1 00:00:07,960 --> 00:00:11,520 Speaker 1: Welcome to another episode of Strictly Business, the podcast in 2 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:13,760 Speaker 1: which we speak with some of the brightest minds working 3 00:00:13,800 --> 00:00:17,600 Speaker 1: in the media business today. I'm Andrew Wallenstein with Variety. 4 00:00:18,360 --> 00:00:20,320 Speaker 1: Kevin Hart has got to be one of the busiest 5 00:00:20,360 --> 00:00:22,840 Speaker 1: people in show bidz. In addition to appearing in a 6 00:00:22,840 --> 00:00:26,079 Speaker 1: steady stream of movies, TV shows and more, he also 7 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: owns a company with dozens of active projects across a 8 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:33,200 Speaker 1: wide range of platforms and media. But because heart can't 9 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:35,720 Speaker 1: be everywhere at once, he turns to my next guest 10 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:40,159 Speaker 1: to oversee his operation. Ty Randolph is the CEO of 11 00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:44,040 Speaker 1: Heartbeat Get It, and she's with us today to walk 12 00:00:44,200 --> 00:00:47,199 Speaker 1: us through Hearts Empire. We'll be back with her in 13 00:00:47,320 --> 00:00:58,320 Speaker 1: just a moment. We're back with Ty Randolph, the producing 14 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:01,319 Speaker 1: partner to Kevin Hart and the any many projects he's 15 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:06,040 Speaker 1: overseeing through his Heartbeat company. Thanks for joining us, Tie, 16 00:01:06,200 --> 00:01:09,479 Speaker 1: Thanks for having me such a great way to start 17 00:01:09,480 --> 00:01:12,560 Speaker 1: the morning. Sure, so, I'll have you know you are 18 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:16,040 Speaker 1: the two hundred and fifty seven podcast. We've done it 19 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:19,440 Speaker 1: Strictly Business. And I tell you that because the very 20 00:01:19,520 --> 00:01:22,039 Speaker 1: first one we did four and a half years ago 21 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:24,800 Speaker 1: was with a gentleman by the name of Kevin Hart, 22 00:01:25,600 --> 00:01:29,959 Speaker 1: and so I'm curious, after all this time, over these 23 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:32,039 Speaker 1: past four and a half years, what has it been 24 00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:36,720 Speaker 1: like watching the growth of the production side of what 25 00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:38,959 Speaker 1: he does. Because when we first talked about it with him, 26 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:43,399 Speaker 1: it seemed like something that was kind of almost besides 27 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 1: the point in terms of his career, and now it's 28 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 1: quite an empire. It's really interesting that you referenced the 29 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:52,200 Speaker 1: four and a half year mark. I had been in 30 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:55,920 Speaker 1: Kevin's ecosystem for about five and a half years. It'll 31 00:01:55,960 --> 00:02:00,200 Speaker 1: be six in April next year. In the four and 32 00:02:00,240 --> 00:02:05,040 Speaker 1: a half year reference point is really significant because that 33 00:02:05,160 --> 00:02:09,200 Speaker 1: was around the time that Kevin launched to Laugh Out 34 00:02:09,240 --> 00:02:13,040 Speaker 1: Loud with uh Lionsgate. It was a joint venture and 35 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 1: it was one of the entities that would be emerged 36 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:19,720 Speaker 1: into what is now Heartbeat, and I think it marked 37 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 1: a real entrepreneurial evolution in his career. He had Heartbeat 38 00:02:24,080 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 1: Productions and that was the banner through which he was 39 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 1: producing his stand up specials and you know, had a 40 00:02:31,639 --> 00:02:36,680 Speaker 1: really interesting theatrical debut with Night School. That film's producer 41 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:38,480 Speaker 1: about twenty onlion dollars and went on to gross over 42 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:41,480 Speaker 1: one hundred in the box office and UM and and 43 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:43,800 Speaker 1: so there was this commercial success and he was in 44 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:47,240 Speaker 1: the film. There was this entrepreneurial hustle around producing and 45 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: even financing his earlier stand up specials UM, but Laugh 46 00:02:51,240 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 1: Out Loud was really going into a business partnership with 47 00:02:56,360 --> 00:02:59,440 Speaker 1: a studio, and it was a different way of doing business. 