1 00:00:00,080 --> 00:00:12,640 Speaker 1: M Welcome to Strictly Business Varieties, weekly podcast featuring conversations 2 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:16,240 Speaker 1: with industry leaders about the business of media and entertainment. 3 00:00:16,960 --> 00:00:20,880 Speaker 1: I'm Cynthia Littleton, co editor in chief of Variety Today. 4 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:24,000 Speaker 1: My guest is Susan Brandt, President and CEO of Dr 5 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:29,760 Speaker 1: Seus's Enterprises. Dr SEUs is truly Sue Jannaris. The sixty 6 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 1: or so books left behind by author and illustrator Theodore 7 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:36,720 Speaker 1: Geisel are incredible and enduring work. From The Cat in 8 00:00:36,800 --> 00:00:39,479 Speaker 1: the Hat to the Lorax to Oh the Places You'll Go. 9 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:44,920 Speaker 1: It's uniquely resonant across generations. As Brandt puts it so well, 10 00:00:45,400 --> 00:00:49,239 Speaker 1: Dr SEUs really represents childhood for so many. As a 11 00:00:49,280 --> 00:00:52,160 Speaker 1: writer and a reader, I'm marvel at how his books 12 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:55,160 Speaker 1: grow with you at every age you learn something new. 13 00:00:56,120 --> 00:00:59,600 Speaker 1: Brandt has the responsibility of managing the archive and keeping 14 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:03,400 Speaker 1: the world of SEUs fresh. Based in San Diego, Dr 15 00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:07,120 Speaker 1: SEUs Enterprises is the for profit company that is owned 16 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:11,440 Speaker 1: by a foundation. The proceeds from SEUs Enterprises work go 17 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:14,400 Speaker 1: to support children and family focused charities in the San 18 00:01:14,400 --> 00:01:19,080 Speaker 1: Diego area. In our conversation, Brandt explains how the company 19 00:01:19,200 --> 00:01:21,800 Speaker 1: is thinking about the content marketplace at this time of 20 00:01:21,840 --> 00:01:26,120 Speaker 1: incredible demand for established titles. She also shares the sweet 21 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:29,160 Speaker 1: story of how following her heart by moving to San 22 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:32,440 Speaker 1: Diego led her to twenty four years and counting with 23 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:35,880 Speaker 1: the brand she loves. That's all coming up on today's 24 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:47,760 Speaker 1: episode of Strictly Business. Susan Brant, President CEO of Dr 25 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:51,080 Speaker 1: Seuss Enterprises, thank you so much for joining me today. 26 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:54,760 Speaker 1: Thanks for having me. You are the steward of all 27 00:01:54,840 --> 00:01:59,400 Speaker 1: things Dr SEUs that managed the the archive and all 28 00:01:59,440 --> 00:02:03,440 Speaker 1: of the electual property left behind by the amazing, amazing 29 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:08,639 Speaker 1: author illustrator Theodore Geiselm better known to millions as Dr SEUs. 30 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:11,160 Speaker 1: So I would like to start at the thirty foot view. 31 00:02:11,600 --> 00:02:14,240 Speaker 1: You are in such a unique position with the steward 32 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:19,400 Speaker 1: of this incredible, incredible marquee content at this moment in 33 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:21,640 Speaker 1: time when there is so much demand for content, so 34 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:25,799 Speaker 1: many different avenues to take. Truly beloved, I P, how 35 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:27,920 Speaker 1: are you? How are you looking at this landscape? How 36 00:02:27,919 --> 00:02:30,920 Speaker 1: are you managing? How are you managing things? And all 37 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:35,600 Speaker 1: of the And have no doubt the incoming calls are tremendous. M. Well, 38 00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:39,080 Speaker 1: first of all, we do take stewardship very seriously, Dr SEUs. 39 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:41,520 Speaker 1: You know we're blessed with this beautiful I P. And 40 00:02:41,560 --> 00:02:45,200 Speaker 1: would we take that responsibility quite seriously myself and everyone 41 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:48,240 Speaker 1: else on the team. UM, we also take really seriously 42 00:02:48,240 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 1: the relationship that our fans have with this property were 43 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:57,200 Speaker 1: so unique. UM, you alluded it, alluded to it. Generations 44 00:02:57,240 --> 00:03:01,720 Speaker 1: have grown up with Dr SEUs. It really represents its childhood. Uh. 45 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:06,040 Speaker 1: It represents that bond between parents and children, UM. And 46 00:03:06,080 --> 00:03:08,639 Speaker 1: as such, you have to be very careful with what 47 00:03:08,680 --> 00:03:11,720 Speaker 1: you do with this content. UM. Then we also watch 48 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:13,799 Speaker 1: and we say, what are where are the places that 49 00:03:13,880 --> 00:03:16,600 Speaker 1: we can further that relationship? Where can we take this 50 00:03:16,639 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 1: beautiful i P? And how can where can we deliver 51 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:22,760 Speaker 1: it um to where our fans are in fact consuming it? 52 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 1: And that's why you see us actively involved in things 53 00:03:26,320 --> 00:03:32,720 Speaker 1: like streaming UH films, UH podcasts, stage shows, you know, 54 00:03:32,840 --> 00:03:36,800 Speaker 1: even cruise ships. UM. If there's an opportunity to reach 55 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:41,560 Speaker 1: our audience and deepen that relationship, that bond, that's what 56 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:45,720 Speaker 1: we're looking at. When you are working with content that 57 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 1: is beyond the you know, the original canon of what 58 00:03:48,600 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 1: Dr SEUs left left? How do you what is the 59 00:03:51,800 --> 00:03:54,560 Speaker 1: gut check? How do you determine the quality to control 60 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:58,160 Speaker 1: that this is worthy of the Sieus brand. I think, Um, 61 00:03:58,320 --> 00:04:00,960 Speaker 1: you have to pick your partners really carefully. Uh, in 62 00:04:01,080 --> 00:04:04,120 Speaker 1: any venture, whether obviously you know you're making T shirts 63 00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 1: or cruise ship partnership, You've got to make sure and 64 00:04:07,520 --> 00:04:09,960 Speaker 1: we try to make sure it's always best in class. 