WEBVTT - Dr. Seuss Enterprises CEO Susan Brandt Expands a Beloved Brand That ‘Really Represents Childhood’ 0:00:00.080 --> 0:00:12.640 M Welcome to Strictly Business Varieties, weekly podcast featuring conversations 0:00:12.680 --> 0:00:16.240 with industry leaders about the business of media and entertainment. 0:00:16.960 --> 0:00:20.880 I'm Cynthia Littleton, co editor in chief of Variety Today. 0:00:20.880 --> 0:00:24.000 My guest is Susan Brandt, President and CEO of Dr 0:00:24.040 --> 0:00:29.760 Seus's Enterprises. Dr SEUs is truly Sue Jannaris. The sixty 0:00:29.840 --> 0:00:32.760 or so books left behind by author and illustrator Theodore 0:00:32.800 --> 0:00:36.720 Geisel are incredible and enduring work. From The Cat in 0:00:36.800 --> 0:00:39.479 the Hat to the Lorax to Oh the Places You'll Go. 0:00:40.120 --> 0:00:44.920 It's uniquely resonant across generations. As Brandt puts it so well, 0:00:45.400 --> 0:00:49.239 Dr SEUs really represents childhood for so many. As a 0:00:49.280 --> 0:00:52.160 writer and a reader, I'm marvel at how his books 0:00:52.200 --> 0:00:55.160 grow with you at every age you learn something new. 0:00:56.120 --> 0:00:59.600 Brandt has the responsibility of managing the archive and keeping 0:00:59.600 --> 0:01:03.400 the world of SEUs fresh. Based in San Diego, Dr 0:01:03.440 --> 0:01:07.120 SEUs Enterprises is the for profit company that is owned 0:01:07.120 --> 0:01:11.440 by a foundation. The proceeds from SEUs Enterprises work go 0:01:11.680 --> 0:01:14.400 to support children and family focused charities in the San 0:01:14.400 --> 0:01:19.080 Diego area. In our conversation, Brandt explains how the company 0:01:19.200 --> 0:01:21.800 is thinking about the content marketplace at this time of 0:01:21.840 --> 0:01:26.120 incredible demand for established titles. She also shares the sweet 0:01:26.160 --> 0:01:29.160 story of how following her heart by moving to San 0:01:29.200 --> 0:01:32.440 Diego led her to twenty four years and counting with 0:01:32.560 --> 0:01:35.880 the brand she loves. That's all coming up on today's 0:01:35.880 --> 0:01:47.760 episode of Strictly Business. Susan Brant, President CEO of Dr 0:01:47.840 --> 0:01:51.080 Seuss Enterprises, thank you so much for joining me today. 0:01:51.080 --> 0:01:54.760 Thanks for having me. You are the steward of all 0:01:54.840 --> 0:01:59.400 things Dr SEUs that managed the the archive and all 0:01:59.440 --> 0:02:03.440 of the electual property left behind by the amazing, amazing 0:02:03.480 --> 0:02:08.639 author illustrator Theodore Geiselm better known to millions as Dr SEUs. 0:02:08.800 --> 0:02:11.160 So I would like to start at the thirty foot view. 0:02:11.600 --> 0:02:14.240 You are in such a unique position with the steward 0:02:14.320 --> 0:02:19.400 of this incredible, incredible marquee content at this moment in 0:02:19.520 --> 0:02:21.640 time when there is so much demand for content, so 0:02:21.680 --> 0:02:25.799 many different avenues to take. Truly beloved, I P, how 0:02:25.840 --> 0:02:27.920 are you? How are you looking at this landscape? How 0:02:27.919 --> 0:02:30.920 are you managing? How are you managing things? And all 0:02:30.960 --> 0:02:35.600 of the And have no doubt the incoming calls are tremendous. M. Well, 0:02:35.680 --> 0:02:39.080 first of all, we do take stewardship very seriously, Dr SEUs. 0:02:39.200 --> 0:02:41.520 You know we're blessed with this beautiful I P. And 0:02:41.560 --> 0:02:45.200 would we take that responsibility quite seriously myself and everyone 0:02:45.240 --> 0:02:48.240 else on the team. UM, we also take really seriously 0:02:48.240 --> 0:02:52.560 the relationship that our fans have with this property were 0:02:52.600 --> 0:02:57.200 so unique. UM, you alluded it, alluded to it. Generations 0:02:57.240 --> 0:03:01.720 have grown up with Dr SEUs. It really represents its childhood. Uh. 0:03:01.720 --> 0:03:06.040 It represents that bond between parents and children, UM. And 0:03:06.080 --> 0:03:08.639 as such, you have to be very careful with what 0:03:08.680 --> 0:03:11.720 you do with