welcome to mojo Scholl 25 and we host a shine Carver solution and I’m Rebecca
shine Carver solution and I’m Rebecca
shine Carver solution and I’m Rebecca Brayton in 4c Timor once again so this
Brayton in 4c Timor once again so this
Brayton in 4c Timor once again so this week watch mantra celebrated its
week watch mantra celebrated its
week watch mantra celebrated its six-year anniversary which makes us a
six-year anniversary which makes us a
six-year anniversary which makes us a dinosaur by web video standards
dinosaur by web video standards
dinosaur by web video standards hopefully with a better outcome than
hopefully with a better outcome than
hopefully with a better outcome than what happened to the dinosaurs so we
what happened to the dinosaurs so we
what happened to the dinosaurs so we thought it would be interesting to just
thought it would be interesting to just
thought it would be interesting to just to a QA to look back at the good bad and
to a QA to look back at the good bad and
to a QA to look back at the good bad and ugly and the pros and cons and the highs
ugly and the pros and cons and the highs
ugly and the pros and cons and the highs and the lows of WatchMojo in its first
and the lows of WatchMojo in its first
and the lows of WatchMojo in its first six years takeaway so the first question
six years takeaway so the first question
six years takeaway so the first question is the the obvious million dollar
is the the obvious million dollar
is the the obvious million dollar question why did you start WatchMojo
question why did you start WatchMojo
question why did you start WatchMojo urgently I was working in an online
urgently I was working in an online
urgently I was working in an online magazine that got acquired by News Corp
magazine that got acquired by News Corp
magazine that got acquired by News Corp and I had a non-compete so I had to look
and I had a non-compete so I had to look
and I had a non-compete so I had to look at what I like what my best options were
at what I like what my best options were
at what I like what my best options were for the next phase of my career I was
for the next phase of my career I was
for the next phase of my career I was actually somewhat cynical about video I
actually somewhat cynical about video I
actually somewhat cynical about video I used to call video as empty calories I
used to call video as empty calories I
used to call video as empty calories I think people read articles a lot more
think people read articles a lot more
think people read articles a lot more than they consume videos but way back in
than they consume videos but way back in
than they consume videos but way back in 2005 you could see that over time the
2005 you could see that over time the
2005 you could see that over time the trends would be that video would grow
trends would be that video would grow
trends would be that video would grow quite a bit and so basically I wanted to
quite a bit and so basically I wanted to
quite a bit and so basically I wanted to stick in content I wanted to stay in
stick in content I wanted to stay in
stick in content I wanted to stay in content and I thought video would be a
content and I thought video would be a
content and I thought video would be a good bet and because I couldn’t do like
good bet and because I couldn’t do like
good bet and because I couldn’t do like immense focus publication because of my
immense focus publication because of my
immense focus publication because of my non-compete I purposely picked a fairly
non-compete I purposely picked a fairly
non-compete I purposely picked a fairly broad publication so producing videos
broad publication so producing videos
broad publication so producing videos for men women children adults to avoid
for men women children adults to avoid
for men women children adults to avoid the lawyers the key really long term was
the lawyers the key really long term was
the lawyers the key really long term was just to have a video on every topic
just to have a video on every topic
just to have a video on every topic right so that was sort of the big idea
right so that was sort of the big idea
right so that was sort of the big idea that if we could produce videos and have
that if we could produce videos and have
that if we could produce videos and have a video that addressed each topic in the
a video that addressed each topic in the
a video that addressed each topic in the world as ambitious as it sounds over
world as ambitious as it sounds over
world as ambitious as it sounds over time it would be a neat little business
time it would be a neat little business
time it would be a neat little business so describe the company you started
so describe the company you started
so describe the company you started versus the company that you run today
versus the company that you run today
versus the company that you run today now one of the reasons I’m asking this
now one of the reasons I’m asking this
now one of the reasons I’m asking this is because I always have trouble people
is because I always have trouble people
is because I always have trouble people ask me you know what is WatchMojo when I
ask me you know what is WatchMojo when I
ask me you know what is WatchMojo when I meet them on site and I always I still
meet them on site and I always I still
meet them on site and I always I still have trouble succinctly and accurately
have trouble succinctly and accurately
have trouble succinctly and accurately describing to them what it is yeah
describing to them what it is yeah
describing to them what it is yeah that’s fair that’s fair enough
that’s fair that’s fair enough
that’s fair that’s fair enough I mean I’ll watch Mel Joe is at its core
I mean I’ll watch Mel Joe is at its core
I mean I’ll watch Mel Joe is at its core just like an online video magazine we
