1 00:00:08,800 --> 00:00:13,320 Speaker 1: Welcome to Strictly Business Varieties weekly podcast featuring conversations with 2 00:00:13,400 --> 00:00:17,439 Speaker 1: industry leaders about the business of media and entertainment. I'm 3 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 1: Cynthia Littleton, co editor in chief of Variety Today. My 4 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 1: guests are Peter Mitchelli and Jack Wiggham of Range Media Partners. 5 00:00:25,760 --> 00:00:28,319 Speaker 1: Range Media Partners is one of the most ambitious start 6 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:31,920 Speaker 1: ups to hit the Hollywood creative community in years. Michelli 7 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:34,960 Speaker 1: is a CIA alum who moved into the executive ranks 8 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 1: at Entertainment One a few years ago. Wiggham is also 9 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:42,280 Speaker 1: a longtime CIA agent who joined Michelli when he got 10 00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:44,600 Speaker 1: the urge to try to build a better mouse trap 11 00:00:44,680 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 1: for both clients and managers. Range Media is so named 12 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: for the variety of services that it offers its clients. 13 00:00:52,880 --> 00:00:56,480 Speaker 1: In addition to management, the company is active in venture capital. 14 00:00:56,880 --> 00:00:59,400 Speaker 1: It has a production arm through a partnership with A 15 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: and EENA Works, and as Micheli explains, they're spending a 16 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:05,080 Speaker 1: lot of time and energy figuring out what Web three 17 00:01:05,160 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: technologies will mean for creative talents. As Michelli puts it, 18 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:12,480 Speaker 1: it's all part of their Seal Team six mentality to 19 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:15,920 Speaker 1: make clients the mission. We'll hear how this has all 20 00:01:15,959 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 1: come together with the backing from former Hedge Fund leader 21 00:01:19,120 --> 00:01:24,319 Speaker 1: Stephen A. Cohen, And that's all coming up after the break. 22 00:01:26,480 --> 00:01:31,000 Speaker 1: Streaming has become the new TV today. Free ad supported 23 00:01:31,080 --> 00:01:34,959 Speaker 1: streaming TV, otherwise known as FAST, has opened up new 24 00:01:35,000 --> 00:01:40,480 Speaker 1: revenue streams for platforms, advertisers, and content owners. Partner with Amagi, 25 00:01:40,680 --> 00:01:44,520 Speaker 1: a global leader in fast, to reach two hundred million 26 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:49,600 Speaker 1: plus CTV households, more than one hundred platforms, over seven 27 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:55,080 Speaker 1: hundred content brands, and access fifty billion plus AD opportunities. 28 00:01:55,560 --> 00:02:01,760 Speaker 1: So make a fast move. Visit amgi dot com today 29 00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:06,400 Speaker 1: and we're back with more from Range Media partners Peter 30 00:02:06,480 --> 00:02:10,120 Speaker 1: Mitchelli and Jack William Thank you so much for having 31 00:02:10,160 --> 00:02:14,320 Speaker 1: me come down to your office is under construction. It's 32 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:17,760 Speaker 1: definitely got new office smell. We were really excited about 33 00:02:17,840 --> 00:02:21,359 Speaker 1: the idea, could we find a space that felt a 34 00:02:21,440 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 1: little bit more indoor outdoor, that had its own vibe, 35 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:30,440 Speaker 1: didn't necessarily have an elevator, and could we design a 36 00:02:30,639 --> 00:02:35,760 Speaker 1: space that was really in response to COVID and the 37 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 1: way people want to work today and nurture the idea 38 00:02:40,040 --> 00:02:41,960 Speaker 1: that great work can happen anywhere. But we have a 39 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 1: home base to collect and create positive energy. So every 40 00:02:46,480 --> 00:02:49,560 Speaker 1: the office where we picked how we've designed it was 41 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 1: very intentional given the shift in culture based on COVID. 42 00:02:55,720 --> 00:02:58,160 Speaker 1: You are an alumnus of C A. A. You also 43 00:02:58,240 --> 00:03:02,520 Speaker 1: spent time in Entertainment one and strategy Officer Jack. You 44 00:03:02,639 --> 00:03:07,040 Speaker 1: also had a long run at CIA. Now coming into 45 00:03:07,080 --> 00:03:10,960 Speaker 1: this new venture where you have some very significant backing 46 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:14,079 Speaker 1: from Stephen Cohen, you also very quickly did a deal 47 00:03:14,160 --> 00:03:17,280 Speaker 1: with A and E Networks that is obviously brought you. 48 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:19,680 Speaker 1: I remember Pete we talked about brought you not only, 49 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 1: of course you know, a capital, but a really important 50 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: strategic partner. As you set out to build a company, 51 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:30,399 Speaker 1: a talent representation company for the twenty one century, what 52 00:03:30,440 --> 00:03:32,560 Speaker 1: were what were some of the first things that you did? 53 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:36,240 Speaker 1: What what are you doing differently with range Media than 54 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:39,000 Speaker 1: you have done in your in your previous positions, in 55 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:46,120 Speaker 1: your legacy positions. I first answer the question by just saying, 56 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:52,360 Speaker 1: how much I think, collectively, how much gratitude we had 57 00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:55,200 Speaker 1: have towards the agencies where we where we learned and 58 00:03:55,840 --> 00:04:01,320 Speaker 1: developed that experience relationships. We are a collection of former 59 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:05,440 Speaker 1: agents who are are now on the management production side, 60 00:04:05,520 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 1: but um, you know we you know, we there was 61 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:12,640 Speaker 1: so much to learn at CIA, at w B, AT 62 00:04:12,720 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 1: U t A, and then to try to apply it 63 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 1: in a slightly different way. And when you said, I 64 00:04:19,240 --> 00:04:22,320 Speaker 1: would necessarily say a better mousetrap just hopefully a unique 65 00:04:22,839 --> 00:04:29,240 Speaker 1: um uh company where we've even gravitated towards getting away 66 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 1: from calling ourselves managers. You know, we we love the 67 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:39,240 Speaker 1: idea of being partners, thought partners, creative partners. Um. So 68 00:04:40,000 --> 00:04:45,840 Speaker 1: a big foundation of that thesis was intimacy. Fewer clients, 69 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:52,520 Speaker 1: more attention, hopefully being able to spend a lot more 70 00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:56,920 Speaker 1: time on projects and clients. Um. That we were really 71 00:04:56,920 --> 00:05:00,640 Speaker 1: passionate about. So one of the guardrails we were hoping 72 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 1: to kind of put up was, you know, let's make 73 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:07,719 Speaker 1: it we call it a speak easy that you know, 74 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:11,400 Speaker 1: we feel really fortunate to work at and hopefully a 75 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:15,479 Speaker 1: client feels fortunate to be represented at. And and so 76 00:05:15,760 --> 00:05:20,880 Speaker 1: intimacy became a huge, huge keyword for us. Yeah, I 77 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:24,600 Speaker 1: think the when we looked at it, Uh, Jack's right, 78 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:27,840 Speaker 1: it is you know, we we learned so much. You know, 79 00:05:27,880 --> 00:05:30,279 Speaker 1: I learned so much at c A, watching the growth, 80 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:34,480 Speaker 1: watching the business evolve, learned so much in the moment 81 00:05:35,240 --> 00:05:37,320 Speaker 1: in two thousand seven two thousand eight where I got 82 00:05:37,440 --> 00:05:42,000 Speaker 1: very intimate with UM a new financing structure which helps 83 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:46,159 Speaker 1: Netflix UM get a lot of their first round of shows. 84 00:05:46,800 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 1: And you saw, well, could we create a company where 85 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 1: intimacy was a big part of it, that we are 86 00:05:54,440 --> 00:06:00,400 Speaker 1: are spending more time on on a pool of clients 87 00:06:00,400 --> 00:06:05,560 Speaker 1: and partners and artists. We could use language to change intention. 