48 00:02:59,680 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 1: It was also very future focused. The goal was to 49 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:07,800 Speaker 1: create the UM future of comedy is We used to 50 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:12,280 Speaker 1: discuss it and create a platform for new version. We 51 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:15,160 Speaker 1: haven't even smaller one now at Heartbeat we talk about 52 00:03:15,600 --> 00:03:18,320 Speaker 1: existing to keep the world laughing take together, so just 53 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:20,720 Speaker 1: the whole globe, you know. So it was, it was. 54 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:26,240 Speaker 1: It was very ambitious. But what we realized in targeting UM, 55 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:29,400 Speaker 1: you know sort of like youth audiences and a really 56 00:03:29,480 --> 00:03:34,400 Speaker 1: multicultural global audience, was that having a single destination for 57 00:03:34,520 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 1: us in our proposition UM wouldn't really fully fulfill that 58 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 1: that that ambition of creating the future of comedies. Around 59 00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 1: twenty nineteen, UM, you know, Kevin maybe we architected a 60 00:03:48,960 --> 00:03:51,560 Speaker 1: deal with lions Gate that saw Kevin buying out the 61 00:03:51,560 --> 00:03:54,800 Speaker 1: majority of their interests UM and really taking this independent 62 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:59,320 Speaker 1: and when we move the team from lions Gate UM 63 00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:03,000 Speaker 1: to en seing know, a really a different culture was 64 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:06,600 Speaker 1: was born. He had these two enterprises literary really you know, 65 00:04:06,720 --> 00:04:09,880 Speaker 1: under the same under the same roof, and the synergy 66 00:04:09,960 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 1: and the opportunity started to snowball. On the laugh Out loudside, 67 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:17,240 Speaker 1: we brought on nbc U as an investor, UH the 68 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:21,560 Speaker 1: peacock nbc U and UM we got into television and 69 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:25,159 Speaker 1: the team grew, and then the commercial traction grew. We 70 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:29,039 Speaker 1: were profitable upon carb out and we would go on 71 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:31,920 Speaker 1: to double revenue year over year for the next couple 72 00:04:31,920 --> 00:04:34,720 Speaker 1: of years. Later that year, so later in the year, 73 00:04:34,720 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 1: in March, Kevin asked me. Later I was already CEO 74 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 1: of laugh Out Loud, Kevin came and asked me to 75 00:04:41,480 --> 00:04:44,520 Speaker 1: expand my role to Heartbeat as well. So we set 76 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:47,920 Speaker 1: up the shared services into team between and I started 77 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 1: to oversee the business operations and strategy for both ORGS 78 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:56,440 Speaker 1: and UM and so and then again we were small 79 00:04:56,480 --> 00:04:58,800 Speaker 1: at the time, you know, about a dozen employees at 80 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:02,960 Speaker 1: both both companies, a dozen eaves. So you know, I'm 81 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 1: told me something employees and in both are having banner years. 82 00:05:07,200 --> 00:05:11,320 Speaker 1: You know. On the harpy production side, we UH had 83 00:05:12,720 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 1: partnered with Netflix on on the feature side and had 84 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:19,880 Speaker 1: a multi picture deal there for Kevin and then you 85 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:22,360 Speaker 1: know this this overall on the film side. So we 86 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:25,400 Speaker 1: were seeing tremendous traction. On the Lackout Loud side. We 87 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:28,839 Speaker 1: were partnering with Peacock to create some really amazing vitrel hits. 88 00:05:29,040 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 1: Our brand partnerships business was growing. What was the ration 89 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:35,599 Speaker 1: now for bringing these companies together? You know, it was 90 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 1: very clear that independently these were interesting organizations. Together though 91 00:05:40,440 --> 00:05:43,560 Speaker 1: we had already assembled under our hood the capability and 92 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 