ScreenME Podcast

Hosted by Ulrike Rohn

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Latest episode

Sep 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The ScreenME Podcast is all about entrepreneurship, particularly within the creative and media industry. Through her accessible, easy-to-understand approach, the host, Ulrike Rohn, engages in captivating conversations with individuals who bring inspiration and knowledge to the world of entrepreneurship, including start-up entrepreneurs and those dedicated to teaching the entrepreneurial mindset. Hailing from Tallinn University, where Ulrike Rohn is Professor of Media Management and Media Economics, this podcasts caters to both students and teachers in the creative field and the media. For university students, the ScreenME Podcast offers a platform to learn from inspiring role models who share their unique journeys into startup entrepreneurship. Some of these guests are recent graduates, providing relatable and practical insights for those embarking on their entrepreneurial endeavors. For university lecturers and teachers, the ScreenME Podcast serves as a valuable resource to glean experiences, insights, and tricks for facilitating and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset in students. Tune in to explore the multifaceted world of entrepreneurship through engaging conversations that transcend the boundaries of academia and industry. The ScreenME Podcast is brought to you by Tallinn University and it's Baltic Film Media and Arts School (BFM) and made possible through the EU-funded Horizon 2020 project on Screen Media Entrepreneurship, ''ScreenME'' (no 952156).

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37 recent

September 15, 202643 min

#37: Rethinking journalism around people’s needs. A talk with Olli Seuri (co-founder of Uusi Juttu, Finland)

In this episode of the ScreenME Podcast, Ulrike Rohn has a conversation with journalist, academic and media entrepreneur Olli Seuri who shares what it takes to build a new kind of digital news organisation. Drawing on his experience as co-founder and editor-in-chief of Uusi Juttu in Finland, he explores why audiences are increasingly frustrated with clickbait, information overload and distant forms of journalism—and why the future may lie in human-to-human media, fewer but more relevant stories, transparency, and stronger relationships with members. The conversation also covers entrepreneurship, audience engagement, media routines and advice for the next generation of journalists. Key quotes “ We could actually serve people better with less content than with more content.” “We try to have the news experience, but told human to human.” “What is it that I could build that could be important to people in their everyday lives?” Olli Seuri is the editor-in-chief and co-founder of Uusi Juttu. He is an award-winning journalist and an academic, who has authored books on journalism practice and the media environment. During the 2019–2020 academic year, Seuri served as a professor of practice in journalism at Tampere University, and in 2022 he was a visiting scholar at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. Keywords journalism, media innovation, digital media, media entrepreneurship, audience engagement, human-to-human media, future of journalism, news avoidance, trust in media, membership model, subscription media, media startups, clickbait, information overload, audience needs, media management, professional journalism, podcasting, Uusi Juttu Host: Ulrike Rohn Sound: Tanel Kadalipp (episode 1-14), Sangam Panta (episode 15 - https://bfmentrepreneurhub.tlu.ee/screenme-podcast/

August 7, 202644 min

#36: Female entrepreneurship, different images of entrepreneurs, and the role of secondary-school teachers. A talk with Celine Maerz (University of Potsdam, Germany)

