1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:09,240 Speaker 1: M h. Welcome to Strictly Business Varieties, weekly podcast featuring 2 00:00:09,280 --> 00:00:13,080 Speaker 1: conversations with industry leaders about the business of entertainment. I'm 3 00:00:13,160 --> 00:00:17,279 Speaker 1: Cynthia Littleton, business editor of Variety Today. My guest in 4 00:00:17,360 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 1: New York is Roma Kanna, CEO of Revolt. Revolt is 5 00:00:21,560 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: Shaun Combs's media company, which operates a cable channel by 6 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: the same name, digital platforms, and a growing live events business, 7 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 1: all rooted in the dynamic world of hip hop culture. 8 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:36,520 Speaker 1: Kanna came of age as a television executive at NBC 9 00:00:36,720 --> 00:00:40,960 Speaker 1: Universal and MGM Television. She's candid about the challenges of 10 00:00:41,040 --> 00:00:45,280 Speaker 1: leading an independent outfit like Revolt in today's pay TV environment. 11 00:00:45,840 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: She also discusses the importance of what she calls super 12 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:54,080 Speaker 1: serving a super niche audience in this kind of environment. Romancana, 13 00:00:54,320 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 1: CEO of Revolt Media and TV, thank you so much 14 00:00:57,320 --> 00:01:00,640 Speaker 1: for stopping by. Thank you for having me here. You 15 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:04,320 Speaker 1: are the CEO of an interesting company run by Shaun Combs. 16 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:08,840 Speaker 1: You have a very prominent hip hop brand. Revolt is 17 00:01:08,959 --> 00:01:11,600 Speaker 1: known in the in the hip hop and music community. 18 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:15,200 Speaker 1: It's become synonymous with Shaun Combs and all of the 19 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:19,120 Speaker 1: color and a glamor of his life. You run Revolt 20 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:21,640 Speaker 1: as a business, and a big part of that business 21 00:01:22,040 --> 00:01:25,800 Speaker 1: is the cable channel that launched almost five years ago. 22 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:29,319 Speaker 1: That's right, Yes, in two thousand and thirteen, So a 23 00:01:29,319 --> 00:01:32,040 Speaker 1: little bit more than that. And tell us you know, 24 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:36,000 Speaker 1: that's a very obviously you are aimed at a younger audience. 25 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:39,640 Speaker 1: That is a very difficult demographic right now to to bring, 26 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 1: especially to traditional linear TV. Let's talk about the audience 27 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:47,920 Speaker 1: that Revolt reaches and what is your special sauce, what 28 00:01:48,080 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 1: is the what is the connection that you have with 29 00:01:50,560 --> 00:01:54,200 Speaker 1: viewers that brings people to Revolt. Well, I think Revolt 30 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:57,920 Speaker 1: is a great example of what I like to think 31 00:01:57,960 --> 00:02:02,400 Speaker 1: about is super serving as Supernee. So we are a 32 00:02:02,520 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 1: channel and a programming voice and a platform within the 33 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:12,000 Speaker 1: culture by the culture for the culture that serves hip 34 00:02:12,040 --> 00:02:16,040 Speaker 1: hop culture in particular. So UM in our world, that's 35 00:02:16,080 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 1: more than music, but it is led from the heart 36 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:22,440 Speaker 1: of music. So it's music driven culture. UM. But the 37 00:02:22,480 --> 00:02:26,200 Speaker 1: way young people today and perhaps always have consumed music 38 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 1: has been more than just about the music itself. It's 39 00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:31,320 Speaker 1: been about fashion. It's been about lifestyle. It's been about 40 00:02:31,760 --> 00:02:34,600 Speaker 1: comedy and storytelling and where they eat and who they 41 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:37,040 Speaker 1: hang out with and who they want to travel with 42 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:39,360 Speaker 1: and where they want to travel too. So when we 43 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:43,760 Speaker 1: look at culture, we're looking at music through the music 44 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:45,760 Speaker 1: lens and through a hip hop lens, but we're looking 45 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 1: at everything from sports, commentary, entertainment, lifestyle, documentary, fashion, UM. 46 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:57,560 Speaker 1: Social justice is you know, inextricably linked to hip hop 47 00:02:57,600 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 1: culture UM. And and we're king at youth culture, which 48 00:03:01,680 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 1: is an exciting place to be. So our audience, the 49 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:08,480 Speaker 1: core of our audience is millennial UM and also gen 50 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 1: z extremely diverse. What's what's the specific age range that 51 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:16,800 Speaker 1: you're seeing coming to you? So because we're a multi 52 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:20,320 Speaker 1: platform brand and we really want to live in an ecosystem. 53 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:23,160 Speaker 1: So it's not about different prongs of a brand. It's 54 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:27,000 Speaker 1: one brand at the heart UM that has expressions in 55 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:30,959 Speaker 1: different media. UM. It's led currently by TV and that's 56 00:03:30,960 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 1: where we were born and where we started, but it's 57 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: it's now UM, you know, digital, mobile, live events, all 58 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:42,200 Speaker 1: of those great things, podcasts hopefully very soon UM and 59 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 1: whatever touch point makes sense. UH. We're we're reaching the 60 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:51,160 Speaker 1: audience in different ways, but it's slightly different by platforms. 61 00:03:51,200 --> 00:03:54,320 Speaker 1: So television does tend to be a little bit older 62 00:03:54,360 --> 00:03:56,760 Speaker 1: so that is our core millennial audience. It would be 63 00:03:57,320 --> 00:04:00,560 Speaker 1: you know, somewhere between eighteen and thirty five is really 64 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:04,720 Speaker 1: the sweet spot with cable television for our channel and 65 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 1: and who's watching. But we get a lot of older people, 66 00:04:06,920 --> 00:04:09,600 Speaker 1: that's the core. But people who love the culture and 67 00:04:09,680 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 1: want to participate um and and be a part of 68 00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:16,159 Speaker 1: it are coming to us. On digital platforms, it tends 69 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:18,200 Speaker 1: to be a little bit younger, so it's people in 70 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:21,080 Speaker 1: their twenties really driving the discussion. And when we do 71 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:23,160 Speaker 1: live events like we're doing this year with the Revolt 72 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:27,800 Speaker 1: Summit in multiple cities, my expectation is that it will 73 00:04:27,839 --> 00:04:30,160 Speaker 1: be a lot of young people in their twenties at 74 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:33,599 Speaker 1: the beginning of their careers as an artist or business 75 00:04:33,680 --> 00:04:36,599 Speaker 1: person in hip hop and hip hop culture. And you're 76 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:40,159 Speaker 1: finding that people on the younger end of that older 77 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:43,599 Speaker 1: teen early twenties, you're finding that that that that viewer 78 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:46,640 Speaker 1: and their motivations and how they consume is markedly different 79 00:04:46,640 --> 00:04:50,360 Speaker 1: than even their older brothers and sisters and cousins. Absolutely, 80 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:52,400 Speaker 1: So if we look, depending on who you ask, where 81 00:04:52,400 --> 00:04:55,520 Speaker 1: the cut off between millennial and gen Z is, there's 82 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 1: a lot of debates, there's a lot of debate. Let's 83 00:04:57,680 --> 00:05:00,120 Speaker 1: the call it somewhere in your early twenties, so your 84 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:02,760 Speaker 1: gen z s or or maybe late teens. Your gen 85 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:05,760 Speaker 1: zs are really in their teenage years and coming up 86 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:09,680 Speaker 1: on their later teenage years. The lifestyle is so remarkably different. 