Perpetual

Hosted by Adam Ryan, A Workweek Friend

BusinessInterviews guests

RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2024

Language

About the show

The world of Media is moving faster and faster. Media executives have more to process than ever before and need to know what’s working today, while keeping pulse on tomorrow. Perpetual peels back the curtain on what media executives are doing to stay at the top of their game, combined with rigorous predictions on the future. Hosted by Adam Ryan, Co-Founder and CEO of Workweek, the show zooms in on how executives are executing their playbooks. Guests are world-class at what they do, coming from companies like 6AM City, Dirt, and Semafor, so join Adam as he gets into the weeds of how they deliver. You’ll get to know the media they’re consuming as well as the challenges they’re working through. Here’s what to expect. We’ll get into the trends our guests have been taking advantage of and how they’ve impacted their business. You’ll also hear which companies are currently flying under the radar, and who you need to keep an eye on over the next 12 months. Adam also jumps in with tear down commentary episodes reflecting on his guests’ key takeaways, and on breaking news in the media industry. Perpetual gives you practical playbooks and thoughtful predictions on what lies just around the corner in the industry that you won’t want to miss. It’s time to get ahead of the curve. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 7, 202425 min

How DoStuff Media Solved the "What to Do" Dilemma

What are you doing tonight? Say hello to the company that made the line, “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” fall out of fashion. Adam talks to Scott Owens, Founder and CEO of DoStuff Media, about the art of creating an event media empire. Scott explains how DoStuff Media started in Austin and expanded to over 22 cities, tackling local events and entertainment options for people who are, well… just looking for stuff to do. Scott shares how his journey of perseverance, strategy, and execution over the past 15 years transformed his business from event promotions to a successful consumer-based subscription model. How does DoStuff continue to grow and thrive in an increasingly crowded market? Tune in to find out exactly how Scott managed to conquer the challenges DoStuff Media faced, the opportunities he seized, and all of the valuable lessons he learned along the way. 00:00:01 - CEO Shares Secrets to Success 00:00:58 - Helping People Find Weekend Activities 00:02:22 - Starting Local Event Discovery Company Expansion 00:04:35 - Diversifying Revenue Streams for Success 00:07:35 - MDC Launches Subscription Service for Concert Tickets 00:14:21 - Mixing Humility with High Ambition 00:22:04 - Expanding Strategy in New Markets Want to get into it further? Follow Adam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamRy_n and sign up for the Perpetual newsletter, where he dives deeper into media: https://workweek.com/brand/perpetual And if you love listening to Perpetual please leave a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/mediamoves Thank you so much!

May 1, 202435 min

Crypto Expert Jarrod Dicker on the Future of Subscription-Based Media

NFTs, blockchain, and web3, oh my! If money never sleeps—then crypto has so much caffeine coursing through its veins, that it literally couldn't sleep even if it tried. But you still have to. So as a media company, how can you keep up with the rollercoaster ride that is crypto? Meet crypto expert Jarrod Dicker, lead partner and creator of TCG Crypto and former VP of Commercial at The Washington Post. Jarrod chats with Adam about the unique challenges of the crypto market and explains why it’s revolutionizing the way consumers are spending money on content. How are newer, more innovative subscription models paving the way for exciting changes in the news media industry? Adam and Jarrod discuss how the intersection of journalism and crypto is creating radically different ways of digital content consumption—and what this means for content-first companies. Tune in now, sleep soundly later. 00:00:00 - Life's Pivotal Moments in Blogging 00:00:47 - Unique Journey from Journalism to Crypto 00:11:04 - Navigating the Swings of Crypto 00:14:43 - Reimagining Subscription Models with Crypto 00:16:40 - Innovating Subscription Models for Creators 00:21:17 - Navigating the Crypto Landscape for Consumers 00:25:22 - Crypto's Rise as Core Focus 00:29:06 - Scaling Struggles in the Crypto Industry 00:31:05 - Future of AI and Crypto Follow Jarrod: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarroddicker/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jarroddicker Want to get into it further? Follow Adam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamRy_n and sign up for the Perpetual newsletter, where he dives deeper into media: https://workweek.com/brand/perpetual And if you love listening to Perpetual please leave a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/mediamoves Thank you so much!

