Paul Snow

"There's really nothing wrong with ad-supported TV. If anything, it actually makes it more accessible to many more users." In our lated TVREV Thought Leaders Circle video, Ventura TV OS VP Rob Caruso talks about why we're seeing a return to ad-supported TV, why that's a good thing for many people and how to ensure that the ad experience is far superior to the one people remember.

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I’ve been diving into recent 2026 predictions regarding how AI and advertising are set to dominate global content consumption. It’s a fascinating shift, but it forces me to ask: Where does Africa fit into this new blueprint? Currently, while the world moves toward sophisticated AI-driven models, traditional TV advertising remains the giant in Nigeria and across the continent. I truly believe there is a massive opportunity for platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix to adapt. By adopting ad-supported models (AVOD) specifically for the African market, they could significantly lower subscription barriers and meet the audience where they are. I am incredibly hopeful for the future of our creator economy. My goal is to see African creators not just participating, but headlining international streamers and dominating FAST channels globally. What are your thoughts? Is an ad-supported model the key to scaling streaming in Africa? 🌍🎬 https://lnkd.in/dbVUpZxM #ContentDistribution #Nollywood #StreamingServices #AfricaCreatorEconomy #DigitalTransformation #2026Predictions

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Leadership has an interesting rhythm. Strong teams build momentum, industries evolve, and occasionally you get the chance to add someone new who helps the whole organization see the next set of possibilities. Roku’s ad business is growing quickly, thanks to a group of smart, competitive leaders who have built something real and durable. As Variety recently noted, we've become one of the most influential players in the sector. When that’s the foundation, bringing in someone new is about elevating what we have, adding perspective, and opening the door to the next wave of opportunity. That’s why I’m pleased to welcome Patrick Harris as our new Head of Global Media Revenue. Patrick and I first met over a cup of coffee and spent most of the conversation talking about life, values, the media business, and how companies working closely with partners actually execute meaningful outcomes. He struck me quickly as what every company hopes for in a senior leader: a thoughtful and world-aware professional, and a seasoned operator with deep experience delivering results for agencies, partners, and clients. Just as important, Patrick is the kind of leader who understands that great companies are built by great teams. His arrival gives an already strong group even more room to grow, learn from one another, and keep building. The CTV industry is entering a phase where only a handful of platforms will truly be able to prove performance at scale. Patrick has spent much of his career operating right in that space, and I’m excited to see what we build together. One final note: Patrick is a Villanova basketball fan. I went to Bucknell, which is a clearly inferior basketball school. That said, when Villanova wanted championships, who did they turn to? Bucknell graduate Jay Wright, who delivered a couple of them. Nova and Bucknell working together — it’s only fitting that Patrick is joining us during March Madness. Welcome aboard, Patrick. You’re joining a terrific team. Let’s build a few championships.

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Exciting news following yesterday’s upfronts! Warner Bros. Discovery Ad Sales debuted NEO, an ad platform powered in part by Magnite’s SpringServe platform. We’re looking forward to supporting NEO’s deployment, which is revolutionizing automated transactions across WBD’s premium video library. Buyers will be able to layer in their first-party data and benefit from enhanced transparency with show-level impression reporting. https://magnite.smh.re/1Fp

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As TV production companies explore direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategies, they face both opportunity and complexity. DTC can strengthen IP development, audience engagement, and revenue diversification, acting as a hedge in turbulent markets. Yet, the model clashes with traditional TV economics, offering less predictable returns and opaque performance data. Online monetisation, especially advertising, is volatile, and metrics are often distorted by inactive users, paid boosts, and even industrialised traffic manipulation, such as phone farms. The rise of AI-generated content and platform gaming further blurs the line between authenticity, raising questions about what’s real in the creator economy. https://lnkd.in/g_H4cNhk

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With over two decades in film & TV, Adam has a deep understanding of which financial processes and workflows break down on set and at the studio level. I’m thrilled to partner with him as we deliver a much-needed solution for production finance and accounting teams, streamlining everything from hiring to timecards to payroll.

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Mission North 's SVP of content, James Niccolai, recently sat down with Ashlee Vance to get the scoop on his new venture, Core Memory, and the future of media. It’s a must-read for anyone working in innovation comms and marketing. Some choice nuggets… Educating audiences about technical stuff doesn’t need to be boring. Ashlee’s goal for Core Memory is to educate and entertain people without dumbing anything down. 💡 Advice to journalists: “To tell the best story, you need to get out in the world. You need to get information that does not exist on the internet or in an AI database, and the only way to do this is to speak with people and see things firsthand. “ 💡 Advice to PR teams: “There are more and more folks like me these days who do multimedia. I think the PR teams could uplevel their video and podcast skills and be more open to creative ideas.” 💡 On the killer platform: “I like doing it all. It’s too hard to decide. We can be smarter and deeper on written stories. We can get really into the weeds on a podcast, and then the videos tend to aim for a more mainstream audience.” https://lnkd.in/gJUx9Pw4

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🚘📉 SiriusXM Loses Subscribers—but Gains Ground in Podcasts and Ad Monetization. SiriusXM’s Q1 2025 results are a study in contrast: 🔻 Revenue down 4% 🔻 Free cash flow down 36% 🔻 303K self-pay subscribers lost But that’s not the whole story. 🎧 Podcast ad revenue jumped 33% 📱 Social and video ad bookings in Q1 beat all of 2024 💡 Cost reductions—especially in marketing and tech—are on track to save $200M this year With stronger in-car retention, new partnerships (hello, Mitsubishi and Tesla), and a low-cost, ad-supported tier launching later this year, SiriusXM is actively repositioning for a more fragmented and price-sensitive future. 📊 We break it all down—including what it signals for other subscription businesses:👉 https://lnkd.in/eg2SUmCB #subscriptions #streaming #podcasting #SiriusXM #subscriberstrategy

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Eric roasts the "ad tech haters" after tvScientific sells to Pinterest and Jim Payne explains how app developers can use his new SDK to manage yield using Claude and AI prompting.

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