87 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:12,600 Speaker 1: I mean millennials a word that's capturing people from their 88 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:15,880 Speaker 1: early twenties to their mid thirties. So on average half 89 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:17,880 Speaker 1: of them are married and have children. I mean, these 90 00:05:17,880 --> 00:05:21,480 Speaker 1: are adults. They're getting mortgages, they've got careers, not just 91 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:23,960 Speaker 1: jobs on the on the later end, but on the 92 00:05:24,000 --> 00:05:26,400 Speaker 1: earlier end. They're just starting out figuring out what the 93 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:29,039 Speaker 1: difference between a career and a job is. Right. But 94 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:33,000 Speaker 1: whereas the gen z U population, these these are young people, 95 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:36,360 Speaker 1: and they're consuming media in a very different way and 96 00:05:36,360 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: and in a very rapid multi platform way. TV does 97 00:05:40,240 --> 00:05:43,840 Speaker 1: not hold um the center of that universe in the 98 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 1: same way that it still does for millennials. That the 99 00:05:46,560 --> 00:05:49,200 Speaker 1: center of that gen Z universe is the phone. Presumably 100 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:52,440 Speaker 1: it is mobile and it's multi platform, so they are 101 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:57,760 Speaker 1: naturally born into a world of multiple devices and multiple 102 00:05:57,800 --> 00:06:03,359 Speaker 1: touchpoints at the same time. Often so and iPad in 103 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:06,720 Speaker 1: your lap at you're talking or you're snapchatting and you're 104 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 1: sending emojis, and and your language is different because it's 105 00:06:10,320 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 1: it's quick, it's a motive UM. So millennials still text, 106 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:17,760 Speaker 1: you know, this is the heart of their relationships. On average, 107 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:21,080 Speaker 1: gen z are sending emojis and they'll have an entire 108 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:24,919 Speaker 1: conversation in photograph and emojis, and it makes perfect sense 109 00:06:24,960 --> 00:06:26,880 Speaker 1: to them. They know exactly what they're saying to their 110 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:29,839 Speaker 1: friends and what's being said back a literal new language, 111 00:06:29,920 --> 00:06:33,039 Speaker 1: Oh my god, exactly, and it's and it is a 112 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:37,039 Speaker 1: big difference in terms of how they view storytelling and 113 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:39,640 Speaker 1: where these platforms fit into their lives. So that shift 114 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:45,400 Speaker 1: is we get younger, um becomes much more pronounced with 115 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:49,960 Speaker 1: with gen Z and then what they're calling igen before that, 116 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:52,479 Speaker 1: you know, these are these are young people who don't 117 00:06:52,720 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 1: know a universe without access to content, information, entertainment in 118 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:03,159 Speaker 1: their hands hands at any length they want, at any 119 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:06,760 Speaker 1: given time, with any shared experience. It's not new, it's 120 00:07:06,839 --> 00:07:09,280 Speaker 1: just the way the world is. So are you you 121 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 1: are creating Obviously you create programming for the linear channel, 122 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:14,600 Speaker 1: but it sounds like in this environment you're creating a 123 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 1: lot of programming that is sliced and diced and in 124 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:22,760 Speaker 1: different in different formats to serve these you know, these 125 00:07:22,760 --> 00:07:24,960 Speaker 1: youths that have grown up with the with these devices 126 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:27,760 Speaker 1: in their hands. Absolutely, and I think from our point 127 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:30,160 Speaker 1: of view, we really like to think about the brand first, 128 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:33,000 Speaker 1: you know, what is Revolt, what is our purpose in 129 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:36,240 Speaker 1: the universe of these young people, and then try to 130 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:40,040 Speaker 1: super serve on the platform that they're consuming, So television, 131 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:42,320 Speaker 1: which is still important in our universe and it's still 132 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:46,320 Speaker 1: important for millennials. Millennials will still tell you that they're 133 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 1: watching most of their content, long form content on a 134 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 1: television screen. You know, they live almost of them live 135 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 1: in households that have a cable subscription, so this is 136 00:07:57,280 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 1: a part of their universe. And the storytelling they want 137 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 1: is long format. That might mean twenty two minutes to them, 138 00:08:04,040 --> 00:08:06,880 Speaker 1: but that's longer format, it's more in depth, it's higher 139 00:08:06,960 --> 00:08:10,560 Speaker 1: quality production UM. And then they are also consuming on 140 00:08:10,680 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 1: digital platform shorter format UM quick storytelling more timely in 141 00:08:15,760 --> 00:08:19,400 Speaker 1: terms of its commentary. And our job as a brand 142 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:21,960 Speaker 1: is to not think of these things as derivatives of 143 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:25,240 Speaker 1: each other, but instead to think about that brand experience 144 00:08:25,640 --> 00:08:29,840 Speaker 1: as the heart that connects UM unique storytelling platforms that 145 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:34,440 Speaker 1: have to be UM offering content unique to that platform, 146 00:08:34,480 --> 00:08:37,560 Speaker 1: not just cutting down or extending one from the other, right, 147 00:08:37,679 --> 00:08:42,080 Speaker 1: harnessing the potential of each platform. UM. And do you 148 00:08:42,120 --> 00:08:44,520 Speaker 1: do that? You do that through one team? Do you 149 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 1: have an uber person that kind of oversees all the 150 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 1: all programming and content we have? So TV works just 151 00:08:50,160 --> 00:08:53,040 Speaker 1: like you know, TV and film work on different rhythms. 152 00:08:53,640 --> 00:08:57,720 Speaker 1: TV and digital work on different rhythms. So the creative sauce, 153 00:08:57,800 --> 00:09:01,760 Speaker 1: the brand, and the content is the same across our teams. 