this content. UM. Then we also watch 0:03:11.800 --> 0:03:13.799 and we say, what are where are the places that 0:03:13.880 --> 0:03:16.600 we can further that relationship? Where can we take this 0:03:16.639 --> 0:03:19.600 beautiful i P? And how can where can we deliver 0:03:19.639 --> 0:03:22.760 it um to where our fans are in fact consuming it? 0:03:23.040 --> 0:03:26.320 And that's why you see us actively involved in things 0:03:26.320 --> 0:03:32.720 like streaming UH films, UH podcasts, stage shows, you know, 0:03:32.840 --> 0:03:36.800 even cruise ships. UM. If there's an opportunity to reach 0:03:36.800 --> 0:03:41.560 our audience and deepen that relationship, that bond, that's what 0:03:41.640 --> 0:03:45.720 we're looking at. When you are working with content that 0:03:45.880 --> 0:03:48.480 is beyond the you know, the original canon of what 0:03:48.600 --> 0:03:51.760 Dr SEUs left left? How do you what is the 0:03:51.800 --> 0:03:54.560 gut check? How do you determine the quality to control 0:03:54.640 --> 0:03:58.160 that this is worthy of the Sieus brand. I think, Um, 0:03:58.320 --> 0:04:00.960 you have to pick your partners really carefully. Uh, in 0:04:01.080 --> 0:04:04.120 any venture, whether obviously you know you're making T shirts 0:04:04.200 --> 0:04:07.480 or cruise ship partnership, You've got to make sure and 0:04:07.520 --> 0:04:09.960 we try to make sure it's always best in class. 0:04:10.040 --> 0:04:13.400 And that's where meeting that team, uh, seeing what they've 0:04:13.440 --> 0:04:17.640 done before, having discussions about how they might utilize the property, 0:04:17.680 --> 0:04:20.520 That's where your gut comes in, UM, And then I 0:04:20.560 --> 0:04:23.560 think you trust you know those partners, you really do. 0:04:23.760 --> 0:04:26.480 There is a sense of letting go. UM. You if 0:04:26.520 --> 0:04:29.560 you do find and you find the experts and your 0:04:29.560 --> 0:04:31.960 gut tells you that's the right team. You know, you 0:04:32.279 --> 0:04:35.040 we understand the DNA of it they entertand the expertise 0:04:35.080 --> 0:04:37.880 of their genre, you have to let them go. And 0:04:37.880 --> 0:04:39.440 so there is a bit of a leap of faith, 0:04:39.839 --> 0:04:43.920 UM that says, I'm going to give you this this property, 0:04:43.960 --> 0:04:48.120 and you're gonna you're gonna caretake it. There's checkpoints for sure. UM. 0:04:48.160 --> 0:04:50.400 You know all the way, I'm very actively involved in 0:04:50.440 --> 0:04:53.440 the major entertainment deals. So I'll work with the product, 0:04:53.720 --> 0:04:57.719 the producing parties, the creative teams, on films, on television, 0:04:57.760 --> 0:05:00.279 even the cruise ships, but all the way down owned 0:05:00.520 --> 0:05:03.360 you know, every member of the team is touching those products. 0:05:03.440 --> 0:05:06.960 So um so, so I think it does go back 0:05:06.960 --> 0:05:09.720 to finding those right those right team members, those partners, 0:05:09.720 --> 0:05:13.040 and really partnering with them. But it does sound like 0:05:13.080 --> 0:05:15.760 you said, you said you you're checking in every step 0:05:15.800 --> 0:05:19.200 of the way, you know, every iteration, because as you know, 0:05:19.400 --> 0:05:23.760 it takes you know, it doesn't take long to tarnish 0:05:23.839 --> 0:05:28.320 even a gold plated brand with Yeah, um, we are 0:05:28.440 --> 0:05:33.600 notoriously tough. I understand. Uh in our approval rights where 0:05:33.640 --> 0:05:36.760 that is when people uh enter in an agreement with us. 0:05:36.800 --> 0:05:39.680 That is something that I have been told is like, wow, 0:05:39.720 --> 0:05:43.120 no one gets these approval rights. We do. Um, we 0:05:43.200 --> 0:05:45.680 do and and and we also have a proven truck 0:05:45.960 --> 0:05:49.000 track record of not holding up productions. That's when people 0:05:49.040 --> 0:05:51.159 are nervous about and I get it. Um, you know, 0:05:51.480 --> 0:05:53.960 production is expensive and when you have to go back 0:05:53.960 --> 0:05:56.479 to the rights holder, uh, you know, the potential for 0:05:56.640 --> 0:05:59.599 loss of dollars. We get it, and we've been able 0:05:59.640 --> 0:06:03.800 to do that so successfully in the past that people say, okay, 0:06:03.839 --> 0:06:05.839 and we That's what I mean about being a partner. 