Best Firebird Media Podcasts (2025)

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What's a Grammy Worth? New Voters, New Winners, and Rewriting History 38:08

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2h ago38:08

38:08

This episode is in partnership and collaboration with our friends at The Recording Academy You’ll hear our deep dive on what we can learn from this years Grammys with our usual analysis and a few select guests including: Panos Panay (President of The Recording Academy), Tati Cirisano (MIDiA Research), Zack O’Malley Greenburg, author and investor. W…

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The Desert Sun's Fire & Ice Podcast - A Visit with Jacob Melanson (November 13, 2025) 48:53

2h ago48:53

48:53

A 'Birds' game hasn't truly started until Jacob Melanson has a cut on his face. Join in for a visit with the popular CV forward, and stay tuned for a Desert Shootout Q&A with reporter Andrew John. Questions or Comments on Fire & Ice? Get in touch with the host via this Text Message feature.By Judd Spicer

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Building Businesses Around Artists with Firebird Music CEO Nathan Hubbard 25:52

10h ago25:52

25:52

At our Trapital Summit, Nathan Hubbard joined me in stage to discuss Firebird Music’s investment thesis, working with Yungblud, and the business of Taylor Swift. CHAPTERS 04:06 Firebird’s Mission 06:46 Yungblud’s Case Study 14:16 Investing in Management Companies 21:03 Finding New Talent 23:34 Is Taylor Swift the Best CEO in Music? SPONSORS Chartme…

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Investing in Music Rights with Shamrock Capital’s Jason Sklar 25:41

8d ago25:41

25:41

We continue our Trapital Summit series with Jason Sklar, a partner at Shamrock Capital, to explore music rights as an asset class, as well as gaming, film, and more. We discuss Shamrock’s perspective, market trends, valuation approaches, the role of AI, and cross-industry opportunities. 02:27 State of Music Rights Investing 09:37 Shamrock’s Investm…

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The Desert Sun's Fire & Ice Podcast - A Visit with Tyson Jugnauth (October 29, 2025) 52:25

9d ago52:25

52:25

The season is underway, and the young 'Birds are finding their footing. Lace-up this visit with rookie defenseman Tyson Jugnauth, and stay tuned for a "Desert Shootout" Q&A with Shad Powers. Questions or Comments on Fire & Ice? Get in touch with the host via this Text Message feature.By Judd Spicer

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Udio CEO Andrew Sanchez on AI’s Future in Music 28:04

15d ago28:04

28:04

We continued our Trapital Summit series with our talk with Udio CEO Andrew Sanchez and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano. AI is rapidly transforming how music is created, distributed, and experienced. You’ll hear them unpack the challenges and opportunities shaping this new era of sound. From redefining creativity to fostering trust between artists an…

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Steve Pamon on How to Create Moments That Matter 27:45

27d ago27:45

27:45

At the Trapital Summit, we were joined by the CEO of VERZUZ, Steve Pamon. His career is all about turning events into big moments, from his time at McKinsey, HBO, NFL, WWE, IMAX, and more. We discussed how major shows scale into franchises, covering team execution, fan value, storytelling, and lessons from Beyoncé, Roger Goodell, and more. 03:50 St…

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Andreea Gleeson on TuneCore’s Next Chapter 23:11

28d ago23:11

23:11

We’re continuing our Trapital Summit series with TuneCore CEO Andreea Gleeson. You’ll hear her and Billboard’s Taylor Mims discuss how TuneCore empowers artists worldwide, how indie artists break through the noise, successes, challenges, and more. 03:48 Wins and Milestones 09:55 Superfans Opportunities 12:57 Future Tools for TuneCore Artists 15:33 …

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The Desert Sun's Fire & Ice Podcast - A Visit with Troy Bodie (October 8, 2025) 55:23

30d ago55:23

55:23

The boys are back! Lace-up for the debut episode of Season 4, as the host is joined by Troy Bodie, CV's VP of Hockey Ops, and Andrew John, reporter for The Desert Sun. Questions or Comments on Fire & Ice? Get in touch with the host via this Text Message feature.By Judd Spicer

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Kakul Srivastava on Why Splice Acquired Spitfire Audio 23:54