65 00:04:10,040 --> 00:04:13,400 Speaker 1: And that's where meeting that team, uh, seeing what they've 66 00:04:13,440 --> 00:04:17,640 Speaker 1: done before, having discussions about how they might utilize the property, 67 00:04:17,680 --> 00:04:20,520 Speaker 1: That's where your gut comes in, UM, And then I 68 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,560 Speaker 1: think you trust you know those partners, you really do. 69 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:26,480 Speaker 1: There is a sense of letting go. UM. You if 70 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:29,560 Speaker 1: you do find and you find the experts and your 71 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:31,960 Speaker 1: gut tells you that's the right team. You know, you 72 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:35,040 Speaker 1: we understand the DNA of it they entertand the expertise 73 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:37,880 Speaker 1: of their genre, you have to let them go. And 74 00:04:37,880 --> 00:04:39,440 Speaker 1: so there is a bit of a leap of faith, 75 00:04:39,839 --> 00:04:43,920 Speaker 1: UM that says, I'm going to give you this this property, 76 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:48,120 Speaker 1: and you're gonna you're gonna caretake it. There's checkpoints for sure. UM. 77 00:04:48,160 --> 00:04:50,400 Speaker 1: You know all the way, I'm very actively involved in 78 00:04:50,440 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 1: the major entertainment deals. So I'll work with the product, 79 00:04:53,720 --> 00:04:57,719 Speaker 1: the producing parties, the creative teams, on films, on television, 80 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:00,279 Speaker 1: even the cruise ships, but all the way down owned 81 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:03,360 Speaker 1: you know, every member of the team is touching those products. 82 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:06,960 Speaker 1: So um so, so I think it does go back 83 00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:09,720 Speaker 1: to finding those right those right team members, those partners, 84 00:05:09,720 --> 00:05:13,040 Speaker 1: and really partnering with them. But it does sound like 85 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:15,760 Speaker 1: you said, you said you you're checking in every step 86 00:05:15,800 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 1: of the way, you know, every iteration, because as you know, 87 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:23,760 Speaker 1: it takes you know, it doesn't take long to tarnish 88 00:05:23,839 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 1: even a gold plated brand with Yeah, um, we are 89 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:33,600 Speaker 1: notoriously tough. I understand. Uh in our approval rights where 90 00:05:33,640 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 1: that is when people uh enter in an agreement with us. 91 00:05:36,800 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 1: That is something that I have been told is like, wow, 92 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 1: no one gets these approval rights. We do. Um, we 93 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:45,680 Speaker 1: do and and and we also have a proven truck 94 00:05:45,960 --> 00:05:49,000 Speaker 1: track record of not holding up productions. That's when people 95 00:05:49,040 --> 00:05:51,159 Speaker 1: are nervous about and I get it. Um, you know, 96 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:53,960 Speaker 1: production is expensive and when you have to go back 97 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:56,479 Speaker 1: to the rights holder, uh, you know, the potential for 98 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:59,599 Speaker 1: loss of dollars. We get it, and we've been able 99 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:03,800 Speaker 1: to do that so successfully in the past that people say, okay, 100 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:05,839 Speaker 1: and we That's what I mean about being a partner. 101 00:06:05,960 --> 00:06:08,760 Speaker 1: You have to know when you can jump in what's 102 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:12,200 Speaker 1: important to change, um and you know what's important for 103 00:06:12,240 --> 00:06:14,480 Speaker 1: that brand, right, what's important for SEUs? So where will 104 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 1: I push back and where where will I not um? 105 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:21,440 Speaker 1: But yeah, it's it's it's certain rights me out, is it? 106 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 1: Of course we know that the industry is you know, 107 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:26,440 Speaker 1: the the industry is in the middle of a huge 108 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 1: content boom and a huge moment of globalization where we 109 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 1: are really seeing for the first time borders really kind 110 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:36,280 Speaker 1: of being erased by gigantic platforms. So there's a lot 111 00:06:36,320 --> 00:06:38,880 Speaker 1: going out on the marketplace. But is there Is that 112 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:41,640 Speaker 1: the reason why we're seeing a lot of sious initiatives 113 00:06:41,640 --> 00:06:44,040 Speaker 1: in media right now or is it just kind of 114 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 1: coincidental that things have been brewing for a while and 115 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:49,560 Speaker 1: this is when a lot of them have come to fruition. Well, 116 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 1: things have member and it takes a while to do 117 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:55,480 Speaker 1: these deals for sure, but um, the opportunity for where 118 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:58,480 Speaker 1: we can place this content is exploding, right and so 119 00:06:58,720 --> 00:07:01,839 Speaker 1: there's all these opportunity us for us to develop new content. 120 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:06,200 Speaker 1: Deals do take time, and sometimes they all tend to 121 00:07:06,240 --> 00:07:09,480 Speaker 1: happen around the same time. A lot of the news 122 00:07:09,560 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 1: that you're hearing, particularly a preschool slate our Warner Brothers, 123 00:07:13,400 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 1: since we have three felts with Warner Bros. Actually, Um, 124 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 1: those obviously had been in the works for a while. Uh, 125 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:21,760 Speaker 1: they just happened to all get tied up at the 126 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:24,600 Speaker 1: same time. But a lot of this is being generated 127 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:27,440 Speaker 1: by the opportunity to create content for a different delivery, 128 00:07:27,600 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 1: like again podcasting. Um, that's we're not yet in that space. 