154 00:09:01,760 --> 00:09:06,240 Speaker 1: But the actual people delivering UM physically delivering television versus 155 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:09,920 Speaker 1: delivering digital video. UM. Digital is not and the digital 156 00:09:09,960 --> 00:09:12,320 Speaker 1: platforms are not just about video as much as video 157 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:18,479 Speaker 1: is growing. It's about social social distribution. It's about UM commentary, reflection, 158 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:22,679 Speaker 1: creation of other people's content. UM. It's more time at 159 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:26,520 Speaker 1: real time editorial as well. It can be image based, 160 00:09:26,640 --> 00:09:29,000 Speaker 1: it can be just text based, it can be emoji based. 161 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:33,280 Speaker 1: It's it's a it's expressing a moment anywhere from a 162 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:37,559 Speaker 1: moment of emotion to a longer arc of story. So 163 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 1: the rhythm of creating is different. The UM the tools 164 00:09:42,640 --> 00:09:46,160 Speaker 1: you need to create are different and the understanding of 165 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:50,080 Speaker 1: story structure, and this to me is key. That fundamental 166 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:55,320 Speaker 1: story structure that allows television to unfold is unique and 167 00:09:55,400 --> 00:09:58,000 Speaker 1: it is a specialty. So the people that are working 168 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:01,440 Speaker 1: on those teams, while creatively there's a lot of crossover, UM, 169 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:04,080 Speaker 1: they need to understand that structure and if they don't, 170 00:10:04,160 --> 00:10:06,679 Speaker 1: then it's not good TV. Clearly, you've got a lot 171 00:10:06,679 --> 00:10:10,200 Speaker 1: of investment in different types of storytelling. What is what's 172 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:14,440 Speaker 1: the revenue that fuels this? Is it all advertising based? Well, 173 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 1: you know, we we still have it. Are hard a 174 00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:19,760 Speaker 1: cable channel and that has the benefit of both being 175 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:23,600 Speaker 1: advertising and subscription based um. And you can put direct 176 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:25,760 Speaker 1: response in there as well. When you think about TV 177 00:10:26,320 --> 00:10:29,720 Speaker 1: and then on the digital platforms with digital content UM, 178 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:33,280 Speaker 1: while there is both a subscription and a digital advertising 179 00:10:33,320 --> 00:10:37,000 Speaker 1: model available, I think it's still being driven largely by advertising, 180 00:10:37,320 --> 00:10:39,520 Speaker 1: So it's still going to be about volume. It's still 181 00:10:39,559 --> 00:10:42,160 Speaker 1: going to be about the ability to attract eyeballs in 182 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:46,080 Speaker 1: Then you have sponsorship, which is a different approach to 183 00:10:46,360 --> 00:10:50,360 Speaker 1: social platforms where it's not just CPM based. It's actually 184 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:53,400 Speaker 1: bringing brands into the storytelling in a different way and 185 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:56,840 Speaker 1: reflecting them in a different way. So we really have 186 00:10:57,520 --> 00:10:59,920 Speaker 1: a very diverse pool of revenue. And then we all 187 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:02,080 Speaker 1: so have live events, which, you know, I think the 188 00:11:02,120 --> 00:11:05,160 Speaker 1: success of a brand in this multi prompt universe is 189 00:11:05,280 --> 00:11:08,079 Speaker 1: really going to be driven by the ability to bring 190 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:11,240 Speaker 1: in different types of revenues at different moments of time. 191 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:13,960 Speaker 1: The live event space is really heating up. A lot 192 00:11:14,040 --> 00:11:18,199 Speaker 1: of media companies are targeting via Colm NBC Universal. We've 193 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:20,400 Speaker 1: really seen a lot of activity in that. I want 194 00:11:20,440 --> 00:11:23,080 Speaker 1: to talk about the Revolt Summit in a minute, but 195 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:26,080 Speaker 1: let's talk a little bit more about you know, in 196 00:11:26,080 --> 00:11:28,960 Speaker 1: a in a marketplace where we're seeing you know, um, 197 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:32,000 Speaker 1: you spent time working at NBC Universal. We're seeing Comcast 198 00:11:32,120 --> 00:11:34,760 Speaker 1: grow to new heights. Disney and Fox just completed a 199 00:11:34,800 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 1: historic merger. How hard is it for you to go 200 00:11:37,760 --> 00:11:42,760 Speaker 1: to the market with a relatively small operation. Extremely hard, 201 00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:45,680 Speaker 1: extremely hard. It's it's a tough place to be, to 202 00:11:45,720 --> 00:11:49,560 Speaker 1: be an independent um in this universe of large companies 203 00:11:49,559 --> 00:11:53,400 Speaker 1: and consolidating companies. And the only way I believe you 204 00:11:53,400 --> 00:11:56,920 Speaker 1: could survive at all is to be very very clear 205 00:11:56,960 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 1: on who your target is. And as I said before, 206 00:11:59,160 --> 00:12:01,880 Speaker 1: super service to per Niche. And when I say super Niche, 207 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:03,679 Speaker 1: what I mean, is it looks like a niche. It's 208 00:12:03,840 --> 00:12:06,880 Speaker 1: very specific, it's very targeted, but it's bigger than you 209 00:12:06,920 --> 00:12:09,240 Speaker 1: think that there is a real audience there. When you 210 00:12:09,240 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 1: talk about hip hop and hip hop culture and diversity 211 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 1: and youth, um, it can sound like you're saying niche words, 212 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:19,080 Speaker 1: but you're not. You're talking about the entire young population 213 00:12:19,120 --> 00:12:21,719 Speaker 1: of this country and beyond, and you're talking about the 214 00:12:22,080 --> 00:12:26,560 Speaker 1: most dominant culture and music culture today and you're talking about, 215 00:12:27,720 --> 00:12:30,680 Speaker 1: you know, where America is going. Diversity is reality for 216 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:34,079 Speaker 1: these young populations millennial and younger. Is you know, fift 217 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 1: not Caucasian today, and that's you know, changing as as 218 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:41,480 Speaker 1: the years go on, according to US Census datus. So 219 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:45,760 Speaker 1: for us, that is key to know who you're speaking 220 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:49,400 Speaker 1: to and and that becomes a survival tool when these 221 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:54,520 Speaker 1: large companies value and want access to the audience that 222 00:12:54,559 --> 00:12:57,880 Speaker 1: we're serving, because the thing that's most important to us 223 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 1: is authenticity. It's these large companies can do whatever they want. 224 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 1: They have the resources to choose the markets they want 225 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:08,200 Speaker 1: to um get into on any given day in any 226 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:10,920 Speaker 1: market they want to serve, But can they do that 227 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:14,080 Speaker 1: authentically and is it the right thing for the audience 228 00:13:14,120 --> 00:13:16,679 Speaker 1: for them to do that when you're serving diversity, when 229 00:13:16,720 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 1: you're serving young people, to not also come from that 230 00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:23,440 Speaker 1: place of authentic voice, UM, I think is a little 231 00:13:23,520 --> 00:13:26,520 Speaker 1: disingenuous in some ways. And that then becomes our value 232 00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:30,079 Speaker 1: proposition that if you want to connect with this audience, 233 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:32,480 Speaker 1: why don't you go to the audience to do it right? 