just like an online video magazine we
just like an online video magazine we cover the same topics that you would
cover the same topics that you would
cover the same topics that you would read in a magazine or in a newspaper
read in a magazine or in a newspaper
read in a magazine or in a newspaper just in video format so I mean if I’m
just in video format so I mean if I’m
just in video format so I mean if I’m describing it to my uncle I’d say you
describing it to my uncle I’d say you
describing it to my uncle I’d say you know imagine
know imagine
know imagine magazine or newspaper but imagine that
magazine or newspaper but imagine that
magazine or newspaper but imagine that in video and they’re like oh that makes
in video and they’re like oh that makes
in video and they’re like oh that makes sense
sense
sense it’s also a little bit like what you see
it’s also a little bit like what you see
it’s also a little bit like what you see in cable programming the idea is like
in cable programming the idea is like
in cable programming the idea is like our music content looks and feel like
our music content looks and feel like
our music content looks and feel like vh1 travel looks like the Travel Channel
vh1 travel looks like the Travel Channel
vh1 travel looks like the Travel Channel history like the History Channel
history like the History Channel
history like the History Channel that’s the idea really but I think at
that’s the idea really but I think at
that’s the idea really but I think at its core is just an online video
its core is just an online video
its core is just an online video magazine you know it’s a bit like
magazine you know it’s a bit like
magazine you know it’s a bit like Wikipedia but not user-generated and not
Wikipedia but not user-generated and not
Wikipedia but not user-generated and not in articles it’s a bit like about calm
in articles it’s a bit like about calm
in articles it’s a bit like about calm but in video format there’s a bit more
but in video format there’s a bit more
but in video format there’s a bit more of an editorial tone than what you would
of an editorial tone than what you would
of an editorial tone than what you would get in in Wikipedia but really it’s just
get in in Wikipedia but really it’s just
get in in Wikipedia but really it’s just online video magazine right well how
online video magazine right well how
online video magazine right well how does that how has that changed okay
does that how has that changed okay
does that how has that changed okay great question so when we started I mean
great question so when we started I mean
great question so when we started I mean like everyone else we thought that great
like everyone else we thought that great
like everyone else we thought that great produced content exchange links get that
produced content exchange links get that
produced content exchange links get that content index and you have a big
content index and you have a big
content index and you have a big destination sell ads against it and you
destination sell ads against it and you
destination sell ads against it and you know you’re in the big leagues it didn’t
know you’re in the big leagues it didn’t
know you’re in the big leagues it didn’t really work out like that in 2000 we
really work out like that in 2000 we
really work out like that in 2000 we started in 2006 in 2007 56 % of video
started in 2006 in 2007 56 % of video
started in 2006 in 2007 56 % of video producers had their owned and operated
producers had their owned and operated
producers had their owned and operated website in 2010 that number fell to 18%
website in 2010 that number fell to 18%
website in 2010 that number fell to 18% the reason is search engines do a crappy
the reason is search engines do a crappy
the reason is search engines do a crappy job of indexing videos they basically
job of indexing videos they basically
job of indexing videos they basically read the metadata like what the title is
read the metadata like what the title is
read the metadata like what the title is in the description and the keywords
in the description and the keywords
in the description and the keywords that’s how they index videos so it’s
that’s how they index videos so it’s
that’s how they index videos so it’s basically become impossible as a
basically become impossible as a
basically become impossible as a producer to have a property where your
producer to have a property where your
producer to have a property where your master of your own domain where it’s
master of your own domain where it’s
master of your own domain where it’s really changed I would say is that apart
really changed I would say is that apart
really changed I would say is that apart from the fact that we’ve improved the
from the fact that we’ve improved the
from the fact that we’ve improved the quality and really expanded our
quality and really expanded our
quality and really expanded our tentacles what’s really what really
tentacles what’s really what really
tentacles what’s really what really change from the first few months was
change from the first few months was
change from the first few months was like many we focus more on distribution
like many we focus more on distribution
like many we focus more on distribution over destination but unlike most we kept
over destination but unlike most we kept
over destination but unlike most we kept the website because we felt it was good
the website because we felt it was good
the website because we felt it was good to still have like a overall umbrella of
to still have like a overall umbrella of
to still have like a overall umbrella of all of our content but that’s why if you
all of our content but that’s why if you
all of our content but that’s why if you go to most video producers website it’s