0:06:05.960 --> 0:06:08.760 You have to know when you can jump in what's 0:06:08.760 --> 0:06:12.200 important to change, um and you know what's important for 0:06:12.240 --> 0:06:14.480 that brand, right, what's important for SEUs? So where will 0:06:14.520 --> 0:06:17.000 I push back and where where will I not um? 0:06:17.120 --> 0:06:21.440 But yeah, it's it's it's certain rights me out, is it? 0:06:21.520 --> 0:06:24.080 Of course we know that the industry is you know, 0:06:24.120 --> 0:06:26.440 the the industry is in the middle of a huge 0:06:26.440 --> 0:06:30.080 content boom and a huge moment of globalization where we 0:06:30.120 --> 0:06:33.120 are really seeing for the first time borders really kind 0:06:33.120 --> 0:06:36.280 of being erased by gigantic platforms. So there's a lot 0:06:36.320 --> 0:06:38.880 going out on the marketplace. But is there Is that 0:06:38.920 --> 0:06:41.640 the reason why we're seeing a lot of sious initiatives 0:06:41.640 --> 0:06:44.040 in media right now or is it just kind of 0:06:44.240 --> 0:06:46.760 coincidental that things have been brewing for a while and 0:06:46.800 --> 0:06:49.560 this is when a lot of them have come to fruition. Well, 0:06:49.600 --> 0:06:51.560 things have member and it takes a while to do 0:06:51.640 --> 0:06:55.480 these deals for sure, but um, the opportunity for where 0:06:55.480 --> 0:06:58.480 we can place this content is exploding, right and so 0:06:58.720 --> 0:07:01.839 there's all these opportunity us for us to develop new content. 0:07:02.360 --> 0:07:06.200 Deals do take time, and sometimes they all tend to 0:07:06.240 --> 0:07:09.480 happen around the same time. A lot of the news 0:07:09.560 --> 0:07:13.400 that you're hearing, particularly a preschool slate our Warner Brothers, 0:07:13.400 --> 0:07:15.880 since we have three felts with Warner Bros. Actually, Um, 0:07:16.440 --> 0:07:19.240 those obviously had been in the works for a while. Uh, 0:07:19.320 --> 0:07:21.760 they just happened to all get tied up at the 0:07:21.840 --> 0:07:24.600 same time. But a lot of this is being generated 0:07:24.600 --> 0:07:27.440 by the opportunity to create content for a different delivery, 0:07:27.600 --> 0:07:31.160 like again podcasting. Um, that's we're not yet in that space. 0:07:31.280 --> 0:07:35.280 We are having discussions. It's really exciting. Um. That didn't 0:07:35.320 --> 0:07:39.000 really exist pre pandemic. There really wasn't a huge There 0:07:39.080 --> 0:07:41.840 was some, yes, but it wasn't as as prolific as 0:07:41.920 --> 0:07:45.640 not nearly as much attention for sure overall. Yeah, yeah, 0:07:45.680 --> 0:07:48.600 so we listen, you know, you pay attention, you listen. Um. Uh, 0:07:49.440 --> 0:07:52.840 you just have to see what's moving and and and 0:07:52.960 --> 0:07:55.760 what's appropriate. We're not always also concerned with being a 0:07:55.800 --> 0:07:59.600 first mover. Sometimes we do. Ofttimes we wait and we 0:07:59.680 --> 0:08:03.560 say is this appropriate for this brand and our families? 0:08:03.680 --> 0:08:06.240 Is this space where we want to be? Um. So 0:08:06.520 --> 0:08:10.040 you may not always see us move first. Um, sometimes 0:08:10.080 --> 0:08:13.000 we do, but oftentimes we're very We're watching and saying 0:08:13.400 --> 0:08:15.600 is this the right move for us? Yes? Sometimes the 0:08:15.640 --> 0:08:17.640 deal is just kind of all culminated around the same time. 0:08:18.960 --> 0:08:20.920 Is the Sush brand at first Plush You think of 0:08:20.960 --> 0:08:23.880 the Sus brand as fairly you know, two to five, 0:08:24.000 --> 0:08:26.040 two to six year old age range. But is it 0:08:26.080 --> 0:08:28.640 broader than that? I mean, of course it has the 0:08:28.720 --> 0:08:32.640 love of parent, you know, it has that multigenerational that's invaluable. 