1: the personnel to really make market and monetize any type 93 00:05:47,320 --> 00:05:50,280 Speaker 1: of communic ip we could imagine, and so we were 94 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 1: simply stronger together. It was a you know, in our belief, 95 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:57,600 Speaker 1: one plus one equals you know, one billion or more proposition, 96 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:03,000 Speaker 1: and and that was you know, sort of the thesis 97 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:06,480 Speaker 1: for the merger the other, you know, sort of just logistically, 98 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 1: we were growing into each other's backyard, right Heartbeat had 99 00:06:09,480 --> 00:06:13,040 Speaker 1: been television and film laughout that laugh out Loud was 100 00:06:13,080 --> 00:06:15,320 Speaker 1: starting to do a lot more on the television side. 101 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:19,720 Speaker 1: Heartbeat was getting into more brand partnerships. Both had audio 102 00:06:19,839 --> 00:06:23,560 Speaker 1: relationships and imprints, so um, you know, they're they're just 103 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:26,040 Speaker 1: it didn't make any sense to keep those things separate. 104 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:30,720 Speaker 1: But also when we combined UM all of those assets 105 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:34,040 Speaker 1: and and that team, uh, all of a sudden, it 106 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:36,280 Speaker 1: was just sort of like really impressive platform. Right when 107 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:39,440 Speaker 1: we looked across the ecosystem, at the talent relationships that 108 00:06:39,480 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 1: we had, commercial partnerships that we had UM, and just 109 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:48,279 Speaker 1: the expertise that was in the organization, Uh, it all 110 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:51,920 Speaker 1: made sense. So that happened in July one. We merged 111 00:06:51,960 --> 00:06:55,120 Speaker 1: the company, uh within the next you know, five and 112 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:59,920 Speaker 1: a half months. So we lifted the UM, the curt 113 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:06,640 Speaker 1: and on heartbeat the combined entity on January of two. 114 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:11,200 Speaker 1: And then we would go on to further capitalize the 115 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:14,680 Speaker 1: company through one million dollar cash infusion from a private 116 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:17,640 Speaker 1: equity group. Every partners that when we closed that deal 117 00:07:17,640 --> 00:07:20,240 Speaker 1: at the end of April two. And what did you 118 00:07:20,320 --> 00:07:23,200 Speaker 1: sell avery on? Why were they ready to invest it 119 00:07:23,800 --> 00:07:27,080 Speaker 1: quite a big level? Yeah, So you know, one, we 120 00:07:27,120 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 1: sold them on the idea that we are a mission 121 00:07:28,680 --> 00:07:30,920 Speaker 1: driven company, right like our mission is to keep the 122 00:07:30,920 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 1: world laughing together. So there was this big unifying idea 123 00:07:37,040 --> 00:07:39,720 Speaker 1: and purpose that really set us apart in the industry. 124 00:07:40,200 --> 00:07:43,840 Speaker 1: We also had not only the number one, uh, comedian, 125 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:46,280 Speaker 1: and that's not from a subjective standpoint, but by you know, 126 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 1: pretty much every commercial measure um you know, at the HELM. 127 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:54,240 Speaker 1: So there was no one more qualified to pursue that 128 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 1: endeavor than him and to execute on that. We just 129 00:07:56,880 --> 00:08:00,440 Speaker 1: had really solid case studies about how impact so he 130 00:08:00,480 --> 00:08:03,400 Speaker 1: had been and how impactful the company had been. When 131 00:08:03,440 --> 00:08:09,160 Speaker 1: we went in, we had doubled revenue from one as 132 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:12,240 Speaker 1: a combined entity if we look back, and we were 133 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:15,560 Speaker 1: on track to do so again in that year that 134 00:08:15,600 --> 00:08:18,480 Speaker 1: we were closing, which was two. We went on to 135 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:20,960 Speaker 1: fulfill that right. So post close, we went on to 136 00:08:21,040 --> 00:08:23,480 Speaker 1: deliver on those goals that we projected. And so it 137 00:08:23,520 --> 00:08:27,920 Speaker 1: was just a solid commercial organization. We were living a nimble, 138 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:31,600 Speaker 1: really hard