go to most video producers website it’s
go to most video producers website it’s a corporate page it’s a landing page
a corporate page it’s a landing page
a corporate page it’s a landing page with like about us there’s no content
with like about us there’s no content
with like about us there’s no content we’re sort of unique in that sense but
we’re sort of unique in that sense but
we’re sort of unique in that sense but that’s that’s probably been the biggest
that’s that’s probably been the biggest
that’s that’s probably been the biggest change now you mentioned that our
change now you mentioned that our
change now you mentioned that our content is relatively similar to you
content is relatively similar to you
content is relatively similar to you know some cable cable stuff discovery
know some cable cable stuff discovery
know some cable cable stuff discovery now so why would someone watch a
now so why would someone watch a
now so why would someone watch a WatchMojo production versus like a
WatchMojo production versus like a
WatchMojo production versus like a Travel Channel Discovery Channel HBO
Travel Channel Discovery Channel HBO
Travel Channel Discovery Channel HBO very fair question as well well for one
very fair question as well well for one
very fair question as well well for one the reality is the same way that the
the reality is the same way that the
the reality is the same way that the record labels did not embrace Napster
record labels did not embrace Napster
record labels did not embrace Napster and put their music online and initially
and put their music online and initially
and put their music online and initially the magazine well even to this day
the magazine well even to this day
the magazine well even to this day magazines are not putting all of their
magazines are not putting all of their
magazines are not putting all of their content online is that most Kay most
content online is that most Kay most
content online is that most Kay most tell
tell
tell via network broadcast cable or film
via network broadcast cable or film
via network broadcast cable or film studios they’re not gonna put their
studios they’re not gonna put their
studios they’re not gonna put their content on the Internet it’s you know to
content on the Internet it’s you know to
content on the Internet it’s you know to quote Jeff Zucker former CEO of your NBC
quote Jeff Zucker former CEO of your NBC
quote Jeff Zucker former CEO of your NBC Universal they don’t want to change
Universal they don’t want to change
Universal they don’t want to change their analog dollars for digital pennies
their analog dollars for digital pennies
their analog dollars for digital pennies right now it’s probably digital quarters
right now it’s probably digital quarters
right now it’s probably digital quarters but it’s still not digital dollars
but it’s still not digital dollars
but it’s still not digital dollars relative to analog dollars so we could
relative to analog dollars so we could
relative to analog dollars so we could see that you know let’s say you have a
see that you know let’s say you have a
see that you know let’s say you have a pyramid that represents content at the
pyramid that represents content at the
pyramid that represents content at the top you have traditional media those
top you have traditional media those
top you have traditional media those guys are not going to embrace the web so
guys are not going to embrace the web so
guys are not going to embrace the web so we felt that if we could in that vacuum
we felt that if we could in that vacuum
we felt that if we could in that vacuum produce similar content then we would
produce similar content then we would
produce similar content then we would fill a void but to I think its length
fill a void but to I think its length
fill a void but to I think its length the web has made us look at Twitter 140
the web has made us look at Twitter 140
the web has made us look at Twitter 140 characters you know the web is made us
characters you know the web is made us
characters you know the web is made us so short bite-sized micro content
so short bite-sized micro content
so short bite-sized micro content consumers that we wanted to you know
consumers that we wanted to you know
consumers that we wanted to you know we’ll do a seven-minute bio of the
we’ll do a seven-minute bio of the
we’ll do a seven-minute bio of the Beatles we cover the most success one of
Beatles we cover the most success one of
Beatles we cover the most success one of them or the most successful band of all
them or the most successful band of all
them or the most successful band of all time in seven minutes that’s made one of
time in seven minutes that’s made one of
time in seven minutes that’s made one of our users you know email this a year ago
our users you know email this a year ago
our users you know email this a year ago and you said this is perfect for the Gen
and you said this is perfect for the Gen
and you said this is perfect for the Gen Y you know sort of generation where we
Y you know sort of generation where we
Y you know sort of generation where we have like a DD and we can’t contact heck
have like a DD and we can’t contact heck
have like a DD and we can’t contact heck I can’t concentrate for more than two
I can’t concentrate for more than two
I can’t concentrate for more than two minutes let alone two hours so I think
minutes let alone two hours so I think
minutes let alone two hours so I think the idea is one is there’s a void on the
the idea is one is there’s a void on the
the idea is one is there’s a void on the internet so we fill that void and to the
internet so we fill that void and to the
internet so we fill that void and to the formatting and the the packaging makes
formatting and the the packaging makes