1M ago23:54

23:54

We’re continuing our Trapital Summit series. In this episode, we’re with Kakul Srivastava, CEO of Splice, to discuss how technology is reshaping music. From Splice’s acquisition of Spitfire Audio to the rise of AI-powered tools, we explore innovation, M&A lessons learned, and more. 03:51 Acquiring Spitfire Audio 10:24 Product and Data-Driven Growth…

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Oliver Schusser on Apple’s Strategy in Music, AI’s Potential, and the Super Bowl Halftime Show 23:37

2M ago23:37

23:37

We’re continuing our Trapital Summit recap series. In today’s episode, you’ll hear my conversation with Oliver Schusser, VP of Apple Music and International Content, to explore Apple’s journey in music. We dive into the state of music streaming, AI ‘s impact , and Apple’s partnerships in sports and live content. 02:46 From iTunes to Apple Music 01:…

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Elliot Grainge on Atlantic’s Future, AI, and Selling 10K Projects 20:01

2M ago20:01

20:01

We’re kicking off our Trapital Summit recap series. In today’s episode, you’ll hear my conversation with Elliot Grainge, CEO of Atlantic Music Group. This was Elliot’s first public talk since becoming CEO in October 2024. We discuss his response to the fanfare around the Warner Music Group transition, Elliot’s experience selling 10K Projects, and a…

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Trapital Summit Recap: Venue Surprise, Highlights, and Behind the Scenes Moments 42:33

2M ago42:33

42:33

In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of last week’s second annual Trapital Summit. Listen to me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research break down what went into the event. From the NeueHouse bankruptcy to speaker selection, key moments, feedback from guests, curating the right room, and plenty more. 01:13 A Last-Minute Surprise 09:40 Curat…

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How Much Is The Weeknd's Music Really Worth? 9:38

2M ago9:38

9:38

Our Trapital Summit is Wednesday, September 10 in Los Angeles! Get your tickets here. Today's mini-episode is a breakdown on The Weeknd's $1 billion music rights financing goals and whether it is worth that massive price tag. I also share a few words on the late Peter Sinclair, CEO and co-founder of beatBread. How Much Is The Weeknd's Music Really …

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Have Record Labels Turned Into Private Equity Firms? 17:52

3M ago17:52

17:52

Trapital Summit is on Sep 10 in LA. Join us! Get your tickets here. The major record labels are adapting for the modern era. Lately, that shift has them looking less like RCA and more like KKR. These companies have invested less in signing new artists and more in acquiring the legendary back catalog of music. With streaming driving steady royalties…

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The Business Behind Iconic Music Catalogs 18:13

3M ago18:13

18:13

In this solo episode, we dive into the most valuable music catalogs in the world, and what makes them stand out. From Queen and Michael Jackson’s deals and more, we explore why the top catalogs fetch massive multiples and how they operate at unique financial and cultural assets. 03:19 Iconic Catalogs 07:07 Music Biopics 08:32 How Genres Imoact Cata…

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Revisiting The Sphere (Rewind) 39:45

4M ago39:45

39:45

In this episode, we’re revisiting our deep dive on James Dolan’s Sphere in Las Vegas. The Backstreet Boys residency at the Sphere. As we predicted on our 2025 Live Music Draft, the boy band’s apperance at the Vgas spectacle would exceed expectations. So I talk about that before I jump into the episode. Then I’m joined by MIDiA Research’s Tati Ciris…

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Algorithms vs. Curators: YouTube’s Role in Breaking Through The Noise 25:51

4M ago25:51

25:51

It’s harder than ever to breaking through the noise, but navigating YouTube may be a prerequisite to even have a chance. In this episode, I’m joined by YouTube’s Director of Black Music & Culture, Tuma Basa. He returns to reflect on the platform’s evolution and the ongoing relationship between curators and the algorithms they rely on to reach the m…

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Trapital Summit: Sep 10 in LA. A few announcements... 3:07

4M ago3:07

3:07

This is the room for the leaders shaping what's next in music, entertainment, and technology. It's Wednesday, September 10 at NeueHouse Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA. Register now. Early bird pricing ends July 24, two weeks from today. You'll hear from: Elliot Grainge, CEO, Atlantic Music Group Steve Pamon, CEO, Verzuz | Board Member, IMAX Erin Tea…

