SPOS #926 – Joanna Robinson Unmasks Marvel’s Superhero Business
Release Date: 04/07/2024
A World Of Intelligent Machines With Steve Brown - TWMJ #1044
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1044 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). has spent more than twenty-five years helping organizations prepare for the future of technology. A former Senior Director and in-house futurist at during the launch of , former Chief Evangelist and Futurist at , entrepreneur and advisor, Steve has worked with global brands including Nike, JPMorgan Chase, Samsung, Disney and more to navigate digital transformation and the rapidly evolving AI landscape. His latest book, , argues that AI is not another technology deployment but a fundamental...
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A Playbook For Growth With Nicolas Darveau-Garneau - TWMJ #1043
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1043 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). has spent his career helping organizations understand where technology creates lasting competitive advantage. A serial entrepreneur, former General Manager of in Canada, and then off to the Valley (where he still resides) as Google’s former Chief Evangelist, Nicolas has advised more than a thousand executives on digital transformation, AI, marketing, and growth strategy. His latest book, , challenges one of business’s most common assumptions: that efficiency is the ultimate measure of success....
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The Most Powerful Force In Business With Marcus Buckingham - TWMJ #1042
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1042 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). has spent more than three decades changing how organizations think about people, performance, and leadership. As one of the pioneers of the strengths movement, his research has influenced millions of managers around the world and helped reshape the way companies approach employee engagement and organizational culture. After beginning his career as a researcher at , Marcus became one of the driving forces behind some of the most influential ideas in modern management. His books include , , , and . He has...
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Winning With AI With Charlene Li - TWMJ #1041
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1041 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when every leadership team is being told that artificial intelligence will change everything, has spent her career helping organizations separate signal from noise. A New York Times bestselling author and trusted advisor to CEOs and boards, Charlene first became widely known for helping leaders understand transformative shifts through books like , and . Her latest book, , co-authored with , tackles one of the most pressing questions facing business leaders today: not what AI is, but what to do...
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AI And The Knowledge Economy With Sangeet Paul Choudary
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1040 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). Long before artificial intelligence became the dominant business conversation, was helping leaders understand another profound shift in economic power: the rise of platforms. As the co-author of , founder of , advisor to global corporations and governments, and a respected thinkers on digital business models, Sangeet has spent years studying how technology changes the sources of competitive advantage and reshapes entire industries. His latest book, , extends that work into the age of artificial...
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Developing A Vital Voice With Carmine Gallo - TWMJ #1039
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1039 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). I believe that communication has always been one of the most valuable skills in business. But in an era of AI-generated content, algorithmic feeds, podcasts, newsletters, keynote stages, short-form video and endless digital noise, it may be becoming even more important. Few people have spent more time studying what makes ideas resonate than . A communication coach, author, and instructor in executive education at , Carmine is best known for bestselling books including , , and . His latest project, , is...
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Human Agency With Marcus Fontoura - TWMJ #1038
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1038 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when technology feels simultaneously more powerful and more opaque than ever, is making a case for something many people feel they’ve lost: agency. A Technical Fellow and Corporate Vice President at , Marcus has spent decades helping build the infrastructure that powers the modern internet, including leadership roles at , and . His new book, , is both a guide to understanding the technologies shaping our lives and a reminder that we are not merely passengers along for the ride. Drawing on...
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The Value Of Uncertainty With Simone Stolzoff - TWMJ #1037
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1037 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a moment when certainty has become both a cultural obsession and a commercial product, is asking a far more uncomfortable question: what if the real skill is learning how to live without it? A journalist whose work has appeared in publications like and author of the bestselling book , Simo has built his work around examining the hidden psychological contracts shaping modern life… especially our increasingly tangled relationship with work, ambition and identity. His new book, , pushes that...
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Unlocking The Best In People With Ashley Herd - TWMJ #1036
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1036 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). did not set out to become a management expert. Trained as an employment lawyer and later serving in senior HR and leadership roles supporting organizations including , Ashley built her career at the intersection of people, performance and workplace culture. What began as practical leadership advice shared through short-form social media videos evolved into a , with hundreds of thousands of managers turning to her for direct, actionable guidance on how to lead teams without burning people out. Her new...
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Modern Marketing With MichaelAaron Flicker - TWMJ #1035
Thinking With Mitch Joel
Welcome to episode #1035 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation). At a time when marketers have more data, more technology and more precision than ever before… consumer trust, attention and loyalty somehow feel more fragile than ever. Few people are exploring that paradox more deeply than . An entrepreneur who started his company at just fourteen years old, Michael has spent years studying the intersection of marketing, behavioral science and human decision-making (he runs an agency, vventure capital firm and leads several other businesses). His book, (along with...
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.
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- Here is my conversation with Joanna Robinson.
- MCU - The Reign of Marvel Studios.
- Joanna’s amazing podcasts.
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- 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