formatting and the the packaging makes sense for the web you know they blame
sense for the web you know they blame
sense for the web you know they blame Sesame Street for that the lack of
Sesame Street for that the lack of
Sesame Street for that the lack of concentration I believe that because I
concentration I believe that because I
concentration I believe that because I watch Sesame now that is SME Street now
watch Sesame now that is SME Street now
watch Sesame now that is SME Street now that I have two daughters and what were
that I have two daughters and what were
that I have two daughters and what were we talking about right so what has been
we talking about right so what has been
we talking about right so what has been the biggest surprise that you’ve had
the biggest surprise that you’ve had
the biggest surprise that you’ve had over the time with watching um the
over the time with watching um the
over the time with watching um the biggest surprise probably has been not
biggest surprise probably has been not
biggest surprise probably has been not to be cheesy but that we’ve survived I
to be cheesy but that we’ve survived I
to be cheesy but that we’ve survived I mean if you take a look I mean you have
mean if you take a look I mean you have
mean if you take a look I mean you have to survive before you thrive and I think
to survive before you thrive and I think
to survive before you thrive and I think now we’re sort of in the last 18 months
now we’re sort of in the last 18 months
now we’re sort of in the last 18 months I’ve hit a bit of a tipping point
I’ve hit a bit of a tipping point
I’ve hit a bit of a tipping point thankfully where we’re growing more
thankfully where we’re growing more
thankfully where we’re growing more partnerships more validation you know
partnerships more validation you know
partnerships more validation you know thankfully I seeing how much
thankfully I seeing how much
thankfully I seeing how much broadly speaking online video was a lot
broadly speaking online video was a lot
broadly speaking online video was a lot so hyped and the reality was so poor
so hyped and the reality was so poor
so hyped and the reality was so poor look at the number of technology
look at the number of technology
look at the number of technology companies in video that have blown up
companies in video that have blown up
companies in video that have blown up there’s really not been that many
there’s really not been that many
there’s really not been that many successful content companies I think we
successful content companies I think we
successful content companies I think we stand out because we sort of were a
stand out because we sort of were a
stand out because we sort of were a survivor there’s a lot of successful
survivor there’s a lot of successful
survivor there’s a lot of successful content companies and I and I you know
content companies and I and I you know
content companies and I and I you know look up to them and I respect their
look up to them and I respect their
look up to them and I respect their leaders I’m just saying relative to the
leaders I’m just saying relative to the
leaders I’m just saying relative to the amount of money that was invested we
amount of money that was invested we
amount of money that was invested we never raised
never raised
never raised outside capital but relative to the
outside capital but relative to the
outside capital but relative to the amount of money that’s gone into the
amount of money that’s gone into the
amount of money that’s gone into the industry it’s actually been rather
industry it’s actually been rather
industry it’s actually been rather underwhelming and I think you know as
underwhelming and I think you know as
underwhelming and I think you know as much as the industry tends to drink the
much as the industry tends to drink the
much as the industry tends to drink the kool-aid everybody’s a mercenary like
kool-aid everybody’s a mercenary like
kool-aid everybody’s a mercenary like they hype the the latest thing that
they hype the the latest thing that
they hype the the latest thing that they’re boosting basically I’m actually
they’re boosting basically I’m actually
they’re boosting basically I’m actually quite candid to say that I think videos
quite candid to say that I think videos
quite candid to say that I think videos have flopped relative to the
have flopped relative to the
have flopped relative to the expectations people thought it was going
expectations people thought it was going
expectations people thought it was going to be the next search engine in the
to be the next search engine in the
to be the next search engine in the street I thought well who’s the next
street I thought well who’s the next
street I thought well who’s the next Google and like I always say Google is
Google and like I always say Google is
Google and like I always say Google is an ex-googler video because they bought
an ex-googler video because they bought
an ex-googler video because they bought YouTube so I would say it’s more the
YouTube so I would say it’s more the
YouTube so I would say it’s more the fact that the actual reality has been
fact that the actual reality has been
fact that the actual reality has been rather underwhelming and thankfully we
rather underwhelming and thankfully we
rather underwhelming and thankfully we didn’t raise capital in that sense so
didn’t raise capital in that sense so
didn’t raise capital in that sense so the expectations that we have to surpass
the expectations that we have to surpass
the expectations that we have to surpass are relatively low but for most
are relatively low but for most
are relatively low but for most businesses in the industry they’re gonna
businesses in the industry they’re gonna
businesses in the industry they’re gonna have a tough time getting their