0:08:32.640 --> 0:08:35.199 But in terms of the core the core readership, is 0:08:35.200 --> 0:08:36.680 is it that younger? Is it? Is it? Well? I 0:08:36.679 --> 0:08:40.120 mean fundamentally, you know, the company was built on books. 0:08:40.200 --> 0:08:42.400 You know, yes, eighty three years ago, you know, four 0:08:42.480 --> 0:08:45.000 or five books. We have absolutely grown into a global 0:08:45.120 --> 0:08:48.559 entertainment company. But the core those books. You know, we 0:08:48.600 --> 0:08:51.840 speak to the preschoolers, we speak to the early readers absolutely, 0:08:52.200 --> 0:08:54.640 but we've been able to take those books and parlay 0:08:54.720 --> 0:08:58.120 and build beyond that. UM. We certainly have an audience 0:08:58.200 --> 0:09:00.599 in teens. That's why we can do collaborations like The 0:09:00.679 --> 0:09:04.160 Supreme or Kylie Jenner. UM. That's way our films. We've 0:09:04.160 --> 0:09:07.199 got five films and collectively be one point five billion 0:09:07.280 --> 0:09:09.880 at the box office. You can't do that with a 0:09:09.920 --> 0:09:13.320 preschool only property, right, So we've had this and I 0:09:13.320 --> 0:09:15.000 think part of the reason we can do that UM 0:09:15.320 --> 0:09:18.120 is I'd say we're really smart, but I think Ted 0:09:18.160 --> 0:09:21.680 Geisel was really smarter. You know, his his stories have 0:09:21.760 --> 0:09:24.760 such universal messages and themes that you really kind of 0:09:24.800 --> 0:09:28.000 never outgrow that, right, You never outgrow a concern for 0:09:28.040 --> 0:09:31.480 the environment or an understanding of wide diversity. So it's 0:09:31.480 --> 0:09:34.760 so important, um, because those themes you never ever grow. 0:09:34.840 --> 0:09:37.079 We can take that, and we can take those characters, 0:09:37.559 --> 0:09:40.760 um and remain relevant as people age. So we've got 0:09:40.760 --> 0:09:43.600 you know, teens, we've got young adults, we've got parents, 0:09:43.679 --> 0:09:47.839 we've got teachers, we've got grandparents, um, and we can 0:09:48.080 --> 0:09:51.400 talk to each one of them. Uh, done right in appropriately. 0:09:52.240 --> 0:09:56.000 You also recently announced on the book front and really 0:09:56.120 --> 0:10:00.320 fascinating initiative on the book front that also kind of 0:10:00.400 --> 0:10:04.800 raises the tantalizing suggestion that there is quite an archive 0:10:05.120 --> 0:10:09.240 of Dr SEUs and Theodore Geisel drawings that exist that 0:10:09.320 --> 0:10:11.760 you are now going to kind of share and put 0:10:11.760 --> 0:10:15.160 out in the world for creators of all different backgrounds 0:10:15.200 --> 0:10:18.720 to come in and make new works inspired by some 0:10:18.800 --> 0:10:21.560 things that that are left. So that I have the 0:10:21.640 --> 0:10:25.319 image of a very colorful spire tower that is the 0:10:27.440 --> 0:10:30.760 archive of of works. Tell me, tell me a little 0:10:30.760 --> 0:10:33.640 bit more map about that project and about the archives 0:10:33.679 --> 0:10:36.520 that still are left perhaps to you know, to look 0:10:36.520 --> 0:10:39.640 through and to look through for content. And I don't know. 0:10:39.679 --> 0:10:43.800 The day that we're recording this podcast, every single motorcycle 0:10:43.920 --> 0:10:46.840 in Los Angeles is going down my street. I would 0:10:46.920 --> 0:10:50.600 just like to know. It's a work from home Friday 0:10:50.679 --> 0:10:54.720 and all the motorcyclists are out. But anyway, tell us 0:10:54.720 --> 0:10:58.080 about the book Seuss Book Initiative. Well, I hate to 0:10:58.080 --> 0:11:01.360 burst your bubble. I'm with the archives. Look like you 0:11:01.400 --> 0:11:05.560 can keep your tower in your head. It's in a library. So. Um. 0:11:05.679 --> 0:11:10.600 When Ted died, Audrey Geisel, his widow, donated all of 0:11:10.679 --> 0:11:14.520 his notes and his sketches, everything to the to the 0:11:14.679 --> 0:11:19.040 UCSD library, which was renamed the Geisl Library. Um. So 0:11:19.120 --> 0:11:22.880 it's a library. It's in the library. Um. And as 0:11:22.920 --> 0:11:26.280 any artist is, uh, Ted wasn't linear, right, they don't 0:11:26.440 --> 0:11:30.960 start middle end right there. They're extremely creative. Um. And 0:11:31.040 --> 0:11:36.760 so Ted would just draw draw things doodle. Um. He would. 