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Record Labels Want Market Share, But At What Cost? 18:30

4M ago18:30

18:30

This episode’s a bit different, no guests. I’m going solo to break down a big topic. For record labels, the market share they have relative to peers drives major decisions both macro and micro. They spend a lot to maintain that position. Is it all worth it? 01:33 Market Share’s Financial Impact 05:49 Challenges & Critiques 07:21 Cross-Industry Para…

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How Will Taylor Swift’s Masters Ownership Saga Be Remembered? 38:40

5M ago38:40

38:40

Now that the dust has settled on Taylor Swift’s music rights saga, what’s next? We unpacked the financial impact of all the transactions on key players like Scooter Braun, Scott Borchetta, Shamrock Capital, and Swift herself. While all of those parties made a lot more money, we took a deeper look into the potential losers over the years. And lastly…

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Why Artist Development Matters More Than Ever 32:57

5M ago32:57

32:57

We’re joined by AWAL CEO Lonny Olinick. In the episode, we broke down why artist development still matters, how AWAL merges traditional record label services with its distribution business, giving artists creative freedom, global reach, and real ownership to AWAL’s artist-first approach often beats major label deals, what it means to be part of the…

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Does Hip-Hop Still Run Luxury Fashion? 30:48

5M ago30:48

30:48

Hip-hop’s has had an outsized impact in fashion for decades, but where are we today? In this episode, I am joined by Fashion Killa authorSowmya Krishnamurthy. We unpack hip-hop’s relationship with fashion, how these partnerships have evolved, where they stand in 2025, and what we want to see more of. 01:41 Hip-Hop’s Cultural Impact vs. Sales Metric…

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America Streams American. The World Follows. 32:27

6M ago32:27

32:27

American music still dominate the global stage, despite the world going local. In this episode, I am joined by former chief economist at Spotify, Will Page. We explore the powerful global influence of American music and what it reveals about culture, commerce, and control in the streaming era. From top-down industry power to bottom-up grassroots mo…

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The Business of Soundtracking the Creator Economy 40:16

6M ago40:16

40:16

There are billions of videos uploaded to the internet daily. They all need the right music or sound effect. Many of them rely on Epidemic Sound to make that happen. In this episode, I’m joined by Oscar Hoglund, co-founder and CEO of Epidemic Sound. We dive into how Epidemic Sound uses AI to enhance music discovery while ensuring fair compensation f…

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Fire & Ice Podcast - A Season's Appreciation with Derek Laxdal and player exit interviews (May 12, 2025) 1:24:39

6M ago1:24:39

1:24:39

For the first time in franchise history, the 'Birds' season ends in May. Join in for reflections, observations and laughs via a dozen players exit interviews, and a media visit with head coach Derek Laxdal. Questions or Comments on Fire & Ice? Get in touch with the host via this Text Message feature.…

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Tariffs, Tours, and Trade Wars: Why Music Investment Won’t Slow Down 35:47

6M ago35:47

35:47

Is the global market headed for another shake-up? In this episode, we unpack the rising uncertainty in international trade and finance—from shifting geopolitical alliances to unexpected tariffs and policy pivots. What does this mean for businesses, investors, and everyday consumers? Tune in as Billboard’s Senior Finance Correspondent, Liz Dilts Mar…

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Fire & Ice Podcast - Division Semis Mid-Series Media Roundtable, Firebirds vs. Abbotsford Canucks (May 6, 2025) 41:47

6M ago41:47

41:47

Game on: With the 'Birds and Canucks tied at a game apiece in the Division Semis and the series moving North of the Border, join in for a full Media Roundtable, featuring: Tim O'Brien (NBC-Palm Springs' lead sports anchor/Acrisure in-arena host/Firebirds' rinkside reporter); Shad Powers (columnist for The Desert Sun newspaper); Patrick Williams (fe…

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The 2025 Live Music Draft 37:21

6M ago37:21

37:21

In this episode, we’re shaking things up with our very first Live Music Draft 2025!Joined by MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano, we’re drafting our top music festivals, stadium tours, arena tours, concert residencies, over-performers, and under-performers of the year! 02:30 Music Festivals09:21 Stadium Tours14:04 Arena Tours (First Timers)22:00 Vegas R…

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The $10B+ Blind Spot in B2B Streaming 35:37