129 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:35,280 Speaker 1: We are having discussions. It's really exciting. Um. That didn't 130 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:39,000 Speaker 1: really exist pre pandemic. There really wasn't a huge There 131 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:41,840 Speaker 1: was some, yes, but it wasn't as as prolific as 132 00:07:41,920 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 1: not nearly as much attention for sure overall. Yeah, yeah, 133 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:48,600 Speaker 1: so we listen, you know, you pay attention, you listen. Um. Uh, 134 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:52,840 Speaker 1: you just have to see what's moving and and and 135 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:55,760 Speaker 1: what's appropriate. We're not always also concerned with being a 136 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 1: first mover. Sometimes we do. Ofttimes we wait and we 137 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:03,560 Speaker 1: say is this appropriate for this brand and our families? 138 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 1: Is this space where we want to be? Um. So 139 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:10,040 Speaker 1: you may not always see us move first. Um, sometimes 140 00:08:10,080 --> 00:08:13,000 Speaker 1: we do, but oftentimes we're very We're watching and saying 141 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 1: is this the right move for us? Yes? Sometimes the 142 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:17,640 Speaker 1: deal is just kind of all culminated around the same time. 143 00:08:18,960 --> 00:08:20,920 Speaker 1: Is the Sush brand at first Plush You think of 144 00:08:20,960 --> 00:08:23,880 Speaker 1: the Sus brand as fairly you know, two to five, 145 00:08:24,000 --> 00:08:26,040 Speaker 1: two to six year old age range. But is it 146 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 1: broader than that? I mean, of course it has the 147 00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:32,640 Speaker 1: love of parent, you know, it has that multigenerational that's invaluable. 148 00:08:32,640 --> 00:08:35,199 Speaker 1: But in terms of the core the core readership, is 149 00:08:35,200 --> 00:08:36,680 Speaker 1: is it that younger? Is it? Is it? Well? I 150 00:08:36,679 --> 00:08:40,120 Speaker 1: mean fundamentally, you know, the company was built on books. 151 00:08:40,200 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 1: You know, yes, eighty three years ago, you know, four 152 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:45,000 Speaker 1: or five books. We have absolutely grown into a global 153 00:08:45,120 --> 00:08:48,559 Speaker 1: entertainment company. But the core those books. You know, we 154 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:51,840 Speaker 1: speak to the preschoolers, we speak to the early readers absolutely, 155 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:54,640 Speaker 1: but we've been able to take those books and parlay 156 00:08:54,720 --> 00:08:58,120 Speaker 1: and build beyond that. UM. We certainly have an audience 157 00:08:58,200 --> 00:09:00,599 Speaker 1: in teens. That's why we can do collaborations like The 158 00:09:00,679 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 1: Supreme or Kylie Jenner. UM. That's way our films. We've 159 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:07,199 Speaker 1: got five films and collectively be one point five billion 160 00:09:07,280 --> 00:09:09,880 Speaker 1: at the box office. You can't do that with a 161 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 1: preschool only property, right, So we've had this and I 162 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:15,000 Speaker 1: think part of the reason we can do that UM 163 00:09:15,320 --> 00:09:18,120 Speaker 1: is I'd say we're really smart, but I think Ted 164 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:21,680 Speaker 1: Geisel was really smarter. You know, his his stories have 165 00:09:21,760 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: such universal messages and themes that you really kind of 166 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:28,000 Speaker 1: never outgrow that, right, You never outgrow a concern for 167 00:09:28,040 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 1: the environment or an understanding of wide diversity. So it's 168 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:34,760 Speaker 1: so important, um, because those themes you never ever grow. 169 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:37,079 Speaker 1: We can take that, and we can take those characters, 170 00:09:37,559 --> 00:09:40,760 Speaker 1: um and remain relevant as people age. So we've got 171 00:09:40,760 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 1: you know, teens, we've got young adults, we've got parents, 172 00:09:43,679 --> 00:09:47,839 Speaker 1: we've got teachers, we've got grandparents, um, and we can 173 00:09:48,080 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 1: talk to each one of them. Uh, done right in appropriately. 174 00:09:52,240 --> 00:09:56,000 Speaker 1: You also recently announced on the book front and really 175 00:09:56,120 --> 00:10:00,320 Speaker 1: fascinating initiative on the book front that also kind of 176 00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 1: raises the tantalizing suggestion that there is quite an archive 177 00:10:05,120 --> 00:10:09,240 Speaker 1: of Dr SEUs and Theodore Geisel drawings that exist that 178 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:11,760 Speaker 1: you are now going to kind of share and put 179 00:10:11,760 --> 00:10:15,160 Speaker 1: out in the world for creators of all different backgrounds 180 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:18,720 Speaker 1: to come in and make new works inspired by some 181 00:10:18,800 --> 00:10:21,560 Speaker 1: things that that are left. So that I have the 182 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:25,319 Speaker 1: image of a very colorful spire tower that is the 183 00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:30,760 Speaker 1: archive of of works. Tell me, tell me a little 184 00:10:30,760 --> 00:10:33,640 Speaker 1: bit more map about that project and about the archives 185 00:10:33,679 --> 00:10:36,520 Speaker 1: that still are left perhaps to you know, to look 186 00:10:36,520 --> 00:10:39,640 Speaker 1: through and to look through for content. And I don't know. 187 00:10:39,679 --> 00:10:43,800 Speaker 1: The day that we're recording this podcast, every single motorcycle 188 00:10:43,920 --> 00:10:46,840 Speaker 1: in Los Angeles is going down my street. I would 189 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:50,600 Speaker 1: just like to know. It's a work from home Friday 190 00:10:50,679 --> 00:10:54,720 Speaker 1: and all the motorcyclists are out. But anyway, tell us 191 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:58,080 Speaker 1: about the book Seuss Book Initiative. Well, I hate to 192 00:10:58,080 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: burst your bubble. I'm with the archives. Look like you 193 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:05,560 Speaker 1: can keep your tower in your head. It's in a library. So. Um. 194 00:11:05,679 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 1: When Ted died, Audrey Geisel, his widow, donated all of 195 00:11:10,679 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 1: his notes and his sketches, everything to the to the 196 00:11:14,679 --> 00:11:19,040 Speaker 1: UCSD library, which was renamed the Geisl Library. Um. So 197 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:22,880 Speaker 1: it's a library. It's in the library. Um. And as 198 00:11:22,920 --> 00:11:26,280 Speaker 1: any artist is, uh, Ted wasn't linear, right, they don't 199 00:11:26,440 --> 00:11:30,960 Speaker 1: start middle end right there. They're extremely creative. Um. And 200 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:36,760 Speaker 1: so Ted would just draw draw things doodle. Um. He would. 