0:11:37.000 --> 0:11:39.600 He had hit different folders like things that's a villains 0:11:40.040 --> 0:11:43.080 and all these really interesting yeah right, all these really 0:11:43.120 --> 0:11:46.560 interesting little characters and sketches or places, just locations. So 0:11:46.640 --> 0:11:50.000 they were just ideas. And I think maybe. I mean, 0:11:50.040 --> 0:11:52.480 I didn't get the chance to meet to guys all one. 0:11:52.920 --> 0:11:55.360 I feel like I know, but I don't. I would 0:11:55.400 --> 0:11:57.800 imagine he was testing things on to see if there 0:11:57.840 --> 0:11:59.760 a story here or I don't know, or just doodling. 0:12:00.240 --> 0:12:04.280 So while there's also the library all the original sketches 0:12:04.360 --> 0:12:06.080 for the books that are published, which, let me just 0:12:06.080 --> 0:12:09.040 tell you if you're a fan, is amazing. Um. It's 0:12:09.040 --> 0:12:11.240 like you can see his thinking yeah, but then there's 0:12:11.320 --> 0:12:15.439 also yeah, right, super cool. But then there's also um, 0:12:15.480 --> 0:12:17.960 just again these sketches, and they're just beautiful characters. So 0:12:18.000 --> 0:12:22.760 there's characters, there's locations, there's crazy machines that just didn't 0:12:22.760 --> 0:12:25.280 go anywhere. They were just his um. And so our 0:12:25.320 --> 0:12:27.480 thought was, um, I I spent a lot of time 0:12:27.520 --> 0:12:29.920 with the archives. I just helps me understand the man, 0:12:30.440 --> 0:12:32.920 which helps me care take get us better. And so 0:12:32.960 --> 0:12:35.080 I saw these and I thought, we need to do 0:12:35.200 --> 0:12:39.319 something with this, and why not take these and allow 0:12:39.400 --> 0:12:43.280 these new and emerging voices um to you know, keep 0:12:43.320 --> 0:12:45.800 that legacy alive and let them take it and say 0:12:45.800 --> 0:12:49.640 do they do these stories? Or sorry? These images inspire 0:12:50.040 --> 0:12:52.600 a story. And so the thought is to let emerging 0:12:52.760 --> 0:12:55.760 artists take you know, a sketch. You could be a character, 0:12:55.840 --> 0:12:58.120 it could be a place, it could be you know, 0:12:58.160 --> 0:13:00.960 a machine, and come up with their own story and 0:13:01.000 --> 0:13:04.920 write a book, a beginner book for readers in their style, 0:13:05.280 --> 0:13:09.679 their prose, their artistic style, um, the you know their characters, um, 0:13:09.720 --> 0:13:12.440 and tell the story. And then these books would also 0:13:12.480 --> 0:13:14.719 just have a quick aside um maybe the four of 0:13:14.760 --> 0:13:17.040 the backwards. It would say their process, like why did 0:13:17.120 --> 0:13:19.920 they like the hummingbirds? And what why did that spine 0:13:19.960 --> 0:13:22.839 this beautiful story? Um? I just love the idea. It's 0:13:22.880 --> 0:13:25.440 also actually in keeping with what Ted Gasl himself did. 0:13:26.080 --> 0:13:29.640 So Ted started the division at Random House called Beginner Books, 0:13:30.120 --> 0:13:33.200 and he was pressed logo again one of those things 0:13:33.200 --> 0:13:36.120 that just is such a trademark of quality to parents 0:13:36.120 --> 0:13:41.120 for generations, just utterly invaluable in terms of again that 0:13:41.200 --> 0:13:43.440 that that what it's what it speaks to about what 0:13:43.559 --> 0:13:46.760 that book is going to represent for that child. You know, 0:13:46.880 --> 0:13:48.800 so many people to that end. So because when it 0:13:48.840 --> 0:13:51.120 was a beginner book, Ted put his cat and hat 0:13:51.360 --> 0:13:53.040 and the logo on it. Right, This was part of 0:13:53.080 --> 0:13:55.600 the the division of Random House, part of the what 0:13:55.600 --> 0:13:57.360 do you call it? Um? I can't remember the name. 0:13:57.400 --> 0:14:00.240 Of it for the books. But anyway, UM, so that's 0:14:00.240 --> 0:14:02.600 why there's other authors that have that logo on there. 