88 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 1: So we looked at it and said, you know, let's 89 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:12,919 Speaker 1: be a great representation firm because the world is changing, 90 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:17,640 Speaker 1: not an indictment on any existing business. That technology, a 91 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:21,720 Speaker 1: new technology is coming in the form of whatever you blockchain, 92 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:26,840 Speaker 1: smart contracts. They're going to shift content distribution again, and 93 00:06:27,120 --> 00:06:29,000 Speaker 1: let's build a company that will be really ready for 94 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:33,360 Speaker 1: that shift. UM. Let's build a company that uses language 95 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 1: to talk about clients as partners, or that we're representatives 96 00:06:38,320 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 1: and our associates or what most people call assistance, feel 97 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:48,320 Speaker 1: more empowered, that we're building a balanced leadership structure. So 98 00:06:48,720 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 1: great ideas come from everywhere, and we are thinking about 99 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 1: in in an environment that we're living in today where 100 00:06:57,960 --> 00:07:03,080 Speaker 1: it's very challenging for the streaming service is to show profit. Well, 101 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:05,159 Speaker 1: what does that mean? With with back ends of film 102 00:07:05,160 --> 00:07:07,719 Speaker 1: and TV, and where can we add extra value to 103 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:13,640 Speaker 1: the equation um whether you call it um on the 104 00:07:13,680 --> 00:07:17,920 Speaker 1: commerce side or asset creation. We're building equity value. Let's 105 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 1: have a company that has real resources focused on that 106 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:24,000 Speaker 1: for our partners. So we're part of the evolution in 107 00:07:24,040 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 1: the most positive way. We never have any intent to 108 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 1: compete with the agencies in terms of size and scale 109 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 1: and information control and all of those things. What we 110 00:07:36,000 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 1: felt was we could be really amazing and representation because 111 00:07:39,600 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 1: we're gonna pull a few levers to change, um what 112 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:45,760 Speaker 1: we do there, but we're also going to add this 113 00:07:45,880 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 1: extra component to it based on the fact that technology 114 00:07:50,480 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 1: and the world in which long term value is created 115 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:56,120 Speaker 1: has changed significantly. How do you do the day to 116 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:59,840 Speaker 1: day job of representing an actor, a writer, a showrunner 117 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:03,120 Speaker 1: and also and also kind of you know, prepare for 118 00:08:03,200 --> 00:08:05,320 Speaker 1: that for that future. I think that's one of the 119 00:08:05,360 --> 00:08:08,120 Speaker 1: things that people are saying, is like, there's so much 120 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:09,800 Speaker 1: going on right now, you almost feel like you're on 121 00:08:09,840 --> 00:08:13,600 Speaker 1: a hamster wheel. How do you does I'm guessing that 122 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:15,720 Speaker 1: that's part of the intimacy, is like getting to know 123 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 1: that person so well and not having so many other 124 00:08:18,720 --> 00:08:21,080 Speaker 1: people on your call sheet at the end of the day. Yeah, 125 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:24,520 Speaker 1: I think it does. And it's also the intimacy applies 126 00:08:24,680 --> 00:08:28,560 Speaker 1: in the internal workings of the company. And what I 127 00:08:28,560 --> 00:08:32,440 Speaker 1: mean by that is, um, we found that you know, 128 00:08:32,520 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 1: to pull off what we call sometimes the off menu stuff. 129 00:08:36,120 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: You know, let's say, on menu is the traditional blocking 130 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:42,080 Speaker 1: and tackling of you know, trying to put actors to work, 131 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:46,760 Speaker 1: actresses to work, put together films, directors and jobs. Um, 132 00:08:46,800 --> 00:08:51,440 Speaker 1: the off menu stuff is really helping try to manufacture 133 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:56,040 Speaker 1: from from a piece of I P a book, you know, 134 00:08:56,920 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 1: a script you know, to completion, or you know, building 135 00:09:02,240 --> 00:09:07,439 Speaker 1: businesses around a client or helping them expand into ancillary areas. 136 00:09:07,480 --> 00:09:10,600 Speaker 1: That we found a lot of artists were way more 137 00:09:10,640 --> 00:09:16,200 Speaker 1: open to today than they were ten fifteen years ago. Um. 138 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:20,960 Speaker 1: You know some obvious examples Reese Witherspoon with Hell of Sunshine, 139 00:09:21,559 --> 00:09:25,079 Speaker 1: George Clooney with Cosa Amigos, you know, Ryan Reynolds, or 140 00:09:25,160 --> 00:09:29,160 Speaker 1: some phenomenal examples. Those things are really hard to do 141 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:33,320 Speaker 1: and are part of our thesis was it takes uh 142 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:39,240 Speaker 1: an intimate level of communication amongst different specialists to try 143 00:09:39,280 --> 00:09:42,400 Speaker 1: to pull that off, and then something is crass as 144 00:09:42,559 --> 00:09:45,800 Speaker 1: an alignment of incentives. You want as many people rowing 145 00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:51,640 Speaker 1: in the same direction as possible and caring about that mission. So, uh, 146 00:09:51,679 --> 00:09:54,240 Speaker 1: you know, we we talked a lot privately kind of 147 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:58,120 Speaker 1: about a Seal Team six mentality of just really being 148 00:09:58,160 --> 00:10:04,400 Speaker 1: mission oriented on behalf of objectives clients, UM, projects, UM, 149 00:10:04,440 --> 00:10:09,440 Speaker 1: and then and then protecting the ecosystem within, which is 150 00:10:09,640 --> 00:10:14,240 Speaker 1: you know, an intimate experience where folks are in rooms 151 00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:17,760 Speaker 1: together talking and communicating about these things that are kind 152 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:21,679 Speaker 1: of hard to pull off. I would say the factors 153 00:10:21,800 --> 00:10:26,520 Speaker 1: is we we look at and and strongly encourage a 154 00:10:26,720 --> 00:10:31,520 Speaker 1: limit on how many clients each representative has. So we 155 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:35,000 Speaker 1: and that helps us in a couple of ways. It 156 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:39,120 Speaker 1: makes you really think about the choices you're taking on, Like, 157 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 1: so it's not a limitless so I can have as 158 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:45,360 Speaker 1: many as I No, No, we're not operating that way. 159 00:10:45,400 --> 00:10:48,320 Speaker 1: We want to make sure you're disciplined to save the 160 00:10:48,360 --> 00:10:51,160 Speaker 1: amount of time that needs to be really strategic from 161 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 1: the point of view that we said. So that's one 162 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:57,319 Speaker 1: lever we pulled. So we were very diligent about UM 163 00:10:57,360 --> 00:11:01,040 Speaker 1: from a leadership standpoint, making sure not one representative has 164 00:11:01,880 --> 00:11:04,320 Speaker 1: more clients than we feels possible for you to be 165 00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:08,960 Speaker 1: wildly strategic one. Two. Can I just press you? Is 166 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:14,200 Speaker 1: that a single digit number? Is it a double digit experience? 167 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 1: My experience, it's a double and it's it's a it's 168 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:21,040 Speaker 1: a are you pointing solo or coal pointing? So there's 169 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:22,640 Speaker 1: a couple of factors that we look at, but it's 170 00:11:22,720 --> 00:11:26,199 Speaker 1: much reduced from what our experience was at the agency's. 171 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:31,760 Speaker 1: The second thing is half of our staff is business development, 172 00:11:32,120 --> 00:11:40,319 Speaker 1: venture capital, data analytics, production, brand endorsement. So the opportunity 173 00:11:40,440 --> 00:11:44,080 Speaker 1: flow for us is different because it's not it's not 174 00:11:44,240 --> 00:11:48,040 Speaker 1: mostly representatives that are it is. It is a range. 