In this episode of the ScreenME Podcast, Ulrike Rohn speaks with Celine Maerz about entrepreneurship education, gender gaps, and the beliefs held by students and teachers about entrepreneurship. They discuss whether the term “female entrepreneurship” is useful for making inequalities visible or whether it unintentionally presents male entrepreneurship as the norm. Celine also explains why familiar role models such as Elon Musk and Steve Jobs continue to dominate young people’s understanding of entrepreneurship, and why entrepreneurship education needs to introduce a much broader range of founders, business models, and entrepreneurial pathways. The conversation explores the limits of the “entrepreneurial mindset” concept, the importance of structural conditions, and the potential of schools to encourage agency, creativity, autonomy, and intrapreneurship. Drawing on her research in Germany and observations from a study visit to Estonia, Celine argues for closer cooperation between schools, entrepreneurs, and businesses—while ensuring that entrepreneurship education remains inclusive, reflective, and context-sensitive. About Celine Maerz Celine Maerz is a research associate at the University of Potsdam at the Chair of Economic Education. In her doctoral research, she investigates students’ and teachers’ beliefs about entrepreneurship and gender. Her work examines how entrepreneurship is understood in educational contexts, which role models influence young people’s ideas about entrepreneurs, and how students and teachers interpret gender inequalities in entrepreneurship. She is particularly interested in connecting perspectives from entrepreneurship research with educational didactics and in exploring how schools can foster autonomy, agency, creativity, and entrepreneurial action without overlooking structural inequalities. Celine also works with teacher-training students and has examined the experiences of teachers and secondary-school students participating in entrepreneurship competitions in Germany. Keywords Entrepreneurship education; female entrepreneurship; gender gaps; gender and entrepreneurship; entrepreneurial mindset; economic education; teacher education; student beliefs; teacher beliefs; entrepreneurship role models; startup culture; venture capital; self-efficacy; risk-taking; structural inequality; social entrepreneurship; intrapreneurship; school innovation; entrepreneurship competitions; youth entrepreneurship; educational didactics; Estonia; Germany Host: Ulrike Rohn Sound: Tanel Kadalipp (episode 1-14), Sangam Panta (episode 15 - https://bfmentrepreneurhub.tlu.ee/screenme-podcast/

June 12, 202637 min

#35: Navigating different roles and experiences: Film student, film producer, startup founder. A talk with Lennart Mathias Männik (co-founder SetVox, BFM alumnus)

In this episode of ScreenME, Ulrike Rohn speaks with Estonian film producer and SetVox co-founder Lennart Mathias Männik about the connections between filmmaking, creative education, and startup entrepreneurship. Lennart reflects on his journey from studying Film Arts at Tallinn University's Baltic Film, Media and Arts School (BFM) to completing a Master’s degree in Culture Management at the University of Tartu, where his research examined the Estonian film industry’s challenges beyond funding, including work conditions, shared priorities, and the need for stronger dialogue between creative professionals and decision-makers. The conversation then turns to SetVox, a smart communication tool for professional film sets that was born not from a fixed business plan, but from a bootcamp experience at Jõhvi Ida Hub with former BFM coursemates. Lennart explains how the team moved from creative collaboration into the startup world, why film production and entrepreneurship may have more in common than they first appear, and how SetVox aims to reduce miscommunication on set by linking walkie-talkie systems with smart devices, live transcription, and clearer information flows. Lennart also discusses the mindset shift required when moving from the slower development cycles of film to the fast pace of startup incubation, the value of teamwork, and the role universities can play in preparing students for diverse creative careers. The episode offers practical insight into media entrepreneurship and shows how problems encountered in everyday film production can become the starting point for new tools, ventures, and ways of working. Key Quotes “The biggest takeaway from BFM has always been the people, the environment, and the possibilities to participate in different projects.” “Coming from a creative background, you always have to rethink your idea and revalidate it again and again. In startups, it works in a similar way.” “In filmmaking, development can take five to eight years. In startups, people ask where you will be in six months. That tempo is something I am still learning.” Lennart Mathias Männik is an Estonian film producer and graduate of the Baltic Film, Media and Arts School (BFM), whose work bridges creative vision with international collaboration. His short films Twin Turbo , Christmas Day , and Come Sit With Us have screened at renowned festivals including Camerimage, Black Nights Film Festival, Uppsala Short Film Festival and FilmFestival Cottbus. Lennart is known for combining a strong artistic sensibility with precise, strategic production leadership. He is particularly drawn to stories that explore connection, identity, and the human need to belong. His documentary Venice of the East premiered on Estonian National Television further expanding his work into the documentary field and national broadcast platforms. Keywords ScreenME, Lennart Mathias Männik, SetVox, BFM, Baltic Film Media and Arts School, film production, Estonian film industry, media entrepreneurship, startup, creative entrepreneurship, film technology, film set communication, walkie-talkie transcription, Tehnopol, Ida Hub, film accelerator, cultural management, University of Tartu, creative industries, audiovisual innovation Host: Ulrike Rohn Sound: Tanel Kadalipp (episode 1-14), Sangam Panta (episode 15 - https://bfmentrepreneurhub.tlu.ee/screenme-podcast/

