • Capital - TCG-backed fund to invest in / acquire profitable creator-led businesses • Ventures - early stage venture fund, focused on tech OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS • Reps world’s largest Twitch streamer, Kai Cenat • First manager of MrBeast, helped catapult his growth • Launched Feastables in 2022, est $100M+ 2024 revenue CAPITAL MARKETS HISTORY • 2022 raised an est high 7 to low 8 figures from TCG • 2022 raised $100M from TCG for Night Capital • 2023 bought mgmt co LFM • 2024 bought The Roost Podcast Network ---DEAL DETAILS--- OVERVIEW • Announced 11.25.24 • Deal terms undisclosed DEAL ORIGINS • Night and BRM leadership have known one another for years • Lacaillade and Night President Ezra Cooperstein both worked at Fullscreen, an early YouTube MCN VALUE PROP • Bring a top digital manager into Night’s leadership team • Deliver larger and more exciting opportunities to BRM clients • Scale talent roster and offerings for Night’s brand and client partners • Scale Night’s seasoned digital talent team via BRM team additions • More leverage to recruit more digital-native clients ...I'll write more about the deal in my Friday M&A newsletter, signup link in comments 👇 -- I'm the founder of RockWater. We do M&A and strategy advisory for media, agencies, and creator economy. My DMs are open.

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Hey #marketers, #experts, #authors.... Howard Stern says podcasts are for people who can't get on the radio...and in some ways, he's right. Most podcasts suck. Badly. Most podcasts never get listened to...because most amateurs focus on amateur advice a professional marketer sold them on. Get this course. Buy this mic. Subscribe to this software, or group or club. You can buy the clubs Tiger Woods uses, but it won't make you play like him. Tiger could play with garden tools and still beat most people. It comes down to a secret formula: Content + ________________ + target audience Back to Howard's statement about podcasters not being able to get radio shows.... That's because most podcasts and podcasters are unlistenable. But...those are know how to communicate, create compelling content, and grow an audience....have a massive opportunity coming. Did you hear about the podcaster who just took over afternoon drive on WABC in New York (Market #1) and WLS in Chicago (Market #3)? This is a trend I saw coming...where those who have talent and great content will be taking over traditional media outlets. In other words, podcasters are going to take over RADIO. Radio still reaches 92% of Americans.. There are over 13,000 radio station in the USA... And radio companies are CLUELESS about how to develop new talent. So what will happen, is these radio companies will be begging the top podcasters and social media stars to bring their fans and followers to the airwaves. Radio people will lose their jobs. Pod people will take over. It JUST happened in Market #1 and Market #3... And it also happened on Fox Sports Radio nationally when Clay Travis took over MORNING drive nationally. So - You BUSINESS moguls. You HEALTH gurus.... GET READY. Prepare now. Your shot at becoming the next Dr. Oz, Suze Orman, Dave Ramsey, or Ben Shapiro will be determined on the work you put in NOW. Here's How to start a #podcast (2019) Skip equipment/software & build a REAL audience of ACTUAL listeners. https://lnkd.in/gyeeTE6h

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*NEW* Frank Grillo dives into the unique premise of "Werewolves," which combines the classic horror of werewolves with a pandemic twist. The movie is out today!💡✨Watch the full interview at geekvibesnation.com #kjtoday #newmovie #celebrityinterview

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Recently, I was listening to a very popular "inside Hollywood" podcast. They were breaking down the upcoming summer movies and BAD BOYS came up. One of them casually mentioned that he missed the last one. The one that made $200M+ domestically and another $200M+ overseas. Can I explain how WILD that is? This person is PAID to cover our biz in GREAT detail, breaking down every public and non-public fact. But you know what? It tracks. In a business where your cred is measured by seeing EVERYTHING, you can always count on a number of hands to go up when asked who saw {insert tiny, non-commercial White-centered film that opened in 5 theaters} that weekend. Yet it's usually just me and the other execs of color who made it to the #1 movie of the weekend on the weekends when that movie starred a majority non-White cast. Who saw WOMAN KING opening weekend? ONE LOVE? LITTLE MERMAID? Just me and the other Black person? Cool. No matter how many reports confirm that more inclusive films perform the best overall, the narrative remains that White-centered movies are for everyone and movies centered on people of color are only for those specific people of color. It is frustrating and diminishes their value. But if you can be a White exec who watches no or very little BIPOC-centered content and still succeed, why would you change the narrative? It is true for you. The question is why. It isn't that people can only relate to faces that look like theirs. Black, brown, AAPI, Indigenous, MENA folks have watched White characters for generations and found a way to connect. You couldn't have told me I wasn't a "Carrie" or "Lorelai". Their Whiteness didn't make them foreign to me. I related to their humor, their brains, their confidence, etc. because they were HUMAN and I know how to connect to humans. But somehow, we just expect/accept that White audiences can't do that. No White faces, no White audience? But is it really that simple? I don't think so. Classic chicken-egg conundrum. We are trapped in a problem of our own creation. After decades and decades of conditioning White audiences to turn their eyes off when BIPOC faces come on-screen because it's "not for them", many White audiences...do just that. But it doesn't need to be this way. We can UN-do the thing that was done. We can make broad, commercial high-quality movies at all budget levels with BIPOC leads in every genre and trust that we can retrain audiences. We can be horrified when our colleagues say they haven't seen AMERICAN FICTION as they'd be if we missed POOR THINGS. "You work in the business, bro. Do better." We can see movies that star people that don't look like us, in the first weekend not on a plane eventually. We can be as eager to discover the next Sterling K. Brown as we are to find the next Sydney Sweeney. Then we can put them both in the same types of big studio bets. We don't have to lay in the messy bed we made poorly 50 years ago; we can make a new one.

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Monopoly Go vs. Royal Match has been a significant grudge match for top ranking in the worldwide revenue charts. Other battles include Whiteout vs. Last War and HOK vs. DFO. While Monopoly has dominated this battle to date, we examine whether a major inflection point has now been reached, where Royal Match pulls ahead. Shoutout to Shilpa Gaur for driving this Gamemakers Marketwire feature on Monopoly Go vs. Royal Match. Check out this deep dive on: - Respective genre comparison - Performance analysis - Future outlook #gamedev #gamedesign #gamebusiness https://lnkd.in/g5GTbrXd

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Part Two of our mega review of Trump: The Game! No hush money involved, though the real crime is that there's only ONE PICTURE for the whole game??? All 3 parts are up on my LinkedIn page today. What a ride! Jason Lautenschleger, Barry & Jason - Games and Entertainment, The Trump Organization

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