have a tough time getting their
have a tough time getting their investors a return on their investment
investors a return on their investment
investors a return on their investment so tell us about some of the huge
so tell us about some of the huge
so tell us about some of the huge disappointments mistakes setbacks that
disappointments mistakes setbacks that
disappointments mistakes setbacks that you think is this an hour-long show no I
you think is this an hour-long show no I
you think is this an hour-long show no I mean I mean listen to be honest with you
mean I mean listen to be honest with you
mean I mean listen to be honest with you we’ve had a lot of you know it’s the the
we’ve had a lot of you know it’s the the
we’ve had a lot of you know it’s the the relative apathy of the investment
relative apathy of the investment
relative apathy of the investment community towards content is a letdown I
community towards content is a letdown I
community towards content is a letdown I mean the fact that they’ll keep putting
mean the fact that they’ll keep putting
mean the fact that they’ll keep putting money in the latest sexiest fad whether
money in the latest sexiest fad whether
money in the latest sexiest fad whether it was yet another social network the
it was yet another social network the
it was yet another social network the latest link shortener the latest
latest link shortener the latest
latest link shortener the latest location-based services I mean you name
location-based services I mean you name
location-based services I mean you name them we’ve seen the fats come and go yet
them we’ve seen the fats come and go yet
them we’ve seen the fats come and go yet content always seems to be detoured but
content always seems to be detoured but
content always seems to be detoured but that’s just a reality you know life’s
that’s just a reality you know life’s
that’s just a reality you know life’s unfair get used to it move on to I think
unfair get used to it move on to I think
unfair get used to it move on to I think you know personally a mistake I did as i
you know personally a mistake I did as i
you know personally a mistake I did as i may be invested a bit too much on the
may be invested a bit too much on the
may be invested a bit too much on the content side in hindsight I mean I know
content side in hindsight I mean I know
content side in hindsight I mean I know you you’re hearing that as someone on
you you’re hearing that as someone on
you you’re hearing that as someone on the content side I mean it’s great
the content side I mean it’s great
the content side I mean it’s great content is king but probably at some
content is king but probably at some
content is king but probably at some point I should have shifted years and
point I should have shifted years and
point I should have shifted years and you know maybe put a bit more on the
you know maybe put a bit more on the
you know maybe put a bit more on the business side and sales and expanded
business side and sales and expanded
business side and sales and expanded that faster but I mean overall I think
that faster but I mean overall I think
that faster but I mean overall I think we’ve done a very good job than an
we’ve done a very good job than an
we’ve done a very good job than an admirable job of building a business and
admirable job of building a business and
admirable job of building a business and content which is tough I just never
content which is tough I just never
content which is tough I just never understood if I were to go back like as
understood if I were to go back like as
understood if I were to go back like as an advice to an entrepreneur like I came
an advice to an entrepreneur like I came
an advice to an entrepreneur like I came from a Content company and I probably
from a Content company and I probably
from a Content company and I probably didn’t open my blinders enough to say
didn’t open my blinders enough to say
didn’t open my blinders enough to say well if I don’t want to do content what
well if I don’t want to do content what
well if I don’t want to do content what else is out there
else is out there
else is out there in hindsight it worked out because we’re
in hindsight it worked out because we’re
in hindsight it worked out because we’re successful but I just think that
successful but I just think that
successful but I just think that contents you know the feel as I say
contents you know the feel as I say
contents you know the feel as I say content is king but it’s basically
content is king but it’s basically
content is king but it’s basically ridiculed marked spat on pooped on it’s
ridiculed marked spat on pooped on it’s
ridiculed marked spat on pooped on it’s just it’s a very tough business to
just it’s a very tough business to
just it’s a very tough business to but we’re sort of using that to our
but we’re sort of using that to our
but we’re sort of using that to our advantage that it’s so very hard now to
advantage that it’s so very hard now to
advantage that it’s so very hard now to do what we’ve done which is build this
do what we’ve done which is build this
do what we’ve done which is build this massive catalog but I would say yeah
massive catalog but I would say yeah
massive catalog but I would say yeah without a doubt the fact that content is
without a doubt the fact that content is
without a doubt the fact that content is not necessarily King or content without
not necessarily King or content without
not necessarily King or content without distribution is not necessarily king
distribution is not necessarily king
distribution is not necessarily king that’s been a bit of a disappointment
that’s been a bit of a disappointment
that’s been a bit of a disappointment now your answer to this may be redundant
