The Entertainment Business Podcast

• Episode 14: Navigating the Current Beat of the Music Industry with CD Baby President Molly Neuman

  Tisha Morris welcomes Molly Newman, President of CD Baby, the leading music distribution company for independent artists, to share her extensive experience in the music industry, including her beginnings as a drummer in the punk band Bratmobile. They discuss the impact of the recent fires in L.A. on the music community, the evolving landscape of music distribution, and the importance of maintaining community connections. Molly also elaborates on the significant changes in the music industry, such as the role of AI and the challenges of music discovery. She emphasizes the importance of artists treating their careers as businesses while staying true to their creative passions.   00:14 Molly Newman's Background and Achievements 01:20 Impact of Fires on the Music Industry 03:45 The Evolution of CD Baby 08:09 Challenges and Opportunities for Independent Artists 22:03 The Role of AI in Music 28:46 Balancing Creativity and Business About Molly Neuman: Molly Neuman is President of CD Baby, owned by Downtown Music, the leading music distribution company dedicated to empowering independent and self-releasing artists. As President, Neuman is leading strategy and management of Downtown which serves millions of artists every day. Neuman was previously CMO of Downtown Music Holdings, CD Baby’s parent company and prior to that, President of Downtown’s Songtrust, which grew under her leadership to manage more than 3 million copyrights. With a career that has been focused on empowering musicians at all career stages, Neuman has been Head of Music at Kickstarter, and has held senior roles in licensing in digital music, as well as label and artist management. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of Women in Music and has previously served on the boards of the Music Business Association, SoundExchange and A2IM. Neuman was awarded International Woman of the Year at the 2024 Music Week Awards and has been recognized by Billboard in its 2018 Digital Power Players List, as well as its Women in Music Lists for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024. Her musical career began as a drummer in Bratmobile, a punk band who were in the first wave of the riot grrrl movement. https://cdbaby.com/ @cdbaby (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/company/cd-baby/

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• Episode 13: State of the Industry for 2025 and Beyond

  In this solocast episode, host Tisha Morris discusses the significant impacts of recent catastrophic fires on the entertainment industry. She talks about the decentralization of filmmaking, predicting a shift from Hollywood to other regions and internationally. Tisha also projects a consolidation at the top as major studios merge, while opportunities grow for independent filmmakers through new distribution models. She highlights the impending bifurcation between AI-driven and human-centric storytelling, the rise of subsidiary rights in gaming and live experiences, and the legal ramifications of generative AI.

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• Episode 12: Charting the Future in Hollywood, AI, and the Digital Era with Former Showtime Executive Robert Rosenberg

  In this episode, host Tisha Morris engages with Rob Rosenberg, founder of Telluride Legal Strategies and former Executive VP and General Counsel at Showtime, to discuss the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry. The conversation covers significant topics including the growth and challenges of streaming services, the integration of live sports and news in streaming, and the burgeoning potential of the gaming industry. Rob shares insights on how AI is influencing Hollywood, emphasizing the importance of responsible deployment and regulation of the technology. The discussion also touches on legal concerns surrounding AI, the strategic use of technology in filmmaking, new CA legislation and its potential effects, the future of digital replicas, and the rise of indie filmmakers. About Robert Rosenberg: New York attorney and legal consultant Robert Rosenberg is the founder of Telluride Legal Strategies and is a former Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Showtime Networks. Rosenberg has extensive experience in establishing new businesses, expanding existing partnerships, and leveraging new technologies in both traditional and digital media, all with a pragmatic approach to measured risk-taking. Rosenberg spent 22 years at Showtime Networks, working across digital media, sales and marketing before taking on the position of Executive Vice President and General Counsel during which he oversaw all legal affairs, including distribution, intellectual property, litigation, contracts, piracy, compliance, and regulatory matters. Prior to becoming General Counsel, Rosenberg served as both Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and as Senior Vice President, Digital Strategy. Rosenberg played a pivotal role in developing and executing Showtime's strategic vision for streaming content. During his tenure, Rosenberg successfully negotiated high-profile deals with major industry players such as Apple, Amazon and Comcast, significantly enhancing Showtime's presence in the digital marketplace. He now runs the New York-based consulting firm Telluride Legal Strategies where he consults with companies of all sizes and serves as a problem solver working at the intersection of law, media and technology with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence. Visit Rob at www.telluridelegalstrategies.com and connect with him on LinkedIn at @robertrosenberg. 00:34 Introducing Rob Rosenberg: Industry Leader 02:10 The Evolution and Future of Streaming 03:51 The Role of Ads in Streaming Services 06:41 Live TV and Sports in the Streaming Era 10:17 Gaming and Its Influence on TV and Movies 14:28 The Impact of AI on the Entertainment Industry 18:01 Legal and Regulatory Perspectives on AI 22:45 The Future of Digital Replicas and Deepfakes 26:10 Opportunities for Indie Filmmakers in the Digital Age 29:58 Rob's Work at Telluride Legal Strategies

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• Episode 11: Navigating the Production Path with Executive Producer Kat Roman

  In this episode, Tisha Morris interviews Kat Roman, an award-winning writer, director, and producer. They discuss the current shifts in the entertainment industry, Kat's journey from independent filmmaking to her role as an Executive Producer at People's Television, along with the challenges and rewards of producing content. Kat shares insights on finding funding, managing projects, and balancing creativity with practical considerations. She also talks about her educational background, the importance of a supportive community, and her collaborative projects with her husband. The episode concludes with practical advice for aspiring filmmakers and producers. Connect with Kat Roman at: www.katroman.com www.peoples.tv www.spacecrow.tv And on socials at: @kat_laughsalot, @peoples.tv, @spacecrow.tv

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• Clearing the Legal Path for Filmmakers with Attorney Dale Nelson

  In this episode, Tisha talks with Dale Nelson, a partner at the LA-based law firm Donaldson Callif Perez, who specializes in film and television clearances. Dale delves into the essentials of legally clearing a film to avoid issues such as defamation, right of privacy, and copyright infringement. Their discussion covers Dale's extensive experience at Warner Brothers, where she handled major properties like Harry Potter and DC Comics, and offers practical advice for filmmakers on common clearance issues and the importance of fair use. Tisha and Dale also explore current trends and legal challenges in the industry, including those posed by AI technology. Dale Nelson is a partner at the LA-based firm Donaldson, Callif, Perez where she works with independent filmmakers, documentarians, podcasters, and artists to help them tell their stories – their way.  Dale spent over 25 years as in-house counsel at Warner Brothers and is a frequent speaker, lecturer, and panelist on a wide range of media and intellectual property topics around the world.  For more information on Dale’s services, visit www.DonaldsonCallifPerez.com. For information about the book referenced, titled Clearance & Copyright, visit anywhere you buy books. 00:00 Introduction to Film Clearances 00:32 Meet Dale Nelson: Legal Expert in Film and TV 01:26 Understanding Film Clearance and Legal Issues 03:56 Fair Use and Trademarks in Filmmaking 08:26 The Clearance Process for Documentaries 10:50 Dale Nelson's Career Journey 15:05 Life Rights and True Crime Documentaries 19:35 Trends in Source Material and International IP 22:56 AI and Copyright Infringement 27:55 Conclusion and Contact Information

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