175 00:11:48,280 --> 00:11:50,480 Speaker 1: That's why the company is called range because we're helping 176 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:54,040 Speaker 1: this other part of our staff bring opportunities to our 177 00:11:54,200 --> 00:11:57,200 Speaker 1: clients and partners that they might not normally see and 178 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 1: you can't. What we looked at is we don't want 179 00:12:00,480 --> 00:12:02,400 Speaker 1: to just be the company is like, hey, magically, we're 180 00:12:02,400 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 1: gonna do it differently and better and all that kind 181 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:08,040 Speaker 1: of stuff. You have to change some of the structures 182 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:10,199 Speaker 1: to get the different results, or else you just kind 183 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:13,000 Speaker 1: of go down the same path. And so for us, 184 00:12:13,120 --> 00:12:18,160 Speaker 1: if we really wanted to um be the most forward 185 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:20,120 Speaker 1: thinking in terms of new technologies, we would need to 186 00:12:20,120 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 1: have a Web three division that was really pushing innovations 187 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:27,199 Speaker 1: and so and if you really wanted to help UM 188 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:30,559 Speaker 1: partners and artists get equity positions and businesses, you would 189 00:12:30,559 --> 00:12:33,120 Speaker 1: need a business development team and to venture capital team 190 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:36,120 Speaker 1: and data analytics too. So we built all of those 191 00:12:36,120 --> 00:12:38,560 Speaker 1: shared services in a really strong way, and that was 192 00:12:39,000 --> 00:12:41,719 Speaker 1: the benefit. You know, Steve Cohen gave us a lot 193 00:12:41,760 --> 00:12:44,959 Speaker 1: of insight on on what he'd seen worked really really well, 194 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:48,880 Speaker 1: and then eighteen months later we were we were very 195 00:12:48,960 --> 00:12:53,160 Speaker 1: humbled by A plus E coming into the equation and 196 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:56,200 Speaker 1: what most people would consider a preemptive Series A and 197 00:12:56,280 --> 00:12:58,960 Speaker 1: saying we really value what you're building and we see 198 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:01,640 Speaker 1: where you want to go and let us help you 199 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:07,520 Speaker 1: supercharge those initiatives. And so everything you know are our 200 00:13:07,559 --> 00:13:11,520 Speaker 1: first business plan is like intact, you know. And what 201 00:13:11,559 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 1: we do in a very disciplined way is every three 202 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:16,599 Speaker 1: months we get together with our managing partners and we 203 00:13:16,640 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 1: are tweaking the business plan. And what we found is 204 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:24,840 Speaker 1: our secret sauces established a best in class culture, work 205 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:27,280 Speaker 1: really hard at it, and can commit to it. So 206 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:30,640 Speaker 1: twice a year we are we have these things called 207 00:13:30,679 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 1: our standards, and twice a year we do an exercise 208 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:37,240 Speaker 1: where we look at our standards, we add to them, 209 00:13:37,720 --> 00:13:40,720 Speaker 1: we condense them, we change language in them. But there 210 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:44,680 Speaker 1: are cultural roadmap and twice a year we're spending about 211 00:13:44,679 --> 00:13:47,880 Speaker 1: a month in each section getting all ideas from all 212 00:13:47,960 --> 00:13:51,160 Speaker 1: anybody from an associate level to new hires. So you 213 00:13:51,240 --> 00:13:57,200 Speaker 1: take culture, you add culture to getting everyone to understand 214 00:13:57,280 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 1: and agree on the business plan right, so it's very 215 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:02,600 Speaker 1: transparent where we're trying to go and that we feel 216 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:06,640 Speaker 1: attracts the very best talent internally. And when you have 217 00:14:06,760 --> 00:14:09,320 Speaker 1: great culture in a business plan that everybody agrees on, 218 00:14:09,920 --> 00:14:12,760 Speaker 1: we feel like the most amazing things can happen. And 219 00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:15,640 Speaker 1: that's been the foundation for us. Part of our thesis 220 00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:20,240 Speaker 1: is that one one thing that we are really proud 221 00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:26,880 Speaker 1: and excited about is data analytics just understanding the world 222 00:14:27,400 --> 00:14:30,480 Speaker 1: artists business in a in a way that we almost 223 00:14:30,520 --> 00:14:32,920 Speaker 1: didn't know as possible. To kind of help give you 224 00:14:32,960 --> 00:14:35,080 Speaker 1: some of the answers to the test, would you say 225 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:37,000 Speaker 1: and when you do look at that, like as if 226 00:14:37,040 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 1: you're looking at a client, do you look at like 227 00:14:39,040 --> 00:14:42,440 Speaker 1: who follows this person? Who is who? Who does this 228 00:14:42,720 --> 00:14:49,880 Speaker 1: client reaches that it blew our mind getting underneath you know, 229 00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:54,960 Speaker 1: the the ways, the types of information you can access 230 00:14:55,000 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 1: and the types of queries you can UM put through 231 00:14:58,680 --> 00:15:02,520 Speaker 1: some models to get back where you should be putting energy, 232 00:15:02,800 --> 00:15:05,880 Speaker 1: where a client might be best served to put some 233 00:15:06,040 --> 00:15:10,360 Speaker 1: energy notwithstanding what they're interested. You're really looking for very 234 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:15,960 Speaker 1: organic matches of of artists to idea to you know, 235 00:15:17,360 --> 00:15:22,240 Speaker 1: project or commerce. UM. So what we're hoping to do 236 00:15:22,440 --> 00:15:27,520 Speaker 1: is to to to increase the level of sophistication on 237 00:15:27,520 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 1: on the energies we're applying to these endeavors, these projects, 238 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:34,480 Speaker 1: these businesses, those kind of things, just to give it 239 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:38,640 Speaker 1: as much escape velocity as we can. I would I 240 00:15:38,680 --> 00:15:40,680 Speaker 1: would add to it. It's it's really well. So where 241 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:44,520 Speaker 1: we we we have to really important thesis here is 242 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:47,480 Speaker 1: town is the atomic unit of the future. It is 243 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:51,880 Speaker 1: talent that can build community, UM can move mountains. And 244 00:15:51,920 --> 00:15:54,160 Speaker 1: we believe that as like a fundamental principle. So then 245 00:15:54,320 --> 00:15:57,240 Speaker 1: RANGE is designed to help exceptional talent a luck full 246 00:15:57,760 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 1: global value in all businesses. And so that is our 247 00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 1: that's our north star, right, which means you have to 248 00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:08,040 Speaker 1: be really great and if if you start from place 249 00:16:08,080 --> 00:16:10,120 Speaker 1: I'm a movie star we have to have. You know, 250 00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:13,000 Speaker 1: there's nobody better than Jack Wigham in terms of representing 251 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:19,120 Speaker 1: high end actors actress look, so we have to have that. 252 00:16:19,240 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 1: We we we have to have those people that are like, oh, 253 00:16:23,680 --> 00:16:26,600 Speaker 1: your movie star career is gonna We're gonna be very 254 00:16:26,640 --> 00:16:30,640 Speaker 1: additive there. We are going to drive a successful and 255 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:33,440 Speaker 1: maintain a successful movie star care or in the in 256 00:16:33,480 --> 00:16:36,360 Speaker 1: the wake of Jack Harlow or Maurah And on the 257 00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:38,280 Speaker 1: music side of the same thing. Now we have this 258 00:16:38,560 --> 00:16:41,600 Speaker 1: other team that's coming in and saying, Okay, where are 259 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 1: these opportunities that we're helping them build community. We use 260 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:47,840 Speaker 1: the data to say where are the opportunities in and 261 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:49,920 Speaker 1: around and we get this. You know, Steve Cohens so 262 00:16:50,040 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 1: much credit. He has an enormous budget that he looks 263 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:56,600 Speaker 1: at from a data analysts and that's why he's a 264 00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:59,040 Speaker 1: part of the reason he's been so wildly successful. So 265 00:16:59,080 --> 00:17:02,720 Speaker 1: we looked at those rhythms of using data to understand 266 00:17:02,720 --> 00:17:06,359 Speaker 1: how the markets were shifting, understand how from our filter, 267 00:17:06,520 --> 00:17:09,280 Speaker 1: how do you build community. Once you build community, where's 268 00:17:09,280 --> 00:17:12,679 Speaker 1: the authenticity? Once you understand the authenticity, where's the opportunity 269 00:17:12,680 --> 00:17:15,639 Speaker 1: in commerce? And so we always start with like, we 270 00:17:15,720 --> 00:17:20,160 Speaker 1: have the teams involved to help exceptional talent maintain what 271 00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:23,080 Speaker 1: they would consider their core. And now the layer that 272 00:17:23,119 --> 00:17:25,480 Speaker 1: comes in over it is the other side of the 273 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:28,320 Speaker 1: company is like, okay, now that we're doing that, where 274 00:17:28,320 --> 00:17:31,159 Speaker 1: are the other opportunities? And it takes a lot of work. 275 00:17:31,840 --> 00:17:34,520 Speaker 1: It takes a lot of time figuring out what data 276 00:17:34,560 --> 00:17:37,960 Speaker 1: sets to ask for are generally the hardest part of 277 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:39,920 Speaker 1: it is then that you know, like you've got to 278 00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:42,439 Speaker 1: keep tinkering around until you get to the right place. 