0:14:02.960 --> 0:14:05.040 So many times people say, what do you do You know, 0:14:05.080 --> 0:14:07.320 I work for doctors. Oh my god, I love doctors SEUs, 0:14:07.520 --> 0:14:10.199 I love Go dog Go And I always say that's 0:14:10.200 --> 0:14:12.679 a great book. But at the beginning book you know 0:14:12.720 --> 0:14:14.880 it's not a Doctor Seu's book. Um, but it was 0:14:14.880 --> 0:14:18.200 in the same thing. So Ted worked with emerging UM 0:14:18.360 --> 0:14:21.760 illustrators and authors at that time to help basically kind 0:14:21.760 --> 0:14:23.560 of teach them how do you write a book it's 0:14:23.560 --> 0:14:26.800 appropriate for early readers. And we are not no, we 0:14:26.800 --> 0:14:29.360 don't have to teach anyone. But the idea of giving 0:14:29.360 --> 0:14:32.960 a platform to new and emerging artists is certainly consistent 0:14:33.120 --> 0:14:36.080 with um what SEUs is all about. And so those 0:14:36.120 --> 0:14:40.320 will start as books and conceivably, you know, that's more. 0:14:40.600 --> 0:14:42.920 That's more I t P. Will they be branded some 0:14:43.040 --> 0:14:46.800 form of Dr Seus's dot dot dot, or will use 0:14:47.600 --> 0:14:50.120 the name Seue Studios. So just like you see the 0:14:50.240 --> 0:14:53.200 inner book logo on like Go dog Go, Um, you'll 0:14:53.240 --> 0:14:57.160 see a Sue Studios logo on someone's book. Um, but 0:14:57.200 --> 0:14:59.360 it's their book. They on the copyright, their book, right, 0:14:59.400 --> 0:15:02.520 it's just under our line of books in print. In 0:15:02.600 --> 0:15:05.400 print was the word I was trying to think before imprint. Uh, 0:15:05.600 --> 0:15:07.520 this is not an imprint. This is a line of books. 0:15:07.560 --> 0:15:09.040 And I guess in the publishing business there is a 0:15:09.040 --> 0:15:11.960 difference between the two. And is I think I know 0:15:12.000 --> 0:15:13.720 the answer to this, but I am curious. Is there 0:15:13.760 --> 0:15:19.400 any is doctors? Is Dr Seuss always a kids and 0:15:19.440 --> 0:15:22.200 family brand? Is there a version of Dr SEUs that 0:15:22.240 --> 0:15:24.560 could be more adults? I mean I realized some of 0:15:24.600 --> 0:15:27.600 the movies have aimed, you know, a little broader audience, 0:15:27.600 --> 0:15:31.800 But is there something that would that could you know, 0:15:31.840 --> 0:15:35.240 if you were to do with a fully adult themed property, 0:15:35.320 --> 0:15:38.160 Is that then out of the realm of consideration? No, 0:15:38.360 --> 0:15:40.840 I mean maybe we've talked about it. Um, I mean 0:15:40.880 --> 0:15:44.080 could we do so? For example, Ted guys on these 0:15:44.080 --> 0:15:46.840 notes are in the library as well. He gave lectures 0:15:46.960 --> 0:15:51.320 on how to write children's books. Um, that could be cool, right, 0:15:51.480 --> 0:15:54.040 Like maybe you do we do a book that teaches 0:15:54.320 --> 0:15:58.080 you know, adults, Like how do you write a children's book? Um, 0:15:58.200 --> 0:16:01.240 we've toyed with books on our um, you know, taking 0:16:01.280 --> 0:16:04.640 those early sketches and you know, doing in a book 0:16:04.680 --> 0:16:06.680 that it's truly because they are beautiful, they're like piece 0:16:06.760 --> 0:16:09.080 of art, you know, and doing that type of a book. 0:16:09.280 --> 0:16:12.240 So the answers, we've thought about it. It's something done, 0:16:12.320 --> 0:16:14.680 haven't haven't on the right idea quite yet, but I 0:16:14.680 --> 0:16:20.760 think it's conceivable. Why not don't run off with thing 0:16:20.840 --> 0:16:23.840 one or thing to stick around to hear more from 0:16:23.960 --> 0:16:35.480 Dr SEUs Enterprises CEO Susan Brand and we're back, just 0:16:35.600 --> 0:16:38.520 like the sneeches on the beaches with more from Dr 0:16:38.640 --> 0:16:44.120 Seuss Enterprises, CEO Susan Brand. Because it's such an interesting 0:16:44.200 --> 0:16:46.960 life and the legacy is