April 24, 202443 min

Car Dealership Guy Steps Out of Anonymity and Into a New Era

Meet the anonymous man behind the revolutionary Twitter account that’s making the automotive industry more transparent than ever before. That's right—Yossi Levi’s finally stepping out of the shadows of anonymity and sitting down with Adam to share his personal experience and insights into the automotive industry. From starting an anonymous account to unveiling his personal story and building a strong following, Yossi discusses the challenges and successes he encountered along the way. Yossi and Adam chat about the importance of content market fit and monetization strategies and explain how building leverage and support early on is essential to staying afloat in the creator economy. They also explore the value of offering unique insights and content, the power of building relationships with influential voices, and the potential for growth in the B2B automotive media space. Learn how to navigate the ever-changing landscape of content creation and audience engagement—tune in now! 00:00:49 - Car Business Prodigy Transforms Industry 00:06:44 - Twitter Account Growth 00:10:44 - Finding Content Market Fit Quickly 00:13:30 - Reinventing Car Dealership Personas with Unique Content 00:19:00 - How to Engage High-Power Audiences 00:19:54 - Unveiling the Story Behind a Podcast Launch 00:25:05 - Impact of Timing on Video Distribution 00:26:18 - Building Relationships: Key to Launch Success 00:29:38 - Building Leverage Early for Success 00:36:08 - Monetization Strategy for an Insights-Driven Brand 00:39:43 - Establishing Accountability Through Customer Base 00:44:36 - Focusing on Long-Term Growth Strategies Want to get into it further? Follow Adam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamRy_n and sign up for the Perpetual newsletter, where he dives deeper into media: https://workweek.com/brand/perpetual And if you love listening to Perpetual please leave a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/mediamoves Thank you so much!

March 27, 202427 min

How 6AM City Became the Nation’s Fastest-Growing Newsletter-First Local Media Company

How does the co-founder of the nation’s fastest-growing newsletter-first media company think about scaling, investing, and running a local media company? Adam sits down with Ryan Heafy, the CEO of 6AM City, to discuss the ins and outs of local media and the challenges and opportunities it presents. Ryan shares how his passion for the local economic development of communities led him to create 6AM City and how the community-led newsletter managed to capture a sustainable local revenue source in the process. What are his top strategies for increasing LTV? How does Ryan think about advertising? And what’s the true importance of geolocation when selling? Tune in to learn how 6AM City is revolutionizing the local media landscape and what the future holds for the industry. 00:00:28 - Capitalizing on Local Pride Through Newsletters 00:04:14 - Expanding Into New Cities 00:06:42 - How Locals Sell Their City 00:08:30 - Staffing Sales Teams for Regional Growth 00:11:19 - Deciding When to Divest from a City 00:14:26 - Rapid Expansion Teaches Valuable Lessons 00:16:56 - Strategic Partnership with Tegna Announced 00:22:57 - Success Secrets 00:26:46 - Exciting Media Changes in Next 5 Years Learn More About 6am City: Website: https://6amcity.com Follow Ryan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanheafy/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ryanheafy Want to get into it further? Follow Adam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamRy_n and sign up for the Perpetual newsletter, where he dives deeper into media: https://workweek.com/brand/perpetual And if you love listening to Perpetual please leave a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/mediamoves Thank you so much!

March 20, 202441 min

How to Build a $300 Million SaaS Company, with Craig Fuller, CEO of FreightWaves

Discover the fascinating story behind FreightWaves and its founder, Craig Fuller, who scaled the niche media company into one of the most authoritative voices in the supply chain industry. Craig shares insights into the challenges of running a founder-driven business and the importance of building relationships with direct revenue. What was the process of venture funding like for Freighwaves, and how does he think about go-to-market strategy, valuation, and investor exits? Craig also discusses the unique content-supported X model and the value of an engaged media audience with purchasing power. Learn about the company's growth strategies, including acquisitions and the split between its media and SaaS businesses. Don't miss out on Craig's thoughts on the future of the media ecosystem and the power of content in the coming decade. 00:03:16 - Splitting Media Business to Maximize Valuation 00:08:23 - Using Negative CACs for Product Success 00:09:31 - Separating Data and Media Businesses 00:12:37 - Founders' Reluctance to Sell Businesses 00:14:39 - Leveraging Content to Boost Sales 00:16:06 - Creating Editorial Authenticity in Media 00:21:21 - Print Publication: A Hidden Gem 00:26:34 - Founder Concerns on Print Publications 00:35:16 - Managing Weekly Executive Reports Efficiently 00:36:23 - Firecrown Acquires Marine Aviation Supply 00:37:31 - Managing Teams: An Entrepreneur's Challenge Learn More About Freightwaves: Website: https://www.freightwaves.com Follow Craig: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/incab/ Want to get into it further? Follow Adam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamRy_n and sign up for the Perpetual newsletter, where he dives deeper into media: https://workweek.com/brand/perpetual And if you love listening to Perpetual please leave a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/mediamoves Thank you so much!