279 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:45,240 Speaker 1: The kind of thing you talk about in staff meetings 280 00:17:45,320 --> 00:17:47,159 Speaker 1: is like what are you Yeah, so it is that 281 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:50,080 Speaker 1: there's this authentic love of this and what is that? 282 00:17:50,119 --> 00:17:53,119 Speaker 1: Where is that marketplace going? And so you're kind of 283 00:17:53,119 --> 00:17:55,200 Speaker 1: looking at all these things that are happening right now 284 00:17:55,240 --> 00:17:58,399 Speaker 1: and you say, well, you know, the web three technologies 285 00:17:58,440 --> 00:18:00,440 Speaker 1: that people talk a lot about, they just kind of 286 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:03,720 Speaker 1: throw out those terms, but really Web three is both 287 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:06,920 Speaker 1: a metaverse that's a more a R v R experiential storytelling, 288 00:18:06,920 --> 00:18:11,959 Speaker 1: but it really means a decentralized um environment that is 289 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:14,640 Speaker 1: really more where peer to peer transactions can happen more. 290 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:17,439 Speaker 1: And so what does that mean for our partners and 291 00:18:17,520 --> 00:18:19,960 Speaker 1: artists and and and so you have to spend real 292 00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:23,399 Speaker 1: resources and time preparing for these shifts that are coming. 293 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:27,720 Speaker 1: And so we we do this in the UM. It's 294 00:18:27,760 --> 00:18:31,359 Speaker 1: both really dynamic, it's really exciting. It's the belief that 295 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:35,080 Speaker 1: you know, talent being the atomic you know, the future is. 296 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:38,280 Speaker 1: They can create awareness, and they can curate, and they 297 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:43,440 Speaker 1: can be filters of quality more than most corporations can be. Right, 298 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:47,199 Speaker 1: and so just picking our head up and going like, 299 00:18:47,359 --> 00:18:50,200 Speaker 1: these shifts are in front of us, let's not ignore them, 300 00:18:50,359 --> 00:18:52,400 Speaker 1: Let's lean into them and be part of the solution. 301 00:18:53,240 --> 00:18:59,199 Speaker 1: Understanding that great storytelling is of the utmost important to 302 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:03,360 Speaker 1: get h to build community. We we are a function 303 00:19:03,359 --> 00:19:06,960 Speaker 1: of storytelling. And so it's the balancing of all those ideas. 304 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:09,560 Speaker 1: And so when we you know, when we took the 305 00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:12,240 Speaker 1: A plus E investment, it was like, oh, this allows 306 00:19:12,320 --> 00:19:16,719 Speaker 1: us to supercharge. We can now that we can expand 307 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:19,639 Speaker 1: on the talent pool, we can safely bring in really 308 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:23,320 Speaker 1: great representatives to you know, grow those capabilities. We can 309 00:19:23,359 --> 00:19:25,679 Speaker 1: now invest in a record label. We do that with 310 00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:28,960 Speaker 1: capital and Virgion. We now have full production capabilities in 311 00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:32,000 Speaker 1: a way that we think favors you know, we're doing 312 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:35,320 Speaker 1: it with a bona fide studio in a plus e. Right, 313 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:39,440 Speaker 1: we can um set up film funds that we're doing 314 00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:42,520 Speaker 1: with Film Nation, so we can now we have we 315 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:45,359 Speaker 1: can co finance smaller movies and bring that opportunity to 316 00:19:45,359 --> 00:19:49,239 Speaker 1: table a branded content studio to work with brands, right, 317 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:54,240 Speaker 1: sports division and web three capabilities. Right, and now we 318 00:19:54,280 --> 00:19:56,280 Speaker 1: have money that we can kind of when we see 319 00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:59,040 Speaker 1: a great opportunity based on working very hard on the 320 00:19:59,080 --> 00:20:01,800 Speaker 1: authenticity and the data, we can say, okay, we can 321 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:03,879 Speaker 1: actually put money into it too. That's how much we 322 00:20:03,920 --> 00:20:06,720 Speaker 1: believe in it. And so all these things are just 323 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:11,640 Speaker 1: small shifts that create we think, a really productive environment 324 00:20:11,680 --> 00:20:14,199 Speaker 1: for us and our partners. I just add you can 325 00:20:14,240 --> 00:20:17,199 Speaker 1: tell we get excited talking about, like, you know, I 326 00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:20,359 Speaker 1: don't know what we're hoping to be kind of the 327 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:26,400 Speaker 1: evolution of representation and partnership and all that. But all 328 00:20:26,440 --> 00:20:30,320 Speaker 1: of that is contrasted by, you know, I think the 329 00:20:30,359 --> 00:20:33,720 Speaker 1: notion that we were the group of us were initially 330 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:37,240 Speaker 1: representatives first. And it all comes back to blocking and tackling. 331 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:41,400 Speaker 1: We love putting clients to work and putting together projects 332 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:44,760 Speaker 1: so much and if you don't do that, well, none 333 00:20:44,800 --> 00:20:49,480 Speaker 1: of the other stuff can can happen, and so um, 334 00:20:49,560 --> 00:20:52,040 Speaker 1: I always say like, I think the greatest gift I 335 00:20:52,080 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 1: ever got in the business was being related to an 336 00:20:55,920 --> 00:20:59,560 Speaker 1: artist that for many years it was a starving artist, 337 00:20:59,600 --> 00:21:02,720 Speaker 1: And so you never forget what that feels like. Your 338 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:07,520 Speaker 1: older brother, fantastic actor who I fell for as an 339 00:21:07,520 --> 00:21:13,040 Speaker 1: actor on Worldwalk Empire to a standout in a great cast. Well, 340 00:21:13,640 --> 00:21:16,439 Speaker 1: that's sweet of you to say, I just it was 341 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:21,399 Speaker 1: those years though, being around Shay and Michael Shannon, Danny 342 00:21:21,440 --> 00:21:24,800 Speaker 1: McBride and David Gordon Green. These just folks we you know, 343 00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:27,480 Speaker 1: lucky enough to be friends with or work with, but 344 00:21:27,600 --> 00:21:30,960 Speaker 1: seeing what those lean years looked like, and you never 345 00:21:31,280 --> 00:21:34,280 Speaker 1: forget about that, you know. We again we do kind 346 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:37,840 Speaker 1: of talk about none of us having been the children 347 00:21:38,040 --> 00:21:41,160 Speaker 1: of a director, producer, you know, all of us coming 348 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:43,920 Speaker 1: from different walks of life to somehow end up here 349 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:45,760 Speaker 1: and we feel like we're getting away with murders. So 350 00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:50,160 Speaker 1: how has that changed In the context of management versus agents? 351 00:21:50,160 --> 00:21:52,480 Speaker 1: You both have you both were agents for a long time, 352 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:54,720 Speaker 1: but now now this is a this on the on 353 00:21:54,760 --> 00:21:57,840 Speaker 1: the talent representation side, you are a manager with certain 354 00:21:57,880 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 1: constrictions that come, Um, you know, I I think we 355 00:22:03,480 --> 00:22:05,840 Speaker 1: you know, we we always were students of the business. 356 00:22:05,840 --> 00:22:10,320 Speaker 1: There were just there was some tremendous managers, tremendous agents. 