Smooth Operator

In this episode, we speak with Stephen Regenold, a seasoned journalist and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in building and scaling media companies. Stephen shares his journey from starting his career as a writer for The New York Times to founding GearJunkie, a leading media company in the outdoor gear and adventure space. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of transitioning from journalism to entrepreneurship, scaling a business, and eventually selling GearJunkie. Stephen also offers insights on how digital media has evolved, from early content strategies to the rise of affiliate commerce, and the role of AI in shaping the future of media. His stories provide valuable lessons on authenticity, business growth, and the dynamic relationship between content and commerce in the digital landscape. Tune in to hear how Stephen's passion for outdoor adventure fueled his success in both journalism and business.

Lauren Newman, EVP of Revenue at Red Ventures, discusses her background in media and publishing and her experience in direct ad sales and commerce. She emphasizes the importance of innovation and relationship management in both areas. Newman shares her success in taking back influence in the beauty industry by showcasing editors as the original influencers. She also highlights the need for publishers to find unique experiences that can only be offered through direct sales, such as CNET's coverage of the iPhone release. Newman then discusses her transition to Skimlinks and the value it provides to publishers in terms of marketplace intelligence and efficiency. She explains how Skimlinks can be a gateway drug to affiliate for new publishers and offers insights into the selling points and ROI of the platform. Lauren Newman discusses the challenges publishers face in making a million dollars and the investment required to succeed. She highlights the importance of publishers being prepared to invest in hiring, content production, and refreshes. Lauren also talks about her move to CNET and the opportunity to bring media expertise to Red Ventures. She explains the partnership between CNET and Best Buy, where CNET's expert opinions and reviews are integrated into Best Buy's store and online experience. This partnership allows for a seamless consumer journey and the ability to measure the entire funnel.

In this episode of the Smooth Operator Podcast, we chat with Jamie Miles, Vice President of Penske Media's commerce division. Jamie shares her journey from a journalism graduate to leading e-commerce operations across multiple brands, detailing the strategic shifts from traditional content management to integrating e-commerce solutions. She delves into the evolving landscape of online marketing, the importance of adapting to changing consumer behaviors, and the innovative approaches to monetization and affiliate marketing at Penske. Join us as Jamie offers invaluable insights into navigating the dynamic world of digital commerce and content creation.

In episode seven, Emily Welsh discusses her rich background in publishing, tracing her journey from the bustling newsrooms of Advertising Age to her innovative contributions at Vogue and Conde Nast. Transitioning into the digital realm, Emily has played a pivotal role in navigating the challenges of digital content at WSJ before embarking on launching Buy Side at WSJ. Throughout the conversation, she reflects on the evolution of publishing and advertising, underscoring the significance of audience engagement and the strategic implementation of SEO in today's digital age. Her insights into the integration of content and commerce, coupled with a forward-looking approach to the impact of AI, offer invaluable perspectives for anyone navigating the complexities of the modern media landscape.

In episode six, Amro discusses his unconventional path into performance marketing and his role in transforming Agent Ace, a real estate startup that merged data-driven decision-making with ethical consumer practices. He highlights his collaboration with Chad Smolinski in launching 360 Reviews at U.S. News & World Reports, a venture aimed at revolutionizing the review industry with unbiased, data-oriented evaluations. Reflecting on the challenges and opportunities in the evolving digital landscape, Amro emphasizes the importance of maintaining a consumer-centric approach in the face of AI advancements.

In the fifth episode of Smooth Operator, we engage with Camilla Cho, SVP of e-commerce at Vox Media. With an extensive career spanning nearly two decades, Camilla has adeptly shifted from business development to mastering the art of commerce and affiliate marketing. This episode offers an in-depth look at her pivotal role in establishing The Strategist at New York Magazine, a glance at Vox's overarching commerce strategy, and insightful predictions on the evolving landscape of media commerce. Join us as we uncover the innovative tactics behind engaging audiences and driving revenue in the digital age with a seasoned industry expert.​

In Episode 4 of Smooth Operator, Paige Hart-Smith, VP of Performance Marketing at The Daily Beast, delves into her journey in shaping Scouted, the publication's shopping and e-commerce vertical. Drawing from her experiences at Publisher's Clearing House and Slate Magazine, Hart-Smith highlights the strategic integration of programmatic advertising and affiliate marketing to bolster revenue and engage The Daily Beast's loyal readership. She also sheds light on how Scouted maintains editorial integrity while effectively leveraging sponsored content to inform its editorial strategy. The episode offers valuable insights into the evolving best practices in commerce content within media organizations.

In episode three, Breton Fischetti, VP of Commerce at Recurrent Ventures, discusses his career evolution and the pivotal role he played in scaling affiliate programs, first at Business Insider and now at Recurrent. He emphasizes the importance of value-driven content in the competitive space of content commerce and explores leveraging enthusiast community data to better align with consumer preferences.

In this episode of the Smooth Operator Podcast, host Blake interviews Bryce Widelitz, a seasoned performance and affiliate marketing expert. Bryce shares his journey from founding DesignYourDorm.com to his time at CNN, where he revolutionized monetization strategies and created CNN Underscored. He provides valuable insights into the power of partnerships, affiliate marketing, and driving revenue through innovative content strategies. Bryce's expertise and passion for growing digital businesses shine through as he discusses his role at Impact and how publishers can optimize their affiliate revenue. Whether you're a seasoned affiliate marketer or just starting out, this episode offers valuable tips, success stories, and strategies to take your performance marketing to the next level. Tune in and unlock the secrets of success in affiliate marketing!

In the first episode of the Smooth Operator podcast, host Blake Saunders engages in a compelling conversation with Jackie Goldstein, VP of Commerce at the New York Post. They delve into the transformation of traditional publishers into the realm of commerce. Goldstein shares her experience as the former Senior Director of Commerce at Vox Media, where she recognized untapped potential in podcasting and commerce. Her perspective shifted as she witnessed the financial impact and began to view these avenues as essential for revenue diversification. Goldstein discusses the challenge of aligning commerce with editorial teams, emphasizing the importance of framing sales as engagement metrics to alleviate concerns and highlight the value of content to audiences. She further explores the successful integration of commerce and podcasts at the New York Post, where separate sections are dedicated to affiliate content in "The Shopping Section." Ultimately, Goldstein emphasizes the significance of strong vision, transparency, and ongoing communication to gain support from veteran writers and editors. She believes that showcasing success through examples and case studies will pave the way for wider acceptance of commerce initiatives in the publishing industry.