234 00:13:32,520 --> 00:13:35,360 Speaker 1: And you have the your you know, the face of 235 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:40,160 Speaker 1: your company and somebody with you know, authentic organic, genuine 236 00:13:40,200 --> 00:13:43,439 Speaker 1: respect and standing in this world. So that also has 237 00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:46,560 Speaker 1: got to be a selling point very much so, Sean Combs, 238 00:13:46,640 --> 00:13:50,040 Speaker 1: absolutely so. We have um we are one of a 239 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 1: very few networks in this country that our majority black owned, 240 00:13:55,240 --> 00:13:57,440 Speaker 1: and and that's just reality. You can count them up, 241 00:13:57,480 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 1: and there's there's a few other and like us, they're 242 00:14:00,800 --> 00:14:04,800 Speaker 1: all either small channels or small groups of channels. It's 243 00:14:04,840 --> 00:14:07,880 Speaker 1: a really hard thing to be the undergo dog and compete. 244 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:09,840 Speaker 1: It's a hard thing to be new. You know, we're 245 00:14:09,840 --> 00:14:14,240 Speaker 1: competing against you know, media platforms through Viacom for example, 246 00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:16,480 Speaker 1: that have been around for twenty plus years. As you 247 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:18,920 Speaker 1: said at the beginning, we've only been around for five years. 248 00:14:19,360 --> 00:14:22,120 Speaker 1: And and to do all of that, compete on every front. 249 00:14:22,120 --> 00:14:26,680 Speaker 1: So we are the smallest, we are a very specific target. 250 00:14:26,760 --> 00:14:30,800 Speaker 1: We are in a diverse ownership group, and a diverse 251 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:34,840 Speaker 1: voice and an authentic voice. Those are all important things, 252 00:14:34,840 --> 00:14:37,760 Speaker 1: but they're all things that make our life difficult in 253 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:43,200 Speaker 1: a world of extreme competition, um tightening, advertising budgets and 254 00:14:43,280 --> 00:14:47,240 Speaker 1: consolidation and the decline of cable, and you put us 255 00:14:47,240 --> 00:14:52,400 Speaker 1: into the middle of that, and really, on all traditional metrics, 256 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:56,000 Speaker 1: there would be no value in what we do. So 257 00:14:56,040 --> 00:14:59,480 Speaker 1: the value has to come from believing that this space 258 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:03,400 Speaker 1: and this audience is important and needs to be given 259 00:15:03,440 --> 00:15:06,760 Speaker 1: the opportunity to have access and to grow. And and 260 00:15:07,200 --> 00:15:10,360 Speaker 1: you can't do that without supporting the little guy and 261 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:13,640 Speaker 1: giving them space to become the midsized guy or the 262 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:16,840 Speaker 1: big guy and time to develop. So and do you 263 00:15:16,880 --> 00:15:19,040 Speaker 1: find and the you know, in the big, bad, cutthroat 264 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:20,800 Speaker 1: world that we're always writing about, like when do you 265 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: find that there is an understanding among people making carriage 266 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:27,840 Speaker 1: decisions and renewal decisions, Like there's an understanding that there 267 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:31,960 Speaker 1: is value to to what may be a niche a 268 00:15:32,040 --> 00:15:35,320 Speaker 1: niche audience, but that there's value to the audience that 269 00:15:35,400 --> 00:15:39,600 Speaker 1: Revolt brings. You know, the answer is sometimes you know, 270 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:43,720 Speaker 1: some individuals, some companies really understand it and valuate and 271 00:15:43,760 --> 00:15:48,120 Speaker 1: want to lean in um and and create content specifically 272 00:15:48,160 --> 00:15:52,320 Speaker 1: for smaller areas of the culture that they've traditionally served 273 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:54,240 Speaker 1: and and grow their audience. I mean, there's a real 274 00:15:54,280 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 1: business opportunity here for a population that's been underserved in 275 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:00,640 Speaker 1: a lot of ways. But UM at the same time, 276 00:16:00,640 --> 00:16:03,320 Speaker 1: because we are young in terms of our audience, this 277 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:06,160 Speaker 1: is an audience that's moving away from traditional media in 278 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 1: a lot of ways and consuming and new and unusual 279 00:16:09,240 --> 00:16:13,200 Speaker 1: ways every day. So it's it's it's tough. I think 280 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:17,520 Speaker 1: there's a spectrum of partners who understand value, get it, 281 00:16:17,600 --> 00:16:20,800 Speaker 1: want to lean in UM, want to do more, want 282 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:25,640 Speaker 1: to help us grow and become a valuable partner to them, 283 00:16:25,720 --> 00:16:28,800 Speaker 1: and really value this audience. There's some that like the 284 00:16:28,880 --> 00:16:31,640 Speaker 1: idea of it, but practically don't think it's working or 285 00:16:31,680 --> 00:16:34,200 Speaker 1: that we're performing at the level they need. But again, 286 00:16:34,400 --> 00:16:36,760 Speaker 1: you know, measure me in twenty years like you're doing 287 00:16:36,800 --> 00:16:40,360 Speaker 1: everyone else, and it might be a different story um And, 288 00:16:40,720 --> 00:16:43,240 Speaker 1: but they but they understand the value of at least 289 00:16:43,320 --> 00:16:45,760 Speaker 1: having the proposition. And then there's some that just view 290 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:49,440 Speaker 1: it as UM is something they're told to do and 291 00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:52,280 Speaker 1: and maybe they'll listen, maybe they won't, depending on where 292 00:16:52,280 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 1: their budgets are at and what kind of forgiveness they're 293 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 1: going to get, because they're under tough metrics as well. 294 00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 1: So it's a spectrum. Do you do your m v 295 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:02,360 Speaker 1: P the deals directly or do you have a partner 296 00:17:02,400 --> 00:17:05,840 Speaker 1: that helps you negotiate carriage deals? We do that all internally. 297 00:17:05,920 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 1: We have a team and a fantastic leader on the 298 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:14,640 Speaker 1: team named Mr James Brown who hardest working man has 299 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:20,120 Speaker 1: an affiliate sales, no doubt, Definitely definitely UM and we 300 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:22,600 Speaker 1: you know, I think it's important because it is about 301 00:17:22,600 --> 00:17:25,800 Speaker 1: that authenticity that it's a double edged sword. Sometimes it 302 00:17:25,840 --> 00:17:27,560 Speaker 1: feels like it would be easier to be in with 303 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:29,160 Speaker 1: one of the big guys, and I think on some 304 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 1: levels it would be, but we'd be the smallest one 305 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:34,280 Speaker 1: in the mix. And do you be the last on 306 00:17:34,280 --> 00:17:38,280 Speaker 1: their list of priss? They're consolidating and they're um calling 307 00:17:38,320 --> 00:17:41,159 Speaker 1: back expenditures for some you know, the MVPD s are 308 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:44,000 Speaker 1: calling expenditures for some of the big groups. But when 309 00:17:44,080 --> 00:17:46,600 Speaker 1: as they as the money goes to the big groups, 310 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:50,159 Speaker 1: we do sometimes get left with scraps and fighting with 311 00:17:50,200 --> 00:17:53,880 Speaker 1: the other independence to to get our place in the sun, 312 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:57,600 Speaker 1: so to speak. But when someone values us, when a 313 00:17:57,640 --> 00:18:00,479 Speaker 1: company values us, they're valuing us for our adiens and 314 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:03,560 Speaker 1: for the diversity position in the youth, position that we 315 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:06,520 Speaker 1: have in this unique market and