201 00:11:37,000 --> 00:11:39,600 Speaker 1: He had hit different folders like things that's a villains 202 00:11:40,040 --> 00:11:43,080 Speaker 1: and all these really interesting yeah right, all these really 203 00:11:43,120 --> 00:11:46,560 Speaker 1: interesting little characters and sketches or places, just locations. So 204 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 1: they were just ideas. And I think maybe. I mean, 205 00:11:50,040 --> 00:11:52,480 Speaker 1: I didn't get the chance to meet to guys all one. 206 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:55,360 Speaker 1: I feel like I know, but I don't. I would 207 00:11:55,400 --> 00:11:57,800 Speaker 1: imagine he was testing things on to see if there 208 00:11:57,840 --> 00:11:59,760 Speaker 1: a story here or I don't know, or just doodling. 209 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:04,280 Speaker 1: So while there's also the library all the original sketches 210 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:06,080 Speaker 1: for the books that are published, which, let me just 211 00:12:06,080 --> 00:12:09,040 Speaker 1: tell you if you're a fan, is amazing. Um. It's 212 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:11,240 Speaker 1: like you can see his thinking yeah, but then there's 213 00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:15,439 Speaker 1: also yeah, right, super cool. But then there's also um, 214 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:17,960 Speaker 1: just again these sketches, and they're just beautiful characters. So 215 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:22,760 Speaker 1: there's characters, there's locations, there's crazy machines that just didn't 216 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:25,280 Speaker 1: go anywhere. They were just his um. And so our 217 00:12:25,320 --> 00:12:27,480 Speaker 1: thought was, um, I I spent a lot of time 218 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:29,920 Speaker 1: with the archives. I just helps me understand the man, 219 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:32,920 Speaker 1: which helps me care take get us better. And so 220 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:35,080 Speaker 1: I saw these and I thought, we need to do 221 00:12:35,200 --> 00:12:39,319 Speaker 1: something with this, and why not take these and allow 222 00:12:39,400 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 1: these new and emerging voices um to you know, keep 223 00:12:43,320 --> 00:12:45,800 Speaker 1: that legacy alive and let them take it and say 224 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:49,640 Speaker 1: do they do these stories? Or sorry? These images inspire 225 00:12:50,040 --> 00:12:52,600 Speaker 1: a story. And so the thought is to let emerging 226 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:55,760 Speaker 1: artists take you know, a sketch. You could be a character, 227 00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:58,120 Speaker 1: it could be a place, it could be you know, 228 00:12:58,160 --> 00:13:00,960 Speaker 1: a machine, and come up with their own story and 229 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:04,920 Speaker 1: write a book, a beginner book for readers in their style, 230 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:09,679 Speaker 1: their prose, their artistic style, um, the you know their characters, um, 231 00:13:09,720 --> 00:13:12,440 Speaker 1: and tell the story. And then these books would also 232 00:13:12,480 --> 00:13:14,719 Speaker 1: just have a quick aside um maybe the four of 233 00:13:14,760 --> 00:13:17,040 Speaker 1: the backwards. It would say their process, like why did 234 00:13:17,120 --> 00:13:19,920 Speaker 1: they like the hummingbirds? And what why did that spine 235 00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:22,839 Speaker 1: this beautiful story? Um? I just love the idea. It's 236 00:13:22,880 --> 00:13:25,440 Speaker 1: also actually in keeping with what Ted Gasl himself did. 237 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:29,640 Speaker 1: So Ted started the division at Random House called Beginner Books, 238 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:33,200 Speaker 1: and he was pressed logo again one of those things 239 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:36,120 Speaker 1: that just is such a trademark of quality to parents 240 00:13:36,120 --> 00:13:41,120 Speaker 1: for generations, just utterly invaluable in terms of again that 241 00:13:41,200 --> 00:13:43,440 Speaker 1: that that what it's what it speaks to about what 242 00:13:43,559 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 1: that book is going to represent for that child. You know, 243 00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:48,800 Speaker 1: so many people to that end. So because when it 244 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:51,120 Speaker 1: was a beginner book, Ted put his cat and hat 245 00:13:51,360 --> 00:13:53,040 Speaker 1: and the logo on it. Right, This was part of 246 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:55,600 Speaker 1: the the division of Random House, part of the what 247 00:13:55,600 --> 00:13:57,360 Speaker 1: do you call it? Um? I can't remember the name. 248 00:13:57,400 --> 00:14:00,240 Speaker 1: Of it for the books. But anyway, UM, so that's 249 00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:02,600 Speaker 1: why there's other authors that have that logo on there. 250 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:05,040 Speaker 1: So many times people say, what do you do You know, 251 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:07,320 Speaker 1: I work for doctors. Oh my god, I love doctors SEUs, 252 00:14:07,520 --> 00:14:10,199 Speaker 1: I love Go dog Go And I always say that's 253 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:12,679 Speaker 1: a great book. But at the beginning book you know 254 00:14:12,720 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 1: it's not a Doctor Seu's book. Um, but it was 255 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:18,200 Speaker 1: in the same thing. So Ted worked with emerging UM 256 00:14:18,360 --> 00:14:21,760 Speaker 1: illustrators and authors at that time to help basically kind 257 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:23,560 Speaker 1: of teach them how do you write a book it's 258 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 1: appropriate for early readers. And we are not no, we 259 00:14:26,800 --> 00:14:29,360 Speaker 1: don't have to teach anyone. But the idea of giving 260 00:14:29,360 --> 00:14:32,960 Speaker 1: a platform to new and emerging artists is certainly consistent 261 00:14:33,120 --> 00:14:36,080 Speaker 1: with um what SEUs is all about. And so those 262 00:14:36,120 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 1: will start as books and conceivably, you know, that's more. 263 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:42,920 Speaker 1: That's more I t P. Will they be branded some 264 00:14:43,040 --> 00:14:46,800 Speaker 1: form of Dr Seus's dot dot dot, or will use 265 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:50,120 Speaker 1: the name Seue Studios. So just like you see the 266 00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: inner book logo on like Go dog Go, Um, you'll 267 00:14:53,240 --> 00:14:57,160 Speaker 1: see a Sue Studios logo on someone's book. Um, but 268 00:14:57,200 --> 00:14:59,360 Speaker 1: it's their book. They on the copyright, their book, right, 269 00:14:59,400 --> 00:15:02,520 Speaker 1: it's just under our line of books in print. In 270 00:15:02,600 --> 00:15:05,400 Speaker 1: print was the word I was trying to think before imprint. Uh, 271 00:15:05,600 --> 00:15:07,520 Speaker 1: this is not an imprint. This is a line of books. 