357 00:22:10,359 --> 00:22:12,840 Speaker 1: I mean, no one's going to do it better than 358 00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:16,720 Speaker 1: Patrick Whitesel or Brian Lord or Kevin Evaine or you know, 359 00:22:17,080 --> 00:22:21,359 Speaker 1: uh and and Rick Yourn is the gold standard of 360 00:22:21,680 --> 00:22:25,040 Speaker 1: the manager, right and so I think we were always 361 00:22:25,720 --> 00:22:29,639 Speaker 1: trying to you know, learn from from those folks as 362 00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:34,080 Speaker 1: much as possible. Um and held a quily. I mean, 363 00:22:34,119 --> 00:22:39,520 Speaker 1: you know, just tremendous, tremendous representatives. UM. I feel like 364 00:22:39,560 --> 00:22:44,439 Speaker 1: the collection of who range ended up being, um, the 365 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 1: ones that were agents to kind of had a managerial 366 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:52,440 Speaker 1: approach for whatever that means, just you know, got got 367 00:22:52,440 --> 00:22:55,359 Speaker 1: close to the clients, you know, really tried to bleed 368 00:22:55,400 --> 00:23:00,560 Speaker 1: for the clients. Um. And so so those muscles have 369 00:23:00,680 --> 00:23:07,840 Speaker 1: translated well, um, uh there's a lot of similar skill sets. UM. 370 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:12,440 Speaker 1: That said, you know, having fewer clients has just opened 371 00:23:12,440 --> 00:23:18,479 Speaker 1: our eyes up to creating space for strategy and uh 372 00:23:18,680 --> 00:23:23,520 Speaker 1: communication that we're hoping will benefit the client and at 373 00:23:23,520 --> 00:23:28,600 Speaker 1: the same time create a quality of life for for 374 00:23:28,640 --> 00:23:33,200 Speaker 1: a representative or an executive that um, you know maximizes 375 00:23:33,240 --> 00:23:36,879 Speaker 1: the experience. We always talk about every seven years. If 376 00:23:36,920 --> 00:23:38,560 Speaker 1: you don't change what you do in some kind of 377 00:23:38,600 --> 00:23:43,000 Speaker 1: meaningful way, you get complacent. Your mind kind of goes 378 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:48,399 Speaker 1: into autopilot. And you know the people that shifted up. 379 00:23:48,440 --> 00:23:49,959 Speaker 1: And it doesn't mean you have to leave your company. 380 00:23:50,040 --> 00:23:52,520 Speaker 1: You can change what you do. I looked at my 381 00:23:52,600 --> 00:23:55,440 Speaker 1: career at sea, and it was in seven years installments 382 00:23:55,440 --> 00:23:58,200 Speaker 1: like I could remember. After I've read a lot about 383 00:23:58,240 --> 00:24:01,120 Speaker 1: this about the seven your mark, I got a little 384 00:24:01,119 --> 00:24:04,000 Speaker 1: bit complacent and I pushed for a shift, and so 385 00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:06,680 Speaker 1: every seven year. So right now we're in this next 386 00:24:06,720 --> 00:24:09,600 Speaker 1: shift of like doing things. But it brings so much 387 00:24:09,640 --> 00:24:12,520 Speaker 1: positive energy to the extent where I don't really know 388 00:24:12,600 --> 00:24:15,920 Speaker 1: the difference between Monday and Saturday. You know when when 389 00:24:15,960 --> 00:24:18,040 Speaker 1: I was when you can say that that's it's really 390 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:21,280 Speaker 1: it's really amazing, you know, to pay him a compliment 391 00:24:21,359 --> 00:24:26,640 Speaker 1: is one of the most positive, you know, cheerful humans. 392 00:24:26,880 --> 00:24:30,440 Speaker 1: I've never seen someone kind of with a better attitude 393 00:24:30,440 --> 00:24:36,600 Speaker 1: about life and challenges. But yeah, you didn't ask the question, 394 00:24:36,720 --> 00:24:40,359 Speaker 1: but this is this has turned into kind of a 395 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:44,880 Speaker 1: dreamy situation. I think for the collection of us working here, 396 00:24:44,960 --> 00:24:48,560 Speaker 1: because we're just you know, like the the hours don't 397 00:24:48,600 --> 00:24:52,400 Speaker 1: feel like work hours. It's just a it's a very enthusiastic, 398 00:24:52,560 --> 00:24:56,400 Speaker 1: bounce off the walls kind of feeling. And we hope 399 00:24:56,440 --> 00:24:58,800 Speaker 1: to bottle that. We hope to keep it. Of course, 400 00:24:58,840 --> 00:25:00,960 Speaker 1: some of it startup culture, or I say a lot 401 00:25:01,000 --> 00:25:04,360 Speaker 1: of it is the youth. It's a very young company, 402 00:25:04,920 --> 00:25:07,320 Speaker 1: you know, I think things are changing so fast. We 403 00:25:07,359 --> 00:25:11,119 Speaker 1: think a lot about grabbing points of view and promoting 404 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:17,560 Speaker 1: individuals earlier because they're living on the platforms and in 405 00:25:17,600 --> 00:25:22,919 Speaker 1: the distribution mechanisms that older folks aren't. And you know, 406 00:25:23,119 --> 00:25:28,640 Speaker 1: it's uh, it's it's it's infectious to have such a diverse, 407 00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:34,440 Speaker 1: young group of people both working here and helping chart 408 00:25:34,480 --> 00:25:36,520 Speaker 1: the course for the for the company. You can see 409 00:25:36,640 --> 00:25:38,760 Speaker 1: we can see some of them at work downstairs here. 410 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:41,360 Speaker 1: Let me ask you what what do you look for? 411 00:25:41,440 --> 00:25:43,479 Speaker 1: What what? I know there's no such thing as an 412 00:25:43,480 --> 00:25:45,720 Speaker 1: ideal client, But what do you look for in clients? 413 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:48,280 Speaker 1: Because you you have a range, you're in a lot 414 00:25:48,280 --> 00:25:53,160 Speaker 1: of different you have a lot of different types of people. 415 00:25:53,200 --> 00:25:54,720 Speaker 1: You are not You didn't say like this is a 416 00:25:54,800 --> 00:25:57,200 Speaker 1: lit agency or this is an actor agency, but you've 417 00:25:57,200 --> 00:26:00,679 Speaker 1: got a lot of diversity already be curious to get 418 00:26:00,680 --> 00:26:03,920 Speaker 1: pizza thoughts. But I you know, we have such a 419 00:26:04,000 --> 00:26:08,560 Speaker 1: variety of of of representatives that have different kind of 420 00:26:09,160 --> 00:26:12,400 Speaker 1: specialties and interests, so there's not maybe one size fits all. 421 00:26:13,359 --> 00:26:19,280 Speaker 1: We we do love multi hyphen its folks that are 422 00:26:19,280 --> 00:26:24,560 Speaker 1: true creators that are not necessarily wait for the telephone 423 00:26:24,560 --> 00:26:30,359 Speaker 1: to ring kind of um mentality because we love the 424 00:26:30,400 --> 00:26:36,000 Speaker 1: idea of trying to uh deploy an artist or and 425 00:26:36,400 --> 00:26:40,760 Speaker 1: their talent in a variety of different areas. UM. Anyone 426 00:26:40,840 --> 00:26:46,360 Speaker 1: who can put pen to paper and create obviously UM 427 00:26:46,520 --> 00:26:49,920 Speaker 1: has a potential job for themselves, right, and so that's 428 00:26:49,960 --> 00:26:55,440 Speaker 1: just really exciting to represent folks that are unbelievably talented 429 00:26:55,480 --> 00:26:58,240 Speaker 1: at true creation UM. And that can be in a 430 00:26:58,240 --> 00:27:01,720 Speaker 1: lot of different walks of life. Uh, but they're creating 431 00:27:01,720 --> 00:27:04,840 Speaker 1: a song or writing a pilot scripts or a piece 432 00:27:04,880 --> 00:27:09,399 Speaker 1: of digital art. We Well, I would add to is 433 00:27:09,400 --> 00:27:12,560 Speaker 1: that we're looking for people or an idea. Client in 434 00:27:12,600 --> 00:27:15,760 Speaker 1: my mind is someone who walks in and it's like, 435 00:27:15,960 --> 00:27:20,920 Speaker 1: I'm not just a movie star, I'm an entrepreneur, I'm 436 00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:26,399 Speaker 1: a creator, a musician, UM, and they want the range 437 00:27:26,440 --> 00:27:28,880 Speaker 1: comes from the idea that you're not just one thing. 438 00:27:28,920 --> 00:27:33,120 Speaker 1: You are a creative, brilliant mind that has a lot 439 00:27:33,320 --> 00:27:37,639 Speaker 1: to impact the world with You know that the that 440 00:27:37,880 --> 00:27:41,600 Speaker 1: the flip side of partnering with clients that there are 441 00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:45,480 Speaker 1: that that that these roads can be fraught with conflicts 442 00:27:45,480 --> 00:27:48,720 Speaker 1: of interest. I know you have. I know you guys 443 00:27:48,720 --> 00:27:51,320 Speaker 1: gave this some thought. What have you put in guardrails? 444 00:27:51,320 --> 00:27:53,240 Speaker 1: Have you put in parameters? How are you going to 445 00:27:53,320 --> 00:27:56,919 Speaker 1: avoid a client two years from now saying I was 446 00:27:57,040 --> 00:28:00,800 Speaker 1: unduly pressured into in doing this deal, or do you 447 00:28:00,800 --> 00:28:04,359 Speaker 1: know doing something that range was producing? How do you 448 00:28:05,280 --> 00:28:08,399 Speaker 1: mitigating inst that? Well, we have there's a couple of 449 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:13,200 Speaker 1: guard rails for us um our studio operation is we 450 00:28:13,280 --> 00:28:15,720 Speaker 1: have a third party. That was always what I thought 451 00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:18,520 Speaker 1: was the most successful way to avoid is we have 452 00:28:18,720 --> 00:28:21,560 Speaker 1: a plus E in the mix on our studio stuff 453 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:26,119 Speaker 1: that is a highly accomplished, highly established studio. And so 454 00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:29,040 Speaker 1: you have that third party in there, and in most 455 00:28:29,040 --> 00:28:34,800 Speaker 1: cases um Um driving that that third party point of view. 456 00:28:35,280 --> 00:28:38,000 Speaker 1: We also have most of you know, the key to 457 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:41,520 Speaker 1: is all transparency, you know, and so what we what 458 00:28:41,600 --> 00:28:43,640 Speaker 1: we do is we have some pretty big standards that 459 00:28:43,680 --> 00:28:47,480 Speaker 1: we had adhere to in terms of producing. We never 460 00:28:47,520 --> 00:28:51,640 Speaker 1: wanted to be that um UM the term lets used, 461 