In this episode, Chris Heatherly and Alex Kruglov dive into the dynamic landscape of Hollywood, discussing the ongoing battle between major players like Netflix, Warner Brothers, and Paramount. They explore the implications of potential acquisitions, the shifting priorities within Hollywood, and the impact of streaming services on traditional theatrical models. The conversation also touches on the role of technology and innovation in shaping the future of entertainment, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for both established studios and emerging creators. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

VERY SPECIAL +1 this week with The Godfather of Toys, Tom McGrath. Tom has been in the toy industry for over 40 years, starting first at Kenner, then becoming an executive over Hasbro's boys toys division, and then moving into consulting. Tom has worked with virtually every major toy company including Mattel, Universal Studios, Moose, and others. He also does an annual presentation of toy trends and analysis that is a must-attend event for executives at every major studio and toy company. In this episode, Tom gives us a MASTERCLASS on how makes successful toy brand and speaks to trends in the industry. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

My +1 this episode is Sam Steffanina, CMO of Remix.gg (http://Remix.gg), Host of Gamified, and Co-founder of Wolves DAO. We talk Remix, and how he is building the TikTok of gaming, how Gen Z gamers are entering the business in new ways, and his conviction in the inevitability of web3. Remix.gg (http://Remix.gg) https://remix.gg/ Sam Steffania on X https://x.com/SamSteffanina Wolves DAO https://x.com/WolvesDAO Gamified https://x.com/GamifiedShow Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Hollywood Wars: A Conversation with Erich Schwartzel Chris Heatherly's +1 this episode is Erich Schwartzel, Wall Street Journal reporter and author of "Red Carpet: Hollywood, China, and the Global Battle for Cultural Supremacy" and the upcoming book "Empire" about Star Wars. They discuss the evolving landscape of Hollywood - from China's changing role in the film industry to the rise of Korean entertainment, this episode delves into the global dynamics shaping the future of cinema. Discover insights on the impact of AI in filmmaking, the challenges of maintaining cultural relevance, and the potential for new voices to emerge in the digital age. Key Topics: China's Influence on Hollywood The Rise and Fall of Global Blockbusters Korean Entertainment's Global Appeal AI in Filmmaking The State of Star Wars Challenges Facing Hollywood Guest: Erich Schwartzel, Wall Street Journal reporter and author Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jonah Blake, CEO of Real Agency and sploots.ai (http://sploots.ai) talks to me about becoming an AI influencer, web3 gaming, the future of incentivized marketing, and “Silly Markets” his thesis on why Gen Z trades the way they do. x.com/RealJonahBlake frankygo.xyz (http://frankygo.xyz) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of +1, host Chris Heatherly interviews Bored Elon Musk, a pseudonymous figure known for his humorous takes on technology and culture. They discuss the concept of pseudonymity versus anonymity, the evolution of Bored Elon Musk from a parody account to a significant online presence, and the implications of digital identity on privacy. The conversation also delves into the current state of crypto, the future of the metaverse, and BoredCorp's innovative approach to game development through vibe coding. Bored shares insights on tokenization in gaming and the future of digital currency, emphasizing the importance of user-friendly models in the evolving landscape of Web3. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Bored Elon 01:21 The Concept of Pseudonymity 03:59 The Evolution of Bored Elon 06:54 The Challenges of Maintaining Pseudonymity 09:54 The Impact of Social Media on Personal Identity 14:28 Exploring the Metaverse 18:45 The Future of Crypto and the Metaverse 25:29 Navigating the Crypto Landscape 27:22 The Future of Stablecoins and Digital Transactions 29:34 The Role of Banks in a Crypto World 31:22 Privacy and Surveillance in Financial Transactions 34:26 Vibe Coding: Merging Gaming and Culture 36:57 Success Stories in Vibe Gaming 39:08 The Evolution of Crypto Trading and Media 41:47 Tokenization in Gaming: A Unified Approach 43:49 Innovative Game Models and User Engagement 50:19 Future Endeavors and Community Engagement Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The metamaster Jeff Gomez is BACK to talk the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a case study for where transmedia can go off the rails. We talk about how to fix it and where things should head as we look towards the debut of the X-Men. THIS IS A BANGER - MUST LISTEN!! Please follow Jeff at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffgomez/ Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Hollywood talent is on strike! What are the unions fighting for? How do the unions view AI? And will video games be next?  My +1 is Katie Sikkema, a union contract expert and former Sr Lead Business Representative for SAG-AFTRA, where she worked for 15 yrs. She helped negotate the 2016-2017 interactive media stike and joins me to help explain the situation from the union's point of view. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

INCREDIBLE conversation with Jen Donahoe, a former colleague from Disney Toys who went on to work for Mattel, EA, Scopely, Riot and more. She's an incredibly talented brand and product marketing veteran in both toys and video games. And she's a regular on Deconstructor of Fun. We talk about why Jen HATES Barbie, but loves the movie's marketing, what she's learned about building brands in toys and games, and where she sees marketing going in a post-privacy policy world. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Game industry veteran and 100 Thieves Chief Product Officer Pete Hawley is my +1 to discuss Fortnite Creative Mode, Project X, and his post-mortem of web3. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.