March 13, 202420 min

A Candid Conversation with One of Sports’ Fastest-Growing Media Companies, with Adam White of Front Office Sports

Think sports media is mainstream? Meet the company that believes sports media isn’t nearly mainstream enough. It’s Adam v. Adam as Adam White, CEO and founder of Front Office Sports drops by the pod to discuss the future of sports media and reveal how FSO is creating a unique and engaging media experience by merging the brand with the power of its team’s individual personalities. Adam breaks down FSO’s key business pillars and explains their play-by-play approach to thinking about commercial opportunities beyond just advertising. How do they manage to navigate the niche media market? And how does FSO think about valuation when raising money? Don’t miss out on this jam-packed conversation with one of sports media’s fastest-growing companies. 00:00:32 - Making Sports Mainstream: A Vision 00:05:25 - Axios's Audience Strategy Evolution Explained 00:08:36 - Pricing Out Partners with Rapid Growth 00:13:56 - Media Founders' Partnership Flexibility and Growth 00:22:37 - Consider Valuation When Raising Money 00:28:11 - Future of Niche Media Publications 00:35:29 - Brands Serving Prosumer Consumers Trend Check Out Front Office Sports: Website: https://frontofficesports.com Follow Adam White: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-white-85ab4389/ Want to get into it further? Follow Adam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamRy_n and sign up for the Perpetual newsletter, where he dives deeper into media: https://workweek.com/brand/perpetual And if you love listening to Perpetual please leave a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/mediamoves Thank you so much!

March 6, 202438 min

The YouTuber Who Scaled Epic Gardening into a $27 Million Empire

How did the internet’s most successful gardening content creator go from homesteading in his backyard to garnering a multi-million dollar investment deal? Kevin Espiritu, founder of Epic Gardening, chats with Adam about building an ecosystem of content and finding ways to focus on the core pillars of your business that matter most. Learn how Kevin’s passion for gardening grew into an entrepreneurial endeavor of epic proportions as he explains how he successfully scaled Epic Gardening from a backyard business to a multi-million dollar empire. How did understanding the value of authentic content creation fuel his success? And how did his unique team of gardening creators help pave the way for Epic Gardening’s future growth? Kevin explores the importance of following the strengths of your creators to guide the business process before diving into the challenges of scaling products and the nuances of navigating business/influencer relationships. 00:00:48 - From Blog to Product Success 00:08:00 – Epic Gardening’s Massive Growth 00:11:28 – Operating as a Content-First Companies 00:13:40 - Creating Brands Through Diverse Creators 00:19:15 - Building a Talent Network Ecosystem 00:22:32 - Podcast Theme: Content of Commerce 00:29:55 - Assessing Growth Against Home Improvement 00:35:08 - Exciting Industry Trends in Content Learn More About Epic Gardening: Website: https://www.epicgardening.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/epicgardening YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/EpicGardening Follow Kevin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinespiritu Want to get into it further? Follow Adam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamRy_n and sign up for the Perpetual newsletter, where he dives deeper into media: https://workweek.com/brand/perpetual And if you love listening to Perpetual please leave a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/mediamoves Thank you so much!