00:28:51,640 --> 00:28:54,800 Speaker 1: the Gloman term was like, oh, there's that we're in. 462 00:28:55,520 --> 00:28:59,040 Speaker 1: So we've established a standard of did we come up 463 00:28:59,040 --> 00:29:01,440 Speaker 1: with the idea, do we opt? Do we use our 464 00:29:01,440 --> 00:29:04,800 Speaker 1: money to option an article or a book? Um? Did 465 00:29:04,840 --> 00:29:10,440 Speaker 1: our development executives that we're paying for UM generate the 466 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:15,200 Speaker 1: opportunity through UM bringing in a writer offering them. So 467 00:29:15,240 --> 00:29:18,320 Speaker 1: we look at it very much like we have to 468 00:29:18,360 --> 00:29:22,160 Speaker 1: bring something to the table that was from an investment standpoint, 469 00:29:22,160 --> 00:29:26,120 Speaker 1: our responsibility from an idea standpoint like those kind of things, 470 00:29:26,640 --> 00:29:28,040 Speaker 1: or else we don't want to do it. And then 471 00:29:28,080 --> 00:29:32,160 Speaker 1: there's always an attorney that's third party attorney that we 472 00:29:32,400 --> 00:29:34,920 Speaker 1: have do the deal that is keeping that has nothing 473 00:29:34,960 --> 00:29:37,240 Speaker 1: to do with range. So there's I think there's always 474 00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:41,160 Speaker 1: really between the plus se between the film nation side 475 00:29:41,200 --> 00:29:45,200 Speaker 1: of it, between us using our capital to invest in 476 00:29:45,280 --> 00:29:48,880 Speaker 1: things and having a third party in the client's life 477 00:29:49,360 --> 00:29:52,920 Speaker 1: be part of the process. The guardrails are there if 478 00:29:52,960 --> 00:29:57,080 Speaker 1: you want to be really transparent and and and follow 479 00:29:57,120 --> 00:30:01,800 Speaker 1: those steps well said I answer the question really simply 480 00:30:01,960 --> 00:30:05,840 Speaker 1: just the client trump's all. The client's interests will always 481 00:30:05,920 --> 00:30:11,000 Speaker 1: trump our own financial interests, and so with full transparency. 482 00:30:11,040 --> 00:30:14,800 Speaker 1: There's pros and cons to so many different dynamics. The 483 00:30:14,880 --> 00:30:19,000 Speaker 1: client chooses. You know, uh, if on any situation where 484 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:22,360 Speaker 1: there's a discrepancy or an issue or a question, that's 485 00:30:22,360 --> 00:30:24,920 Speaker 1: how I would answer it. That said, there's plenty of 486 00:30:24,920 --> 00:30:28,920 Speaker 1: other things that are just fully exciting to go manufacturer 487 00:30:28,920 --> 00:30:31,440 Speaker 1: and create, you know, coming up with an idea or 488 00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:34,960 Speaker 1: optioning a piece of material that's you know, that's one 489 00:30:35,160 --> 00:30:39,040 Speaker 1: of the benefits of of of being on this side 490 00:30:39,080 --> 00:30:42,200 Speaker 1: of the ball, is staying with projects of this structure. Yeah, 491 00:30:42,280 --> 00:30:44,640 Speaker 1: just as long as just staying with stuff that you're 492 00:30:44,720 --> 00:30:48,400 Speaker 1: creatively excited about if that's of interest to you. Um, 493 00:30:49,400 --> 00:30:53,240 Speaker 1: but anything that involves a client, in my opinion, it's uh. 494 00:30:53,320 --> 00:30:55,400 Speaker 1: We also try to do it sya where it was 495 00:30:55,440 --> 00:30:58,400 Speaker 1: really about an efficiency. Everything we do is about efficiency. 496 00:30:58,560 --> 00:31:00,479 Speaker 1: So you know, when we were at the agents, it's like, oh, 497 00:31:00,480 --> 00:31:02,960 Speaker 1: there's this book that somebody likes. Then you'd have to 498 00:31:02,960 --> 00:31:05,480 Speaker 1: go find a studio that wanted to option it for them, 499 00:31:05,520 --> 00:31:09,040 Speaker 1: and you know, and so we're not. Everything we do 500 00:31:09,200 --> 00:31:14,240 Speaker 1: is to create opportunity and value. So when we raise 501 00:31:14,320 --> 00:31:17,160 Speaker 1: the money from a plus C that we have significant 502 00:31:17,200 --> 00:31:20,080 Speaker 1: funds and like, oh, there's this book that I want, Well, 503 00:31:20,320 --> 00:31:22,040 Speaker 1: we could go get it for you and just do 504 00:31:22,080 --> 00:31:24,560 Speaker 1: it right now, or if you're not comfortable with that, 505 00:31:24,640 --> 00:31:27,000 Speaker 1: then we can go ask these studios to option it 506 00:31:27,040 --> 00:31:28,760 Speaker 1: for you, or you can option it and we lay 507 00:31:28,760 --> 00:31:31,560 Speaker 1: out all the and we we get to the place, 508 00:31:32,160 --> 00:31:34,840 Speaker 1: UM call it half the time where they're like, please 509 00:31:34,880 --> 00:31:36,800 Speaker 1: go get it for me. You know, I don't want 510 00:31:36,800 --> 00:31:38,240 Speaker 1: to waste time. I don't want to go pitch to 511 00:31:38,280 --> 00:31:41,600 Speaker 1: other studios because the process is overwhelming. Right now. There's 512 00:31:42,120 --> 00:31:45,720 Speaker 1: I think if you pulled, there's so many projects going 513 00:31:45,760 --> 00:31:47,840 Speaker 1: to market, and there's so many artists trying to get 514 00:31:47,880 --> 00:31:50,600 Speaker 1: things done, and it's just like it feels like a 515 00:31:50,680 --> 00:31:52,840 Speaker 1: cattle call in a way I've never seen before. And 516 00:31:54,240 --> 00:31:57,280 Speaker 1: I've actually had people, you know, packaging as there's people 517 00:31:57,280 --> 00:31:59,640 Speaker 1: in the business of selling saying I wish there were 518 00:31:59,720 --> 00:32:03,600 Speaker 1: few were opportunities out there because it is just sorting 519 00:32:03,640 --> 00:32:06,640 Speaker 1: through the mall is overwhelming. That to me that I 520 00:32:06,720 --> 00:32:10,240 Speaker 1: have long listeners of this podcast now I have long 521 00:32:10,920 --> 00:32:14,080 Speaker 1: We are in a bubble. There is good money. There's 522 00:32:14,120 --> 00:32:16,720 Speaker 1: just good money going after bad on content that will 523 00:32:16,840 --> 00:32:19,960 Speaker 1: never make it. And that just your point about efficiencies 524 00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:22,600 Speaker 1: that just when we're when we're at the point where 525 00:32:22,600 --> 00:32:25,840 Speaker 1: we're no, no human being can watch all the content 526 00:32:25,880 --> 00:32:28,040 Speaker 1: that is being made if they sat in front of 527 00:32:28,040 --> 00:32:30,680 Speaker 1: the screen for twenty four hours a day. We need 528 00:32:30,720 --> 00:32:32,400 Speaker 1: to tap the brakes here. And I think that that 529 00:32:32,560 --> 00:32:35,760 Speaker 1: naturally that the invisible hand is making that happen a 530 00:32:35,800 --> 00:32:38,240 Speaker 1: little bit. And you're and you're also talking about we're 531 00:32:38,240 --> 00:32:41,400 Speaker 1: looking at data right now that's showing you know, gen 532 00:32:41,520 --> 00:32:45,480 Speaker 1: Z twelve acs on video games and social media platforms, 533 00:32:45,520 --> 00:32:47,560 Speaker 1: and they are you know, like so there are trends 534 00:32:47,560 --> 00:32:50,239 Speaker 1: that are coming and we're not ignoring those trends. And 535 00:32:50,320 --> 00:32:52,480 Speaker 1: so well, that's why we're spending a lot of time 536 00:32:52,480 --> 00:32:56,040 Speaker 1: and effort and in capital understanding how the new technology shifts, 537 00:32:56,040 --> 00:32:58,280 Speaker 1: so we have we can continue to present opportunities to 538 00:32:58,280 --> 00:33:04,440 Speaker 1: our clients and partners. Don't even think about changing managers 539 00:33:04,600 --> 00:33:07,800 Speaker 1: will be right back after this pause for monetization. With 540 00:33:07,880 --> 00:33:11,800 Speaker 1: more from Range Media partners Peter Michelli and Jack William, 541 00:33:13,480 --> 00:33:17,960 Speaker 1: Streaming has become the new TV today. Free ad supported 542 00:33:18,040 --> 00:33:21,920 Speaker 1: streaming TV otherwise known as fast has opened up new 543 00:33:21,960 --> 00:33:27,480 Speaker 1: revenue streams for platforms, advertisers and content owners. Partner with Amagi, 544 00:33:27,680 --> 00:33:31,520 Speaker 1: a global leader in fast to reach two hundred million 545 00:33:31,560 --> 00:33:36,560 Speaker 1: plus CTV households, more than one hundred platforms, over seven 546 00:33:36,640 --> 00:33:42,040 Speaker 1: hundred content brands, and access fifty billion plus AD opportunities. 547 00:33:42,560 --> 00:33:46,760 Speaker 1: So make a fast move visit Amagi dot com today 548 00:33:49,680 --> 00:33:53,280 Speaker 1: and we're back with more from Range Media partners Peter 549 00:33:53,360 --> 00:33:57,480 Speaker 1: Michelli and Jack William Where do you see the biggest 550 00:33:57,480 --> 00:34:00,760 Speaker 1: potential for home runs for the company? Would you say, 551 00:34:00,760 --> 00:34:03,560 Speaker 1: would it be in content developing, you know, just developing 552 00:34:03,560 --> 00:34:06,400 Speaker 1: a really hot piece of content, or do you think commerce, 553 00:34:07,000 --> 00:34:10,239 Speaker 1: business opportunities with clients that those can be you know, 554 00:34:10,320 --> 00:34:12,600 Speaker 1: those can be as you say, you know, ten x 555 00:34:12,760 --> 00:34:15,680 Speaker 1: the licensing fee of a of a TV series are 556 00:34:15,960 --> 00:34:17,520 Speaker 1: for me, our home runs are going to be in 557 00:34:17,520 --> 00:34:21,319 Speaker 1: the technology space and the data. You know, us being 558 00:34:21,360 --> 00:34:24,759 Speaker 1: able to use data to put our partners in a 559 00:34:24,880 --> 00:34:28,040 Speaker 1: much stronger position. Everything they do so overlays in US 560 00:34:28,120 --> 00:34:32,360 Speaker 1: such a huge way. And then us, you know, we 561 00:34:32,440 --> 00:34:34,840 Speaker 1: have a company, myth that we've raised a lot of 562 00:34:34,840 --> 00:34:40,319 Speaker 1: capital from in a very down um market and it's 563 00:34:40,360 --> 00:34:43,440 Speaker 1: a product that we've developed, It's gonna functions in so 564 00:34:43,520 --> 00:34:46,120 Speaker 1: many amazing ways. So technology and data for us are 565 00:34:46,160 --> 00:34:50,800 Speaker 1: where the outsized opportunities are going to be um and 566 00:34:50,960 --> 00:34:56,279 Speaker 1: I agree. I think it's the application of technology with 567 00:34:57,480 --> 00:35:02,920 Speaker 1: a a piece of commerce and a client or an artist. 