272 00:15:07,560 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 1: And I guess in the publishing business there is a 273 00:15:09,040 --> 00:15:11,960 Speaker 1: difference between the two. And is I think I know 274 00:15:12,000 --> 00:15:13,720 Speaker 1: the answer to this, but I am curious. Is there 275 00:15:13,760 --> 00:15:19,400 Speaker 1: any is doctors? Is Dr Seuss always a kids and 276 00:15:19,440 --> 00:15:22,200 Speaker 1: family brand? Is there a version of Dr SEUs that 277 00:15:22,240 --> 00:15:24,560 Speaker 1: could be more adults? I mean I realized some of 278 00:15:24,600 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 1: the movies have aimed, you know, a little broader audience, 279 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:31,800 Speaker 1: But is there something that would that could you know, 280 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:35,240 Speaker 1: if you were to do with a fully adult themed property, 281 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:38,160 Speaker 1: Is that then out of the realm of consideration? No, 282 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:40,840 Speaker 1: I mean maybe we've talked about it. Um, I mean 283 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:44,080 Speaker 1: could we do so? For example, Ted guys on these 284 00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:46,840 Speaker 1: notes are in the library as well. He gave lectures 285 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:51,320 Speaker 1: on how to write children's books. Um, that could be cool, right, 286 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:54,040 Speaker 1: Like maybe you do we do a book that teaches 287 00:15:54,320 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 1: you know, adults, Like how do you write a children's book? Um, 288 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:01,240 Speaker 1: we've toyed with books on our um, you know, taking 289 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:04,640 Speaker 1: those early sketches and you know, doing in a book 290 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:06,680 Speaker 1: that it's truly because they are beautiful, they're like piece 291 00:16:06,760 --> 00:16:09,080 Speaker 1: of art, you know, and doing that type of a book. 292 00:16:09,280 --> 00:16:12,240 Speaker 1: So the answers, we've thought about it. It's something done, 293 00:16:12,320 --> 00:16:14,680 Speaker 1: haven't haven't on the right idea quite yet, but I 294 00:16:14,680 --> 00:16:20,760 Speaker 1: think it's conceivable. Why not don't run off with thing 295 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:23,840 Speaker 1: one or thing to stick around to hear more from 296 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:35,480 Speaker 1: Dr SEUs Enterprises CEO Susan Brand and we're back, just 297 00:16:35,600 --> 00:16:38,520 Speaker 1: like the sneeches on the beaches with more from Dr 298 00:16:38,640 --> 00:16:44,120 Speaker 1: Seuss Enterprises, CEO Susan Brand. Because it's such an interesting 299 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:46,960 Speaker 1: life and the legacy is there have there there must 300 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:51,160 Speaker 1: have been inquiries about doing a a more traditional Hollywood bio. 301 00:16:51,240 --> 00:16:54,400 Speaker 1: Pick of Theodoreguisle is that does that ever come across 302 00:16:54,400 --> 00:16:56,720 Speaker 1: your desk? I know you have a background in film. 303 00:16:56,760 --> 00:16:59,880 Speaker 1: You would previously work for twenties Century Fox. I didn't. 304 00:16:59,880 --> 00:17:02,080 Speaker 1: I worked in the home entertainment division though, so a 305 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:04,639 Speaker 1: little removed from the lot. We were the hanger on ors, 306 00:17:04,800 --> 00:17:07,480 Speaker 1: you know, like, uh, you were making the money and 307 00:17:07,520 --> 00:17:10,359 Speaker 1: back in those were in the money. Yes, I've always 308 00:17:10,400 --> 00:17:13,280 Speaker 1: been a classic marketer, so I took that approach with 309 00:17:13,320 --> 00:17:15,359 Speaker 1: how entertainment and when I when I was there it 310 00:17:15,400 --> 00:17:18,919 Speaker 1: was actually h S type tapes, So it was it 311 00:17:19,000 --> 00:17:21,359 Speaker 1: was it was back in the day. Um, yeah, of 312 00:17:21,359 --> 00:17:23,800 Speaker 1: course we've been we've been approached. Um, we had a 313 00:17:23,840 --> 00:17:27,919 Speaker 1: partnership with Illumination Entertainment with Christmall and Andre uh and 314 00:17:28,040 --> 00:17:30,240 Speaker 1: Chris and I did spend a lot of time thinking 315 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:33,159 Speaker 1: about could we do a biopick, how would we do 316 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:35,760 Speaker 1: it and how would we make it special and unique? 317 00:17:35,800 --> 00:17:37,920 Speaker 1: And just couldn't figure out the story, couldn't figure out 318 00:17:37,920 --> 00:17:40,879 Speaker 1: the angle um for for the film. So just haven't 319 00:17:40,920 --> 00:17:43,280 Speaker 1: quite figured that out yet. But would you say it's 320 00:17:43,280 --> 00:17:46,439 Speaker 1: something that is kind of still simmering somewhere in the 321 00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:50,240 Speaker 1: idea stage or uh DC is not seriously considering it. 322 00:17:50,560 --> 00:17:52,920 Speaker 1: Not right now, We've got three films that will focus 323 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:55,800 Speaker 1: on right now and we're very excited about. Those are 324 00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:57,639 Speaker 1: the films that I alluded to with Horner, right so 325 00:17:57,920 --> 00:18:00,800 Speaker 1: you had mentioned John Shoe, uh Hand Gela and Bad 326 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:04,680 Speaker 1: Robot with the plus you'll go. We have two other films. Um, 327 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:07,359 Speaker 1: it's working also with Warner Animation Group. We have The 328 00:18:07,359 --> 00:18:09,639 Speaker 1: Cat in the Hat and we have The Thing Movie. 