Mixed Signals from Semafor Media

• Does Mass Culture Still Matter? And How Snoop Dogg Mastered Commerce, with Frank Cooper

  In this moment of media fragmentation and the rise of niche communities, are there still ways to reach mass audiences? This week, Ben and Max bring on legendary marketing executive, Frank Cooper, who’s always been at the center of big cultural shifts from his time at Def Jam in the 90s, AOL in the 2000s, and BuzzFeed in the 2010s. Throughout his career, he’s also been seen as the culture translator for big corporations, as the CMO at PepsiCo and the CMO of Visa. They talk about Frank’s unique career, who and what he thinks still moves people in mass — like Post Malone at the Louvre — and what he makes of this particular moment in the culture. He also shares stories from his time working in hip hop, what he’s learned from LL Cool J, and how Snoop Dogg became the world’s most marketable star. Also: if you have feedback for the show and want to participate in a casual focus group, please email Ben at [email protected]. Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media  For more from Think with Google, check out ThinkwithGoogle.com. Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltani If you have a tip or a comment, please email us [email protected]

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• Inside the Independent Creator World, with Substack’s Hamish McKenzie – and Nayeema Raza

  This week, we get an inside look at the independent creator model of media with a two-part conversation: First, Ben and Max interview Substack co-founder and chief writing officer, Hamish McKenzie, about the platform’s appeal for the resistance on the left, their move into video, and why they turned down Elon Musk’s offer to buy them a few years ago. Then, former Mixed Signals co-host and newly independent creator, Nayeema Raza, joins to talk about her foray into the new media landscape, what she’s learned about the space, and why her show, Smart Girl Dumb Questions, isn’t on Substack. Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media  Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltani If you have a tip or a comment, please email us [email protected]

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• New York Times Editor Joe Kahn, Podcaster Megyn Kelly and More on the Collapse of Trust

  Today, we have a special bonus episode: Ben and Max break down the most interesting moments from the Innovating to Restore Trust in News summit held last week in Washington, D.C. They discuss Gallup’s findings on the worsening trust in news media, New York Times executive editor Joe Kahn’s acknowledgment that Donald Trump is good for business, and FCC chair Brendan Carr’s plans to go after liberal media. Plus, Ben responds to Megyn Kelly’s take on what she called a “tense interview.” Is this the start of a heated podcast feud? Maybe, if it helps our ratings. Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media  Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltani If you have a tip or a comment, please email us [email protected]

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• Why Netflix Is “Obsessed” With Winning an Oscar, with Puck’s Matt Belloni

  The 97th Academy Awards are this weekend, giving us a glimpse into the past and future of Hollywood and the entertainment industry. For an insider’s take on the state of the business and how the Academy works, Ben and Max bring on Matt Belloni, founding partner of Puck and host of The Town podcast. They talk about Netflix’s Oscars strategy with Emilia Pérez, the disconnect between the Academy’s interests and what happens on stage, and why the Oscars still matter in 2025. They also discuss if Hollywood will take a rightward turn with the culture, Matt’s own career from behind the scenes at the Hollywood Reporter to now being recognized for his voice, and his predictions for this weekend’s awards. Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media  Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltani If you have a tip or a comment, please email us [email protected]

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• How Fox Is Embracing the Creator Economy, with Red Seat’s Chris Balfe

  This week, a big story of media consolidation – and one that devoted Mixed Signals listeners would have seen coming: Fox announced that it has acquired Red Seat Ventures, the digital media company that produces and markets the podcasts of several big names in conservative media, including Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, and Bill O’Reilly. Ben and Max bring on Red Seat’s co-founder, Chris Balfe, to talk about the acquisition, how Piers Morgan brokered the deal, how Fox Corp. will deal with empowered creators, and what it all means for the future of media. Sign up for Semafor Media’s Sunday newsletter: https://www.semafor.com/newsletters/media  Find us on X: @semaforben, @maxwelltani If you have a tip or a comment, please email us [email protected]

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