568 00:35:03,200 --> 00:35:09,719 Speaker 1: In that recipe I think will translate to really exciting 569 00:35:10,320 --> 00:35:16,920 Speaker 1: companies or products that would probably be homeline. Let me 570 00:35:16,960 --> 00:35:19,560 Speaker 1: ask you, we would need a whole other podcast to 571 00:35:19,600 --> 00:35:23,040 Speaker 1: talk about Web three and the kind of the the 572 00:35:23,160 --> 00:35:25,800 Speaker 1: what's what's happening now? What's going to happen in the future? 573 00:35:25,800 --> 00:35:28,680 Speaker 1: Really in Web two point five, that's that's the reality 574 00:35:28,680 --> 00:35:30,920 Speaker 1: of the moment, where in Web three is a little off, 575 00:35:30,960 --> 00:35:34,280 Speaker 1: but everybody is using that. Web three is at the coastline. 576 00:35:34,160 --> 00:35:36,840 Speaker 1: We are a little inland yet. But let me just 577 00:35:36,920 --> 00:35:39,200 Speaker 1: ask you this. I would be curious, do you think 578 00:35:39,280 --> 00:35:41,640 Speaker 1: where do you think that we are going to see? 579 00:35:41,640 --> 00:35:45,920 Speaker 1: Because you mentioned blockchain being such an efficient distribution device 580 00:35:45,960 --> 00:35:50,000 Speaker 1: and also very influential, do you think that we will see, 581 00:35:50,440 --> 00:35:53,719 Speaker 1: you know, contracts done on the blockchain. Do you think 582 00:35:53,800 --> 00:35:56,880 Speaker 1: that we will see a movie or or or content 583 00:35:57,000 --> 00:35:59,520 Speaker 1: distributed on the blockchain? Where do you think we don't 584 00:35:59,600 --> 00:36:02,080 Speaker 1: think about the blockchain is a distribution system. It's an 585 00:36:02,160 --> 00:36:07,160 Speaker 1: efficiency of being able to run the smart contracts so 586 00:36:07,239 --> 00:36:10,640 Speaker 1: you could collect royalty. There's a lot, it's a it's 587 00:36:10,640 --> 00:36:13,520 Speaker 1: a tool of efficiency that you're going to need. A 588 00:36:13,600 --> 00:36:16,080 Speaker 1: distribution platform will most likely come in the form of 589 00:36:16,120 --> 00:36:19,040 Speaker 1: wallets where you can go direct to your community. And 590 00:36:19,080 --> 00:36:20,880 Speaker 1: so here's the content piece. I'm giving it to you 591 00:36:20,880 --> 00:36:22,920 Speaker 1: in your wallet for a period of time. But do 592 00:36:23,000 --> 00:36:27,279 Speaker 1: you have clients that have deals that are embedded in 593 00:36:27,400 --> 00:36:32,000 Speaker 1: like are people doing transactions? We have a couple or 594 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:33,520 Speaker 1: in the early days of it, but yes, we have 595 00:36:33,560 --> 00:36:37,280 Speaker 1: a feel and it's um. I mean, it's really exciting 596 00:36:37,320 --> 00:36:40,360 Speaker 1: to see the impacts of it. Mostly it's it's really 597 00:36:40,400 --> 00:36:43,399 Speaker 1: about you know, you're using it to deal with your 598 00:36:43,400 --> 00:36:46,400 Speaker 1: community directly and not have to bring a third party 599 00:36:46,440 --> 00:36:50,279 Speaker 1: corporation into organize collecting payments and doing all those things. 600 00:36:50,320 --> 00:36:54,640 Speaker 1: So think of it's peer to peer and so um. 601 00:36:54,680 --> 00:36:57,480 Speaker 1: But blockchain is a distribution platform. That is not what 602 00:36:57,560 --> 00:37:02,040 Speaker 1: blockchain will service. And so you you're we're going to 603 00:37:02,120 --> 00:37:04,920 Speaker 1: have to fund If artists do want to distribute to 604 00:37:04,960 --> 00:37:07,400 Speaker 1: their community directly, there will be in the form of 605 00:37:07,400 --> 00:37:11,759 Speaker 1: a wallet or some other um application that will allow 606 00:37:11,800 --> 00:37:13,960 Speaker 1: them to reach them directly. And then you got to 607 00:37:14,000 --> 00:37:17,080 Speaker 1: figure out how do you monetize it and what how 608 00:37:17,120 --> 00:37:20,040 Speaker 1: does it make sense and then um, do those things 609 00:37:20,080 --> 00:37:23,680 Speaker 1: happen for first window because you have a rabid fan 610 00:37:23,719 --> 00:37:26,200 Speaker 1: base that wants a premium experience, to get it early 611 00:37:26,239 --> 00:37:28,800 Speaker 1: and couple it with some other things, and then you 612 00:37:28,800 --> 00:37:31,319 Speaker 1: you take it to the traditional systems and how will 613 00:37:31,360 --> 00:37:34,479 Speaker 1: that work? My strategy is or that is to higher 614 00:37:34,560 --> 00:37:38,840 Speaker 1: will exactly have a We have a beautiful mind and 615 00:37:39,000 --> 00:37:43,400 Speaker 1: Natalie Bress who helps us run UM an entire innovation 616 00:37:43,680 --> 00:37:47,520 Speaker 1: and so I personally lean heavily on her. Coming out 617 00:37:47,520 --> 00:37:49,680 Speaker 1: of your experience at E one, what were some of 618 00:37:49,840 --> 00:37:52,839 Speaker 1: the you know, having spent a long time as a representative, 619 00:37:52,840 --> 00:37:55,520 Speaker 1: as a talent agent, when going into the executive side, 620 00:37:55,880 --> 00:37:58,439 Speaker 1: what were some of the big lessons that you learn 621 00:37:58,560 --> 00:38:01,759 Speaker 1: from that perspective that had that you didn't realize you 622 00:38:01,800 --> 00:38:05,359 Speaker 1: didn't know from being a very sophisticated talent agent. Oh, 623 00:38:05,520 --> 00:38:07,920 Speaker 1: I mean, it's just it was really countless. I don't know. 624 00:38:08,080 --> 00:38:11,040 Speaker 1: That experience was profound for me because it was a 625 00:38:11,080 --> 00:38:18,880 Speaker 1: public company and UM understanding how to project out the 626 00:38:18,920 --> 00:38:21,280 Speaker 1: futures of the value of content, I had no idea. 627 00:38:21,520 --> 00:38:24,000 Speaker 1: How you know, we all think is agents A lot 628 00:38:24,040 --> 00:38:27,439 Speaker 1: of them understand like what goes in what a studio needs, 629 00:38:27,440 --> 00:38:30,200 Speaker 1: to do to make something, and you as an agent, 630 00:38:30,239 --> 00:38:32,680 Speaker 1: you kind of think it's super easy, like come on, 631 00:38:32,760 --> 00:38:34,759 Speaker 1: he says, what are you guys doing is And then 632 00:38:34,760 --> 00:38:38,440 Speaker 1: once you get inside of one and you realize yellow 633 00:38:38,520 --> 00:38:45,239 Speaker 1: Jackets or Cool Summer or the rookie or deputy, the 634 00:38:45,320 --> 00:38:48,360 Speaker 1: amount of time and effort to make something great is 635 00:38:48,520 --> 00:38:52,680 Speaker 1: really really hard. The money that's at risk is significant. 636 00:38:53,320 --> 00:38:55,319 Speaker 1: How to come up with a global content strategy? How 637 00:38:55,360 --> 00:38:57,879 Speaker 1: are you going to maximize it? And then so there 638 00:38:57,920 --> 00:39:01,360 Speaker 1: was that whole learning. There was also the learning of 639 00:39:01,400 --> 00:39:04,600 Speaker 1: the family business. You know, Olivia Dumont is, like I think, 640 00:39:04,600 --> 00:39:08,520 Speaker 1: one of the most brilliant executives in family and watching 641 00:39:08,560 --> 00:39:11,279 Speaker 1: how he built up Pepper Pig and PJ Mask and 642 00:39:11,400 --> 00:39:15,319 Speaker 1: understanding what you really to build a valuable asset in 643 00:39:15,320 --> 00:39:19,080 Speaker 1: the differences between Pepper and PJ and Rickey Zoom and 644 00:39:19,160 --> 00:39:23,400 Speaker 1: Cupcake and Dino and so um, and then you know 645 00:39:23,520 --> 00:39:27,399 Speaker 1: just the what you know, Darren Troop and had done 646 00:39:27,400 --> 00:39:29,319 Speaker 1: a great job of he was acquiring a lot of 647 00:39:29,320 --> 00:39:32,160 Speaker 1: different businesses and how do they all fit or don't fit? 648 00:39:32,200 --> 00:39:35,600 Speaker 1: And what do you do with culture? And so I 649 00:39:35,680 --> 00:39:38,960 Speaker 1: just learned an enormous amount and it was one of 650 00:39:39,000 --> 00:39:41,839 Speaker 1: the greatest experiences of my life just to kind of 651 00:39:42,440 --> 00:39:45,120 Speaker 1: step away from one side of the table go to 652 00:39:45,200 --> 00:39:47,160 Speaker 1: the other and then you just it just opens up 653 00:39:47,200 --> 00:39:50,319 Speaker 1: your mind so um. And it was really you know, 654 00:39:50,320 --> 00:39:52,399 Speaker 1: and that we had such a successful two year run. 655 00:39:52,480 --> 00:39:56,160 Speaker 1: I mean, the sale of the company was enormous and 656 00:39:56,239 --> 00:39:58,759 Speaker 1: it was a lot of you know, then you can 657 00:39:58,840 --> 00:40:00,600 Speaker 1: kind of sit in a room with You've Coen and 658 00:40:00,640 --> 00:40:03,600 Speaker 1: go like, oh yeah, not like I see things and 659 00:40:03,760 --> 00:40:06,239 Speaker 1: here's what we think. What led you to be in 660 00:40:06,239 --> 00:40:08,320 Speaker 1: a room with Steve Cohen? Did you know him before? 661 00:40:08,520 --> 00:40:11,520 Speaker 1: Were you? Were you match made by somebody trying to 662 00:40:11,520 --> 00:40:13,759 Speaker 1: help you get range on? No, it wasn't. It was 663 00:40:13,800 --> 00:40:17,200 Speaker 1: early in the h We had met just simply because 664 00:40:18,520 --> 00:40:21,279 Speaker 1: it was around the time that w ME was going 665 00:40:21,320 --> 00:40:24,840 Speaker 1: to go public the first time, and he just he 666 00:40:24,960 --> 00:40:27,279 Speaker 1: was just curious about it, you know, what does this mean? 667 00:40:27,360 --> 00:40:30,360 Speaker 1: And so we had had a meeting to talk about 668 00:40:30,880 --> 00:40:33,880 Speaker 1: w ME going public I think in two thousand nineteen, 669 00:40:34,920 --> 00:40:36,880 Speaker 1: and we just had a mutual friend and he was 670 00:40:36,920 --> 00:40:38,759 Speaker 1: curious about it, and so we talked a little bit 671 00:40:38,760 --> 00:40:41,720 Speaker 1: about the entertainment space and it was really kind of nothing, 672 00:40:41,760 --> 00:40:44,719 Speaker 1: but we had a really good time together and then 673 00:40:45,040 --> 00:40:49,640 Speaker 1: um um, and then really not no communication at all 674 00:40:50,520 --> 00:40:52,319 Speaker 1: because I was so curious to meet the guy that 675 00:40:52,360 --> 00:40:55,040 Speaker 1: everybody was like, oh, he's billions. By the way, He's 676 00:40:55,040 --> 00:40:58,600 Speaker 1: not billions. It's not even close. He has long been 677 00:40:58,680 --> 00:41:01,360 Speaker 1: rumored to be one of the well he was definitely 678 00:41:01,640 --> 00:41:05,600 Speaker 1: part of the influence, but not He's not Bobby Act 679 00:41:05,800 --> 00:41:08,680 Speaker 1: at all. He's got the greatest that's a good story. 