The Deep Media Pulse

In the third episode of the second season of the podcast, we dive into Crunchyroll’s future with Mitchell Berger, EVP of Global Commerce. We explore how Gen Alpha and Gen Z are shaping the future of streaming, and what Hollywood can learn from the world of anime.

Founder of JUST B, a bespoke consultancy firm established in 2013 that supports creators, producers, and distributors in developing, financing, and scaling animated intellectual properties (IP) for global audiences, Justine Bannister sits with us to discuss where producers go wrong, what buyers actually want, and how to identify true originality.

 In the first episode of the second season of the podcast, we speak with Sébastien Célimon, one of Europe’s leading experts on manga and webtoons, to explore the global potential of Asian storytelling. Partner and co-founder of the PLeaSe Comics Rights & Events agency, and CEO of White Dragon Event, he also discusses whether the Western entertainment industry has truly recognized the power of webtoons and their growing influence on the future of content creation.

Veronica Buide, Founder of Pulpa Rights, is our last guest from the BolognaLicensing Trade Fair/Kids. Thanks to her expertise in consultancy, specialized in intellectual property (IP) for media, Veronica explained how the rights chain really works and what are the correct ways to approach it, as well as highlighting the current regulations— or lack thereof— surrounding AI.

For our eighth episode, Greg Childs, Editorial Director at The Children’s Media Conference, brings his multi-decade expertise in the kids sector to deliver a very interesting perspective on the role of the broadcasters in the delivery of content. We focused on the risks in the lack of content gatekeeping on a platform like YouTube, as well as the necessary role of events to ensure that the adults keep this conversation alive.

Christian Fonnesbech, Founder and Head of IP at Leverage, sat down with us to answer a difficult question: “What does transmedia mean in 2026?” On the way, we discussed the most common mistakes that should be avoided when working with an IP as well as the way IPs are changing with the evolving media landscape.

In the sixth episode — entirely Italian — Emanuele Di Giorgi, Managing Director of Tunué, the publishing house behind the beloved Pera Toons (born Alessandro Perugini), tells us about the expansion strategies from comics to audiovisual, through social media. How far along is the international approach? What are the mistakes that, looking back, should never have been made? Follow the episode to find out!

Erin Morris, VP of Global Franchise and Retail Strategy at Wildbrain, explores the concept of Newstalgia, bringing examples from her company, such as Teletubbies andStrawberry Shortcake. What are the biggest risks and fears when working with it?How is it possible to use social media in a profitable way to enhance Newstalgia? Find us with us!

Thierry Baujard, co-founder of Spielfabrique, is the guest of our fourth episode. With him, we explore the cross-media content ecosystem, unpacking the main elements that will characterize the near future of gaming. In particular, Thierry discusses the potential risks and possibilities that working across countries could bring.

Luca Bonecchi, VP of Licensing for Europe at Miraculous, is the perfect guest to discuss transmedia. After unveiling the secrets of The Smurfs’ success, it is now time to explore the world of Miraculous® to find out about the correct strategies to apply when working with IP across different platforms.

In the second episode of our podcast, we invited Fabienne Gilles, Chief Commercial Officer and Member of the Board of Directors at the Peyo Company, to share with us the key elements of The Smurfs’ longlasting success. What are the next fronteers to explore? What are the non-negotiables that allow the IP to thrive? Listed to the episode to find out!

In the first episode, we discuss with Mark Backler, founder of Sketchbook Games, about the importance of a strong IP in the book-to-game adaptation, drawing inspiration from the game he and his team developed, Lost Words: Beyond the Page.How can the success of a game be measured beyond mere sales? Is transmedia the new standard? Listen to our podcast to find out.

Something new is coming. 🎙️The Deep Media Pulse — a video podcast by Licensing Magazine & Animation Journal, built for the people shaping brands, content and storytelling.Each episode: one C-level guest, one deep conversation, one major industry event as the backdrop.Season 1 kicked off in Bologna — right inside the Bologna Licensing Trade Fair/Kids at BCBF. What a stage to start. 🔥Episode 1 drops soon. Stay tuned. 👀