culture that we serve 316 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:09,560 Speaker 1: with hip hop culture. And in that case, being independent 317 00:18:09,640 --> 00:18:12,679 Speaker 1: is terrific and we are delighted to work with the 318 00:18:12,720 --> 00:18:15,320 Speaker 1: partners that get that and want to be a part 319 00:18:15,359 --> 00:18:17,719 Speaker 1: of it, and more than that, actually celebrate us. And 320 00:18:17,760 --> 00:18:19,639 Speaker 1: we were lucky to have a lot of partners that 321 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:22,639 Speaker 1: do that. Do you think Revolt, I know was born 322 00:18:22,920 --> 00:18:26,240 Speaker 1: was born at a time when Comcast had an obligation 323 00:18:26,280 --> 00:18:30,440 Speaker 1: with the federal government to launch channels independently owned channels 324 00:18:30,720 --> 00:18:36,959 Speaker 1: with um with diverse ownership as a result of their purchase, 325 00:18:37,040 --> 00:18:39,760 Speaker 1: Comcast purchase of NBC Universal, they had to make a 326 00:18:39,760 --> 00:18:44,760 Speaker 1: commitment to you know, sort of balancing the consolidation there um. 327 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:48,320 Speaker 1: The Revolts certainly seems to be like the success story 328 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:50,600 Speaker 1: of there was a batch of channels around late two 329 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 1: thousand twelve early two thousand thirteen that launched because Comcasts 330 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:58,760 Speaker 1: had to make this channel real estate available on their systems. 331 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:01,399 Speaker 1: Do you think, you know, given your experience now and 332 00:19:01,960 --> 00:19:04,960 Speaker 1: in running Revolt, do you think that that was a 333 00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:08,560 Speaker 1: successful effort in an effort to to you know, out 334 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:11,600 Speaker 1: of concern that consolidation could lead to a smaller number 335 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:13,960 Speaker 1: of voices having a voice in the media landscape. Do 336 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:17,360 Speaker 1: you think that that that provision of that acquisition has 337 00:19:17,480 --> 00:19:20,159 Speaker 1: seeded you know what sounds like a very you know, 338 00:19:20,280 --> 00:19:25,560 Speaker 1: strong and growing business. You know, I think, um, it 339 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:30,360 Speaker 1: all started with the right thinking, and you know, we're 340 00:19:30,359 --> 00:19:33,119 Speaker 1: grateful for that. We wouldn't exist but for that. So 341 00:19:33,119 --> 00:19:36,280 Speaker 1: so absolutely is the answer. But you know, I think 342 00:19:36,320 --> 00:19:39,000 Speaker 1: the challenges is that the idea of trying to embrace 343 00:19:39,320 --> 00:19:43,280 Speaker 1: diversity and creating an equal opportunity playing field for voices 344 00:19:43,359 --> 00:19:48,399 Speaker 1: to proliferate really runs into a problem when it's the 345 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:52,240 Speaker 1: first step of a hundred step race that is unlocked, 346 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:55,880 Speaker 1: but the next steps still needs support. So we don't 347 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:59,920 Speaker 1: have full distribution on on most systems, comp Class, Comcast 348 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:02,800 Speaker 1: included UM and we'd love to have that, but that 349 00:20:02,960 --> 00:20:06,080 Speaker 1: you know, these companies are struggling with their own um 350 00:20:06,119 --> 00:20:08,600 Speaker 1: you know metrics as they measure their basic packages and 351 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:13,119 Speaker 1: their extended basic packages, and for us, to then compete 352 00:20:13,160 --> 00:20:15,800 Speaker 1: on an on an equal playing field with companies that 353 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:19,199 Speaker 1: have got better distribution, have been around longer, have have 354 00:20:20,040 --> 00:20:22,960 Speaker 1: better leverage in terms of the portfolios that they're part of. 355 00:20:23,520 --> 00:20:26,760 Speaker 1: You know, that becomes a tough story. It's that, you know, 356 00:20:26,840 --> 00:20:29,320 Speaker 1: if if we want to support diversity of voices in 357 00:20:29,400 --> 00:20:33,080 Speaker 1: any way and in any platform, it can't always just 358 00:20:33,160 --> 00:20:36,119 Speaker 1: be step one and then to be measured by the 359 00:20:36,200 --> 00:20:40,480 Speaker 1: same measuring sticks of companies that have been around for longer, 360 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:43,480 Speaker 1: in better times and have made it past step one 361 00:20:43,840 --> 00:20:48,000 Speaker 1: into step seventy three. Um, Yet we will get the well, 362 00:20:48,320 --> 00:20:52,240 Speaker 1: you know, your traffic compared to you know MTVS traffic, 363 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:55,000 Speaker 1: It's not it's not a fair comparison at this moment 364 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:57,120 Speaker 1: in time, and if you measure us by that stick, 365 00:20:57,200 --> 00:20:59,800 Speaker 1: we will always fail for the next number of years. 366 00:20:59,800 --> 00:21:02,480 Speaker 1: So if we really want diversity, what are the measuring 367 00:21:02,520 --> 00:21:06,040 Speaker 1: tools we're using to allow these voices to grow and 368 00:21:06,080 --> 00:21:10,080 Speaker 1: then truly compete um in a very difficult world of competition. 369 00:21:10,119 --> 00:21:13,040 Speaker 1: I mean, it's it's tough out there, and we understand 370 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:15,879 Speaker 1: that we just we want a shot at it. I 371 00:21:15,920 --> 00:21:18,720 Speaker 1: know that one important initiative for a revolt on the 372 00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:22,359 Speaker 1: programming sign has been comedy to expand the array and 373 00:21:22,680 --> 00:21:26,760 Speaker 1: um number of offerings comedians and specials and types of 374 00:21:26,800 --> 00:21:29,320 Speaker 1: programming in that area. How is that going so far? 375 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:32,680 Speaker 1: We're having a lot of fun, which is good because 376 00:21:32,720 --> 00:21:34,920 Speaker 1: it's comedy, So you should be having fun if you're 377 00:21:35,040 --> 00:21:37,640 Speaker 1: if you're expanding in comedy, we are. The last couple 378 00:21:37,640 --> 00:21:39,960 Speaker 1: of years we really have been focusing on our TV 379 00:21:40,119 --> 00:21:42,000 Speaker 1: offering and trying to make it as strong as we 380 00:21:42,040 --> 00:21:44,520 Speaker 1: can make it. It's a again with the investment we 381 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:47,920 Speaker 1: have available. You know, the company is solid, but we're 382 00:21:47,920 --> 00:21:52,280 Speaker 1: not spending like drunken sailors so to speak. Um, although 383 00:21:52,320 --> 00:21:54,760 Speaker 1: that's not a nice thing to say about sailors. So um, 384 00:21:55,520 --> 00:21:57,680 Speaker 1: you don't have the free paths of you can have 385 00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:00,119 Speaker 1: a negative free cash flow for oh ten year as 386 00:22:00,119 --> 00:22:03,679 Speaker 1: while you invest billions to launch a platform exactly, and 387 00:22:03,720 --> 00:22:06,880 Speaker 1: we don't have the freedom to experiment therefore, and and 388 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:09,720 Speaker 1: really you know, throw that content spaghetting against the wall 389 00:22:09,760 --> 00:22:11,760 Speaker 1: and see what's sticks. So we we have to be 390 00:22:11,880 --> 00:22:13,960 Speaker 1: very careful about what we launch and how we launch 391 00:22:13,960 --> 00:22:16,040 Speaker 1: and making sure it's something we think will resonate with 392 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:18,600 Speaker 1: the audience. So as we've looked at new programs this 393 00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:20,920 Speaker 1: year launching a show called State of the Culture with 394 00:22:21,000 --> 00:22:24,439 Speaker 1: Joe Budden and remy Man Jinx as hosts and a 395 00:22:24,480 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 1: conversation around the culture. We you know, with our head 396 00:22:27,320 --> 00:22:30,520 Speaker 1: of Programming UM, Robin Laddicker Johnson, we took a look 397 00:22:30,560 --> 00:22:32,840 Speaker 1: and said, Okay, if we're hip hop culture, not just 398 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:36,119 Speaker 1: hip hop music, what are the other elements of culture 399 00:22:36,119 --> 00:22:38,320 Speaker 1: that resonate And, as I said, it could be sports, 400 00:22:38,320 --> 