Combatting the Loneliness Epidemic -- Alex Kruglov (Co-Founder & CEO, Pop.in)

Alex Kruglov is the Co-Founder & CEO of Pop.in, a mobile app for interactive game nights. Alex started his career as a McKinsey consultant before going to business school and transitioning into media and entertainment. Prior to launching Pop.in, Alex worked at Fox and Sony and then served as the Head of Content Acquisition for Hulu in the early days of the video streaming service. In this episode, Alex offers insight into the early days of video on-demand, particularly how Hulu emerged as Fox and NBC Universal’s response to the existential threat that YouTube and online piracy posed to the traditional TV business. He goes on to share what inspired him to launch Pop.in and help create an “experience economy” online. Finally, Alex and I discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated Pop.in’s growth as more people look for ways to connect with others online, and he shares some exciting announcements about upcoming features to help creators and non-profits earn money through the app. Host: James Creech LISTENER SUPPORT If you’d like to make a small monthly donation  to help support future episodes, please visit https://anchor.fm/allthingsvideopodcast/support ABOUT THE SHOW All Things Video is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the past and charting the future of the online video ecosystem. Listen to interviews with founders, executives, and thought leaders from the world’s leading media companies and engage in thought-provoking debates about the issues shaping the next generation of entertainment. From the short-form content revolution to the fragmentation of video viewership in an always-on world, All Things Video reveals the key trends and insights from the world of digital media. Follow All Things Video on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for new episodes and updates! ABOUT THE HOST James Creech is an entrepreneur focused on technology, online video, and digital media. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of Paladin, the essential influencer marketing platform for media companies, agencies, and brands.