AT&T's Media Strategy: Focusing on IP and Franchises

Gary Vaynerchuk delves into AT&T's media strategy, highlighting their shift towards becoming a media conglomerate.

• He emphasizes the importance of acquiring valuable IP (Intellectual Property) and integrating it with their distribution platforms like HBO Max.
• He draws parallels with examples like Fox acquiring The Simpsons and NFL games, showcasing how strategically acquired IP can build successful networks.
• Vaynerchuk believes AT&T needs to invest in securing more franchises to bolster their media portfolio, especially with the rise of OTT (Over-the-Top) streaming services.

The Positioning of AT&T's HBO Max: Family-Friendly Focus

In a competitive landscape, AT&T has chosen to position HBO Max as a more family-friendly platform, mirroring the success of Disney Plus.

• Vaynerchuk supports this strategy, recognizing the need to attract a wider audience and compete with rivals like Disney+.
• He acknowledges the strong brand equity of HBO and its potential for expansion beyond its traditional adult-oriented content.
• This shift to a family-friendly model allows HBO Max to reach a larger demographic, thereby increasing its potential user base.

Hershey's: Expanding Beyond Chocolate

Gary Vaynerchuk suggests Hershey's should explore brand extensions beyond its core chocolate offerings.

• He advocates for direct-to-consumer options like chocolate shakes, protein shakes, and smoothies, leveraging their established chocolate brand.
• He believes in creating a super premium chocolate bar under the Hershey's name, priced at $25-$30, to elevate their brand image and create a contrast with their core products.
• These extensions can attract new customer segments while reinforcing their existing brand identity.

Levi's: Pioneering Smart Pants

Gary Vaynerchuk envisions Levi's as a potential frontrunner in the emerging "smart pants" market.

• He believes the future of clothing includes integration with technology, where garments can connect to smartphones and provide feedback.
• Levi's, with its iconic denim legacy, is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, potentially developing pants that monitor health metrics or provide personalized data.
• This innovation could revolutionize the apparel industry and solidify Levi's place as a leader in the tech-infused fashion world.

Supreme: Brand Extension Strategy

Gary Vaynerchuk offers a cautious perspective on Supreme's brand extension strategy.

• He believes Supreme has achieved a high level of "cool" status but advises against overextending their brand to avoid saturation and dilution.
• He suggests being strategic about joint ventures (JVs) and collaborating with select partners who align with their brand identity.
• While acknowledging the need for growth, he emphasizes maintaining the brand's exclusivity and avoiding becoming too ubiquitous.

Medium's Pay-for-Content Model

Gary Vaynerchuk, an early investor in Medium, expresses support for their pay-for-content model.

• He highlights the growing trend of readers encountering paywalls but remaining willing to pay for premium content.
• He compares Medium to SiriusXM, suggesting that attracting exclusive, high-quality writers could significantly boost their subscription model.
• He believes content creators who consistently deliver value can monetize their content directly, even though many may need to build an audience first.

Content Marketing: A Strategy for Success

Gary Vaynerchuk emphasizes the importance of content marketing in building a successful business.

• He believes that while free content can be a valuable tool for gaining traction, high-quality creators can charge for their content if it's valuable enough.
• He advocates for establishing a strong content strategy that aligns with your target audience and provides value to them.
• He underscores that content marketing is a long-term game that requires patience, consistency, and a commitment to delivering high-quality content.