June 3, 202629 min

#34: From banking to fan engagement: An entrepreneurial journey into interactive events. A talk with Ulf Thaler (founder and CEO of Kauri Spirit, Germany)

In this episode of the ScreenME podcast, Ulrike Rohn talks with Ulf Thaler, founder of Kauri Spirit, a virtual events marketing agency based in Erlangen, Germany. The conversation follows Ulf’s entrepreneurial journey from banking and corporate marketing to building interactive event experiences for sports, festivals, and brands. Ulf explains how his background in finance still shapes his work as an entrepreneur, especially when it comes to planning, budgeting, and measuring results. He also shares the story behind the name Kauri Spirit and reflects on how interactive tools such as live quizzes, QR-code activations, fan games, and digital voting can turn events into shared experiences. The episode explores why modern sports marketing needs to move beyond logos and traditional sponsorship visibility. Instead, Ulf argues for creating memorable moments, measurable fan engagement, and stronger relationships between brands, clubs, sponsors, and audiences. Host: Ulrike Rohn Sound: Tanel Kadalipp (episode 1-14), Sangam Panta (episode 15 - https://bfmentrepreneurhub.tlu.ee/screenme-podcast/

April 30, 202644 min

#33: Before startups: Building an entrepreneurial mindset in children. A talk with Olesja Rotar (Avatud Kool, Estonia)

What does entrepreneurship look like before startups even enter the picture ? In this episode of the ScreenMe Podcast, Ulrike Rohn speaks with Olesja Rotar to explore how an entrepreneurial mindset begins to form in childhood. Moving away from the usual focus on startups, universities, and ecosystems, this conversation goes back to the very beginning: curiosity, initiative, and the ability to notice problems in everyday life. Drawing on her experience running a business club for school kids at Avatud Kool (starting from first grade) in Tallinn, Estonia, Olesja challenges the idea that entrepreneurship is about money or scaling ventures. Instead, she shows how children can develop entrepreneurial thinking through small, real-life actions. Asking “why”, taking initiative, managing time, and learning from failure are at the core of this early mindset. The episode also reflects on the realities of raising and teaching children today: constant entertainment, reduced intrinsic motivation, and the role of parents and teachers in either enabling or limiting independence. Through examples ranging from Lego case studies to student-led projects, Olesja illustrates how meaningful, hands-on experiences can help children connect ideas to the real world. This episode reframes entrepreneurship not as a career path, but as a way of thinking and acting long before any startup is founded. Key quotes “If you see a problem and do something about it, that’s already entrepreneurship.” “Entrepreneurship is not always about big money and fame.” Bio Olesja Rotar is an educator and project manager specialising in entrepreneurship education and knowledge transfer. She studied public administration and political science at Tallinn University, with a focus on economics, advertising, and imagology. She began her career as an investigative journalist at Äripäev’s Russian-language edition, Delovye Vedomosti , before joining Tallinn University, where she spent over a decade working at the intersection of academia, industry, and public sector collaboration. As part of her work, Olesja contributed to numerous international initiatives, including the INTERREG project Startup Passion in the Baltic Sea Region , where she managed trainings and hackathons for students across Estonia, Latvia, and Finland. For the past seven years, she has led extracurricular commercial activities at Avatud Kool in Tallinn (grades 1 - 9), developing and managing after-school programmes. Motivated by a gap in the school curriculum, she founded a student business club, giving young learners hands-on experience in entrepreneurship through real-life projects such as student-run coffee shops. Keywords entrepreneurship education, children, entrepreneurial mindset, project-based learning, curiosity, initiative, problem-solving, early education, business skills, startups vs entrepreneurship, motivation, learning by doing, creativity, failure and resilience, real-world learning, youth development Host: Ulrike Rohn Sound: Tanel Kadalipp (episode 1-14), Sangam Panta (episode 15 - https://bfmentrepreneurhub.tlu.ee/screenme-podcast/

