Vince Thompson

Grateful to join Hunter on the Build and Break Through podcast. I first met R. Hunter Harris at Atlanta Tech Village while building GOALS App AI. Along the founder journey, he’s been someone willing to ask the tough questions and offer thoughtful feedback when it matters most. That kind of perspective is invaluable when you’re building something from the ground up. In this conversation we talk about the transition from operator to builder, how relationships from my time in the spirits industry helped launch GOALS Media Group, and why tapping into your network can unlock opportunities you never expected. Appreciate the platform and the conversation, Hunter.

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Everyone keeps saying “the algorithm is unpredictable.” It’s actually becoming more predictable than ever...if you’re paying attention. Here are 3 platform updates that tell you exactly where social is heading right now: • Threads now lets users customize their feed using the “Dear Algo” prompt. Translation: platforms are rewarding intentional engagement and clear signals. • YouTube is integrating Shorts deeper into Google Search. Short-form video is no longer just scroll content, it’s searchable content. • Hashtags are quietly making a comeback on Instagram. Not 30 spammy tags. 3 to 5 niche, keyword-driven hashtags that support SEO and discoverability. The common thread? Search matters. Signals matter. Specificity matters. We’re moving out of the “post and hope” era and into the “optimize and position” era. The platforms are literally telling brands how to win. Most just aren’t adjusting their strategy fast enough. If you’re a brand or founder trying to grow in 2026, your content isn’t just content anymore. It’s search strategy, brand positioning, and discoverability all in one. That’s exactly what we help our clients build at Ground-Up Social here in San Diego. If your social presence isn’t driving discovery, leads, or real brand growth yet, let’s change that → groundupsocialmedia.com

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🎯The “Death to Spotify” movement isn’t anti-music — it’s pro-artist. An Oakland community forum called “Death to Spotify” sold out in 24 hours. Attendees—from radio hosts to label founders—met to discuss one question: 👉 What does a fair future for music look like? Spotify turned its first €1.1 B profit while cutting royalties on tracks with fewer than 1,000 streams. For artists, that’s not growth—it’s extinction economics. At Stream Disc, we’re building the alternative: a new physical-digital format where creators earn directly, own their work, and connect with fans beyond the algorithm. The backlash isn’t just noise. It’s a signal. The next music revolution will value ownership, connection, and creative freedom. ‼️ read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gpJv6xcE #MusicTech #CreatorEconomy #StreamDisc #Ownership #Innovation

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During the pandemic’s economic surge (circa 2020-2022), like so many others, we experienced record growth and hired like crazy to meet client demand. This was a double-edged sword. On the positive side, broadening our geographic horizons beyond San Francisco and New York allowed us to diversify and improve our overall talent. The challenge was that hiring so many people in so many different places so fast began to negatively impact our client service and retention. We focused on three things to turn the trend around. First, under Shannon Hutto’s leadership, we built a client success organization to better understand our clients' needs, codify our standards of excellence, and push them to the edges of the entire org. Second, under Gillian Davis's leadership, we led a bottom-up, top-down change management initiative to help everyone at every level deeply understand the behaviors underpinning our core values. This is still very much a work in progress. Third, thanks to Meghan Gardner’s leadership, we implemented a client NPS system to understand where we are excelling and where we need to improve. I’m proud to share that we have increased our NPS by 60%, from 42 to 67, over the past four years. 📈 What our clients value most in Mission North: ➕ Deeply understanding their business. ➕ Delivering media insights and landing needle-moving wins. ➕ Staying curious and agile. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and we’re constantly pushing ourselves to improve. Thank you to our amazing team for your relentless curiosity and growth mindset. And thank you to our incredible clients for your transparency and advocacy. 🙏 💡 Final insight: Our data shows that clients who look to build lasting relationships are happier. It's easier to fire your agency when the partnership isn't performing optimally. But seeking to understand why and designing solutions together pays off in the long run.

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Most of VC money is based and invested on companies and entrepreneurs in the two coasts--what about all the opportunities to invest in founders in areas beyond that 2%? Stephanie M. Fowler, President, Capital Access at the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership (IFEL) is working toward bridging that gap. https://lnkd.in/gXgtDxjs

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UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report 2025, Part 2: Streaming UCLA followed up Part 1 of their streaming report and this report outlines how representation is good business, even though somehow we keep missing the mark. To put it simply, diverse content consistently drives viewer engagement, ratings, and social buzz in streaming. In 2024, streaming films with casts between 41-50% BIPOC dominated across key audiences. Black and Latinx households led the charge, showcasing the cultural resonance and business impact of authenticity on-screen. But despite clear evidence of commercial success, behind-the-scenes representation is still trailing. BIPOC creators only accounted for 41% of directors and a mere 30% of writers in top streaming films. This discrepancy highlights a glaring missed opportunity to harness the full power of inclusive storytelling. Look, audiences crave diversity, not tokenism. For content to truly resonate, creators behind the scenes must reflect the diverse perspectives of their audience. Investing in diverse creators should be looked at as a strategic advantage. The future of entertainment belongs to those who authentically represent and respect the vibrancy of our audience. Let’s elevate more diverse voices to help dollars make sense! https://lnkd.in/gh6PFDWQ #HollywoodDiversityReport #StorytellingThatMatters #EquityInEntertainment #CultureAndCommerce #RepresentationIsPower

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Excited to announce our recent collaboration with Sundial Media & Technology Group for the ESSENCE-branded FAST channel. This partnership embodies our commitment to serving underrepresented audiences with authentic content and substantial growth opportunities. The landscape is evolving rapidly, with Black viewership on streaming platforms increasing by 40% annually. Despite this surge, tailored programming for Black women remains limited on major CTV and digital platforms. Our initiative goes beyond filling this void; we are establishing a dedicated cultural hub. By merging ESSENCE's 55-year legacy as the voice of Black women with our production and distribution expertise, we are poised to expand our impact significantly. Partnering with a brand that attracts over 500,000 attendees annually to the largest Black culture festival ensures access to a highly engaged consumer base with proven loyalty and purchasing power. The game-changing aspect lies in our development of direct distribution channels. Ownership of distribution is pivotal as it allows us to deliver genuine content directly to the intended audiences, bypassing intermediaries. This move enables us to seamlessly transition the festival enthusiasm and community spirit into year-round premium content on Connected TV, YouTube, and major FAST platforms. What sets this endeavor apart is our focus on creating sustainable revenue streams for Black women creatives while establishing direct connections with culturally involved and economically active audiences. This isn't merely a channel launch; it's about fostering economic empowerment and steering the narrative from creation to distribution. It's about distribution rooted in and driven by the culture. #StreamingStrategy #Partnership #femalecreators #CTV #DigitalMedia #HARTBEAT #ESSENCE #Distribution Source: [Link to the article](https://lnkd.in/gcqXvr9H)

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