February 28, 202448 min

The Secret Formula to Building an Authentic, Niche Media Empire, with Michael Bosstick

Discover the secrets to building a successful media network and one of the largest female marketplaces in audio with Michael Bosstick, CEO of Dear Media. In this episode, Michael shares his insights on managing hybrid environments, the importance of authenticity in media, and the value of niche content. Learn how Dear Media has navigated the changing landscape of consumer attention and why consistency is key in podcasting. Michael also discusses the role of culture in talent selection and the future of brands as content businesses. How do sponsorships often degrade the value and authenticity of content and how can businesses ensure creators are given the proper tools to remain authentic to their original vision? Tune in to gain valuable knowledge and stay ahead in the world of media and marketing. 00:00:00 - Brands Must Embrace Content Marketing 00:01:08 - How the Dear Media Podcast Network Drives Engagement 00:12:24 - Prioritizing Content Creation for Podcast Success 00:18:13 - Navigating Political Correctness in Media 00:24:18 - When Brands Are Slow to Adapt to Consumer Attention Shifts 00:25:35 - Short vs. Long Form Audiences 00:32:47 - Turning Away Creators: Building Brand Value 00:35:45 - Identifying Talent: Culture Comes First 00:41:17 - Building a Modern Media Business 00:47:08 - Master Class in Building a Season Want to get into it further? Follow Adam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamRy_n and sign up for the Perpetual newsletter, where he dives deeper into media: https://workweek.com/brand/perpetual And if you love listening to Perpetual please leave a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/mediamoves Thank you so much!

February 21, 202434 min

Print Media Isn’t Dead, with Community Impact CEO John Garrett

Discover the story behind Community Impact, a hyperlocal news source distributing information by print and email to millions of local residents in the Austin area. John Garrett, the founder of Community Impact, chats with Adam about his entrepreneurial journey and the critical moments that shaped the business. John shares why risk-taking is essential to starting any business, the importance of selling upfront ads, and how the company's unique distribution cadence led it down the path of sustainability. How is Community Impact managing to succeed in the fledgling industry of digital and print news? Tune in to find out exactly how Community Impact has achieved success without raising outside capital and what their unique vision for the future of the news industry entails. 00:00:02 - John's Gratitude for Industry Contributions 00:00:13 - Starting a Community Impact Business 00:05:17 - Bootstrap Founder's $39,000 Success Story 00:06:18 - Smart Business Growth Through Risk-Taking 00:11:59 - Geographic Strategy: The Game of Risk 00:17:32 - Dallas Morning News Grows Subscriber Base 00:24:37 - Approaching Business Differently: Revenue Strategy 00:26:59 - Balancing Regional and Corporate Costs 00:31:29 - Exciting Industry Evolution in Five Years Learn More About Community Impact: Website: https://communityimpact.com Follow John: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jpgarrett/ Want to get into it further? Follow Adam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamRy_n and sign up for the Perpetual newsletter, where he dives deeper into media: https://workweek.com/brand/perpetual And if you love listening to Perpetual please leave a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/mediamoves Thank you so much!

February 14, 202439 min

The Power of Podcasting: How Wildcatters is Building the Next Generation of Energy Professionals, with Collin Mclelland

Meet the man responsible for giving the oil and gas industry a much-needed reboot. Collin Mclellan drops by the pod to chat with Adam about how he’s changing the way the world thinks about energy, starting with his company, Digital Wildcatters, a community-based organization dedicated to connecting energy workers to other professionals. Collin shares how Digital Wildcatters is building a community through content and why his brand is hedging its bets on the power of authentic storytelling. Discover the scrappy strategies Digital Wildcatters used to make it to the forefront of the oil and gas industry, the unique challenges they faced raising funds during the Pandemic, and what Collin believes the future of vertical professional networks has in store for their company. Plus, what is Adam most excited about for the future of the energy industry in the next five years? Tune in to gain a fresh new perspective on one of the world’s most influential industries. 00:00:39 - Fresh Perspectives on Oil, Gas, and Media Industries 00:01:38 - Building a Community of Energy Professionals 00:03:56 - The Power of Starting a Podcast 00:05:27 - Content vs. Media Strategy Success 00:13:23 - Building a Media Company Through Events 00:14:23 - Accelerating Energy Professionals' Careers Amidst Covid 00:20:35 - Collide: Knowledge Sharing for Energy Professionals 00:27:39 - Digital Wildcatters: The Future of Media 00:30:10 - Building Community vs. Creating Audience 00:37:21 - The Future of Media: Vertical Communities with Digital and Real-Life Elements Follow Collin: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-mclelland/ Website: https://digitalwildcatters.com/?utm_campaign=linkedin_landing&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin Want to get into it further? Follow Adam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdamRy_n and sign up for the Perpetual newsletter, where he dives deeper into media: https://workweek.com/brand/perpetual And if you love listening to Perpetual please leave a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/mediamoves Thank you so much!