April 2, 202654 min

#32: Student entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial mindsets at university. A talk with Anette Kairikko (Turku University of Applied Sciences, Finland) and Merle Levassor (Tallinn University, Estonia)

In this episode of the ScreenME Podcast, Ulrike Rohn is joined by Anette Kairikko from Turku University of Applied Sciences in Finland and Merle Levassor from Tallinn University in Estonia. Together, they explore what student entrepreneurship really means today. The conversation takes a broad view of student entrepreneurship, going far beyond start-ups and company creation. The guests discuss entrepreneurial mindsets, learning environments, and how universities can support students who engage in entrepreneurial activities alongside their studies. Drawing on a recent collaborative research project in Estonia and Finland, they reflect on students’ motivations, challenges, support structures and skill needs. The episode highlights the importance of experiential and interdisciplinary learning, mentoring, peer networks, and institutional flexibility. It also addresses wellbeing, workload and burnout risks among highly active students, the role of international and regional ecosystems in small markets, and how universities can better recognise learning that takes place outside the classroom. Overall, the episode offers practical and policy-relevant insights for universities that want to strengthen entrepreneurial education, support student entrepreneurs, and embed entrepreneurial competences across disciplines. Key quotes “Student entrepreneurship should be seen as a wider phenomenon – not only as starting a company, but as engaging in entrepreneurial activities and learning environments.” “Traditional lecture-based or business-plan-heavy teaching approaches were frequently described as outdated or demotivating by student entrepreneurs.” “Mentoring is one of the key elements in supporting student entrepreneurship.” “Interdisciplinarity is essential – innovation flourishes when people from different backgrounds work together.” “Study time is a perfect moment to try, test and even fail in a safe environment.” Bios Anette Kairikko (PhD) works as a Principal lecturer at Turku University of Applied Sciences and leads the Research group Entrepreneurship and value creation. Her research interests cover many facets of entrepreneurship including SME growth and innovation, entrepreneurial ecosystems, sustainable value creation, and entrepreneurship education. She has 25 + years of versatile experience from business and entrepreneurship. In addition to research and development projects, she has long experience of lecturing at higher education and being a practitioner in large and small companies including start-ups. Merle Levassor works as a Coordinator of Entrepreneurship Studies supporting the staff and students of Tallinn University interested in entrepreneurial activities and recently launched the universitys' first first pre-incubation programme. Additionally, she is pursuing her doctoral degree in Political Sciences in the School of Governance, Law and Society both at Tallinn University. The topics she is focusing on professionally are impact entrepreneurship and impact measurement, social innovation and social economy, and civil society engagement in policymaking. She has previously worked as a junior researcher on a European Commission project SoFiMa that mapped the investment needs and readiness of Estonian impact enterprises and is now working alongside many of the same partner organisations to develop a national competence center for social innovation in Estonia under a project of The European Social Innovation Alliance (ESIA) co-funded by the European Union as part of the European Social Fund (ESF+ Social Innovation+ Initiative). Host: Ulrike Rohn Sound: Tanel Kadalipp (episode 1-14), Sangam Panta (episode 15 - https://bfmentrepreneurhub.tlu.ee/screenme-podcast/

March 3, 202647 min

#31: What is entrepreneurial foresight? A talk with Ksenija Djuricic (EM Strasbourg Business School, France)