329 00:18:09,920 --> 00:18:12,600 Speaker 1: So right now, and as you're alluded to as well, 330 00:18:12,640 --> 00:18:15,880 Speaker 1: we've got a lot of content with Netflix. We're focused 331 00:18:15,920 --> 00:18:18,120 Speaker 1: on those right now. We're not actually seeking another film 332 00:18:18,200 --> 00:18:20,040 Speaker 1: right now. It sounds like you've got to let you've 333 00:18:20,040 --> 00:18:22,760 Speaker 1: got a lot going on. When you do a deal 334 00:18:22,760 --> 00:18:25,440 Speaker 1: with Netflix, given the you know, given the i P 335 00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:28,359 Speaker 1: that you bring to the table, do you own the 336 00:18:28,480 --> 00:18:31,359 Speaker 1: underlying series? Is that? Does that become a property of 337 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:36,000 Speaker 1: doctors Enterprises? Or does Netflix? Does that property? Lie You're 338 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:38,080 Speaker 1: asking me to go back to that contract and take 339 00:18:38,119 --> 00:18:40,600 Speaker 1: it through. Typically, and I have to go look at 340 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:43,240 Speaker 1: the Netflix deal. I don't remember. Typically, like when you 341 00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:45,680 Speaker 1: do a film, the studio is a copyright to the film. 342 00:18:45,720 --> 00:18:49,240 Speaker 1: That's very normal. Um So I would imagine that we 343 00:18:49,240 --> 00:18:53,000 Speaker 1: we probably scheduled, strutted of that way. Honest, you don't remember, um. 344 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:55,200 Speaker 1: But all these rights are very outlined, you know in 345 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:57,080 Speaker 1: your contract what they can do, what you can do, 346 00:18:57,080 --> 00:18:59,439 Speaker 1: who can utilize it, etcetera. UM, I just don't know 347 00:18:59,480 --> 00:19:03,320 Speaker 1: the underlying copyright. I would astly imagine it's Netflix, um 348 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:06,280 Speaker 1: because that's how we do our films. That's what most is. 349 00:19:06,520 --> 00:19:09,119 Speaker 1: Um So for example, to check you on special, the 350 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:12,160 Speaker 1: TV special that was originally MGM, they have the copyright. 351 00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:14,680 Speaker 1: So it's usually how this is down to copyright's held 352 00:19:14,680 --> 00:19:17,840 Speaker 1: by the studio. How the Grinch stole Christmas? Yeah, yeah, 353 00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:22,040 Speaker 1: the chech on special. Um So, I honestly don't you know, 354 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:24,320 Speaker 1: I'd have to go back. I'd be surprised if it's 355 00:19:24,320 --> 00:19:26,760 Speaker 1: not structured that way, is there? I mean, can you 356 00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:29,399 Speaker 1: give me an example of sort of again bringing that 357 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:33,320 Speaker 1: kind of ip utterly utterly unique, you know, I p 358 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:37,239 Speaker 1: that that gives you leverage in dealmaking when you're when 359 00:19:37,280 --> 00:19:40,239 Speaker 1: you're talking about media or any kind of exploitation of 360 00:19:40,280 --> 00:19:44,840 Speaker 1: those rights. Well, you know, we're just fortunately we come 361 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:47,760 Speaker 1: to the table with Dr sus so you know we 362 00:19:47,880 --> 00:19:51,080 Speaker 1: can and I'd like to think we're fair but tough negotiators. 363 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:54,200 Speaker 1: You know we're going to get, you know, a good 364 00:19:54,200 --> 00:19:58,640 Speaker 1: above market deal, both in terms of the financials. Control 365 00:19:58,760 --> 00:20:02,040 Speaker 1: is important to us um any kind of ancillary you 366 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:05,800 Speaker 1: know rights will will will negotiate. That gives you, you 367 00:20:05,800 --> 00:20:08,080 Speaker 1: know a bit of leverage without having I can't really 368 00:20:08,400 --> 00:20:10,879 Speaker 1: get into all the details, but it does allow you 369 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:13,919 Speaker 1: some leverage. That said, we are always motivated to do 370 00:20:13,960 --> 00:20:16,439 Speaker 1: a fair deal for both parties. Doesn't make sense if 371 00:20:16,480 --> 00:20:19,160 Speaker 1: you do a deal that really is one side either way. 372 00:20:19,240 --> 00:20:21,720 Speaker 1: Eventually one party is not happy. So we really do 373 00:20:21,840 --> 00:20:24,080 Speaker 1: try to be good partners. You know, we're gonna fight 374 00:20:24,160 --> 00:20:26,320 Speaker 1: hard for what we think is right. But at the end, 375 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:28,400 Speaker 1: it's got to be a fair, fair deal for both. 376 00:20:28,760 --> 00:20:31,680 Speaker 1: When I standed on copyright, that's to what what's created 377 00:20:32,040 --> 00:20:34,360 Speaker 1: the you know, obviously the characters that we come with 378 00:20:34,359 --> 00:20:36,160 Speaker 1: we keep. Those are ours, and there are always ours. 379 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:39,400 Speaker 1: Nobody ever gets those. Yeah, but the new entity that's 380 00:20:39,440 --> 00:20:41,920 Speaker 1: created is probably you know, it's probably Netflix is a 381 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:43,840 Speaker 1: carerate like I got. I have to look at the deal. 382 00:20:44,160 --> 00:20:47,080 Speaker 1: So I think I can appreciate that distinction. And that's interesting. 383 00:20:47,200 --> 00:20:50,919 Speaker 1: You know, obviously, thank you, thank you for for for 384 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:55,800 Speaker 1: candor there um. And do you see it's interesting because 385 00:20:55,800 --> 00:20:58,440 Speaker 1: I would imagine, you know, I think you mentioned to 386 00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:01,080 Speaker 1: me before as a statistics, something like one out of 387 00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:04,879 Speaker 1: every four family or child born in the United States 388 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:07,600 Speaker 1: gets get some form of Doctor SEUs book in their 389 00:21:07,600 --> 00:21:09,919 Speaker 1: first year. Is if I'm repeating that first book as 390 00:21:09,920 --> 00:21:12,520 Speaker 1: a first book, Yes, our first book one and four 391 00:21:12,560 --> 00:21:15,480 Speaker 1: gets the Doctor SEUs book as their first book. One 392 00:21:15,480 --> 00:21:19,879 Speaker 1: of the means yeah, yeah, that is just excuse me, 393 00:21:19,960 --> 00:21:22,520 Speaker 1: that's just a you know, kind of a stunning level 394 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:26,800 Speaker 1: of reach. Um, do you so, I mean, again, those books. 395 00:21:26,840 --> 00:21:29,359 Speaker 1: I'm sure that just that there's a certain sales volume 396 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:31,639 Speaker 1: that there's just always. But do you see when you 397 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:35,320 Speaker 1: have new TV or film content in the market. Do 398 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:38,120 Speaker 1: you see an appreciable spike in the sales of those 399 00:21:38,119 --> 00:21:41,199 Speaker 1: classic books if the content aside to you know, if 400 00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:43,119 Speaker 1: the content is tied to it, or if there's just 401 00:21:43,200 --> 00:21:47,960 Speaker 1: a moment where people are talking about Dr SEUs again. Um, certainly, 402 00:21:48,000 --> 00:21:51,880 Speaker 1: if we have a really exciting and successful uh product, 403 00:21:51,920 --> 00:21:55,560 Speaker 1: whether it's a film or its television as we like 404 00:21:55,560 --> 00:21:58,200 Speaker 1: to say, all boats rise. Um. You know, it's not 405 00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:02,600 Speaker 1: usually just whatever you know, book this, this the entergy 406 00:22:02,640 --> 00:22:06,440 Speaker 1: may be based on. It's literally our our portfolio rises. Um. 407 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:09,080 Speaker 1: And that's books that could also be licensed products as well. 408 00:22:09,480 --> 00:22:14,760 Speaker 1: So successful entertainment projects really help the entire portfolio. M 409 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:18,000 Speaker 1: And tell us a little bit about how the Doctors 410 00:22:18,040 --> 00:22:21,320 Speaker 1: to Enterprise is structured. I understand that it's basically the 411 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:25,520 Speaker 1: overarching entity that owns it is a foundation. Yeah, so 412 00:22:25,560 --> 00:22:29,240 Speaker 1: we're definitely for profit. It's really interesting, Uh people always 413 00:22:29,359 --> 00:22:31,600 Speaker 1: think we're a non for profit or they'll called taka 414 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:34,840 Speaker 1: tak us like we're the estate, which I think is interesting. 