working but also very focused on the bottom line. 139 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:34,840 Speaker 1: And I think that combination of big ambition but bottom 140 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:38,040 Speaker 1: line focus was what did it. But I'm curious, you know, 141 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:40,480 Speaker 1: when you sell a private equity company and the idea 142 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:43,719 Speaker 1: of you know, conquering the comedy world. As you know, 143 00:08:43,920 --> 00:08:47,360 Speaker 1: comedy is a tough business right now in film Kevin's 144 00:08:47,360 --> 00:08:50,560 Speaker 1: probably one of the few draws left, uh, and it's 145 00:08:50,640 --> 00:08:54,800 Speaker 1: not easier anywhere else. So what makes you guys so 146 00:08:54,920 --> 00:08:58,319 Speaker 1: confident you can sort of succeed in a place where 147 00:08:58,400 --> 00:09:02,400 Speaker 1: there's plenty of failure. We don't fashion ourselves a comedy company, right, 148 00:09:02,480 --> 00:09:04,920 Speaker 1: We're an entertainment company. Remember I said our mission was 149 00:09:04,960 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 1: to keep the world laughing together. Um. But the focus 150 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:11,040 Speaker 1: there is together laughter, which is at the core of 151 00:09:11,080 --> 00:09:13,960 Speaker 1: what we do, not everything that we do right in truth, 152 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:16,760 Speaker 1: and a few people know this just because Kevin is 153 00:09:16,760 --> 00:09:20,640 Speaker 1: at the Helm, but all around seventy pcent of our 154 00:09:20,679 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 1: projects are comedic, right that that are currently in market. 155 00:09:24,120 --> 00:09:26,560 Speaker 1: When you look to the year ahead, um, and the 156 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:29,680 Speaker 1: years ahead, you see that ratio still having that comedy 157 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:33,640 Speaker 1: is the focus in the majority. But what happens outside 158 00:09:33,640 --> 00:09:36,280 Speaker 1: of comedy and connected to comedy, at the intersections of 159 00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:40,720 Speaker 1: comedy and culture, comedy and sports, comedy and you name it, um, 160 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 1: you know, start to grow. What we do is program 161 00:09:43,720 --> 00:09:46,880 Speaker 1: with humor, heart and heat. Well. I think another big 162 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:50,160 Speaker 1: opportunity is companies like yours in general in the past 163 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:54,480 Speaker 1: few years have been attracting a ton of investment there. 164 00:09:54,559 --> 00:09:57,440 Speaker 1: I think it's, you know, the the explosion of the 165 00:09:57,480 --> 00:10:00,480 Speaker 1: streaming world and all the selling opera tune and needs 166 00:10:00,520 --> 00:10:04,120 Speaker 1: that that creates has made companies like Heartbeats so hot. 167 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:08,240 Speaker 1: You've gotten this infusion from private equity. Could you guys 168 00:10:08,240 --> 00:10:11,800 Speaker 1: eventually sell to a high bidder or is this something 169 00:10:11,840 --> 00:10:14,840 Speaker 1: where you know Kevin is going to take stay in 170 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:19,040 Speaker 1: control as long as Pete wants to. Really good question, 171 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 1: you know with what one of the things I've been 172 00:10:22,160 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 1: really impressed by is just Kevin's entrepreneurial acumen. You know, um, 173 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: not just with Heartbeat, but he has other ventures outside 174 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:33,680 Speaker 1: of the entertainment space. And while he is the consummate entertainer, 175 00:10:33,800 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 1: you know, he's also the consumt entrepreneurial. So this is 176 00:10:36,240 --> 00:10:38,800 Speaker 1: a commercial in deavorens one. It's fueled by passion, but 177 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 1: this is not a vanity project where you know, he 178 00:10:41,640 --> 00:10:43,880 Speaker 1: or any of the management team and a are sitting 179 00:10:43,880 --> 00:10:47,960 Speaker 1: around and saying, um, you know, we do stuff only 180 00:10:48,040 --> 00:10:51,720 Speaker 1: because we want to and we're not focused on, you know, 181 00:10:51,760 --> 00:10:55,360 Speaker 1: the commercialization of the business and that um you know, 182 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:58,400 Speaker 1: our our business is actually and not for Kevin, but 183 00:10:58,480 --> 00:11:00,959 Speaker 1: the business a Heartbeat is actually larger than the brand 184 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:02,600 Speaker 1: of Heartbeat right now. So you know, one of my 185 00:11:02,600 --> 00:11:05,720 Speaker 1: big