now your answer to this may be redundant
now your answer to this may be redundant I’m not sure but what would you say
I’m not sure but what would you say
I’m not sure but what would you say would you be able to pinpoint the number
would you be able to pinpoint the number
would you be able to pinpoint the number one thing that is holding WatchMojo back
one thing that is holding WatchMojo back
one thing that is holding WatchMojo back without a doubt I think being based in
without a doubt I think being based in
without a doubt I think being based in Montreal I mean you know the reality is
Montreal I mean you know the reality is
Montreal I mean you know the reality is content is a long-term bet I think in
content is a long-term bet I think in
content is a long-term bet I think in nowadays with you know you read
nowadays with you know you read
nowadays with you know you read TechCrunch you follow all this VC funded
TechCrunch you follow all this VC funded
TechCrunch you follow all this VC funded stuff and you have to realize once you
stuff and you have to realize once you
stuff and you have to realize once you decide to go into content you’re not a
decide to go into content you’re not a
decide to go into content you’re not a tech firm like machinima which is the
tech firm like machinima which is the
tech firm like machinima which is the number one content producer on YouTube
number one content producer on YouTube
number one content producer on YouTube they’re massive they’ve been around
they’re massive they’ve been around
they’re massive they’ve been around since 2000 and sometime in 2006 or 5 or
since 2000 and sometime in 2006 or 5 or
since 2000 and sometime in 2006 or 5 or 7 they basically pivoted into being a
7 they basically pivoted into being a
7 they basically pivoted into being a YouTube platform you know vice also from
YouTube platform you know vice also from
YouTube platform you know vice also from Montreal I mean they’d been around since
Montreal I mean they’d been around since
Montreal I mean they’d been around since 1994 and now Forbes writes that they’re
1994 and now Forbes writes that they’re
1994 and now Forbes writes that they’re crushing it and then you know they’re
crushing it and then you know they’re
crushing it and then you know they’re doing a lot of things very well so what
doing a lot of things very well so what
doing a lot of things very well so what I think going into it you have to
I think going into it you have to
I think going into it you have to realize that content takes a lot longer
realize that content takes a lot longer
realize that content takes a lot longer to grow that’s fair you know Hearst has
to grow that’s fair you know Hearst has
to grow that’s fair you know Hearst has been around for 150 years Rupert Murdoch
been around for 150 years Rupert Murdoch
been around for 150 years Rupert Murdoch is been around forever so I think one
is been around forever so I think one
is been around forever so I think one you just have to realize it’s a
you just have to realize it’s a
you just have to realize it’s a different time horizon but but I would
different time horizon but but I would
different time horizon but but I would say being in Montreal is probably a good
say being in Montreal is probably a good
say being in Montreal is probably a good place to start a company but you know
place to start a company but you know
place to start a company but you know there’s a reason why I spend 25-30
there’s a reason why I spend 25-30
there’s a reason why I spend 25-30 percent of my time in New York that’s
percent of my time in New York that’s
percent of my time in New York that’s been holding us back and then as a
been holding us back and then as a
been holding us back and then as a result of being in Montreal I would just
result of being in Montreal I would just
result of being in Montreal I would just say the lack of resources you know like
say the lack of resources you know like
say the lack of resources you know like maybe you know if we lied to the
maybe you know if we lied to the
maybe you know if we lied to the investment investor the people who are
investment investor the people who are
investment investor the people who are interested to invest I could lie to them
interested to invest I could lie to them
interested to invest I could lie to them and say this is the game plan maybe
and say this is the game plan maybe
and say this is the game plan maybe we’re a bit too candid but ultimately I
we’re a bit too candid but ultimately I
we’re a bit too candid but ultimately I think you need resources to grow you
think you need resources to grow you
think you need resources to grow you know if you don’t put water on a plant
know if you don’t put water on a plant
know if you don’t put water on a plant well that plants not going to grow as
well that plants not going to grow as
well that plants not going to grow as fast as as if you actually feed it and
fast as as if you actually feed it and
fast as as if you actually feed it and give it you know sunlight and all that
give it you know sunlight and all that
give it you know sunlight and all that jazz so those are probably the things
jazz so those are probably the things
jazz so those are probably the things holding us back I think we have a great
holding us back I think we have a great
holding us back I think we have a great team I think our catalog is amazing I
team I think our catalog is amazing I
team I think our catalog is amazing I think our distribution is pretty pretty
think our distribution is pretty pretty
think our distribution is pretty pretty strong so a lot of the elements are
strong so a lot of the elements are
strong so a lot of the elements are there for us to take off but obviously
there for us to take off but obviously