00:22:40,320 Speaker 1: it could be fashioned. We do a lot of social 401 00:22:40,359 --> 00:22:43,479 Speaker 1: justice programming, which is extremely important to us, and too 402 00:22:43,560 --> 00:22:47,040 Speaker 1: Mr Combs, but comedy started coming through loud and clear 403 00:22:47,119 --> 00:22:49,800 Speaker 1: that this is a part of hip hop culture and 404 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:52,680 Speaker 1: and how the culture communicates and and what the culture 405 00:22:53,280 --> 00:22:55,639 Speaker 1: UM is turning to for entertainment. And there are a 406 00:22:55,640 --> 00:22:58,840 Speaker 1: lot of young, up and coming, diverse comics around this 407 00:22:58,960 --> 00:23:01,760 Speaker 1: country that you know, you give them a microphone and 408 00:23:01,800 --> 00:23:04,600 Speaker 1: they will they will take their shots. So we've just 409 00:23:04,680 --> 00:23:07,800 Speaker 1: launched a new shal show called Funny a f um 410 00:23:07,880 --> 00:23:10,800 Speaker 1: on on the network and it's focused on young up 411 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:14,120 Speaker 1: and coming comics who have yet to be discovered, and 412 00:23:14,240 --> 00:23:16,840 Speaker 1: we are having so much fun with it. It's been 413 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:19,880 Speaker 1: um it's been resonating with the audience. We've been getting 414 00:23:19,880 --> 00:23:22,879 Speaker 1: a lot of attention. We're seeing traction, We're seeing a 415 00:23:22,880 --> 00:23:26,320 Speaker 1: lot of social chat or the the comics themselves are 416 00:23:26,320 --> 00:23:28,880 Speaker 1: reaching out to us and saying, you know, this is amazing. 417 00:23:28,920 --> 00:23:31,520 Speaker 1: People are recognizing me and talking to me and talking 418 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:34,280 Speaker 1: about my comedy. UM. And then you know, we hope 419 00:23:34,280 --> 00:23:36,399 Speaker 1: that there will be an outlet on digital platforms for 420 00:23:36,440 --> 00:23:38,879 Speaker 1: this as well. We have some things that are born 421 00:23:39,000 --> 00:23:41,920 Speaker 1: in the digital universe and then migrate to TV or don't. 422 00:23:42,160 --> 00:23:44,320 Speaker 1: And something's born on TV and then migrate to digital 423 00:23:44,440 --> 00:23:47,040 Speaker 1: or don't. This is one that was really TV first 424 00:23:47,119 --> 00:23:50,600 Speaker 1: for us and the experience of watching stand up comedy UM, 425 00:23:50,720 --> 00:23:53,119 Speaker 1: and I hope that will migrate it in fact, you know, 426 00:23:53,160 --> 00:23:56,679 Speaker 1: probably to an audio format like podcast first UM, and 427 00:23:56,720 --> 00:23:59,080 Speaker 1: then in small ways and in social ways to promote 428 00:23:59,119 --> 00:24:02,920 Speaker 1: it on digital. What have you found? Is there a um? 429 00:24:03,640 --> 00:24:06,000 Speaker 1: You know there there are so many social platforms out there, 430 00:24:06,040 --> 00:24:09,040 Speaker 1: But what do you find like Instagram your big Driver's 431 00:24:09,119 --> 00:24:12,119 Speaker 1: Facebook your big driver? What are the big engines for 432 00:24:12,240 --> 00:24:14,960 Speaker 1: you on social Well, you know, there's the engine for 433 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:17,520 Speaker 1: the conversation and the connection with the audience, and then 434 00:24:17,560 --> 00:24:21,600 Speaker 1: there's the UM what's driving actual revenue models? Which is 435 00:24:22,240 --> 00:24:25,320 Speaker 1: which is different by platform, depending on how those platforms 436 00:24:25,320 --> 00:24:29,120 Speaker 1: are approaching their business. You know, in terms of interactions 437 00:24:29,560 --> 00:24:33,840 Speaker 1: m with our audience, Instagram and YouTube for video are 438 00:24:33,920 --> 00:24:37,760 Speaker 1: still driving a lot of the traffic for us UM, 439 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:39,720 Speaker 1: but we have a great Facebook presence, We have our 440 00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:42,520 Speaker 1: own own O site with the dot tv um that 441 00:24:42,560 --> 00:24:46,119 Speaker 1: we drive in. Those are important places for our brand. 442 00:24:46,480 --> 00:24:48,520 Speaker 1: But you know, you can wake up tomorrow and Facebook 443 00:24:48,600 --> 00:24:50,800 Speaker 1: changes their video algorithm and it may or may not 444 00:24:50,920 --> 00:24:54,640 Speaker 1: affect some of our individual content or our brand overall. 445 00:24:55,280 --> 00:24:59,040 Speaker 1: It's hard to plan around that. Whereas UM with the 446 00:24:59,119 --> 00:25:02,959 Speaker 1: video serve being a video and advertising for us, knowing 447 00:25:03,080 --> 00:25:05,080 Speaker 1: that when we have a success, we know what that 448 00:25:05,119 --> 00:25:07,960 Speaker 1: traffic looks like, then we can plan our business models 449 00:25:08,000 --> 00:25:10,280 Speaker 1: around that. Then there's up and coming platforms and we're 450 00:25:10,280 --> 00:25:13,240 Speaker 1: talking about you know, gen Z and I Gen, things 451 00:25:13,280 --> 00:25:16,840 Speaker 1: like TikTok Um are important to have on our radar 452 00:25:16,920 --> 00:25:19,440 Speaker 1: and they're not going to drive any revenue anytime soon. 453 00:25:19,480 --> 00:25:22,240 Speaker 1: But if we're not there and connecting with our audience 454 00:25:22,240 --> 00:25:25,080 Speaker 1: on those platforms, UM, you know that we're missing a 455 00:25:25,080 --> 00:25:28,440 Speaker 1: beat in terms of how they communicate. Uh, you know, Twitter, 456 00:25:29,320 --> 00:25:32,240 Speaker 1: it still is out there, but I think for our 457 00:25:32,280 --> 00:25:37,040 Speaker 1: audience being younger. It's it's more about the Instagram and 458 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:40,200 Speaker 1: now new platforms like TikTok. That must be a whole 459 00:25:40,280 --> 00:25:43,399 Speaker 1: just keeping tabs of you know, keeping on the front 460 00:25:43,520 --> 00:25:46,720 Speaker 1: end of the youth culture and you know what the 461 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:49,159 Speaker 1: kids today are into. That must be, you know, a 462 00:25:49,200 --> 00:25:51,920 Speaker 1: full time job for many people, for many people, including 463 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:55,520 Speaker 1: the CEO. It definitely is, although the CEO benefits from 464 00:25:55,520 --> 00:25:59,400 Speaker 1: a really fantastic team that keeps me informed of what's 465 00:25:59,440 --> 00:26:02,520 Speaker 1: exciting I'm on a daily basis. But you know, I 466 00:26:02,560 --> 00:26:04,639 Speaker 1: think that's where the connection with the audience is the 467 00:26:04,680 --> 00:26:08,800 Speaker 1: most important. You know, it's not a one way conversation um, 468 00:26:08,840 --> 00:26:11,800 Speaker 1: and it's not even just the dialogue. Everything we do 469 00:26:11,880 --> 00:26:16,320 Speaker 1: germinates up from the audience itself. That's the heart of 470 00:26:16,359 --> 00:26:20,359 Speaker 1: our authenticity. And when that happens, and when you're open 471 00:26:20,400 --> 00:26:24,000 Speaker 1: to that happening, they lead you to the places that 472 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:27,959 Speaker 1: are important to them and not even to us collectively 473 00:26:28,040 --> 00:26:31,760 Speaker 1: as a group of people are multifaceted, you know, target 474 00:26:31,920 --> 00:26:34,520 Speaker 1: and uh you know, so that it's important for us 475 00:26:34,520 --> 00:26:36,520 Speaker 1: to be listening. So TikTok is a great example of 476 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:39,680 Speaker 1: something that when we see our audience talking about things 477 00:26:39,680 --> 00:26:42,919 Speaker 1: and talking to us about things they're seeing on other platforms. 478 00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:45,520 Speaker 1: Then it's a sure sign that we should be following 479 00:26:45,560 --> 00:26:48,160 Speaker 1: them them there, that's your clue, you know. And you're 480 00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:51,000 Speaker 1: also getting into the business of As my eighteen year 481 00:26:51,000 --> 00:26:54,119 Speaker 1: old son would say, I r L bringing people to 482 00:26:54,560 --> 00:26:58,200 Speaker 1: your your expanding your live event and your summit business. 