How to Stay Ahead in Digital Media: Sean Branagan's Insights

The Accelerator with Michael Conniff

In this episode, Michael Conniff talks with Sean Branagan, the Director of the Digital Media Entrepreneurship Program at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. They discuss Sean's experience as an entrepreneur, the transition from traditional typesetting to digital media, the rise of social media and its impact on tech companies, and the role of AI in the media industry. Sean emphasizes the need for media companies to embrace technology and act as tech companies themselves. He also shares insights on teaching students to use AI tools responsibly and shape the future of AI.

Takeaways
The transition from traditional typesetting to digital media marked a significant shift in the industry.
The rise of social media transformed tech companies into media companies, with advertising becoming a major source of revenue.
Entrepreneurs should embrace technology and shape its future rather than resist it.
Teaching students to use AI tools responsibly and critically evaluate their outputs is crucial in the digital media landscape.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction and Podcast Overview
01:05
Discussion on Cy Newhouse and Journalism
02:06
Sean's Experience as an Entrepreneur
03:25
Typesetting Business and Transition to Digital
04:54
Transition to Internet Business
06:32
Early Search Engines and Google's Late Entry
07:49
Selling the Internet Company before the Dot-com Bubble
09:09
Buying Tech Companies and the Dot-com Bubble
10:12
The Rise of Social Media and Facebook
12:13
The Distinction Between Narrowcasting and Closed User Groups
13:09
The Impact of Social Media and the Dot-com Bubble
14:14
Inflicting Technology on Media
15:41
Tech Companies as Media Companies
17:48
The Impact of Advertising on Tech Companies
18:36
Sean's Role as a Consultant and Transition to Newhouse School
20:47
The Digital Media Entrepreneurship Program at Newhouse School
22:12
Digital Entrepreneurs in the Early Days
25:56
The Impact of OpenAI and ChatGPT on Newhouse School
26:26
Using AI Tools in Class and Teaching Students to Write
28:37
Embracing and Shaping the Future of AI
29:12
Closing Remarks and Podcast Outro