objectives going into this next year is to really 186 00:11:06,280 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 1: um let our audiences are our content buyers, consumers, you know, 187 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:14,440 Speaker 1: co creators, know everything that's under the hood and everything 188 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 1: that the company is capable of it is doing, and 189 00:11:16,160 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 1: make sure that attribution happens um because it's a it's 190 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:22,120 Speaker 1: a really significant business and it's one that's scaling in 191 00:11:22,240 --> 00:11:24,679 Speaker 1: terms of you know, sort of the long term plan. 192 00:11:24,960 --> 00:11:28,120 Speaker 1: We are trying to grow and we will grow the 193 00:11:28,120 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 1: healthiest business possible. And I say that because we want 194 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:34,480 Speaker 1: to maximize you know, profit, we want to maximize potential, 195 00:11:34,520 --> 00:11:37,520 Speaker 1: but maximize optionality. Um. You know, I think we want 196 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:40,679 Speaker 1: to keep advancing this vision to keep the world laughing 197 00:11:40,679 --> 00:11:43,199 Speaker 1: together and that could take lots of different forms um 198 00:11:43,240 --> 00:11:45,040 Speaker 1: in terms of how that is executed, but also in 199 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:47,040 Speaker 1: terms of what the ownership structure with the cap table 200 00:11:47,080 --> 00:11:52,640 Speaker 1: looks like. We're going to be right back with more 201 00:11:52,640 --> 00:12:03,280 Speaker 1: with Tyrandolph's CEO of Heartbeat m. We are back with 202 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:07,120 Speaker 1: Ty Randolph, who works very closely with one Kevin Hart 203 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 1: on the company known as Heartbeat Ty. I gotta ask, 204 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:13,600 Speaker 1: I mean, what is it like working with a Kevin 205 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 1: Hard who I mean, obviously he's a hard working guy, 206 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 1: but he's you know, he's off shooting stuff and there's 207 00:12:19,480 --> 00:12:21,559 Speaker 1: all the things he's doing in front of the camera. 208 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:26,000 Speaker 1: How active is he really in, you know, running things 209 00:12:26,040 --> 00:12:31,239 Speaker 1: alongside yourself? Unbelievably active? I don't. It's hard to articulate 210 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:33,040 Speaker 1: because he would have to assume that he has more 211 00:12:33,040 --> 00:12:34,920 Speaker 1: hours in his day, and I'm not convinced that he 212 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:43,320 Speaker 1: does not, but you know, he is one. So there's 213 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:45,800 Speaker 1: this before, you know, before a merger the two companies. 214 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:49,200 Speaker 1: On on the Hartbeat side, our logo was this sort 215 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:51,959 Speaker 1: of echo cardiogram, right like a pulse going through a 216 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:55,439 Speaker 1: heart and on laugh about Wold it was l L 217 00:12:55,760 --> 00:12:59,359 Speaker 1: with an exclamation point. And I think those two symbols 218 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:04,760 Speaker 1: um really represent the role that Kevin plays in the organization. 219 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:07,040 Speaker 1: So one, he's the pulse, right he's the heartbeat of it, 220 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:10,360 Speaker 1: pun intended, and so we get our pace, our passion, 221 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:13,440 Speaker 1: our persistence from him. The energy that you see and 222 00:13:13,480 --> 00:13:17,120 Speaker 1: I think anyone who's met him in on set or 223 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 1: you know, in in business capacity, you know, there's just 224 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:25,400 Speaker 1: sort of like kinetic by right like, and it's pretty infectious. 