680 00:41:08,680 --> 00:41:11,440 Speaker 1: He's got the greatest sense of humor. He is so 681 00:41:11,520 --> 00:41:14,280 Speaker 1: smart it's crazy. I mean, you pick up any business 682 00:41:14,280 --> 00:41:17,480 Speaker 1: on the first balance, and he's been incredible for us. 683 00:41:17,880 --> 00:41:20,840 Speaker 1: Is he involved in the day to day No, not 684 00:41:20,960 --> 00:41:23,359 Speaker 1: at all. Not no day to day activity. We talk 685 00:41:23,960 --> 00:41:27,440 Speaker 1: you know. Uh, we talked very regularly once a week, 686 00:41:27,520 --> 00:41:30,080 Speaker 1: sometimes twice a week, and just kind of bouncing off 687 00:41:30,120 --> 00:41:33,520 Speaker 1: ideas we're thinking about this. We're very active with his 688 00:41:33,600 --> 00:41:37,120 Speaker 1: venture capital firm, Point seventy two. That is a UM. 689 00:41:37,280 --> 00:41:40,239 Speaker 1: There is a very active firm. We're writing a lot 690 00:41:40,280 --> 00:41:43,319 Speaker 1: about that. That they're various investment. Yeah, I mean, they're 691 00:41:43,320 --> 00:41:46,560 Speaker 1: so sophisticated the way they use data, and so we're 692 00:41:46,560 --> 00:41:49,520 Speaker 1: in a constant dialogue with them, and Steve's just very 693 00:41:49,520 --> 00:41:51,759 Speaker 1: curious about what we're doing and he's very interested in 694 00:41:51,760 --> 00:41:55,439 Speaker 1: sports and entertainment. Um, but that's he has no there's 695 00:41:55,440 --> 00:41:58,520 Speaker 1: no we run the business. What is your total size 696 00:41:58,520 --> 00:42:02,640 Speaker 1: in terms of full time staff? Now? We're we We 697 00:42:02,800 --> 00:42:05,719 Speaker 1: had we scaled up somewhat quickly, you know, to make 698 00:42:05,760 --> 00:42:08,800 Speaker 1: sure that we had capabilities and two pizzas point earlier, 699 00:42:08,800 --> 00:42:14,520 Speaker 1: to really add a lot of infrastructure around the uh 700 00:42:14,760 --> 00:42:18,480 Speaker 1: maybe non traditional blocking and tackling things. UM, I think 701 00:42:18,480 --> 00:42:24,040 Speaker 1: we're around a hundred and thirty a little more two 702 00:42:24,520 --> 00:42:29,480 Speaker 1: and mea were I think we're one right now. Is 703 00:42:29,520 --> 00:42:31,239 Speaker 1: that about where you want to be or do you 704 00:42:31,280 --> 00:42:34,799 Speaker 1: see room for We don't put any gardenags. I mean 705 00:42:35,320 --> 00:42:39,640 Speaker 1: the key is that it feels intimate always and you know, 706 00:42:40,360 --> 00:42:45,440 Speaker 1: I remember, you know, I've worked at places where there 707 00:42:45,480 --> 00:42:47,919 Speaker 1: they can be many more people than that, but still 708 00:42:47,960 --> 00:42:51,960 Speaker 1: feel boutique or intimate. And some of that is just 709 00:42:52,000 --> 00:42:55,840 Speaker 1: the vibe that you maintain and um, hopefully how we 710 00:42:55,960 --> 00:43:00,839 Speaker 1: collectively all co run this thing and in an intimate way. 711 00:43:01,040 --> 00:43:02,600 Speaker 1: If you had a crystal ball and you could say 712 00:43:02,680 --> 00:43:05,760 Speaker 1: in five years time, I would see six I would 713 00:43:05,760 --> 00:43:09,319 Speaker 1: define success as what would what would you define success as? 714 00:43:10,960 --> 00:43:14,920 Speaker 1: I would say I'd love to bottle every human that's 715 00:43:14,960 --> 00:43:17,239 Speaker 1: at the company right now and they're still here and 716 00:43:17,360 --> 00:43:20,120 Speaker 1: just still bouncing off walls. I mean, what a metric 717 00:43:20,160 --> 00:43:23,920 Speaker 1: that would be. We're too exting revenue every year, so 718 00:43:24,080 --> 00:43:27,279 Speaker 1: at some point that's you can't do that obviously. UM, 719 00:43:27,360 --> 00:43:31,480 Speaker 1: we'll move to a more you know, more significant Ebada 720 00:43:31,480 --> 00:43:36,840 Speaker 1: where we are hoping to have north margins in each division. UM, 721 00:43:36,840 --> 00:43:39,960 Speaker 1: coupling with the you know, you know, in five years, 722 00:43:40,000 --> 00:43:43,319 Speaker 1: I'm hoping Monday and Saturday don't feel different to me. UM. 723 00:43:43,320 --> 00:43:46,600 Speaker 1: Continuing that theme, I think the you know, we look 724 00:43:46,640 --> 00:43:49,520 Speaker 1: at ourselves as a cultural capital firm, and so can 725 00:43:49,560 --> 00:43:52,600 Speaker 1: we really have impact on redefining the sector and in 726 00:43:52,840 --> 00:43:57,600 Speaker 1: bringing an offering that really speaks to a cultural capital firm? UM, 727 00:43:57,640 --> 00:44:01,239 Speaker 1: constantly innovating in five years and have a company that's 728 00:44:01,280 --> 00:44:04,960 Speaker 1: really profitable that all the stakeholders that, like Jack says, 729 00:44:05,280 --> 00:44:07,439 Speaker 1: you know, should have their heads examined for leaving these 730 00:44:07,520 --> 00:44:12,600 Speaker 1: really cushy, great big jobs. That the equity, the value 731 00:44:12,640 --> 00:44:16,680 Speaker 1: that we've created, it changes, um, not changes their life, 732 00:44:16,719 --> 00:44:19,920 Speaker 1: because that's money, but it just it affords them the 733 00:44:20,000 --> 00:44:22,400 Speaker 1: freedom later on in their life to do whatever they 734 00:44:22,440 --> 00:44:25,200 Speaker 1: want to do. And that is that is the that 735 00:44:25,400 --> 00:44:27,520 Speaker 1: is the greatest I get she was thinking about that 736 00:44:27,600 --> 00:44:30,279 Speaker 1: is the greatest reward that we all got together. We 737 00:44:30,360 --> 00:44:35,680 Speaker 1: all own the company. It's ours. We've saved chunks of 738 00:44:35,719 --> 00:44:39,040 Speaker 1: equity for people to continue to come in over time 739 00:44:39,880 --> 00:44:42,279 Speaker 1: and do it in a way where everybody feels really 740 00:44:42,280 --> 00:44:45,839 Speaker 1: connected to the mission because it's theirs. And so in 741 00:44:45,960 --> 00:44:49,080 Speaker 1: five years we hope that that is really is paid 742 00:44:49,120 --> 00:44:53,160 Speaker 1: off in space for everybody. There's another aspect and thinking 743 00:44:53,200 --> 00:44:56,360 Speaker 1: about it that we speak about, which one of the 744 00:44:56,440 --> 00:45:01,359 Speaker 1: beauties of getting to you know, co run uh your 745 00:45:01,400 --> 00:45:04,040 Speaker 1: own company, you know, with a group of friends and 746 00:45:04,360 --> 00:45:06,800 Speaker 1: other people you respect, is you get to do things 747 00:45:07,880 --> 00:45:10,080 Speaker 1: in a new way, in a different way, and that 748 00:45:10,280 --> 00:45:14,280 Speaker 1: is in five years we've had we have a couple 749 00:45:14,320 --> 00:45:18,040 Speaker 1: of mantras and thesis that we'll need five years to 750 00:45:18,040 --> 00:45:19,759 Speaker 1: see if those were the right ones and see how 751 00:45:19,840 --> 00:45:24,160 Speaker 1: they play out. Um, a couple of them core ones 752 00:45:24,200 --> 00:45:27,520 Speaker 1: are though we we don't believe in the binary nature 753 00:45:27,560 --> 00:45:30,480 Speaker 1: of Hollywood where there's always a winner and loser. We 754 00:45:30,640 --> 00:45:34,840 Speaker 1: love working with partners, We love having agency partners, We 755 00:45:34,960 --> 00:45:38,880 Speaker 1: love working with other management companies, getting to produce with 756 00:45:39,040 --> 00:45:45,000 Speaker 1: other management companies or producers, and it's just we'd like 757 00:45:45,120 --> 00:45:50,239 Speaker 1: to be a positive member of the Hollywood community, kind 758 00:45:50,239 --> 00:45:53,840 Speaker 1: of taking that spirit forward. Of course it sounds dreaming, 759 00:45:54,360 --> 00:45:57,680 Speaker 1: but you know that I think that there's a possibility 760 00:45:57,719 --> 00:46:00,960 Speaker 1: to do that, and it will. It will. It'll make 761 00:46:01,000 --> 00:46:05,239 Speaker 1: the creative ecosystem a more fun place to work rather 762 00:46:05,320 --> 00:46:10,560 Speaker 1: than having it feel totally binary, right. And I also 763 00:46:10,600 --> 00:46:15,080 Speaker 1: think that that flows down within the ranks of your company. 764 00:46:15,160 --> 00:46:17,960 Speaker 1: You know, if, if, if we can wake up and 765 00:46:18,200 --> 00:46:22,279 Speaker 1: be generous with colleagues and new employees, the company will 766 00:46:22,320 --> 00:46:26,400 Speaker 1: just be again a happier place to work. Um and 767 00:46:26,560 --> 00:46:29,560 Speaker 1: we'll see how that plays out. I love that spirit. 768 00:46:30,000 --> 00:46:32,520 Speaker 1: Thank you both so much for your time. And I 769 00:46:32,560 --> 00:46:36,200 Speaker 1: want to also say thank you to Jack's mom for 770 00:46:36,360 --> 00:46:40,640 Speaker 1: making us a delicious plate of pumpkin bread, of which 771 00:46:40,640 --> 00:46:42,759 Speaker 1: I have had two pieces and I'm going to go 772 00:46:42,800 --> 00:46:45,399 Speaker 1: in for a third before i leave the pizza four. 773 00:46:46,719 --> 00:46:57,200 Speaker 1: It's a shout out to Bethwig even I love you, Mom. 774 00:46:57,239 --> 00:47:00,520 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening. Be sure to leave a to review 775 00:47:00,520 --> 00:47:04,560 Speaker 1: with Apple Podcasts, we love to hear from listeners. Please 776 00:47:04,640 --> 00:47:07,040 Speaker 1: go to Variety dot com and sign up for the 777 00:47:07,160 --> 00:47:11,160 Speaker 1: free Strictly Business newsletter, and don't forget to tune in 778 00:47:11,239 --> 00:47:14,759 Speaker 1: next week for another episode of Strictly Business. M