7M ago35:37

35:37

There are millions of companies worldwide that use personal music streaming accounts for their businesses’ music. But if those companies had the business-level streaming they should, it would add billions of annual revenue to the industry. So why isn’t this a priority? Well, it’s a priority for today’s guest, Ola Sars. He’s the founder and CEO of S…

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Fire & Ice Podcast - A Visit with Brandon Biro - Playoffs Edition (April 29, 2025) 37:47

7M ago37:47

37:47

The 'Birds (again) earn a postseason advance past Calgary, and now move on to face the Abbotsford Canucks in the Division Semifinal. Joining in to discuss the playoff push is CV winger/PK specialist, Brandon Biro. Questions or Comments on Fire & Ice? Get in touch with the host via this Text Message feature.…

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Why Legacy Rock Bands Still Love Music Festivals 39:38

7M ago39:38

39:38

Everyone’s talking about “superfans,” but artist management companies have been focused on their top fans for quite some time. We sat down with Jonathan Daniel from Crush Music. They manage Green Day, Miley Cyrus, Sia, Weezer, Fall Out Boy, Train, and others. We talk about Coachella, touring strategies, how they use data, business ventures and more…

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How to Win on YouTube 36:01

7M ago36:01

36:01

Let’s cut through the noise and get real about what it takes to build a sustainable business on the world’s biggest video platform. Joining me are Ten2 Media founders Donna Budica and George Karalexis, who help artists like Benson Boone and Brent Faiyaz maximize YouTube. ****We dive into insights on how artists can take advantage of the YouTube eco…

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Fire & Ice Podcast - First-round Playoff Media Roundtable, Firebirds vs. Calgary Wranglers (April 22, 2025) 43:44

7M ago43:44

43:44

The postseason is here! As the Firebirds ready for an opening-round, best-of-three duel with the division rival Calgary Wranglers, join in for this Media Roundtable, featuring: Shad Powers of The Desert Sun; NBC-Palm Springs lead sports anchor/'Birds' in-arena host & rinkside reporter, Tim O'Brien; and Matt Rose, Wranglers' color analyst and co-hos…

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Coachella’s Layaway Plan, Tubi’s Long Game , Lucian Grainge’s Legacy 38:33

7M ago38:33

38:33

It’s time for a Trapital Mailbag! We dive into hot topics like the Coachella’s payment plan debate, Tubi’s strategy under Fox, Meta vs the FTC, Lucian Grainge’s tenure at UMG, and a special section on how we use AI tools at Trapital! 00:55 Coachella Payment Plans 07:07 Tubi's Long-Term Strategy 15:42 Lucian Grange's Impact on UMG 26:14 Meta and the…

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Fire & Ice Podcast - A Visit with Nathan Villeneuve (April 15, 2025) 44:30

7M ago44:30

44:30

With the 'Birds winding-down the regular season and heading back to the playoffs, join in for this visit with electric CV rookie forward, Nathan Villeneuve. Questions or Comments on Fire & Ice? Get in touch with the host via this Text Message feature.By Judd Spicer

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How TikTok Got Caught in the Trade War 18:45

7M ago18:45

18:45

Our episode today is a two-parter. I start at the top with my take on TikTok. We then transition to our partner spotlight! Part 1: The April 4 deadline has passed, and there’s still no deal on TikTok. The app got caught in the middle of the U.S. - China trade war and the ongoing tariffs. How will this all play out? Part 2: I’m joined by beatBread’s…

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Inside Spotify’s $10B Payout to the Music Industry 36:13

7M ago36:13

36:13

It’s Data Week at Trapital and for part 2 in this week’s episode, we take a closer look at Spotify’s economic structure and the platform’s evolving role in the music industry. Spotify’s Head of Marketing & Policy for Music, Sam Duboff joins me as we take insights from the company’s Loud and Clear report, we explore how money flows through the syste…

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Streaming Growth Slowed Down. What’s Next? 32:36

7M ago32:36

32:36

It’s Data Week at Trapital! In 2024, music streaming revenue growth slowed down, but not for everyone! MIDiA Research’s Mark Mulligan joins me to break down the compaby’s annual report and the latest trends. How will the rise of the global south shape the industry? Which sectors of the “indie” market are actually growing? Will expanded rights be th…