there have there there must 0:16:47.000 --> 0:16:51.160 have been inquiries about doing a a more traditional Hollywood bio. 0:16:51.240 --> 0:16:54.400 Pick of Theodoreguisle is that does that ever come across 0:16:54.400 --> 0:16:56.720 your desk? I know you have a background in film. 0:16:56.760 --> 0:16:59.880 You would previously work for twenties Century Fox. I didn't. 0:16:59.880 --> 0:17:02.080 I worked in the home entertainment division though, so a 0:17:02.080 --> 0:17:04.639 little removed from the lot. We were the hanger on ors, 0:17:04.800 --> 0:17:07.480 you know, like, uh, you were making the money and 0:17:07.520 --> 0:17:10.359 back in those were in the money. Yes, I've always 0:17:10.400 --> 0:17:13.280 been a classic marketer, so I took that approach with 0:17:13.320 --> 0:17:15.359 how entertainment and when I when I was there it 0:17:15.400 --> 0:17:18.919 was actually h S type tapes, So it was it 0:17:19.000 --> 0:17:21.359 was it was back in the day. Um, yeah, of 0:17:21.359 --> 0:17:23.800 course we've been we've been approached. Um, we had a 0:17:23.840 --> 0:17:27.919 partnership with Illumination Entertainment with Christmall and Andre uh and 0:17:28.040 --> 0:17:30.240 Chris and I did spend a lot of time thinking 0:17:30.280 --> 0:17:33.159 about could we do a biopick, how would we do 0:17:33.200 --> 0:17:35.760 it and how would we make it special and unique? 0:17:35.800 --> 0:17:37.920 And just couldn't figure out the story, couldn't figure out 0:17:37.920 --> 0:17:40.879 the angle um for for the film. So just haven't 0:17:40.920 --> 0:17:43.280 quite figured that out yet. But would you say it's 0:17:43.280 --> 0:17:46.439 something that is kind of still simmering somewhere in the 0:17:46.480 --> 0:17:50.240 idea stage or uh DC is not seriously considering it. 0:17:50.560 --> 0:17:52.920 Not right now, We've got three films that will focus 0:17:53.000 --> 0:17:55.800 on right now and we're very excited about. Those are 0:17:55.800 --> 0:17:57.639 the films that I alluded to with Horner, right so 0:17:57.920 --> 0:18:00.800 you had mentioned John Shoe, uh Hand Gela and Bad 0:18:00.880 --> 0:18:04.680 Robot with the plus you'll go. We have two other films. Um, 0:18:04.760 --> 0:18:07.359 it's working also with Warner Animation Group. We have The 0:18:07.359 --> 0:18:09.639 Cat in the Hat and we have The Thing Movie. 0:18:09.920 --> 0:18:12.600 So right now, and as you're alluded to as well, 0:18:12.640 --> 0:18:15.880 we've got a lot of content with Netflix. We're focused 0:18:15.920 --> 0:18:18.120 on those right now. We're not actually seeking another film 0:18:18.200 --> 0:18:20.040 right now. It sounds like you've got to let you've 0:18:20.040 --> 0:18:22.760 got a lot going on. When you do a deal 0:18:22.760 --> 0:18:25.440 with Netflix, given the you know, given the i P 0:18:25.600 --> 0:18:28.359 that you bring to the table, do you own the 0:18:28.480 --> 0:18:31.359 underlying series? Is that? Does that become a property of 0:18:31.440 --> 0:18:36.000 doctors Enterprises? Or does Netflix? Does that property? Lie You're 0:18:36.000 --> 0:18:38.080 asking me to go back to that contract and take 0:18:38.119 --> 0:18:40.600 it through. Typically, and I have to go look at 0:18:40.640 --> 0:18:43.240 the Netflix deal. I don't remember. Typically, like when you 0:18:43.280 --> 0:18:45.680 do a film, the studio is a copyright to the film. 0:18:45.720 --> 0:18:49.240 That's very normal. Um So I would imagine that we 0:18:49.240 --> 0:18:53.000 we probably scheduled, strutted of that way. Honest, you don't remember, um. 0:18:53.080 --> 0:18:55.200 But all these rights are very outlined, you know in 0:18:55.480 --> 0:18:57.080 your contract what they can do, what you can do, 0:18:57.080 --> 0:18:59.439 who can utilize it, etcetera. UM, I just don't know 0:18:59.480 --> 0:19:03.320 the underlying copyright. I would astly imagine it's Netflix, um 0:19:03.560 --> 0:19:06.280 because that's how we do our films. That's what most is. 0:19:06.520 --> 0:19:09.119 Um So for example, to check you on special, the 0:19:09.160 --> 0:19:12.160 TV special that was originally MGM, they have the copyright. 