Episodes

  • Memes Are Serious Business: Licensing, AI and Digital IP with Liz Hagelthorn of SmarterLicense
    Jul 29 2024

    In this episode, we explore how memes are reshaping the digital landscape and learn about innovative content licensing strategies with SmarterLicense founder Liz Hagelthorn.

    Liz Hagelthorn, founder and CEO of SmarterLicense, joins the pod to discuss the intricate world of meme culture and content licensing. With her extensive background in managing viral meme accounts and working with creators, Liz shares invaluable insights on monetization strategies for creators and the evolving landscape of digital IP. The conversation touches on AI's impact on content creation, effective brand engagement with memes and surprising parallels between meme economics and cryptocurrency trends.

    Links mentioned from the podcast:

    • Liz’s Twitter
    • Smarter License Website

    Watch this episode on video:

    • YouTube
    • CoinDesk

    Follow us on Twitter:

    • Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

    -

    "Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    43 mins
  • The Final Squiggle: Erick Calderon on Art, Community and Spreading Joy in Web3
    Jul 22 2024

    In this episode of “Gen C”, we discuss how a simple colorful squiggle became an icon of the crypto art movement and what it means for the future of Web3.

    Erick Calderon, Founder/CEO of Art Blocks and creator of the Chromie Squiggle, joins us to discuss the final mint of the iconic NFT project. Erick reflects on the Squiggle's journey from a proof of concept to a symbol of the crypto art movement, now featured in major museum collections. He also shares his thoughts on bringing more joy and innovation to the Web3 space, emphasizing the need to engage people outside the crypto ecosystem.

    Links mentioned from the podcast:

    • Erick’s Twitter

    Watch this episode on video:

    • YouTube
    • CoinDesk

    Follow us on Twitter:

    • Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

    -

    "Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    35 mins
  • Beyond Brick-and-Mortar: Walmart's Innovative Approach to Reaching New Audiences
    Jul 15 2024

    Walmart's Justin Breton reveals how the retail giant is reinventing itself for the digital age through immersive commerce and virtual world experiences.

    In this episode, Justin Breton, Director of Brand Experience and Strategic Partnerships at Walmart, discusses the company's foray into digital platforms like Roblox and their new immersive commerce destination, Walmart Realm. Justin shares insights on partnering with creators, introducing real-world commerce in virtual environments, and Walmart's approach to innovation. He also touches on the company's strategy for engaging younger audiences and their cautious approach to implementing AI technologies.

    Links mentioned from the podcast:

    • Justin Breton’s Twitter
    • Walmart Realm Website

    Watch this episode on video:

    • YouTube
    • CoinDesk

    Follow us on Twitter:

    • Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

    -

    "Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    48 mins
  • Live from Consensus: Brands Using the Metaverse for Social Good
    Jul 1 2024

    From the Consensus stage, this episode focuses on the future of immersive technologies, underlining how brands and creators are utilizing these platforms to drive community engagement and social responsibility initiatives.

    In this episode, we bring you another conversation from Consensus where we delve into how various brands are leveraging the metaverse and immersive technologies for social good, featuring insights from industry leaders: Justin Breton of Walmart, Adam Shlachter of Niantic, Winnie Burke of Roblox and moderated by Laurie Keith of Ad Council. Topics include Walmart’s virtual initiatives, innovations spotlighted at the Cannes Lions Festival, the impact of celebrity tokens on culture and commerce and media licensing within the evolving landscape of AI. This episode was recorded live at Consensus 2024 in Austin, TX.

    Links mentioned from the podcast:

    • Justin Breton’s Twitter
    • Laurie Keith’s Twitter

    Watch this episode on video:

    • YouTube
    • CoinDesk

    Follow us on Twitter:

    • Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

    -

    Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is the ownership layer of web3 with the most battle tested smart accounts. Trusted to secure over $100 billion, Safe offers unparalleled usability and security for individuals, DAOs, and institutions. Experience true digital ownership with Safe's flagship web and mobile wallet and its leading account abstraction infrastructure. Get started today at safe.global.

    -

    "Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    42 mins
  • Spawning Success: Todd McFarlane on Comics, Toys, and Crypto
    Jun 24 2024

    Legendary comic creator Todd McFarlane discusses his journey from artist to entrepreneur on this week’s episode of “Gen C”.

    Todd McFarlane, creator of Spawn and founder of Image Comics and McFarlane Toys, joins the podcast to discuss his career. He shares his journey from comic book artist to successful entrepreneur, offering insights on building brands and navigating the entertainment industry. McFarlane also delves into his recent forays into blockchain and digital collectibles, explaining his perspective on the future of art and collectibles.

