What Is an Entertainment Company in 2021 and Why Does the Answer Matter?
Why is every media company now an “every media” company? What is it that audiences truly want? And what’s the most important goal for a franchise or IP?
My Blog for ‘The Economist’: The Marvel Cinematic Universe arrives on TV with “WandaVision”
After a decade of dominance at the box office, the franchise turns its attention to the small screen
Stratechery Podcast [Paywall]: Digital theme parks, Bob Iger & Netflix v Disney
I join Ben Thompson’s Stratechery for a podcast on digital theme parks, Bob Iger and the fallacy of Netflix v Disney and Content v Distribution
Digital Theme Park Platforms: The Most Important Media Businesses of the Future
An essay on theme parks, platforms, and the importance of hugs.
11 Lessons from the Success of Disney+
For all of Disney’s success in the media industry and with Disney+, its SVOD lessons are remarkably conventional and broadly applicable
My Blog for 'The Economist': “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” gives the fans what they want
J.J. Abrams takes few risks in the final installment of the Skywalker trilogy. That is no bad thing
My Blog for 'The Economist': Will “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” rebalance Disney’s universe?
Getting the franchise right is crucial to Disney’s future in theme parks, toys and streaming.
My Blog for 'The Economist': What is the endgame for Disney+?"
The new streaming service is an important cog in the Disney machine
Cinematic Universes Aren't New; They're the Oldest Stories on Earth (Marveliad: Eps. I + II)
For millennia, the most popular stories on earth were epic tales of Gods and heroes. Five thousand years later, human culture remains similarly transfixed, albeit on a more modern epic: the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Disney, IP, and "Returns to Marginal Affinity"
A framework for how to think about story/IP-based media companies, the upsides and risks in story ecosystems, and the strongest bear case for Disney’s immediate future.
The Absurdities of 'Franchise Fatigue' and Sequelitis (Or, What Is Happening to the Box Office?!)
Another day, another box office disappointment. Or record. Or franchise hit. Or franchise RIP. Or indie sleeper. Or indie sleep-with-the-fishes. What's going on?
My Blog for 'The Economist': “Avengers: Endgame” is just the beginning
The “Infinity Saga” is wrapping up after 11 years and 21 films. Now the franchise will try to conquer the small screen, too
Nine Reasons Why Disney+ Will Succeed (And Why Four Criticisms are Overhyped)
Disney may be entering the SVOD market late and without much of its best content, but Disney+ is going to thrive. And while some of the reasons are evident, most remain overlooked or misunderstood.
'Star Wars' Fatigue Is a Myth (but Disney’s Mistakes Were Real, Costly and Avoidable)
Following the financial failure of "Solo," many are screaming of “Star Wars" fatigue. But it’s more likely we're seeing the accrued costs of avoidable mistakes stemming from Disney’s prioritization of timelines over creative vision.
Disney, Economic Gravity, and Vibranium Physics
Disney's films have become so successful they're now the company's greatest competition. But George Lucas and Stan Lee know the answer: building your own universe.
Disney as a Service (Pt. II) and the Future of the 'House of Mouse'
In announcing its own streaming service, Disney took a crucial first step in course correcting video service strategy and advancing Walt’s own vision for his storied company. But few details were provided, including what the service will look like, how it’ll be priced and sold, and who will buy it. Here’s what we'd guess, and how we think the service will transform both Disney and the industry overall.
Disney as a Service: Why Disney is Closer than Ever to Walt’s 60 Year Old Vision
To many, Disney has become the posterchild for poor licensing decisions in the digital era. Four years ago, the company sold exclusive digital rights to nearly the entire Disney catalog through the end of the decade. As a result, critics argue, Disney can do little to adapt to the OTT and D2C era – and enabled Netflix to build its own digital empire. But by focusing on Disney’s inflexibilities, this narrative overlooks the nuances of the company’s digital content strategy. Not only is Disney's future bright, it's closer than ever to fulfilling Walt's own vision for the storied 'House of Mouse'.