Scott Switzer: From Dot-Com Dreams to Digital Advertising Dominance
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Overview: Scott Switzer's journey from Omaha to global tech innovator began with creating computer games on his TRS-80. Facing challenges during the dot-com boom and bust with Big Emmas, later called Article 27, Scott eventually found success with OpenX, an open-source ad platform that became a major competitor to DoubleClick. His experiences with VCs like FirstMark and Flybridge, investing in startups, and exploring blockchain and crypto, have shaped his career. Now, as the CTO of Ozone, Scott is focused on redefining the digital advertising industry. Key Takeaways: Resilience in...
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Dorothy Chang's journey from Long Island to becoming a pivotal figure in the New York Tech Ecosystem
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Dorothy Chang's journey from Long Island to becoming a pivotal figure in the New York tech ecosystem is a story of adaptability, perseverance, and innovation. Growing up with high expectations in a musical family, she found her way into PR and tech, eventually transitioning into venture capital. Dorothy's career highlights include working at renowned firms like Edelman and Brew, co-founding Liberty City Ventures, and playing a crucial role in Foursquare's pivot to a data intelligence company. Currently, she focuses on supporting early-stage founders through Lynx Collective and Next Wave...
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Stacy Spikes: Revolutionizing Entertainment through stories from MoviePass, Music, Movies and So Much More
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Overview Stacy Spikes, the entrepreneurial force behind MoviePass and the Urbanworld Film Festival, shares his incredible journey from the music industry to creating one of the most controversial subscription services in entertainment. Growing up in Houston, Stacy's ambition led him to LA, where he started as a gopher at American Video, quickly rising through the ranks at Motown and Sony. Transitioning to film, he worked with the Weinsteins at Miramax and then moved to October Films. Stacy's story is one of relentless perseverance and groundbreaking innovation. During our...
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Heather Wagner Reed: From Beyoncé's Side to PR Brilliance
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Overview Heather Wagner Reed is a force to be reckoned with in the world of PR. We caught up with her at 77 Degrees in North Austin over some tropical tiki drinks to hear about her journey from working as Beyoncé’s right hand to founding her own boutique agency, Juice Consulting. Heather dives deep into the essence of community engagement, the power of storytelling, and the strategic alliances that have fueled her 17 years of success. With anecdotes from her career and insights into the PR industry, Heather shares the challenges and rewards of managing a boutique agency. She...
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Anthony Armendariz: Pioneering Digital Design from the Web’s Dawn to Today
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Overview: Anthony Armendariz has spent decades mastering the art and science of digital design. Starting his journey in the '90s, Anthony transitioned from straightforward browser design and Flash to leading his own agency, Funsize, in Austin, Teaxas. Fun Size has become a beacon of innovation in digital product design, adapting to the ever-changing technological landscape while maintaining a focus on creating exceptional user experiences. In our conversation at the Austin bar Long Play, where we enjoyed beers and margaritas, Anthony shared his insights into the evolution of...
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Caren Kelleher – A Music Lover’s Entrepreneurial Path
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Summary Caren Kelleher, the founder of Gold Rush Vinyl in Austin, TX, has had a remarkable journey through the music industry. Starting her career at Paste Magazine, Caren quickly dove into the business side of music, gaining a deep understanding of the industry's intricacies. Her path led her to tech roles, including a significant position at Google where she managed the Artist Hub platform, enabling artists to upload their music directly to Google Play. Caren's commitment to supporting artists remained unwavering, ultimately inspiring her to establish Gold Rush Vinyl. Her pressing...
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David Dylan Thomas: Navigating Cognitive Bias and Creative Innovation
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Summary: David Dylan Thomas, an expert in cognitive bias and user experience, joins us to discuss his multifaceted career and unique insights into the intersection of technology and ethics. David's journey began in the indie film scene, where he discovered the transformative potential of the internet, leading him to pivot towards UX and content strategy. He has worked extensively in applying cognitive biases to create ethical and inclusive products, making him a sought-after speaker and author of the book "Design for Cognitive Bias." Throughout our conversation, David emphasized the...
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Adam Roberts - How the Amateur Gourmet went from legal briefs to gourmet feasts
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Summary: Adam Roberts, also known as The Amateur Gourmet, shares his remarkable journey from an unfulfilled law student to a celebrated food blogger, TV writer, and now a novelist. His blog, which began as an escape from law school, quickly gained popularity due to Adam’s creative approach, including writing songs about food and hosting quirky contests. This unique content set his blog apart and opened doors to various opportunities, such as writing cookbooks and TV scripts. Despite exploring different ventures, Adam’s passion for food and storytelling remained constant, ultimately...
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Jimmy Tingle: From Stand-Up to Politics: A Comedian's Journey
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Jimmy Tingle, legendary comedian known for his sharp political humor and reflective one-man shows, takes us through his comedic journey from the vibrant 80s Boston comedy scene to his current autobiographical performances. He shares insights on the evolution of political comedy, how Martin Luther King Jr.'s writings influenced his perspective, and the impact of sobriety on his life and career. Jimmy also delves into the challenges of running for political office and the importance of authenticity in his work. Join us for an insightful and humorous look into the life of a comedian who has...
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Meghan O'Keefe: From Comedy Stages to Television Sommelier
Story In A Bottle Podcast
Episode Summary In this episode, Meghan O’Keefe discusses her journey from aspiring comedian to becoming a prominent figure in digital media at The New York Post's . Over Hendrick's and Tonics, Meghan reflects on her early days in the comedy scene in New York, her transition into entertainment journalism, and her current role where she influences how streaming content is perceived and reviewed. The episode delves into the nuances of media and comedy, exploring how Meghan's personal experiences shaped her career path. She candidly discusses the challenges of finding her voice in a...
info_outlineIn this lively episode, Tyler Balliet shares insights from his extensive experience in the wine industry, highlighting his unconventional approach to wine education and his journey as an entrepreneur. He describes his latest venture, a comprehensive wine guide titled "Rebel School of Wine," which aims to demystify the wine experience. Tyler emphasizes the importance of providing context rather than jargon, making wine more accessible and enjoyable. His narrative is filled with anecdotes about his friend Joel's innovative winery in Sonoma, the influence of celebrities like Eric Wareheim on wine marketing, and the evolution of wine distribution and consumption.
Throughout the conversation, Tyler reflects on the evolution of the wine industry, contrasting traditional and modern approaches to wine marketing and education. He critiques the standard wine descriptions that dominate the industry, advocating for a more relatable and engaging method that focuses on storytelling and the historical and cultural context of wine. This approach is evident in his book, where he includes 450 illustrations to visually capture the essence of wine regions and types.
Tyler also discusses the challenges and triumphs of his entrepreneurial endeavors, particularly with his event series, Wine Riot, and his transition into publishing with "Rebel School of Wine." He shares personal stories of starting out in the wine industry, the trials of adapting to digital marketing, and his philosophy on making wine education fun and accessible. His candid reflections reveal a deep passion for wine and a dedication to innovating how it's shared with the world.
Key takeaways:
- Context is more important than jargon in wine education.
- Personal stories and relationships shape one's approach to wine.
- Innovation and adaptability are key in the evolving wine industry.
Quotes:
1. "Instead of like, every other wine book is like, Mmm, the strawberries and the boysenberries. And for me, like, what things smell like or taste like... the flavors and aromas is like the least interesting part."
2. "I think we're talking about wine all wrong. I don't think consumers need to actually learn anything to enjoy it."
3. "Understanding wine really kind of like makes the experience better... if you can drink something that you feel confident about. From a science perspective, actually, it makes it taste better."