SPOS #926 – Joanna Robinson Unmasks Marvel’s Superhero Business
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Release Date: 04/07/2024
SPOS #941 – Alex Edmans On How Our Biases Cause Us To Fall For Misinformation (And How To Combat It)
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #941 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #941. He is a finance professor at , and knows his stuff. With a background that spans and a PhD from , Alex's insights on corporate finance, responsible business, and behavioral finance are top-notch. He's a star, with millions of views, and his research has been featured everywhere from the to the . In our conversation, Alex dives into his latest book, (he is also the author of and ). We explore the tricky terrain of our post-truth...
info_outline
SPOS #940 – Bob Tapscott On The Tech Trivergence
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #940. I’ve had his brother () and nephew () on the show countless times. We might as well extend the invitation to . Bob has a knack for diving into the deep end of tech and coming up with pearls of wisdom. With a background as a CIO, speaker, and consultant, Bob’s journey spans nuclear power maintenance, Wall Street derivatives, and flying commercial aircrafts by computer. He’s the go-to guy for developing and implementing disruptive strategies that actually work, focusing on corporate performance and customer...
info_outline
SPOS #939 – Renee Warren On Building Authority And Content Creation
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #939 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #939. is an award-winning entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, author, and founder of , which helps entrepreneurs get the media coverage of their dreams. She's also the host of the celebrated podcast, , a show that features curated interviews with women entrepreneurs designed to inspire and give actionable advice to women launching or growing their dream business. In 2012, Renée founded her content marketing and PR agency, taking it from the...
info_outline
SPOS #938 – Johann Hari On The Promises and Perils of Weight-Loss Drugs
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #938 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #938. He’s back! , the bestselling author and celebrated journalist, is known for diving deep into the human condition, from addiction to depression to our scattered attention. His books, translated into 40 languages, have earned praise from the likes of , , and . Now, Johann is back with his latest book, , and it's sparking conversations everywhere. In our lively chat, Johann opens up about his latest journey, one that began with him...
info_outline
SPOS #937 – Scott Walker With Deep Insights From A Real-Life Hostage Negotiator
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #937 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #937. Life is a negotiation... and every one of us should be thinking about how we can get better at it. is a bestselling author and a keynote speaker on negotiation, communications, leadership and resilience. Scott is one of the world’s most experienced kidnap-for-ransom negotiators, offering discreet advice to top corporate, political, and NGO leaders to manage and recover from all sorts of real-life threats. With over three hundred cases...
info_outline
SPOS #936 – Dan Pontefract On Leaders As Coaches
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #936 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #936. My friend, , is a renowned leadership strategist, author, and keynote speaker with over two decades of experience in senior executive roles at companies like , , and Business Objects. His focus has always been on corporate culture change, leadership development, employee experience, and overall performance improvement. Since leaving the world of full-time gigs in 2018, Dan has worked with organizations worldwide, including , , , and the ,...
info_outline
SPOS #935 – Malissa Clark On Curing Workaholism
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #935. is an associate professor of industrial/organizational psychology at the and the brains behind the . Known for her expertise in workaholism, burnout, and employee well-being, Malissa has made significant strides in understanding the modern work environment. Her work has been featured in top journals like the , the and many more. In this conversation, Malissa dove into the concept of the "ideal worker" and how this can wreak havoc on work-life balance. We talked about how the pandemic has changed our approach to...
info_outline
SPOS #934 – Vijay Govindarajan Gives A Masterclass On Leadership And Management
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #934 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #934. When it comes to management and innovation, (aka VG) is a true legend. VG is a name synonymous with strategy and innovation. As the Coxe Distinguished Professor at and a key player in Silicon Valley’s (prior to joining the faculty at Tuck, VG was on the faculties of , and the ), VG's insights are pure gold for anyone looking to push their business thinking forward. VG’s journey is impressive. From being the first Professor in...
info_outline
SPOS #933 – Steve Dennis On Driving Leadership And Innovation
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #933 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #933. Let’s dive deep into the transformative insights of - a strategic advisor, retail leadership expert, and bestselling author. Steve's latest book, , dissects why so many transformations fail and reveals what leaders must do to keep their organizations relevant in an ever-evolving landscape. With a diverse career that includes c-suite roles at two companies and his current position as President of , Steve brings a wealth of experience...
info_outline
SPOS #932 – Nicholas Mattei On AI And The Future Of Smarter Machines
Six Pixels of Separation Podcast
Welcome to episode #932 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast. is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at . Nick has dedicated his career to exploring the theory and practice of artificial intelligence, with a focus on decision-making systems for both autonomous agents and humans. He’s been into AI since he was young, influenced by his mother (a program coordinator at a science center, and his father, a professor). His early fascination with computers and programming laid the foundation for a career that has spanned prestigious institutions and cutting-edge projects....
info_outlineWelcome to episode #926 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.
Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #926. A titan of pop culture commentary and a guiding voice in the realm of fandom is the best way to describe Joanna Robinson. With her profound insights into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and a finger firmly on the pulse of the entertainment industry, Joanna's expertise is unparalleled. Her recent book, co-authored with Dave Gonzales and Gavin Edwards, MCU - The Reign of Marvel Studios, offers a deep dive into the phenomenon that has reshaped global cinema... and turned nerds into the cool kids. Joanna's journey from a senior writer at Vanity Fair to becoming the "Queen of Game of Thrones," as dubbed by SyFy, showcases her unique ability to dissect and discuss complex cultural narratives, making her a beloved figure among fans and critics alike. Her transition to The Ringer, where she appears on shows like The Ringer-Verse and Trial By Content, further solidifies her status as a cultural critic par excellence. I am a comic book collector and lover of all things pop culture. This has not only become big business but a smart industry for all professionals to spend some time thinking about. Our conversation spans the intricate web of strategic decisions that led to the MCU's unprecedented success. From Marvel's acquisition by Disney to the delicate balance of interconnected storytelling and standalone tales, Joanna sheds light on the elements that keep audiences hooked. She also explores the MCU's cultural impact, particularly post-9/11, where a surge in superhero popularity reflected a collective yearning for escapism and heroism. Joanna points out the potential for content fatigue as Marvel's expansive universe grows ever larger across movies, TV shows, and streaming platforms. Beyond the MCU, Joanna and I delve into the broader comic book industry, contrasting Marvel's success with DC's franchise-building struggles and discussing the power of nostalgia in reigniting interest in iconic characters. Joanna emphasizes the untapped potential within Marvel's vast catalog, hinting at exciting directions the studio could explore in the future. MCU - The Reign of Marvel Studios is more than just a recounting of Marvel's rise to dominance - it's an invitation to understand the strategic, cultural, and creative forces behind one of the most influential entities in modern entertainment. Joanna's contribution, alongside her co-authors, offers invaluable insights for fans, aspiring creators, and industry observers alike. Enjoy the conversation...
- Running time: 59:46.
- Hello from beautiful Montreal.
- Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.
- Please visit and leave comments on the blog - Six Pixels of Separation.
- Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.
- Check out ThinkersOne.
- or you can connect on LinkedIn.
- ...or on Twitter.
- Here is my conversation with Joanna Robinson.
- MCU - The Reign of Marvel Studios.
- Joanna’s amazing podcasts.
- Follow Joanna on X.
- Follow Joanna on Instagram.
- This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.
Takeaways
- The success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a result of strategic decisions made by Marvel and Disney, including the acquisition of Marvel by Disney and the interconnected storytelling approach.
- The cultural shift towards superheroes can be attributed to a desire for escapism and heroism, particularly in the aftermath of 9/11.
- Marvel faces the challenge of content fatigue as it expands its universe across movies, TV shows, and streaming platforms.
- DC has faced challenges in building successful franchises, while Marvel has excelled in creating interconnected storylines.
- Nostalgia plays a significant role in the success of superhero movies, as audiences connect with iconic characters and stories from their childhood.
- There are untapped potential assets in the Marvel catalog that could be explored in future projects.
- Comic books offer a diverse range of storytelling beyond superheroes and can be a gateway to discovering new genres and perspectives.
Chapters:
- 00:00 - Introduction
- 01:07 - The Love for Comic Books
- 03:13 - The Rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
- 06:12 - The Cultural Shift towards Superheroes
- 08:57 - The Acquisition of Marvel by Disney
- 11:25 - The Marvel Studios Inception Story
- 15:06 - The Challenge of Licensing Characters
- 19:23 - The Marvel Cinematic Universe Expansion
- 23:08 - The Challenge of Content Fatigue
- 28:28 - The Need for Change in Marvel's Strategy
- 30:33 - The Difficulty of Replicating Kevin Feige
- 36:27 - The Haunting History of Marvel's Business Model
- 38:08 - The Potential of Secret Wars
- 39:50 - Serialized Movies vs. TV Shows
- 45:21 - DC's Struggles with Franchise Building
- 50:30 - The Power and Pull of Nostalgia
- 54:33 - Unused Assets in the Marvel Catalog
- 55:51 - Changing Perspectives on Comic Books