there for us to take off but obviously being in Montreal and not having outside
being in Montreal and not having outside
being in Montreal and not having outside capital I mean those are too
capital I mean those are too
capital I mean those are too overwhelming not strikes but they’re too
overwhelming not strikes but they’re too
overwhelming not strikes but they’re too overwhelming obstacles that as an
overwhelming obstacles that as an
overwhelming obstacles that as an entrepreneur you know people say start a
entrepreneur you know people say start a
entrepreneur you know people say start a company where the talent is
company where the talent is
company where the talent is sure but start a company where the
sure but start a company where the
sure but start a company where the ecosystem is as well and I think that’s
ecosystem is as well and I think that’s
ecosystem is as well and I think that’s why you see tech companies going to San
why you see tech companies going to San
why you see tech companies going to San Fran and increasingly New York and I
Fran and increasingly New York and I
Fran and increasingly New York and I think as a media content company we have
think as a media content company we have
think as a media content company we have no business being in Montreal as much as
no business being in Montreal as much as
no business being in Montreal as much as it’s a great city there’s that theme
it’s a great city there’s that theme
it’s a great city there’s that theme again there’s that that’s why it’s
again there’s that that’s why it’s
again there’s that that’s why it’s called the theme I’m sorry greatest
called the theme I’m sorry greatest
called the theme I’m sorry greatest accomplishment and I’ve put in my notes
accomplishment and I’ve put in my notes
accomplishment and I’ve put in my notes please don’t say winning velocity yeah
please don’t say winning velocity yeah
please don’t say winning velocity yeah well the lawsuit would not be the
well the lawsuit would not be the
well the lawsuit would not be the greatest accomplishment the lawsuit is
greatest accomplishment the lawsuit is
greatest accomplishment the lawsuit is just like a little footnote anecdotal
just like a little footnote anecdotal
just like a little footnote anecdotal it’s fun to talk about blah blah blah
it’s fun to talk about blah blah blah
it’s fun to talk about blah blah blah I would say the greatest accomplishment
I would say the greatest accomplishment
I would say the greatest accomplishment and this is really cheesy I’m not saying
and this is really cheesy I’m not saying
and this is really cheesy I’m not saying it because there’s a few of the people
it because there’s a few of the people
it because there’s a few of the people listening in the stuff I would say the
listening in the stuff I would say the
listening in the stuff I would say the fact that we have the same team that
fact that we have the same team that
fact that we have the same team that we’ve largely had I mean we if you think
we’ve largely had I mean we if you think
we’ve largely had I mean we if you think about it you know let’s say we’ve had
about it you know let’s say we’ve had
about it you know let’s say we’ve had you know a team the freelance basis
you know a team the freelance basis
you know a team the freelance basis probably is over a hundred but the core
probably is over a hundred but the core
probably is over a hundred but the core employees let’s say we’ve had fifteen to
employees let’s say we’ve had fifteen to
employees let’s say we’ve had fifteen to twenty and I would say thirteen to
twenty and I would say thirteen to
twenty and I would say thirteen to fifteen of those people are still with
fifteen of those people are still with
fifteen of those people are still with the company that’s really neat I mean
the company that’s really neat I mean
the company that’s really neat I mean this is a big cliche I think culture
this is a big cliche I think culture
this is a big cliche I think culture Trump’s a lot of other things I mean you
Trump’s a lot of other things I mean you
Trump’s a lot of other things I mean you know it’s like you can make a decision
know it’s like you can make a decision
know it’s like you can make a decision to put profit ahead of people or people
to put profit ahead of people or people
to put profit ahead of people or people at a profit and then the profit takes
at a profit and then the profit takes
at a profit and then the profit takes care of itself so I what I think of it
care of itself so I what I think of it
care of itself so I what I think of it as we do have this very unique culture
as we do have this very unique culture
as we do have this very unique culture we’ve survived we’re starting to thrive
we’ve survived we’re starting to thrive
we’ve survived we’re starting to thrive so to speak and it’s a lot of the same
so to speak and it’s a lot of the same
so to speak and it’s a lot of the same people that sort of helped us build the
people that sort of helped us build the
people that sort of helped us build the company are still there that is pretty
company are still there that is pretty
company are still there that is pretty cool you know I don’t want to name names
cool you know I don’t want to name names
cool you know I don’t want to name names I get a lot of fellow CEOs who tell me
I get a lot of fellow CEOs who tell me
I get a lot of fellow CEOs who tell me about the cancerous climates that they
about the cancerous climates that they
about the cancerous climates that they find themselves in now because they’re
find themselves in now because they’re
find themselves in now because they’re VCS have forced them to bring on people
VCS have forced them to bring on people
VCS have forced them to bring on people that don’t really have any of the common
