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We recently welcomed seasoned Wall Street Journal columnist Dan Gallagher to our latest Brands2Life ‘Meet the Media’ session. It was a great conversation spanning the ROI of artificial intelligence (AI) and the shifting paradigms of media consumption through streaming. During the discussion, Dan graciously shared his views and insights on the key trends and challenges shaping the future of the technology and entertainment industries.
A key focus of our conversation, unsurprisingly, centered on the topic of AI, the hype cycle surrounding it, and its real-world implications. Dan emphasized that although AI has significantly captured the tech world’s attention, the ROI is unfolding more gradually than many anticipated.
This slow materialization of AI technologies has revealed a considerable gap between the overly optimistic projections and the actual economic impact. Despite substantial investments in the AI sector, the expected financial returns and tangible benefits are still materializing slowly. Many firms have found that the hype is not immediately translating into profitability, underscoring the need for a balanced approach in evaluating AI opportunities. As such, for investors and companies evaluating opportunities, it’s essential they weigh potential returns against the hype to navigate the AI landscape effectively, focusing on strategic investments that promise real value rather than merely following trends.
During the latter part of our discussion with Dan, we delved into the transformation that’s taking place within the media and entertainment industries, particularly the rapid ascendancy of streaming as the dominant form of media consumption. Dan illustrated this shift by comparing the traditional cable TV services to modern streaming giants like Netflix and Hulu, reflecting a significant change in consumer behavior.
Despite these sweeping changes, however, Dan pointed out that traditional formats like movie theaters and vinyl records aren’t disappearing just yet and will persist, albeit needing to adapt to changing consumer preferences and a reduced user base. An example being the resurgence of vinyl records as a niche market for audiophiles and collectors, despite digital streaming’s dominance; and movie theaters that now provide more up market in cinema dining experiences before the show.
Drawing from his extensive career, Dan shared how journalism, especially in technology coverage, has transformed over the years – shifting from ad-driven models to subscriber-supported formats fundamentally changing how stories are selected and reported. As part of this he highlighted how The Wall Street Journal has increasingly focused on stories that drive subscriptions and engage readers more deeply, over chasing viral hits.
Although he’s recently focused on AI and streaming, Dan maintains a broad and expert grasp of the technology sector, keeping a close watch on major trends and their potential economic impacts. For pitches to catch his attention, they must align with his areas of interest or emerging significant themes in the tech landscape.
For successful media engagement, he stressed that submissions need to be clear, concise, and well-researched, offering fresh insights or spotlighting underreported topics that can engage an investor-focused readership. It’s also essential for the pitch to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topic, presented through compelling narratives or data. Lastly, while Dan is open to sources, he prefers to find his own rather than having them handed to him —favoring those who can provide authentic, insightful perspectives on pertinent technological developments.
As ever it was great catching up with Dan. Our session was enlightening, offering deep dives into the realities of AI and the evolution of media. His insights provided crucial guidance for aligning strategies with the rapidly changing tech landscape, equipping us with the knowledge to effectively navigate the industry’s complexities.
Thanks again Dan for your valuable perspectives and we look forward to continuing these conversations in our upcoming ‘Meet the Media’ sessions, ensuring we stay at the forefront of technology and media innovation.
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