In this episode, Ulrike Rohn talks with Ksenija Djuricic, an expert in entrepreneurship and foresight. They discuss the concept of entrepreneurial foresight, emphasizing its importance as a learned competence that combines deep and broad knowledge. The conversation explores how entrepreneurs can build future-oriented visions, the significance of contextual knowledge, and the role of weak signals in identifying trends. Ksenija shares insights from her experiences working with various entrepreneurs, and from her research, highlighting the differences between novice and expert entrepreneurs, and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating a complex and uncertain world. Some takeaways Entrepreneurial foresight is a learned competence. Deep and broad knowledge are essential for entrepreneurs. Contextual knowledge influences future-oriented vision. Teaching entrepreneurship should focus on contextual knowledge. Especially novice entrepreneurs rely on external knowledge sources. Foresight tools are often used unconsciously by entrepreneurs. Learning from experience is crucial in entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs must be adaptable and open to change. Some quotes “Entrepreneurial foresight is an individual competence; it is something that can be learned.” “When you are highly experienced, this deep and broad knowledge allows you to see what we call, in future studies, weak signals.” Bio Ksenija Djuricic is Associate Professor specializing in entrepreneurship, foresight, and strategy at EM Strasbourg Business School, University of Strasbourg, France. In 2022, she obtained a double doctoral degree from the University of Strasbourg, France (Ph.D.) and the University of Turku, Finland (Sc.D.). Prior to embarking on my graduate and postgraduate studies, she engaged in collaborations with foreign and local investors and entrepreneurs, which contributed to the initiation and development of new entrepreneurial projects in Serbia. Keywords entrepreneurship, foresight, knowledge, future thinking, systems thinking, deep knowledge, broad knowledge, entrepreneurial mindset, decision making, weak signals Host: Ulrike Rohn Sound: Tanel Kadalipp (episode 1-14), Sangam Panta (episode 15 - https://bfmentrepreneurhub.tlu.ee/screenme-podcast/

February 3, 202639 min

#30: Sync Happens: Building a platform for fairer music licensing. A talk with Alice Kattago (co-founder of SyncHub, Estonia)

In this episode of the ScreenME Podcast, host Ulrike Rohn talk to Alice Kattago, alumna of Tallinn University's BFM and co-founder of SyncHub, a platform aiming to make music licensing simpler, faster, and more transparent. Starting from her journey through music publishing, artist management, and pan-European music industry research, Alice explains what music sync actually is—and why licensing music for film, advertising, games, and other audiovisual media is still such a painful process. The conversation explores how SyncHub emerged from firsthand industry frustration, how platform thinking and network effects shape creative markets, and why pricing, rights clearance, and trust remain major bottlenecks. Alice and Ulrike also dive into the big, unresolved questions around AI-generated music, human creativity, and ownership—raising fundamental questions about value, authenticity, and the future of the music industry. Key Takeaways Music sync is everywhere—but poorly understood Complexity pushes buyers toward generic solutions SyncHub fixes coordination problems AI music blurs boundaries fast Entrepreneurship is about persistence, not just ideas Keywords music sync · music licensing · creative industries · platforms · entrepreneurship · music tech · copyright · pricing · AI-generated music · network effects · creative markets · BFM alumni · startup journeys · cultural value · rights management Key Quote '' It really helps to be around other founders and mentors who are realistic about both the rewards and challenges." About Alice Kattago Alice Kattago is the co-founder of SyncHub, a platform that brings together music buyers and music sellers, facilitating the entire licensing process. She has a background in sync, music publishing and artist management, and is currently also a research coordinator for pan-European projects European Music Exporters Exchange and Europe in Synch. She is also an alumna of BFM with an MA in Communication Management. www.synchub.ee Host: Ulrike Rohn Sound: Tanel Kadalipp (episode 1-14), Sangam Panta (episode 15 - https://bfmentrepreneurhub.tlu.ee/screenme-podcast/

January 12, 202642 min

#29: Influencers as entrepreneurs. A talk with Christian Zabel (TH Köln, Germany)