415 00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:37,240 Speaker 1: I think that goes to the good will there is 416 00:22:37,359 --> 00:22:40,800 Speaker 1: for the property. UM. We do first and foremost we're 417 00:22:40,880 --> 00:22:44,119 Speaker 1: about being good to children, UM and being good to families. 418 00:22:44,320 --> 00:22:47,520 Speaker 1: Everything we do we use that barometer. Is this good 419 00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:49,800 Speaker 1: for kids? Yes? So I think that's where some of 420 00:22:49,840 --> 00:22:51,960 Speaker 1: the beautiful halo where people think we're a non for 421 00:22:52,040 --> 00:22:55,320 Speaker 1: profit but we're not. We're for for profit organization. UM. 422 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:58,760 Speaker 1: Since autre past. We are owned by a foundation, but 423 00:22:58,960 --> 00:23:01,440 Speaker 1: we are not the foundation. We simply are able to 424 00:23:01,520 --> 00:23:04,600 Speaker 1: provide money to the foundation so that they can do good. 425 00:23:04,920 --> 00:23:07,480 Speaker 1: Uh Huh, that's awesome. That's gotta be. That's gotta that 426 00:23:07,640 --> 00:23:09,159 Speaker 1: in and of itself has got to be outfully for 427 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:13,320 Speaker 1: every every bit of dollars and you know, start repay 428 00:23:13,320 --> 00:23:15,480 Speaker 1: our bills. But after that, you know, the money goes 429 00:23:15,520 --> 00:23:17,960 Speaker 1: to a foundation. UM. And and they do good in 430 00:23:18,000 --> 00:23:20,720 Speaker 1: the world. And that's a that's a nice feeling. What 431 00:23:21,160 --> 00:23:22,960 Speaker 1: what size of an operation do you have? Your based 432 00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:26,000 Speaker 1: in San Diego or in San Diego? You know, UM, 433 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:30,159 Speaker 1: we never like to give absolute numbers. We're smaller than 434 00:23:30,240 --> 00:23:34,600 Speaker 1: you think. Uh. And yet I always say, um, you know, 435 00:23:34,760 --> 00:23:36,840 Speaker 1: there are hundreds, if not thousands of people are in 436 00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:39,000 Speaker 1: the world and work on and it's because we have 437 00:23:39,080 --> 00:23:41,359 Speaker 1: a very unique way of working. We do have a 438 00:23:41,440 --> 00:23:44,440 Speaker 1: core team that works in San Diego, Los Angeles, and 439 00:23:44,440 --> 00:23:46,520 Speaker 1: actually have one in the Midwest right now. UM. But 440 00:23:46,720 --> 00:23:49,159 Speaker 1: we a partner with a lot of licensing. We love 441 00:23:49,200 --> 00:23:51,520 Speaker 1: a lot of agents, so we have licensing agencies that 442 00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:55,359 Speaker 1: work with us in Europe, UH in Australia, UH in 443 00:23:55,560 --> 00:23:59,560 Speaker 1: Latin America, in Asia. We also work with agencies that 444 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:02,680 Speaker 1: help us in the entertainment space and the publishing space 445 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:05,760 Speaker 1: to work at I C M C A. UM. We 446 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:08,960 Speaker 1: work with a lot of different agencies that rep us, 447 00:24:09,119 --> 00:24:10,760 Speaker 1: you know in their various that we work with full 448 00:24:10,880 --> 00:24:14,360 Speaker 1: publishing agencies Chris Brown. Um, So we have a lot 449 00:24:14,480 --> 00:24:17,399 Speaker 1: of people that are on our team that are helping 450 00:24:17,720 --> 00:24:21,000 Speaker 1: sell and manage our relationships. So in that regard, we 451 00:24:21,119 --> 00:24:23,560 Speaker 1: really do have hundreds, if not thousands, They're just not 452 00:24:23,680 --> 00:24:26,840 Speaker 1: in a direct payroll. I chuckle. Thinking of the response 453 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:28,480 Speaker 1: that you must get when people ask you what do 454 00:24:28,520 --> 00:24:31,040 Speaker 1: you do and you said, I'm the CEO of dr SEUs, 455 00:24:31,160 --> 00:24:35,200 Speaker 1: that must be kind of a I'll tell you I 456 00:24:35,359 --> 00:24:37,880 Speaker 1: love my job and I also love getting to tell 457 00:24:37,920 --> 00:24:40,000 Speaker 1: people this is what I do and people say I 458 00:24:40,119 --> 00:24:42,760 Speaker 1: love Doctor SEUs, and my response is always I do too. 459 00:24:43,240 --> 00:24:45,760 Speaker 1: I do too. You know, I love this body of work. 460 00:24:47,040 --> 00:24:49,520 Speaker 1: It's great when you can absolutely say that. Tell us, 461 00:24:49,640 --> 00:24:51,520 Speaker 1: how did you get there? You've been there more than 462 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:56,320 Speaker 1: twenty years now. I like to say, I join when 463 00:24:56,400 --> 00:25:00,160 Speaker 1: dinosaurs were still whirl in the earth. Um. Yes, I've 464 00:25:00,200 --> 00:25:02,920 Speaker 1: had the good fortune to work here since n so 465 00:25:03,119 --> 00:25:05,200 Speaker 1: for a long time. You know, a little bit of luck. 466 00:25:05,400 --> 00:25:07,480 Speaker 1: A little bit of luck got me here. Um. I 467 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:09,680 Speaker 1: was working in Los Angeles, was working for toye such 468 00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:12,960 Speaker 1: a Fox Film corporation in Home Entertainment International, and my 469 00:25:13,160 --> 00:25:16,399 Speaker 1: then boyfriend now husband had an opportunity in San Diego 470 00:25:16,680 --> 00:25:18,840 Speaker 1: and he says, you know, would you move to San Diego? Yes, 471 00:25:19,000 --> 00:25:21,120 Speaker 1: yes I will. And people said, oh my gosh, you're 472 00:25:21,200 --> 00:25:23,440 Speaker 1: you're throwing your your career away for a guy. I'm like, yeah, 473 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:27,000 Speaker 1: because it's the right guy. Through said career away. I 474 00:25:27,119 --> 00:25:30,160 Speaker 1: came down here and I read the newspaper that Doctor 475 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:33,000 Speaker 1: SEUs was doing a movie and I wouldn't work, and 476 00:25:33,040 --> 00:25:34,280 Speaker 1: I was going to just figure out what I was 477 00:25:34,320 --> 00:25:36,479 Speaker 1: doing down here, and so I wrote to Doctor Seuss 478 00:25:36,680 --> 00:25:39,680 Speaker 1: and I sent them a cover