483 00:26:58,359 --> 00:27:00,680 Speaker 1: Tell us what drove your decision. You're gonna have the 484 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:04,600 Speaker 1: Revolt Summit in a couple of days in Atlanta in 485 00:27:04,640 --> 00:27:08,160 Speaker 1: September and in Los Angeles in October. Tell us about 486 00:27:08,160 --> 00:27:12,120 Speaker 1: that as a business proposition. Absolutely, so, you know, we 487 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:14,439 Speaker 1: did for the first few years of our existence, we 488 00:27:14,480 --> 00:27:17,680 Speaker 1: had a conference called the Revolt Music Conference r MC 489 00:27:18,080 --> 00:27:21,239 Speaker 1: in Miami and it was a huge success UM and 490 00:27:21,320 --> 00:27:24,719 Speaker 1: it would gather the industry leaders in hip hop music, 491 00:27:24,840 --> 00:27:27,840 Speaker 1: primarily the business of music, along with young people for 492 00:27:28,200 --> 00:27:31,760 Speaker 1: a two or three day um content gathering talking about 493 00:27:31,760 --> 00:27:34,720 Speaker 1: the business itself and a chance for young people and 494 00:27:35,080 --> 00:27:38,040 Speaker 1: in early on in their careers to learn from the best. 495 00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:41,159 Speaker 1: You know, we took a step back to say, you know, 496 00:27:41,160 --> 00:27:42,920 Speaker 1: how do we really serve this audience, and then how 497 00:27:42,920 --> 00:27:44,919 Speaker 1: do we really serve the business? And and this is 498 00:27:44,960 --> 00:27:47,440 Speaker 1: really coming from the heart and mind of Shawn Coombs 499 00:27:48,080 --> 00:27:50,920 Speaker 1: where um, he believes and we believe that the culture 500 00:27:51,080 --> 00:27:56,000 Speaker 1: is having um such an important moment right now that 501 00:27:56,119 --> 00:27:59,280 Speaker 1: it is being recognized as the powerhouse that frankly it's 502 00:27:59,320 --> 00:28:02,719 Speaker 1: always been. You know, now you're seeing articles about hip 503 00:28:02,760 --> 00:28:05,280 Speaker 1: hop music being the number one genre, Kendrick getting a 504 00:28:05,359 --> 00:28:08,160 Speaker 1: Pulitzer Prize, and the number one album in two thousand 505 00:28:08,200 --> 00:28:10,680 Speaker 1: eighteen being a Drake album, and you know, the culture 506 00:28:10,840 --> 00:28:15,000 Speaker 1: is having its moment in the mainstream, recognizing its power, 507 00:28:15,119 --> 00:28:17,840 Speaker 1: the power that's always been there. And at the same time, 508 00:28:18,000 --> 00:28:22,439 Speaker 1: it's inextricable from social justice, it's inextric restricable from a 509 00:28:22,480 --> 00:28:27,359 Speaker 1: discussion of this audience being empowered through economic ownership of 510 00:28:27,440 --> 00:28:30,720 Speaker 1: their business and their culture. Sean has always talked a 511 00:28:30,800 --> 00:28:33,919 Speaker 1: lot about the importance of business, being a businessman. I've 512 00:28:33,920 --> 00:28:36,959 Speaker 1: always respected that that. He's always presented himself as he's 513 00:28:36,840 --> 00:28:39,040 Speaker 1: a he's a manager, he's a producer, he's an artist, 514 00:28:39,040 --> 00:28:41,520 Speaker 1: but he's also he's also a businessman. I think that's 515 00:28:41,520 --> 00:28:45,080 Speaker 1: a really interesting message for this generation at this time 516 00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:47,239 Speaker 1: with all the tools they have at their disposal. Well 517 00:28:47,280 --> 00:28:49,760 Speaker 1: and right at the moment when the culture is becoming mainstream, 518 00:28:49,800 --> 00:28:52,680 Speaker 1: which means it's also a business opportunity in the mainstream 519 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:55,960 Speaker 1: is who's going to own the benefit of the business 520 00:28:56,040 --> 00:28:59,240 Speaker 1: of the culture. And so Revolt as a brand, Shawn 521 00:28:59,320 --> 00:29:04,120 Speaker 1: Combs is a human and brand. UM really feel passionately 522 00:29:04,240 --> 00:29:06,680 Speaker 1: that the tools need to be in the hands of 523 00:29:06,760 --> 00:29:10,520 Speaker 1: the culture itself UM, and that without ownership, there is 524 00:29:10,560 --> 00:29:13,960 Speaker 1: no empowerment and there's no true change and there's no 525 00:29:14,040 --> 00:29:18,560 Speaker 1: true voice in in the discussion of the fabric of 526 00:29:18,600 --> 00:29:22,440 Speaker 1: this country. So how do we help young people take 527 00:29:22,560 --> 00:29:25,360 Speaker 1: their place and learn what they need to learn to 528 00:29:25,440 --> 00:29:27,600 Speaker 1: be the next generation of Sean Combs? And as he 529 00:29:27,640 --> 00:29:29,880 Speaker 1: would say that there's not just one or two Shawn 530 00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:32,080 Speaker 1: Combs in the marketplace, but there are hundreds, if not 531 00:29:32,120 --> 00:29:35,640 Speaker 1: thousands and hundreds of thousands. And this is really being 532 00:29:35,680 --> 00:29:39,080 Speaker 1: born out of that conversation is let's empower people with knowledge, 533 00:29:39,400 --> 00:29:43,720 Speaker 1: Let's empower them with connection UM into the culture and 534 00:29:43,720 --> 00:29:46,840 Speaker 1: into the leadership and mentorship that can often drive a 535 00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:50,120 Speaker 1: person's career. And then let's also celebrate because this culture 536 00:29:50,520 --> 00:29:53,080 Speaker 1: is something amazing to be celebrated. So you know, the 537 00:29:53,160 --> 00:29:56,160 Speaker 1: Revolt Summit is about gathering to learn, to network, to 538 00:29:56,200 --> 00:30:00,000 Speaker 1: celebrate UM. We want to take it into the community 539 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:02,800 Speaker 1: as much as possible and make it accessible. So we've 540 00:30:02,800 --> 00:30:05,120 Speaker 1: got an event on the ground in Atlanta in September, 541 00:30:05,120 --> 00:30:07,920 Speaker 1: as you said, UM for three days in September twelve 542 00:30:07,960 --> 00:30:11,880 Speaker 1: to fourteenth is the core in l A October, we're 543 00:30:11,880 --> 00:30:13,840 Speaker 1: doing a huge event this week in New York to 544 00:30:13,960 --> 00:30:17,000 Speaker 1: launch it UM. We have an amazing partner and talking 545 00:30:17,040 --> 00:30:20,800 Speaker 1: about companies that value us in our place and our 546 00:30:20,840 --> 00:30:23,920 Speaker 1: audience UM and the authentic nature of our relationship with 547 00:30:23,960 --> 00:30:26,200 Speaker 1: the audience. A T and T has come in as 548 00:30:26,200 --> 00:30:29,520 Speaker 1: our presenting sponsor, but really on the ground with us 549 00:30:29,560 --> 00:30:33,840 Speaker 1: inventing this new platform UM that allows the culture to 550 00:30:34,120 --> 00:30:36,960 Speaker 1: own its own conversations. So you know, the time is 551 00:30:37,040 --> 00:30:40,040 Speaker 1: now to gather the industry and the leaders in the 552 00:30:40,080 --> 00:30:42,720 Speaker 1: industry with the young people and say, you know, we 553 00:30:42,760 --> 00:30:44,520 Speaker 1: have worked to do. You got to lean in, You 554 00:30:44,560 --> 00:30:46,200 Speaker 1: got to learn what you need to learn and meet 555 00:30:46,200 --> 00:30:49,440 Speaker 1: the people you need to meet, and and with UM 556 00:30:49,480 --> 00:30:53,320 Speaker 1: that power and empowerment UM and love of the culture 557 00:30:53,440 --> 00:30:56,680 Speaker 1: and authorship of the culture, go out and get it. 558 00:30:56,720 --> 00:30:59,360 Speaker 1: Will it be as granular as here's how you write 559 00:30:59,360 --> 00:31:01,760 Speaker 1: a business plan, and here's how you talk to somebody 560 00:31:01,760 --> 00:31:05,400 Speaker 1: that might give you money for your brilliant idea granular. 561 00:31:05,640 --> 00:31:09,640 Speaker 1: It will get UM granular. You know, these these gatherings 562 00:31:09,640 --> 00:31:12,800 Speaker 1: will be for you know, three thousand young people, and 563 00:31:12,840 --> 00:31:15,440 Speaker 1: then we hope the content can go out through social 564 00:31:15,440 --> 00:31:18,680 Speaker 1: platforms and really reach on a broader audience than that. 565 00:31:19,200 --> 00:31:21,440 Speaker 1: So it'll be a real mix of streams. I think 566 00:31:21,480 --> 00:31:24,720 Speaker 1: that you'll you'll see and I hope you'll join us. UM. 567 00:31:24,760 --> 00:31:27,440 Speaker 1: You'll see a mix of very tactical. You know, do 568 00:31:27,520 --> 00:31:29,400 Speaker 1: you need a manager? Do you need an agent? As 569 00:31:29,440 --> 00:31:34,080 Speaker 1: a young artist? UM? Moving up to the more meta 570 00:31:34,360 --> 00:31:36,680 Speaker 1: thought of you know, what does it look like to 571 00:31:36,880 --> 00:31:39,440 Speaker 1: own your own business? What does it look like to 572 00:31:39,480 --> 00:31:42,840 Speaker 1: have authorship over your talent and your art? And because 573 00:31:42,880 --> 00:31:45,240 Speaker 1: that doesn't mean doing everything by yourself, it doesn't mean 574 00:31:45,280 --> 00:31:48,640 Speaker 1: you don't work with traditional companies, these companies but you know, 575 00:31:48,720 --> 00:31:52,120 Speaker 1: our our important players in the marketplace. That it's it's 576 00:31:52,160 --> 00:31:55,120 Speaker 1: about how you partner and how you value UM your 577 00:31:55,160 --> 00:31:59,200 Speaker 1: own authorship. And then of course we'll have conversations around UM, 578 00:31:59,240 --> 00:32:01,800 Speaker 1: you know, other areas of the business, not just music, 579 00:32:01,920 --> 00:32:05,800 Speaker 1: the fashion, the art at the comedy, we hope UM 580 00:32:05,960 --> 00:32:10,000 Speaker 1: and social justice and how what's our responsibility as young 581 00:32:10,480 --> 00:32:14,000 