225 00:13:25,440 --> 00:13:28,520 Speaker 1: So that's the energy that he sort of seeds through 226 00:13:28,520 --> 00:13:34,400 Speaker 1: the organization, and it really sparks a hunger to win 227 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:38,520 Speaker 1: and a belief that all things are possible. I get it. 228 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:41,440 Speaker 1: He's the real deal. So you mentioned branding is a 229 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:43,960 Speaker 1: big priority for the coming year. I know also you 230 00:13:43,960 --> 00:13:47,599 Speaker 1: guys are looking towards expanding your experiential business. What what 231 00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:49,880 Speaker 1: does that going to look like? Yeah, so you know, 232 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:53,080 Speaker 1: back to that mission keeping the world laughing together. There 233 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 1: is a big global de demand UM for comedy in 234 00:13:56,720 --> 00:14:00,560 Speaker 1: particular on the live events space. Now that that you know, 235 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:03,840 Speaker 1: we figured out at least you know, for now the 236 00:14:03,880 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 1: world over is relatively open and so Kevin has been 237 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:13,800 Speaker 1: seeing UM on his personal tour. Uh, just a wild 238 00:14:13,880 --> 00:14:16,760 Speaker 1: demand for tickets selling out, you know, just about everywhere, 239 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:19,880 Speaker 1: multiple shows and cities. People want to connect, right, They 240 00:14:20,040 --> 00:14:23,520 Speaker 1: want to be together again. They want that high impact entertainment. 241 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:27,080 Speaker 1: And so we really drafted off that next year and 242 00:14:27,160 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 1: so you know, we will be rolling out global experiences 243 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:37,000 Speaker 1: in Africa, Europe, will be activating domestically UM in in 244 00:14:37,160 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 1: ways are obvious to to us, and you know, sort 245 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:44,640 Speaker 1: of like both being an intimate comedic experience but also 246 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:47,200 Speaker 1: really honing in on that comedy and culture piece. Right. 247 00:14:47,280 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 1: So um, everything that the Heartbeat brand represents, so comedy, 248 00:14:50,920 --> 00:14:54,440 Speaker 1: our intersections with music and sports, but also um in 249 00:14:54,720 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 1: some areas be too, be an industry component to it, 250 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:01,280 Speaker 1: where there will be a thought leadership component in some 251 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:03,520 Speaker 1: of these markets. But we'll bring you know, really bright 252 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 1: minds across the industry, whether it's entertainment or creativity and technology, 253 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:11,920 Speaker 1: um around sort of business opportunities. So we're really excited 254 00:15:11,960 --> 00:15:16,400 Speaker 1: about um that from a consumer engagement perspective, but also 255 00:15:16,440 --> 00:15:19,200 Speaker 1: a brand building perspective, right, you know, the experiential the 256 00:15:19,200 --> 00:15:21,440 Speaker 1: experienial side of our business is a really big way 257 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:24,920 Speaker 1: um to advance the Heartbeat brand globally. You guys have 258 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:30,640 Speaker 1: like seventy different projects in development. What are the priorities 259 00:15:30,680 --> 00:15:33,680 Speaker 1: for three? Are there any big releases we should be 260 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:36,440 Speaker 1: expect from Heartbeat? Well, I mean we're really excited that 261 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:39,760 Speaker 1: we're continuing, um, you know with some of our existing franchises, 262 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:44,440 Speaker 1: you know, whether they be branded or television or films. So, um, 263 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:47,760 Speaker 1: you know we're working on We just rend production on 264 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:51,440 Speaker 1: our next installment of our diehar Our Diehart franchise with 265 00:15:51,440 --> 00:15:53,880 Speaker 1: with Roku or in the final stages of production through 266 00:15:53,880 --> 00:15:56,840 Speaker 1: that road post production. Um, you know, we'll see cold 267 00:15:56,880 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 1: as Balls come back again. Like I said, it's in 268 00:15:59,880 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 1: as favorite sports show, and we still have a lot 269 00:16:01,640 --> 00:16:04,320 Speaker 1: of fun doing it. UM. You know, there's audio expansion 270 00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:06,760 Speaker 1: on our business. Will be rolling out new audio properties 271 00:16:06,760 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 1: with you know that aren't Kevin with some really unique 272 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:12,640 Speaker 1: and exciting voices both in podcasts and radio, UM and 273 00:16:12,640 --> 00:16:15,880 Speaker 1: and really expanding the footprint at business. We've got some 274 00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 1: really exciting audio books lined up