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Apple Music Turns 10: Is It a Success? 29:37

7M ago29:37

29:37

Is Apple Music shaping the future of streaming, or is it just playing catch-up? In this episode, we discuss the past ten years of Apple Music, its role in music streaming, and whether it’s more important to the music business than it is to Apple overall. Join me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research as we break down the moves that led to this point…

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Fire & Ice Podcast - Deep-season Media Roundtable (April 1, 2025) 47:57

7M ago47:57

47:57

With the 'Birds jockeying for playoff position amid a mere eight games to play, tune in for this Deep-season Media Roundtable, featuring Tim O'Brien of NBC Palm Springs and Desert Sun columnist, Shad Powers. Questions or Comments on Fire & Ice? Get in touch with the host via this Text Message feature.…

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Reddit: How To Monetize a Marketer’s Goldmine 34:54

7M ago34:54

34:54

The most influential conversations about your industry might be from an anonymous commenters who is validated by hundreds of upvotes on popular subreddit thread. Join me and Dr. Marcus Collins, the award-winning marketer, author, and friend of the pod, as we discuss the significant cultural influence of Reddit, its evolution as a community of subcu…

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Do True Moguls Still Exist? 30:49

8M ago30:49

30:49

In today’s entertainment landscape, with more platforms and formats than ever, do true moguls still exist? If we’re being honest, they may have more power today than ever before. From Lew Wasserman’s Hollywood dominance, to Ted Turner’s cable news empire, to today’s tech titans, we explore how these power players shaped the industry, and who might …

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Fire & Ice Podcast - A Visit with Mitchell Stephens (March 19, 2025) 48:13

8M ago48:13

48:13

As the 'Birds seek a late-season push amid a taut Pacific, join in for this chat with CV forward and Stanley Cup champion, Mitchell Stephens. Questions or Comments on Fire & Ice? Get in touch with the host via this Text Message feature.By Judd Spicer

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WhatsApp is a Cultural Force. Will it Make More Money? 38:21

8M ago38:21

38:21

What if the most important social network in the world isn’t a social network at all? In this episode, we explore how WhatsApp—often overlooked in the U.S.—has become a lifeline for families, businesses, artists, and economies worldwide. Join me and Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Research as we break down whether WhatsApp is the closest thing to a true “…

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Can New Superstars Ever Surpass Current Superstars (Revisited!) 44:11

8M ago44:11

44:11

It’s the perfect time to revisit one of our more popular episodes. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are still at the top of the music industry despite the newer artists that do well on streaming and TikTok. That said, can today’s new class of stars ever match that same level of superstardom? . In this episode, I’m joined by Tati Cirisano from MIDiA Researc…

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Fire & Ice Podcast - A Visit with Ty Nelson (March 7, 2025) 47:50

8M ago47:50

47:50

As the season heats-up, so do the 'Birds. With just 16 games to play and CV leading the Pac, jump on the blue line for this visit with standout rookie defenseman, Ty Nelson. Questions or Comments on Fire & Ice? Get in touch with the host via this Text Message feature.By Judd Spicer

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Who is ‘Spotify Music Pro’ Really For? 34:36

9M ago34:36

34:36

According to Bloomberg, Spotify is exploring a new premium tier, Music Pro, which will include several new features and perks. But given what we know about music streaming, consumers, and record labels, who is this product really for? Will it work? Listen to me and MIDiA Research’s Tati Cirisano break down all aspects of the industry’s goal to get …

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Fire & Ice Podcast - A Visit with Derek Laxdal (February 24, 2025) 48:05

9M ago48:05

48:05

With the 'Birds on a heater and skating toward the top spot in the Pac, jump on the bench for this special visit with CV head coach, Derek Laxdal. Questions or Comments on Fire & Ice? Get in touch with the host via this Text Message feature.By Judd Spicer

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Meta’s Media Strategy: An On-Again, Off-Again Relationship 36:55

9M ago36:55

36:55

Every few years, Meta makes a big push with a media-related product, but few of then have lasted long. Instant Articles, Facebook Watch, Instagram Live, podcasts, music videos and more. Why don’t these initiatives stick? Is this similar with most social media platforms that try new things? How will this evolve in the future? Join me and MIDiA Resea…