The AvA Connection

🐝 The Weekly Buzz

If you’ve ever worked in Entertainment, then Seth Rogen’s new dare I say masterpiece ‘The Studio’ may hit too close to home. “Nearly every Hollywood Exec” is saying the show is “great, but very traumatic to watch.” Now imagine working for those Hollywood execs!

Spotify introduced a new suite of new ad tools, with one allowing advertisers in the U.S. to use generative AI to create scripts and voice overs for the first time.

The deadline for the U.S. TikTok ban is less than 48 hours away (April 5th), and Amazon has made a shocking last-minute bid to save the app. The potential ban isn’t stopping TikTok in its pursuit to take over the music industy, as they just soft-launched TikTok for Artists.

How will the newly announced tariffs affect Hollywood and the broader media landscape? Great article here from Hollywood Reporter.

CAA continues to bet big on creator-driven content with their signing of Mad Realities, known for social series including Shop Cats, Hollywood IQ, the dating series Proof of Love, Keep the Meter Running and Slide Show.

Last Thursday, many of the biggest YouTube stars gathered marketers from the top companies in the world including Amazon, Shopify, Uber, Disney & more to do something that has never been done at this scale before in the creator-world: give a sneak peak of their upcoming content series in an attempt to court brand deals (a popular practice in the traditional TV/Film worlds). According to Aaron DeBevoise, CEO of Spotter, who put on the event, claimed “the creators in the room [including Mr. Beast, Dude Perfect, The Try Guys, Kinigra Deon, Colin and Samir & more] drove more watch time with U.S. adults 18–49 than the combined watch time of:

• The Oscars

• The Grammys

• The Golden Globes

• Every game of the NBA Finals, the World Series, and the Stanley Cup

• The men’s & women’s Final Four and the College Football Playoff

• The #1 new drama in streaming

• The #1 new comedy in streaming

• And the Super Bowl

Latin music revenue in the US eclipsed $1.4 billion last year, an all time high, and over $1 billion for the 3rd consecutive year. Overall growth for the genre slowed down from 16% to 6% YoY (year over year), which was a common theme across the industry in 2024. For reference, US market revenues grew just 3% last year – compared to 8% the year prior. Full breakdown here.

David Fincher is set to direct Brad Pitt in the ‘Once Upon A Time In Hollywood’ sequel. The film is being made from a Tarantino script, and set up by Netflix (where Fincher has a first look deal). Fincher and and Pitt notably worked together on ‘Fight Club’ and a pair of other projects. More info here.

🧠 Wait what is a “first look deal?” Simply put, it is a contract where a studio or network pays a writer or production company a fee or other consideration for the right to be the first to see and potentially acquire any project they develop during a specified period. 

Chance the Rapper is headed to trial with his ex-manager Pat Corcoran. Corcoran sued 3 companies owned by Chance, claiming that he allegedly had ‘unpaid commissions.’ Chance sued Corcoran shortly after for ‘repeatedly breaching his fiduciary responsibilities. After years of tension, this one is heating up.

Sad week in Hollywood as we lost a legend. Val Kilmer, who was best known for his roles in Batman, Top Gun, and more, passed away on Tuesday.

📞 The Call Log: Jonathan Shank, CEO/Founder of Sony’s Terrapin Station Entertainment

As CEO/Founder of Terrapin Station Entertainment (a division of Sony), he’s worked with everyone from Mickey Hart to Mickey Mouse. Starting out as the 1st intern at New Orleans’ House of Blues in 1994 - and now booking multi-million blockbuster shows, including record breaking Luke Combs shows at American Family Field.

In 2024 alone, Terrapin Station put on 125+ shows, grossed $50M at the box office, and produced everything from Billy Joel & Stevie Nicks to Disney Jr., Mickey Hart, Kenny Chesney, Luke Combs, Bob Marley’s One Love Experience and even Deal or No Deal LIVE!. They also have a huge footprint in sports, TV/Film and family programming.

Terrapin Station Sports is behind eight of 2024’s biggest stadium shows, with a box office exceeding $35M. The company connects their roster of 16 MLS, MLB & NFL teams / stadiums with touring giants like Billy Joel, Stevie Nicks, Luke Combs, Sting, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown and more.

Terrapin Station also has a majority stake in live events producer Black Ink Presents, which is quickly becoming the go-to film to orchestra service. The company handles all creative for Barbie The Movie at the Hollywood Bowl featuring an all-women orchestra, plus others for Lion King, Moana, Spiderman, Oppenheimer and more.

His Intern to CEO route is inspiring and thought it was a perfect fit for this series.

Our conversation is below:

AvA: What was your first job in the Entertainment Industry?

Shank: I was an assistant at a boutique agency representing classic rock artists. Email was still fairly new so we always asked the agents to “Fax The Offer”. :)

AvA: Your work spans licensing IP, event production, venues, immersive experiences, and talent development. What emerging trends do you see shaping the future of how consumers engage with and absorb media and entertainment?

Shank: This is a really interesting question. I think we will see more experiential, immersive, and competitive socializing. In addition, more global markets will emerge to distribute live content which will allow us as producers to continue to grow and scale our productions.

AvA: What do you think are the 3 most important skill sets for the next generation to be successful in our industry (and beyond)?

Shank: Communicate, Collaborate, and always be open minded. There are so many lanes in the industry and room for everyone to be successful. Sometimes your path isn’t linear but that doesn’t mean it won't lead to a successful place.

AvA: What is the biggest opportunity & biggest challenge right now in the music industry?

Shank: The biggest opportunity is the amount of IP, brands, franchises, and distributors that are seeking partnerships in the live space. The challenge is making sure the market doesn't become too over saturated with too many shows and staying strategic throughout the process. The industry is always shifting so staying ahead of the curve is important.

AvA: One piece of advice for someone just starting their career?

Shank: Return every call and email and build relationships.

AvA: If money were no object, what would your dream job/career be (outside of the Entertainment Industry)?

Shank: Sushi Critic

AvA: 3 most memorable projects you've worked on?

Shank: The Fresh Beat Band, Mickey Hart, and Peppa Pig

AvA: Book or podcast recommendation?

Shank: Promoter 101

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

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

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