VRR you know deal 275 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:25,360 Speaker 1: with UM Audible. We'll have a new film project that 276 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:28,120 Speaker 1: I'm not I can't say much about coming out Netflix 277 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:32,840 Speaker 1: next year. UM Peacock NBCU who's a really deep partner 278 00:16:32,880 --> 00:16:36,440 Speaker 1: of ours. There's a big slate in pipeline there unscripted, 279 00:16:36,480 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: scripted UM across the board. So it's it's been really 280 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:43,120 Speaker 1: really robust for us UH and and in terms of 281 00:16:43,120 --> 00:16:47,960 Speaker 1: just overall priorities outside a project are unscripted business UM. 282 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:51,400 Speaker 1: You know, we're really leaning into and looking to create 283 00:16:51,960 --> 00:16:55,360 Speaker 1: buzz of your formats UM and and continue down the 284 00:16:55,360 --> 00:16:57,840 Speaker 1: path that we've been on. There's a project that we're 285 00:16:57,840 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 1: working on right now with Nick Cannon that was actually 286 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:06,040 Speaker 1: really inspired by UM a prank UH those prank mechanisms 287 00:17:06,040 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 1: that he and Kevin had going back and forth, and 288 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:10,159 Speaker 1: so now you'll see that come to life in a 289 00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:12,840 Speaker 1: new in a new format on television. And I know 290 00:17:13,040 --> 00:17:16,520 Speaker 1: you've got something important to you coming up at the 291 00:17:16,520 --> 00:17:21,640 Speaker 1: Sundance Film Festival, the return of the Women Right Now franchise. Uh, 292 00:17:21,800 --> 00:17:24,439 Speaker 1: tell me a bit about how that came together, what 293 00:17:24,600 --> 00:17:27,879 Speaker 1: it is. So, you know, at Heartbeat, we pride ourselves 294 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:32,800 Speaker 1: on our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and I'm 295 00:17:32,840 --> 00:17:35,920 Speaker 1: really proud of the composition of the company. We are 296 00:17:37,640 --> 00:17:42,199 Speaker 1: it's current day. We are people of color and I 297 00:17:42,240 --> 00:17:44,600 Speaker 1: say that sometimes and people feel like we're over indexing, 298 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 1: but actually the world is people of color. So it's 299 00:17:48,080 --> 00:17:52,119 Speaker 1: a very kind of reflective UM organization in that way. 300 00:17:52,480 --> 00:17:56,359 Speaker 1: We are at this moment women again, the world is 301 00:17:56,400 --> 00:18:01,040 Speaker 1: fifty one and so UM you know, we it's really 302 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:04,920 Speaker 1: important for us to you know, provide opportunity and create 303 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:08,760 Speaker 1: a real meritocracy across the board. That said, UM, you 304 00:18:08,840 --> 00:18:11,320 Speaker 1: do that by recognizing that everyone could do better. There's 305 00:18:11,359 --> 00:18:15,160 Speaker 1: always opportunity in rooms to improve. So one of the places, UM, 306 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:17,919 Speaker 1: you know that I was particularly attuned to was the 307 00:18:17,960 --> 00:18:20,600 Speaker 1: idea that comedy can feel like a boy's club, right, 308 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:24,320 Speaker 1: and comedy writer's ums in particular can feel that way. 309 00:18:24,440 --> 00:18:26,359 Speaker 1: And then when you double drilled down and you say, well, 310 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:29,800 Speaker 1: how many black women get in those those places? All 311 00:18:29,840 --> 00:18:32,800 Speaker 1: of a sudden, we've narrowed down on this very specific 312 00:18:32,840 --> 00:18:36,840 Speaker 1: insight right where there's this very you know, significant disparity 313 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:41,960 Speaker 1: and where we were in our uniquely positioned to action 314 00:18:42,119 --> 00:18:46,760 Speaker 1: and improved that reality. So we UM, based on based 315 00:18:46,760 --> 00:18:50,320 Speaker 1: on that insight, came up with a program called Women 316 00:18:50,400 --> 00:18:53,879 Speaker 1: Right Now. We co founded it with Sundance Institute, so 317 00:18:53,960 --> 00:18:57,320 Speaker 1: with a partnership with them, and you know, the idea 318 00:18:57,480 --> 00:19:01,040 Speaker 1: was see something, say something, but also do something about it. 319 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:03,840 Speaker 1: So we put up our own money of at Heartbeat 320 00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:06,760 Speaker 1: and said we're gonna launch this program and partnership with Sundance. 