The AvA Connection

In partnership with

Before we dive in, let’s all laugh together in agony at this text:

🐝 The Weekly Buzz (6 things you need to know)

1) ‘Squid Game’ Season 3 becomes the first show ever to debut at number 1 on Netflix across all 93 countries that report top 10 lists. The third installment of the series reeled in an eye watering 60.1 million views in just 3 days.

🏊‍♂️ Deeper Dive: The first season of ‘Squid Game’ still ranks as the most-watched Netflix series of all time, securing 265.2 million views during its first 90 days. Season 2 comes in at third with 192.6 million views, and the only show that is wedged between them is the first season of “Wednesday” which reached 252.1 million.

2) Concert ticket prices dropped 6% last year, notably with their steepest decline since 2012. The bad news is that it still costs 10 Sweetgreen salads to see your favorite pop star, but hey, it’s a good start considering it’s been on a consistent climb since 2018.

3) Chinese Studios plan to use AI to rerelease Kung Fu classics from Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan and Jet Li. The problem? Well I can think of many, but the biggest is that none of the actors or their estates had any idea it was happening..

4) YouTube Shorts are now averaging 200 billion daily views. Read more about their continued world dominance.

5) Warner Music Group announced $170 million in layoffs as part of a $300 million cost-cutting plan. They called it a “headcount rightsizing” which is now my least favorite term for layoffs. Read more.

6) The US Senate rejected a proposed 10-year ban on state level AI rules. The industry is happy. Read why here.

🏊‍♂️ Deeper Dive: Tennessee’s ‘Elvis Act’ (2024) is an example of state level AI legislation that worked in favor of artists. This added additional protection to cover “new, personalized generative AI cloning models and services that enable human impersonation and allow users to make unauthorized fake works in the image and voice of others.

🏃 Industry Moves

1. Scooter Braun steps away from his role as CEO at HYBE. He will now be moving into an executive advisory position, and he has reportedly also settled all financial issues with his former client, Justin Bieber. Isaac Lee will take his place as CEO.

2. UTA drops duo ‘Bob Vylan’ after they went on a political rant at Glastonbury last weekend. They have also been dropped by their management, removed from numerous festivals, had their US travel visas revoked, and face a U.K. criminal investigation.

3. Neil Druckmann, ‘The Last of Us’ Co-Creator, exits HBO series

🧠 Reading List

Each week I highlight a new book or podcast that I’m enjoying. This week’s is Barry Diller’s: Who Knew. Barry Diller is a veteran media mogul and internet pioneer who built and led major companies like Paramount, Fox, and IAC, playing a pivotal role in shaping both Hollywood and the digital media landscape. Awesome read.

“At William Morris in the 1960s, the primary job of a mail-room boy was to get out of there as fast as you could.”

Looks like things haven’t changed that much after all!

Learn AI in 5 minutes a day

This is the easiest way for a busy person wanting to learn AI in as little time as possible:

1. Sign up for The Rundown AI newsletter

2. They send you 5-minute email updates on the latest AI news and how to use it

3. You learn how to become 2x more productive by leveraging AI

Sign up to start learning.

📞 The Call Log: Lindsay Barnett, Founder & CEO of Playground Productions

Lindsay Barnett, who spent nearly a decade teaching elementary school in Chicago, has brought back one of the most iconic franchises of all time: Backyard Baseball. When I say I grew up playing this game, I truly grew up playing this game. So when I heard the news it was coming back, I had to track her down.

Our conversation is below:

AvA: Tell me about your journey to where you are today. How did you get here? Why is the company called Playground? 

Barnett: The company is called Playground because I spent almost a decade teaching elementary school. The experience working with my students inspired me to start a children's media company to create great content for kids and families. 

AvA: Single biggest piece of advice you would give people coming up today.

Barnett: Dream big!

AvA: What do you think about the current IP marketplace and how Playground / Backyard fit into that?

Barnett: The original fans are overwhelmingly nostalgic for Backyard Sports - an IP that celebrates play, comedy, and joy of the game! Those millennial gamers are now introducing the brand to their kids, students, and younger family members with such fondness. 

AvA: Biggest lesson you learned as a teacher that you apply today to the creative side of the games.

Barnett: As a teacher, I constantly think about accessibility and how to make the game appeal to as many players as possible including little kids learning about the sport for the first time, original fans of the game who need an increased difficulty level, gamers with disabilities, casual gamers, and competitive gamers. We are designing our games to be the most accessible games on the market. 

AvA: Most lacking quality you see in people coming up today and how they could fix it to be most successful in their careers long term.

Barnett: I see so many people give up before they even try because they are afraid of failing. You'll never succeed if you don't try! 

AvA: Biggest work-life-productivity hack?

Barnett: I take calls on the elliptical or treadmill, so I never miss my workouts. My team makes fun of me because they know that's why my camera is off. 

AvA: Favorite song to listen to while working and what it says about you as an executive.

Barnett: I listen to a lot of 90s rap and 2000s pop music. Songs transport me back to the time period and give me nostalgic ideas for our fans.

🎤 Calling all L.A.-based Kygo Fans

Want to be an extra in a teaser for Kygo's upcoming concert film? They're shooting in El Segundo this coming Monday, July 7th at 9am-12:30pm PT. Register here.

👋 See you back here on Tuesday for a brand new selection of Entertainment jobs

Want this newsletter in your inbox every week?

This newsletter is written by Warner Bailey and edited by Riley Furey

Get in touch! Email us at [email protected].

Want to partner with us and reach 25k+ music and entertainment professionals? Email [email protected]