0:19:12.400 --> 0:19:14.680 So it's usually how this is down to copyright's held 0:19:14.680 --> 0:19:17.840 by the studio. How the Grinch stole Christmas? Yeah, yeah, 0:19:18.160 --> 0:19:22.040 the chech on special. Um So, I honestly don't you know, 0:19:22.160 --> 0:19:24.320 I'd have to go back. I'd be surprised if it's 0:19:24.320 --> 0:19:26.760 not structured that way, is there? I mean, can you 0:19:26.800 --> 0:19:29.399 give me an example of sort of again bringing that 0:19:29.520 --> 0:19:33.320 kind of ip utterly utterly unique, you know, I p 0:19:33.920 --> 0:19:37.239 that that gives you leverage in dealmaking when you're when 0:19:37.280 --> 0:19:40.239 you're talking about media or any kind of exploitation of 0:19:40.280 --> 0:19:44.840 those rights. Well, you know, we're just fortunately we come 0:19:44.840 --> 0:19:47.760 to the table with Dr sus so you know we 0:19:47.880 --> 0:19:51.080 can and I'd like to think we're fair but tough negotiators. 0:19:51.080 --> 0:19:54.200 You know we're going to get, you know, a good 0:19:54.200 --> 0:19:58.640 above market deal, both in terms of the financials. Control 0:19:58.760 --> 0:20:02.040 is important to us um any kind of ancillary you 0:20:02.040 --> 0:20:05.800 know rights will will will negotiate. That gives you, you 0:20:05.800 --> 0:20:08.080 know a bit of leverage without having I can't really 0:20:08.400 --> 0:20:10.879 get into all the details, but it does allow you 0:20:10.960 --> 0:20:13.919 some leverage. That said, we are always motivated to do 0:20:13.960 --> 0:20:16.439 a fair deal for both parties. Doesn't make sense if 0:20:16.480 --> 0:20:19.160 you do a deal that really is one side either way. 0:20:19.240 --> 0:20:21.720 Eventually one party is not happy. So we really do 0:20:21.840 --> 0:20:24.080 try to be good partners. You know, we're gonna fight 0:20:24.160 --> 0:20:26.320 hard for what we think is right. But at the end, 0:20:26.320 --> 0:20:28.400 it's got to be a fair, fair deal for both. 0:20:28.760 --> 0:20:31.680 When I standed on copyright, that's to what what's created 0:20:32.040 --> 0:20:34.360 the you know, obviously the characters that we come with 0:20:34.359 --> 0:20:36.160 we keep. Those are ours, and there are always ours. 0:20:36.240 --> 0:20:39.400 Nobody ever gets those. Yeah, but the new entity that's 0:20:39.440 --> 0:20:41.920 created is probably you know, it's probably Netflix is a 0:20:42.000 --> 0:20:43.840 carerate like I got. I have to look at the deal. 0:20:44.160 --> 0:20:47.080 So I think I can appreciate that distinction. And that's interesting. 0:20:47.200 --> 0:20:50.919 You know, obviously, thank you, thank you for for for 0:20:51.240 --> 0:20:55.800 candor there um. And do you see it's interesting because 0:20:55.800 --> 0:20:58.440 I would imagine, you know, I think you mentioned to 0:20:58.480 --> 0:21:01.080 me before as a statistics, something like one out of 0:21:01.119 --> 0:21:04.879 every four family or child born in the United States 0:21:04.920 --> 0:21:07.600 gets get some form of Doctor SEUs book in their 0:21:07.600 --> 0:21:09.919 first year. Is if I'm repeating that first book as 0:21:09.920 --> 0:21:12.520 a first book, Yes, our first book one and four 0:21:12.560 --> 0:21:15.480 gets the Doctor SEUs book as their first book. One 0:21:15.480 --> 0:21:19.879 of the means yeah, yeah, that is just excuse me, 0:21:19.960 --> 0:21:22.520 that's just a you know, kind of a stunning level 0:21:22.640 --> 0:21:26.800 of reach. Um, do you so, I mean, again, those books. 0:21:26.840 --> 0:21:29.359 I'm sure that just that there's a certain sales volume 0:21:29.400 --> 0:21:31.639 that there's just always. But do you see when you 0:21:31.720 --> 0:21:35.320 have new TV or film content in the market. Do 0:21:35.400 --> 0:21:38.120 you see an appreciable spike in the sales of those 0:21:38.119 --> 0:21:41.199 classic books if the content aside to you know, if 0:21:41.200 --> 0:21:43.119 the content is tied to it, or if there's just 0:21:43.200 --> 0:21:47.960