OTT Executive Podcast with Brian Mahony

OTT Exec Podcast S6 E6: Natasha Hritzuk, VP, Head of Corporate Research, Warner Bros. Discovery

1) Career background including academia and political psychology; 2) Working for General Mills and then Microsoft; 3) Where does short-form video fit in? 4) The creator economy and how to decide whether to launch a show via short form or traditional channels; 5) Conservative vs. liberal viewing habits; 6) Role of AI for creation and reducing costs (e.g. simulating location); 7) What are the limits of AI and why do consumers hate being "fooled"? 8) Why Natasha doesn't think AI is "HAL" (yet); 9) Natasha's love of fitness and old films; 10) Favorite character from "Little House on the Prairie"  Also watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ottexecutive

OTT Exec Podcast S6 E5: Bryan Louzil, President, Mometu

1) Growing up the child of Hollywood parents; 2) Love for soccer; 3) Learning the business world at Enterprise Rent-A-Car; 4) Mometu is "more for me and you"; 5) Working with young creators; 6) Starting new film festival; 7) Subbing and dubbing strategy; 8) How is AI helping independent film makers? 9) Perspectives on WBD-Paramount deal; 10) Bryan's love for working out and golf.  Also watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ottexecutive

OTT Executive Podcast S6 E4: Christy Tanner, Chair of Swerve Sports

1) Christy's career background; 2) Launching streaming for CBS News; 3) Starting Swerve TV; 4) Distribution strategy (Roku and Pluto initially); 5) Freestyle Trampoline Association example- why there should be a “cut” of women’s content for many sports; 6) Analyzing the data to understand viewer engagement; 7) Biggest industry challenge right now—content discovery; 8) Constantly changing KPI’s (e.g., subscriber growth vs. profitability); 9) Monetization strategies- “the best way to monetize is to create unmissable content”; 10) Creator economy- can media channels/platforms/networks still create audiences or does the audience need to come with the show?; 11) AI buzz vs. reality? "removing the drudgery of the industry and allow humans to do creative things”; 12) Christy’s love for skiing and snowboarding. Also watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ottexecutive

OTT Exec Podcast S6 E3: Johnny Miles, SVP, Content Distribution & Partnerships, FEVA TV

1) Johnny's career background; 2) Launching CLEO TV at TV One; 3) Content distribution strategy; 4) How to embrace the "creator economy"; 5) How is AI changing the media & entertainment industry; 6) How to overcome the content discovery challenge; 7) Importance of embracing YouTube and social video; 8) Shift towards unscripted content; 9) We've always had playlists, "the only difference is you don't know what's coming up next"; 10 Johnny's love for tennis.  Also watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ottexecutive

OTT Executive Podcast S6 E2: Cathy Rasenberger, Co-Founder and President, Free Live Sports

1) Cathy's beginning in the cable industry (starting at Warner Bros. Television, Cablevision Magazine, ESPN, TV Guide, Food Network); 2) Starting Rasenberger Media consultancy; 3) Launching 28 cable networks; 4) Moving to launching FAST channels; 5) Launching FreeLiveSports.tv and 120+ channels; 6) Role of complimentary content on FAST networks; 7) Importance of live sports; 8) Keeping fans engaged between seasons; 9) Using AI to personalize EPG; 10) Launching GluedIn community engagement tool; 11) Integrating FAST for in-car infotainment-- "laying the foundation for driverless cars"; 12) Cathy's "hobby"?  Also watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ottexecutive