Digital Media M&A Trends -- Matt Gielen (Co-Founder & CEO, Electric Monster)

Matt Gielen is the Co-Founder & CEO of Electric Monster, a portfolio company of digital content properties in the general entertainment and kids and family space. Matt started his career in production and audience development at Driver Digital, then served as VP of Programming & Audience Development at Frederator. In 2016, he founded Little Monster Media Co., an agency that helps brands and publishers build out their YouTube audience, which was later acquired by his latest venture Electric Monster. In this episode, Matt and I talk about the growth of creator-driven business and the recent flurry of digital media acquisitions. From consolidation among digital publishers (Vox and Group Nine, Vice and Refinery29) to creator-first media companies (Mythical Entertainment and Smosh, Moonbug and Cocomelon), M&A activity has reached record heights over the last 12 months. Matt offers some insight into Electric Monster’s acquisition of React Media (formerly Fine Bros. Entertainment) and their future ambitions. Finally, we talk about the growth of YouTube Shorts, increasing the level of transparency from social platforms, and why creator funds don’t pay very well. 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 currently serves as SVP, Influencer Strategy at Brandwatch, the world’s leading digital consumer intelligence company.