Free Agency Vol. 10 📈 - The Building Has New Plumbing: Media Infrastructure and making moments

I've seen enough hot takes to last me the entirety of this next decade. These are conclusions backed by available data, political leanings, and general sentiment. There is rampant uncertainty and lots to prepare for and understand, but I have seen a through-line of agreement, even among the staunchest political opponents: the media we refused not understand, had an impact we could not have imagined. That's always the risk when you're a paid to be an expert but are no longer a practitioner. Your lack of curiosity can betray you.

When Dana White celebrated Trump’s victory, he thanked Joe Rogan, The Nelk Boys, Theo Von, Bussin’ with the Boys, and Adin Ross.

Kamala went on Call Her Daddy, All the Smoke, and The Breakfast Club (not a podcast, but operationally similar). Also, large audiences, albeit, different core listener bases. There were different tactics employed by both campaigns, but the strategy was clear: we can’t pretend to not engage where the audience is, especially if they are undecided. I’m not here to talk about what was and was not successful. My argument is that the most effective carriers of mass messaging about what is, what could be, and what should be were not traditional celebrities, party platforms, commentators or ads: it was the "creators". Again.