that don’t really have any of the common
that don’t really have any of the common history DNA or values these are
history DNA or values these are
history DNA or values these are important things so for me that’s
important things so for me that’s
important things so for me that’s probably the number one thing but at the
probably the number one thing but at the
probably the number one thing but at the end of the day surviving and and
end of the day surviving and and
end of the day surviving and and starting to be like going from an
starting to be like going from an
starting to be like going from an expensive hobby to you know if we had
expensive hobby to you know if we had
expensive hobby to you know if we had the culture but but the company sucked
the culture but but the company sucked
the culture but but the company sucked it wouldn’t mean anything it’s the fact
it wouldn’t mean anything it’s the fact
it wouldn’t mean anything it’s the fact that the results are there and the
that the results are there and the
that the results are there and the results are starting to accelerate okay
results are starting to accelerate okay
results are starting to accelerate okay so let’s let’s do the other cliche
so let’s let’s do the other cliche
so let’s let’s do the other cliche question which is realistically where do
question which is realistically where do
question which is realistically where do you see the company in another six years
you see the company in another six years
you see the company in another six years okay I actually think that once my head
okay I actually think that once my head
okay I actually think that once my head started to change in my perspective
started to change in my perspective
started to change in my perspective change and I realized that content is a
change and I realized that content is a
change and I realized that content is a different sort of it’s like a recipe
different sort of it’s like a recipe
different sort of it’s like a recipe you’re not gonna make pulled pork in an
you’re not gonna make pulled pork in an
you’re not gonna make pulled pork in an afternoon like a day pulled pork takes a
afternoon like a day pulled pork takes a
afternoon like a day pulled pork takes a while and when done well it’s very good
while and when done well it’s very good
while and when done well it’s very good I think in six years we will probably be
I think in six years we will probably be
I think in six years we will probably be the we will probably be
the we will probably be
the we will probably be most valuable brand / company that is
most valuable brand / company that is
most valuable brand / company that is focused on the production of video
focused on the production of video
focused on the production of video content for emerging platforms so I
content for emerging platforms so I
content for emerging platforms so I think when you look at all of the
think when you look at all of the
think when you look at all of the companies that sort of have focused on
companies that sort of have focused on
companies that sort of have focused on producing content watch module will most
producing content watch module will most
producing content watch module will most probably be either the most valuable
probably be either the most valuable
probably be either the most valuable brand or the most valuable business that
brand or the most valuable business that
brand or the most valuable business that is focused on you know new media video
is focused on you know new media video
is focused on you know new media video production and notice I didn’t say
production and notice I didn’t say
production and notice I didn’t say distribution even though we have a good
distribution even though we have a good
distribution even though we have a good distribution it’s pretty clear you can’t
distribution it’s pretty clear you can’t
distribution it’s pretty clear you can’t really excel at both and I think that
really excel at both and I think that
really excel at both and I think that there could be another company that
there could be another company that
there could be another company that might generate a bit more revenue but
might generate a bit more revenue but
might generate a bit more revenue but they might have massive costs so their
they might have massive costs so their
they might have massive costs so their value is going to be less than ours and
value is going to be less than ours and
value is going to be less than ours and we I would say the last 18 months have
we I would say the last 18 months have
we I would say the last 18 months have given me the signs in the last six
given me the signs in the last six
given me the signs in the last six months or even the last six weeks of
months or even the last six weeks of
months or even the last six weeks of giving me some of the sort of validation
giving me some of the sort of validation
giving me some of the sort of validation that I need to be like okay this isn’t
that I need to be like okay this isn’t
that I need to be like okay this isn’t delusional entrepreneur talk I can see
delusional entrepreneur talk I can see
delusional entrepreneur talk I can see that happening so that’s where I see us
that happening so that’s where I see us
that happening so that’s where I see us in six years great well that’s it tune
in six years great well that’s it tune
in six years great well that’s it tune in next week for another episode of hip
in next week for another episode of hip
in next week for another episode of hip mojo and play the drinking game spot the
mojo and play the drinking game spot the
mojo and play the drinking game spot the Seinfeld references what was the
Seinfeld references what was the
Seinfeld references what was the Seinfeld reference you always do
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