    Links mentioned from the podcast:

    • Todd on Twitter
    • McFarlane Toys Website

    Watch this episode on video:

    • YouTube
    • CoinDesk

    Follow us on Twitter:

    • Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

    -

    Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is the ownership layer of web3 with the most battle tested smart accounts. Trusted to secure over $100 billion, Safe offers unparalleled usability and security for individuals, DAOs, and institutions. Experience true digital ownership with Safe's flagship web and mobile wallet and its leading account abstraction infrastructure. Get started today at safe.global.

    -

    "Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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    41 mins
  • Live from Consensus: Building a Brand on Blockchain Without Talking About Blockchain with Ben Leventhal of Blackbird
    Jun 17 2024

    From the Consensus stage, Ben Leventhal shares his philosophy of building consumer-friendly crypto brands by prioritizing user experience over crypto buzzwords.

    Ben Leventhal, founder of restaurant brands like Eater.com and Resy, joins Sam Ewen on the stage at Consensus to discuss his latest venture, Blackbird, which aims to enhance the relationship between restaurants and customers through loyalty programs and payments built on blockchain technology. They explore Ben's philosophy of prioritizing user experience over crypto jargon and infrastructure when creating consumer-facing products. Ben also shares advice for other entrepreneurs looking to build successful Web3 brands. This episode was recorded live at Consensus 2024 in Austin, TX.

    Links mentioned from the podcast:

    • Ben on Twitter

    Watch this episode on video:

    • YouTube
    • CoinDesk

    Follow us on Twitter:

    • Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

    -

    Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is the ownership layer of web3 with the most battle tested smart accounts. Trusted to secure over $100 billion, Safe offers unparalleled usability and security for individuals, DAOs, and institutions. Experience true digital ownership with Safe's flagship web and mobile wallet and its leading account abstraction infrastructure. Get started today at safe.global.

    -

    "Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Show more Show less
    42 mins
  • Live from Consensus: Memes & Money
    Jun 10 2024

    From the Consensus stage, we explore the rise of meme coins and the financialization of cultural ideas through blockchain technology.

    In this episode, we feature a panel from Consensus moderated by Camilla McFarland with artist Rhett Mankind, marketer Liz Hagelthorn, talent representative Chris Jacquemin, and investor Derek Edwards to discuss the emergence of meme coins, the tokenization of cultural concepts and the potential impact of this trend on art, celebrity and the monetization of ideas. This episode was recorded live at Consensus 2024 in Austin, TX.

    Links mentioned from the podcast:

    • Derek on Twitter
    • Liz on Twitter
    • Rhett on Twitter
    • Chris on Twitter
    • Camilla on Twitter

    Watch this episode on video:

    • YouTube
    • CoinDesk

    Follow us on Twitter:

    • Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

    -

    Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is the ownership layer of web3 with the most battle tested smart accounts. Trusted to secure over $100 billion, Safe offers unparalleled usability and security for individuals, DAOs, and institutions. Experience true digital ownership with Safe's flagship web and mobile wallet and its leading account abstraction infrastructure. Get started today at safe.global.

    -

    "Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • Live from Consensus: How Digital Assets and Virtual Economies Will Fuel Global Cultural Immersion with Ian Rogers of Ledger
    Jun 3 2024

    In this interview, Ian Rogers, Chief Experience Officer at Ledger, discusses the launch of their innovative Ledger Stacks hardware wallet and the importance of digital ownership and self-custody as AI and security threats increase.

    Ian Rogers has long been at the forefront of cultural change, from serving as the Beastie Boys' internet guru to helping Yahoo, Beats, and Apple pioneer digital music to guiding LVMH's foray into social and digital media. Now Ledger's Chief Experience Officer, Rogers shares his thoughts on the future of network economies, the role of digital assets in cultural and technological shifts and the importance of protecting your identity in a mixed-reality future. This episode was recorded live at Consensus 2024 in Austin, TX.

    Links mentioned from the podcast:

    • Ian Rogers on Twitter

    Watch this episode on video:

    • YouTube
    • CoinDesk

    Follow us on Twitter:

    • Sam Ewen, Avery Akkineni, CoinDesk, Vayner3

    -

    Safe (formerly Gnosis Safe) is the ownership layer of web3 with the most battle tested smart accounts. Trusted to secure over $100 billion, Safe offers unparalleled usability and security for individuals, DAOs, and institutions. Experience true digital ownership with Safe's flagship web and mobile wallet and its leading account abstraction infrastructure. Get started today at safe.global.

    -

    "Gen C" features hosts Sam Ewen and Avery Akkineni. Executive produced by Jared Schwartz and produced by Uyen Truong. Our theme music is "1882” by omgkirby x Channel Tres with editing by Doc Blust. Artwork by Nicole Marie Rincon.

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    Show more Show less
    28 mins