Speaker 1: business people UM not only to our own culture, but 582 00:32:14,080 --> 00:32:16,600 Speaker 1: to this country, to the planet UM, and how does 583 00:32:16,600 --> 00:32:20,400 Speaker 1: that connect in What are the conversations our generation gen 584 00:32:20,680 --> 00:32:24,400 Speaker 1: X hasn't been having, you know, conversations around mental health 585 00:32:24,440 --> 00:32:27,920 Speaker 1: and business. These aren't separate from each other. And this 586 00:32:28,000 --> 00:32:30,760 Speaker 1: young UM generation, I think is going to be the 587 00:32:30,800 --> 00:32:36,160 Speaker 1: benefit of openness and uh frank talk about being full 588 00:32:36,240 --> 00:32:40,280 Speaker 1: humans and still wanting to go out and get the bag. Roma. 589 00:32:40,360 --> 00:32:42,720 Speaker 1: You had a long career. You were at MGM Television, 590 00:32:42,720 --> 00:32:45,560 Speaker 1: you were at NBC Universal. Earlier in your career you 591 00:32:45,600 --> 00:32:48,360 Speaker 1: worked for CHUM in Canada. What was it that drew 592 00:32:48,360 --> 00:32:53,719 Speaker 1: you to Revolt? How did Sean recruit you? Um? You know, 593 00:32:53,880 --> 00:32:56,680 Speaker 1: it's interesting because and thank you for that. But I 594 00:32:56,720 --> 00:32:59,680 Speaker 1: feel really blessed. I've had an amazing career of and 595 00:32:59,680 --> 00:33:03,880 Speaker 1: and on, you know, with content, with broadcast, with international 596 00:33:04,400 --> 00:33:06,840 Speaker 1: UM and with very specific brands around the world, and 597 00:33:06,880 --> 00:33:09,920 Speaker 1: then ultimately moving to l A with MGM Television and 598 00:33:10,560 --> 00:33:14,280 Speaker 1: UM taking over MGM Television and Digital and growing that business. 599 00:33:14,720 --> 00:33:17,600 Speaker 1: When I when I left MGM, I was lucky enough 600 00:33:17,640 --> 00:33:20,720 Speaker 1: to have time and space to take a step back 601 00:33:20,760 --> 00:33:23,600 Speaker 1: from a twenty five year career where I hadn't had 602 00:33:23,640 --> 00:33:25,360 Speaker 1: more than a week or a week and a half 603 00:33:25,400 --> 00:33:27,800 Speaker 1: off since law school and a lot of travel as 604 00:33:27,840 --> 00:33:32,120 Speaker 1: an international TV executbcversal exactly a lot of travel which 605 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:35,920 Speaker 1: sounds sexy, but it's exhausting. Sometimes sexy, but mostly exhausting. 606 00:33:36,320 --> 00:33:39,280 Speaker 1: And UM, you know, I took a step back and 607 00:33:39,320 --> 00:33:43,200 Speaker 1: really got to that point in my career where I thought, Um, 608 00:33:43,240 --> 00:33:45,280 Speaker 1: you know, what do I really want? I've accomplished so 609 00:33:45,320 --> 00:33:47,840 Speaker 1: many of my dreams from a career point of view, 610 00:33:48,200 --> 00:33:52,320 Speaker 1: you know what's next? And for me, UM, I didn't 611 00:33:52,320 --> 00:33:54,160 Speaker 1: know what I wanted to do next. I knew what 612 00:33:54,280 --> 00:33:57,240 Speaker 1: it needed to encapsulate, which was about working with people 613 00:33:57,240 --> 00:33:59,480 Speaker 1: that I respected, that I had something to learn from, 614 00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:04,120 Speaker 1: who respected me. UM doing something that also mattered not 615 00:34:04,240 --> 00:34:07,080 Speaker 1: just in business but in life and had a purpose 616 00:34:07,680 --> 00:34:11,319 Speaker 1: And UM, entrepreneurialism and equity was becoming more and more 617 00:34:11,320 --> 00:34:13,640 Speaker 1: important to me. And you know, talk about millennials and 618 00:34:13,680 --> 00:34:17,440 Speaker 1: gen zs, these generations really understand the idea of ownership 619 00:34:17,880 --> 00:34:21,080 Speaker 1: and and equity. So I wanted UM to continue down 620 00:34:21,120 --> 00:34:24,920 Speaker 1: that path. And I, as I've done with MGM, and uh, 621 00:34:25,000 --> 00:34:26,480 Speaker 1: you know, I was trying to look for the thing 622 00:34:26,560 --> 00:34:29,160 Speaker 1: that was different and when when Shawn Holmes called me. 623 00:34:29,200 --> 00:34:32,399 Speaker 1: You know, I said no multiple times to meeting him, UM, 624 00:34:32,440 --> 00:34:34,720 Speaker 1: and I strongly suggest everyone says no to Shawn comes 625 00:34:34,760 --> 00:34:36,640 Speaker 1: to meeting him if you don't want to say yes, 626 00:34:36,719 --> 00:34:40,480 Speaker 1: because he's mesmerizing in person, and it's hard to say 627 00:34:40,520 --> 00:34:44,000 Speaker 1: no to him, UM, because he truly is brilliant and 628 00:34:44,120 --> 00:34:47,680 Speaker 1: his creativity is unlike anything I've seen before, and his 629 00:34:47,760 --> 00:34:50,520 Speaker 1: passion and his drive. And what occurred to me when 630 00:34:50,560 --> 00:34:52,640 Speaker 1: I met with him was that it wasn't about the job. 631 00:34:52,719 --> 00:34:56,520 Speaker 1: It was about the opportunity for me to grow to 632 00:34:56,520 --> 00:35:00,360 Speaker 1: to be a CEO, to oversee financing, equity, debt, fine answering, 633 00:35:00,440 --> 00:35:02,879 Speaker 1: run the company soup to nuts, as I had done 634 00:35:02,960 --> 00:35:06,160 Speaker 1: within other companies before, but not outside. And then I 635 00:35:06,200 --> 00:35:08,560 Speaker 1: have to say, you know, I had my entire career 636 00:35:08,640 --> 00:35:10,560 Speaker 1: my experience. I was lucky enough to be in a 637 00:35:10,600 --> 00:35:14,720 Speaker 1: lot of boardrooms. UM was often being uh the only 638 00:35:14,719 --> 00:35:18,279 Speaker 1: woman or or one of a very small handful of 639 00:35:18,280 --> 00:35:21,440 Speaker 1: women in the room, and almost exclusively the only person 640 00:35:21,480 --> 00:35:24,320 Speaker 1: of color. And I sat down with Seawan and watched 641 00:35:24,360 --> 00:35:27,200 Speaker 1: his team move around him, and it was the complete 642 00:35:27,200 --> 00:35:29,520 Speaker 1: opposite of that. It was a lot of very strong, 643 00:35:29,680 --> 00:35:34,680 Speaker 1: smart women, and it was predominantly people of color, and 644 00:35:34,760 --> 00:35:37,880 Speaker 1: I thought, wow, I wonder what that feels like. I 645 00:35:37,960 --> 00:35:41,399 Speaker 1: wonder how that changes. And all of those things came 646 00:35:41,440 --> 00:35:44,279 Speaker 1: together at the right moment where I thought, wouldn't it 647 00:35:44,320 --> 00:35:47,160 Speaker 1: be nice to not be talking about diversity and how 648 00:35:47,200 --> 00:35:50,520 Speaker 1: you get there, but to just be living it? Um 649 00:35:50,840 --> 00:35:54,239 Speaker 1: like something that why wouldn't you There's no need to 650 00:35:54,280 --> 00:35:56,120 Speaker 1: talk about it because this is just what life is. 651 00:35:56,280 --> 00:36:00,320 Speaker 1: It's not a special department. It's Tuesday. It's Tuesday. Actually 652 00:36:00,360 --> 00:36:02,879 Speaker 1: it's Tuesday in America. This is what it looks like. 653 00:36:03,040 --> 00:36:06,160 Speaker 1: And his team really reflected that, and um, that was 654 00:36:06,200 --> 00:36:11,120 Speaker 1: a powerful realization for me that, uh, I wasn't going 655 00:36:11,160 --> 00:36:13,319 Speaker 1: to be the only one in the room, and and 656 00:36:13,360 --> 00:36:15,280 Speaker 1: I really wanted to be a part of that team 657 00:36:15,400 --> 00:36:18,120 Speaker 1: and a team that was also excellent, which was my 658 00:36:18,280 --> 00:36:21,479 Speaker 1: requirement at all times in my career. UM So yeah, 659 00:36:21,520 --> 00:36:24,160 Speaker 1: So that that is what lured me in and um 660 00:36:24,440 --> 00:36:26,239 Speaker 1: got me into the mission. And this idea of a 661 00:36:26,280 --> 00:36:30,280 Speaker 1: brand and growing a brand that speaks to a specific audience, 662 00:36:30,280 --> 00:36:32,399 Speaker 1: I believe is the future of media. Next to these 663 00:36:32,480 --> 00:36:35,480 Speaker 1: huge companies that you are, you are either all things 664 00:36:35,520 --> 00:36:38,760 Speaker 1: to all people, which is the Netflix model of content, 665 00:36:39,239 --> 00:36:42,560 Speaker 1: or you know, exactly who you're talking to, and to 666 00:36:42,640 --> 00:36:46,760 Speaker 1: have an underserved audience like the Revolt audience, with content 667 00:36:46,800 --> 00:36:50,040 Speaker 1: that is exciting, that is youthful, and that is the 668 00:36:50,080 --> 00:36:52,839 Speaker 1: heart of pop culture today. It just seemed like an 669 00:36:52,840 --> 00:36:55,400 Speaker 1: opportunity I couldn't pass on. Well, it seems like a 670 00:36:55,440 --> 00:36:58,920 Speaker 1: great marriage of CEO and Mission Roman. Thank you so 671 00:36:59,000 --> 00:37:00,799 Speaker 1: much for coming and talk at this and good luck 672 00:37:00,800 --> 00:37:02,880 Speaker 1: with everything, particularly the summit. It sounds like a lot 673 00:37:02,920 --> 00:37:06,120 Speaker 1: of work. Thank you, Cynthia. I'm very happy to be here. 674 00:37:08,800 --> 00:37:11,439 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening. Be sure to tune in next week 675 00:37:11,480 --> 00:37:15,640 Speaker 1: for another episode of Strictly Business. M