In this episode of the Screen Meet podcast, Ulrike Rohn interviews Christian Zabel about the evolving landscape of influencers as entrepreneurs. They discuss the changes in influencer operations over the years, the unique characteristics that differentiate influencers from traditional entrepreneurs, and the key competencies required for success in this field. The conversation also touches on the importance of market knowledge, the role of AI in the influencer economy, and what should be taught to aspiring influencers in educational settings. Takeaways Influencers have evolved from video creators to significant market players. The influencer market is driven by personal branding and creativity. Understanding the marketplace is crucial for aspiring influencers. Dynamic capabilities are essential for adapting to changes in the influencer economy. AI is transforming content production but may increase competition. Market orientation is more important than technical skills for influencers. Creativity alone does not guarantee success in the influencer space. Influencers must balance authenticity with commercial interests. Teaching entrepreneurial skills is vital for future media professionals. The influencer economy is rapidly changing, requiring constant adaptation. Keywords influencers, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, media industry, dynamic capabilities, creative industries, influencer marketing, AI in media Christian Zabel is Professor for Innovation and Corporate Management at TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences since 2016. His research focuses on the digital transformation of media companies, production and distribution of digital media and on the development of digital markets and ecosystems (including streaming services, VR, influencer marketing and online advertising). He regularly publishes in internationally renowned journals, including Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Journal of Media Economics or European Journal of Innovation Management. Previously, he headed the product management of t-online.de , Germany’s largest online publisher. From 2008 to 2012 he was executive assistant to Deutsche Telekom’s CEO René Obermann, overseeing strategic cooperation with the media industry. Christian Zabel studied journalism in Dortmund and Brussels and political science at Sciences-Po Paris (IEP). His doctoral thesis focused on the innovation competition in the German television production sector. Host: Ulrike Rohn Sound: Tanel Kadalipp (episode 1-14), Sangam Panta (episode 15 - https://bfmentrepreneurhub.tlu.ee/screenme-podcast/

December 8, 202540 min

# 28: Translating between academia and industry. A talk with Ermo Säks (Tallinn University's BFM, Estonia)

In this episode of the ScreenME Podcast, host Ulrike Rohn speaks with Ermo Säks , a PhD researcher at BFM and member of Tallinn University’s EXU (Enterprise x University) team, who brings nearly two decades of entrepreneurial and television-production experience into the academic world. Together, they explore why entrepreneurship education is becoming increasingly important for media students, drawing on examples such as the FilmEU Challenge and teaching practices at BFM. The conversation dives into the broader question of why collaboration between academia and industry matters —not only with private sector companies but also with public and third-sector organisations. Ermo reflects on EU-level expectations that push universities toward stronger engagement with society and shares insights from his work with the MINT cluster , discussing how open researchers and companies truly are to collaboration, what bottlenecks persist, and what solutions might help bridge the gap. With his background as a long-time TV producer, founder and CEO of a production company, director of major Estonian TV shows, and former entrepreneur in retail, Ermo offers a rare dual perspective. He describes how his career across sectors positions him as a kind of “translator” between academia and industry—someone who understands both worlds and sees the potential for innovation when they meet. Key Quotes “Media innovation doesn't happen in isolation—it happens when people from different worlds start building things together.” “Entrepreneurial skills are no longer optional in the creative industries; they are part of how people navigate uncertainty.” “Universities have an incredible role to play in bridging research with practice, but we have to build these bridges deliberately.” “My work sits right between academia, media, and entrepreneurship—and that’s exactly where exciting things happen.” “Students don’t just need knowledge; they need the confidence and mindset to experiment, collaborate, and create impact.” Keywords Media entrepreneurship, Creative industries, Innovation ecosystems, University–industry collaboration, Entrepreneurial mindset, R&D partnerships, Academic–industry interfaces, Hybrid careers, Estonia, EXU (Entrepreneurship & Innovation) Host: Ulrike Rohn Sound: Tanel Kadalipp (episode 1-14), Sangam Panta (episode 15 - https://bfmentrepreneurhub.tlu.ee/screenme-podcast/

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