letter and rhyme, which, 479 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:42,080 Speaker 1: oh my god, it cringe now, and it's it's just 480 00:25:42,440 --> 00:25:44,840 Speaker 1: the luck came from I sent to them in the 481 00:25:44,960 --> 00:25:47,359 Speaker 1: day that the head of the board, I said it 482 00:25:47,440 --> 00:25:50,800 Speaker 1: to him, received my resume. They were deciding at that 483 00:25:50,960 --> 00:25:52,600 Speaker 1: day whether or not they were going to hire somebody 484 00:25:52,600 --> 00:25:55,080 Speaker 1: to help them as a license and they were split 485 00:25:55,160 --> 00:25:57,520 Speaker 1: words split on this other woman, and they said, well, 486 00:25:57,960 --> 00:26:00,320 Speaker 1: this resume just kidding, let's talk to this. It was 487 00:26:00,359 --> 00:26:03,280 Speaker 1: Susan A. Sullivan time this time is susanal Sullivan um. 488 00:26:03,680 --> 00:26:05,880 Speaker 1: And so I came in and I got the job. 489 00:26:06,400 --> 00:26:08,400 Speaker 1: So I just happened to open the newspaper that day. 490 00:26:08,480 --> 00:26:10,520 Speaker 1: I just happened to get the resume before they made 491 00:26:10,520 --> 00:26:12,440 Speaker 1: the decision to hire this other hire this other woman. 492 00:26:12,960 --> 00:26:15,080 Speaker 1: And I loved it so much. A stage went four 493 00:26:15,160 --> 00:26:19,280 Speaker 1: years later, I'm still here, Susan. You have to tell 494 00:26:19,359 --> 00:26:22,560 Speaker 1: us at least one of the rhymes in that cover letter. 495 00:26:23,040 --> 00:26:26,400 Speaker 1: You have to you have to. I've got I will 496 00:26:26,440 --> 00:26:28,080 Speaker 1: try to find it for you. Something. I don't have 497 00:26:28,200 --> 00:26:31,800 Speaker 1: it here. I wish I kept it, uh you know, 498 00:26:31,880 --> 00:26:33,359 Speaker 1: but I don't know. I thought it was clever at 499 00:26:33,400 --> 00:26:35,439 Speaker 1: the time, and I look back, like this is silly 500 00:26:35,800 --> 00:26:37,119 Speaker 1: and so I got rid of it. I'll find it. 501 00:26:37,240 --> 00:26:39,560 Speaker 1: I'll find it. I think one thing, I think, you 502 00:26:39,640 --> 00:26:43,200 Speaker 1: know a few generations of variety reporters have had the fun. 503 00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:45,960 Speaker 1: You can't do it all the time, you can't overdo it. 504 00:26:46,040 --> 00:26:48,760 Speaker 1: But every so often, every couple of years, that there 505 00:26:48,800 --> 00:26:51,240 Speaker 1: comes a project or an opportunity where you can write 506 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:55,359 Speaker 1: a story in Susie and dialogue and rhyme, and you 507 00:26:55,520 --> 00:26:57,640 Speaker 1: just you just do it with apologies to the master, 508 00:26:57,840 --> 00:27:00,760 Speaker 1: but knowing that that, but knowing that, you know, you 509 00:27:00,840 --> 00:27:04,400 Speaker 1: think about just the love of language and the playfulness 510 00:27:04,480 --> 00:27:07,640 Speaker 1: that those books, that that work inspires it. It's true. 511 00:27:07,680 --> 00:27:10,040 Speaker 1: I just I find it again as a writer. I 512 00:27:10,160 --> 00:27:13,000 Speaker 1: just find it so awe inspiring to step back and 513 00:27:13,160 --> 00:27:15,520 Speaker 1: think about what it stands for and what it means. 514 00:27:15,640 --> 00:27:17,520 Speaker 1: And so I think, you know, I know that he 515 00:27:17,600 --> 00:27:21,480 Speaker 1: would appreciate that it resonated that long and that people 516 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:26,880 Speaker 1: care so much. It's really it's exciting. Let Madre Audrey, 517 00:27:26,960 --> 00:27:30,040 Speaker 1: his his his wife, his past used to say, she 518 00:27:30,200 --> 00:27:32,919 Speaker 1: used to think Ted would be tickled. She's always say 519 00:27:32,920 --> 00:27:35,800 Speaker 1: Ted would be tickled that we're still talking about him 520 00:27:36,160 --> 00:27:38,200 Speaker 1: and his works. Um, And I love to think that 521 00:27:38,359 --> 00:27:41,760 Speaker 1: that he'd still be tickled that people care. Still we do. 522 00:27:42,320 --> 00:27:45,160 Speaker 1: M uh, Susan, let me ask you to take another 523 00:27:45,320 --> 00:27:48,679 Speaker 1: step back and tell me in your path into marketing 524 00:27:48,760 --> 00:27:51,159 Speaker 1: and into business, what was it? What was it in 525 00:27:51,359 --> 00:27:54,760 Speaker 1: your you know, early career or or background. What was 526 00:27:54,840 --> 00:27:56,760 Speaker 1: it that put you on the path that you to 527 00:27:56,880 --> 00:27:59,320 Speaker 1: get you to where you are today? What made you 528 00:27:59,400 --> 00:28:04,280 Speaker 1: get into this into the industry, the entertainment industry. Absolutely well, Um, 529 00:28:04,840 --> 00:28:07,600 Speaker 1: I always wanted to work in business. Even as a child, 530 00:28:07,640 --> 00:28:10,720 Speaker 1: I played office, which is funny. I made my brother 531 00:28:10,880 --> 00:28:15,320 Speaker 1: be my secretary. Um. Yeah. But I also about when 532 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:17,240 Speaker 1: I when I had the opportunity to do so that 533 00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:19,480 Speaker 1: I would only work on a product or with a 534 00:28:19,520 --> 00:28:21,920 Speaker 1: company that I truly cared about. So I really wasn't 535 00:28:21,960 --> 00:28:26,040 Speaker 1: interested in working you know, perhaps working for there's nothing 536 00:28:26,080 --> 00:28:27,639 Speaker 1: wrong with it, but I wasn't interested in working with 537 00:28:27,800 --> 00:28:29,520 Speaker 1: like a progre and gamble and soaps or things that 538 00:28:29,560 --> 00:28:31,560 Speaker 1: I just not a ship out care. So I only 539 00:28:31,640 --> 00:28:33,880 Speaker 1: wanted something I was passionate about so I could spend 540 00:28:33,880 --> 00:28:36,640 Speaker 1: the amount of time learning and you know, being excited. 541 00:28:37,119 --> 00:28:38,960 Speaker 1: Uh So what did that mean? I worked in a 542 00:28:39,000 --> 00:28:42,640 Speaker 1: wine business. Um, I worked for artists and Julio Gallery 543 00:28:42,640 --> 00:28:45,040 Speaker 1: actually worked for them. I was in meetings with them. 544 00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:47,720 Speaker 1: I mean, how stink cool as that? Yeah, I worked 545 00:28:47,760 --> 00:28:50,160 Speaker 1: in the luxury resort business. Uh. And I got to 546 00:28:50,160 --> 00:28:53,280 Speaker 1: work in the film business. Uh. So that when the 547 00:28:53,320 --> 00:28:55,560 Speaker 1: opportunity work at doctors SEUs came, you know, that was 548 00:28:55,600 --> 00:28:57,440 Speaker 1: another love. Um, so I got to work in that 549 00:28:57,520 --> 00:29:01,880 Speaker 1: business as well. So it was really picking companies or 550 00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:06,320 Speaker 1: products that I found incredibly engaging and interesting and saying, yeah, 551 00:29:06,400 --> 00:29:15,480 Speaker 1: I'll do that, and that's what I did. Thanks for listening. 552 00:29:16,120 --> 00:29:18,640 Speaker 1: Be sure to leave us a review at Apple Podcasts. 553 00:29:18,840 --> 00:29:21,600 Speaker 1: We love to hear from listeners, and please go to 554 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:25,120 Speaker 1: Variety dot com and click on Newsletters to subscribe to 555 00:29:25,240 --> 00:29:30,160 Speaker 1: our free Strictly Business newsletter. As always, tune in next 556 00:29:30,240 --> 00:29:32,800 Speaker 1: week for another episode of Strictly Business.