321 00:19:06,800 --> 00:19:09,600 Speaker 1: We went to Sundance because you know, there's no organization 322 00:19:09,600 --> 00:19:13,720 Speaker 1: that cares for cultivates artists better. And we wanted a 323 00:19:13,800 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 1: no barrier to entry program. So there are no fees 324 00:19:16,600 --> 00:19:19,200 Speaker 1: to participate if you're a black woman, and you can 325 00:19:19,280 --> 00:19:21,639 Speaker 1: run right if you write us an original short. We 326 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:23,800 Speaker 1: didn't no matter how many submissions that we get, and 327 00:19:24,040 --> 00:19:26,840 Speaker 1: you know that was nearly a thousand last year, and 328 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:30,600 Speaker 1: so UM we narrowed that down to three who go 329 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 1: through the program. These three fellows and they get this 330 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:39,159 Speaker 1: really immersive experience with hearty executives and creative Sundance Institute 331 00:19:39,200 --> 00:19:42,879 Speaker 1: program Uh, you know, administrators and creatives. But also we 332 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:46,399 Speaker 1: bring together this community and we had folks from a 333 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 1: MC and P Peacock and most of the talent agencies 334 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:58,800 Speaker 1: and publicists and wonderful showrunners and writers who really spent 335 00:19:59,080 --> 00:20:02,080 Speaker 1: two weeks with these women going through this immersive program 336 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:05,280 Speaker 1: UM to really get their project from spirit to screen. 337 00:20:05,840 --> 00:20:08,760 Speaker 1: And then because when you start to do good, that 338 00:20:08,960 --> 00:20:12,600 Speaker 1: snowball's right. Um, we found an opportunity to you know, 339 00:20:12,840 --> 00:20:15,960 Speaker 1: help solve another challenge. We and and this was said, 340 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:18,679 Speaker 1: I gotta give Jeff Plan again, our chief distribution officer, 341 00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:21,400 Speaker 1: um the credit for action. And as he said, yeah, 342 00:20:21,440 --> 00:20:23,639 Speaker 1: you know, writers have a tough time, but I've noticed 343 00:20:23,680 --> 00:20:27,320 Speaker 1: that black women in film actresses have a harder time 344 00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:32,080 Speaker 1: making the transition from acting to directing, right. And so um, 345 00:20:32,160 --> 00:20:36,280 Speaker 1: we pair these writers with first time directors who are actresses. 346 00:20:36,840 --> 00:20:41,320 Speaker 1: And then we produced these films for them with this 347 00:20:41,480 --> 00:20:46,119 Speaker 1: a significant budget. Uh. And so they're held by Heartbeat, 348 00:20:46,119 --> 00:20:49,199 Speaker 1: our Heartbeat production team. We put real money into the 349 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:51,359 Speaker 1: programs and then we take them all to the Sundance. 350 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:53,080 Speaker 1: So it said with their work, they all get first 351 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:58,560 Speaker 1: looks um with with Heartbeat and we'll be announcing more 352 00:20:58,640 --> 00:21:01,160 Speaker 1: about you know what happen with the fellows in terms 353 00:21:01,160 --> 00:21:04,040 Speaker 1: of distribution. But in the last cycle all the films 354 00:21:04,040 --> 00:21:07,600 Speaker 1: were distributed on Peacock thanks our partnership with the NBC Universal. 355 00:21:08,119 --> 00:21:11,439 Speaker 1: Chase Sapphire came on to write the program and so 356 00:21:11,480 --> 00:21:14,520 Speaker 1: they allowed us so much more with them and then, um, 357 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:17,240 Speaker 1: you know, one of the writers received a blind script 358 00:21:17,520 --> 00:21:23,080 Speaker 1: deal from UH from Universal uh last cycle and we've 359 00:21:23,119 --> 00:21:25,959 Speaker 1: got some really interesting distribution and commercial opportunities lined up 360 00:21:25,960 --> 00:21:28,720 Speaker 1: for them this year. Well, it sounds like this could 361 00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:31,200 Speaker 1: be a real growth here, not just for that program, 362 00:21:31,240 --> 00:21:34,560 Speaker 1: but for Heartbeat in general and yourself and so uh 363 00:21:34,600 --> 00:21:38,720 Speaker 1: TI thanks for coming on, wishing you a great thame 364 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:47,119 Speaker 1: to you, Thanks for having me. This has been another 365 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:50,280 Speaker 1: episode of Strictly Business. Tune in next week for another 366 00:21:50,320 --> 00:21:54,159 Speaker 1: helping of scintillating conversation with media movers and shakers, and 367 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:56,480 Speaker 1: please make sure you subscribe to the podcast to hear 368 00:21:56,520 --> 00:22:00,199 Speaker 1: future episodes. Also leave a review in Apple podcast Us 369 00:22:00,320 --> 00:22:01,720 Speaker 1: and let us know how we're doing.