Greg Cannon

Shohei Ohtani's economic influence is propelling the Los Angeles Dodgers towards becoming the highest sponsorship revenue-generating organization in pro sports this year, given their growth trajectory. If you include incremental sponsorship revenue from TV-visible signage purchased by brands specifically when the Dodgers play in away stadiums, they would already rank No. 1 - by approximately $7 million. 🤯 Ken Belson's The New York Times article just highlighted this phenomenon, featuring insights from SponsorUnited on the sponsorship explosion around Ohtani and how athlete-driven sponsorships are transforming entire industries. #sponsorships #mlb #ohtani Major League Baseball (MLB)

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Turning Passion into Play: Fireside Games’ Journey with Justin De Witt In this episode of Toy Business Unboxed, we chat with Justin De Witt, co-founder of Fireside Games, the creators of Castle Panic and other beloved board games. Justin shares his journey from hobbyist game designer to founding a successful board game company in 2007. We dive into the history of Fireside Games, the challenges of marketing analog games in today’s digital-first world, and the intricacies of cooperative game design. Whether you're a game designer, entrepreneur, or board game enthusiast, this conversation offers valuable insights into building a brand that brings people together through the joy of play.

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In 1984, three ambitious BYU friends—Blake Roney, Sandie Tillotson, and Steven Lund—founded Nu Skin with a modest $5,000 investment (Blake’s entire life savings) and a bold vision to revolutionize skincare. In a makeshift laboratory in Blake’s sister Nedra’s apartment, they crafted their initial line of 13 skin and hair products, guided by a core principle: “all the good, none of the bad.” The early days were gritty and resourceful—inventory arrived in 10-gallon drums, with distributors manually filling jars and bottles by hand. Lacking proper office space, the founders commandeered BYU classrooms for distributor meetings, another sign of their scrappy spirit. Opting for a direct-selling MLM model, they empowered distributors to pitch products at home parties, transforming personal connections into revenue. The opportunity to start and build independent businesses resonated deeply in Utah, aligning with its entrepreneurial culture. While MLMs like Amway and Nutrilite had thrived in the state, Nu Skin became the first Utah-born MLM to achieve global scale. The 1990s brought intense challenges as several states pursued legal action, labeling Nu Skin’s MLM structure an illegal pyramid scheme. Yet, the founders’ navigated these battles and emerged victorious, culminating in a triumphant IPO on the NYSE in October 1996. From those chaotic beginnings, Nu Skin soared, now employing over 11,300 people, supporting a network of 1.2 million independent distributors, and generating nearly $2 billion in annual revenue. Beyond its success, Nu Skin has inspired countless MLM ventures, cementing Utah as the global hub of direct selling. #UtahBusinessHistory #Entrepreneurship101 #ThisIsThePlace #NuSkin

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Dolby’s Signature Partnership with the Bay Area Host Committee is a big moment for sports fans in San Francisco - and a signal of where live sports is heading globally. The Bay Area Host Committee is helping showcase our region as we prepare for some of the world’s biggest sporting events, and this week is an opportunity to demonstrate what the next generation of viewing can look like. Sports fans across the world - from Europe to Asia Pacific - are no longer just “tuning in” to live games. They expect live sports to feel more like being in the stadium than watching a stream. That is exactly what our partners Comcast’s Xfinity and Peacock are building toward, and what we’re showcasing in San Francisco this week. Xfinity’s new RealTime4K capabilities, paired with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, are delivering ultra-low latency and cinema-quality experiences that fans can actually feel. Peacock and Xfinity understand that viewers want more from sports broadcasts. Dolby is helping them deliver that differentiation with incredible picture, immersive sound, and live experiences without the usual compromises. We’ll be demonstrating these innovations at our San Francisco headquarters and through the BAHC Innovation Summit. But the truth is, fans in Seoul care about this just as much as fans in the Bay Area do. Watching live sports can be just as exciting as being there in person, and what we're doing with the Host Committee this week proves it. #Dolby #Innovation #BayArea #Technology #DolbyVision #DolbyAtmos #DolbyOptiView Dolby Laboratories Bay Area Host Committee

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Liquid Death is redefining edgy branding with bold, successful collaborations. Founder Mike Cessario emphasizes partnerships that are “unhinged” and unexpected, like their Hot Fudge Sundae sparkling water made with Van Leeuwen ice cream. He notes they seek partners willing to go all-in but with quality and a strong point of view. Their collaborations make health and sustainability fun, engaging gaming and digital communities through platforms like Fortnite, Roblox, and Minecraft. The recent ‘Kegs for Pregs’ launch with Kylie Kelce, a limited-edition Mountain Water keg, sold out in under 15 minutes, proving that bold ideas really connect. For Liquid Death, licensing is about pushing boundaries and creating memorable experiences. #Licensing #LiquidDeath #Branding #Collabs

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Brand sponsorship is the new indie film funding strategy. They’re backing projects directly, turning product placement into a financing strategy, not just a marketing add-on. If you’ve already raised some money, built a small team (especially with a fanbase), and secured a shooting start date — brands can jump in now. And having them on board is more than a logo in a scene. It adds major value to your pitch deck helping you close investors, impress distributors, and actually start production. Studios are splitting. Streaming is evolving. The system is wide open. What brands want is visibility. What filmmakers need is backing. This is where both worlds meet. And for the filmmakers who are ready it might be the fastest path to greenlit.

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Why aren't brands activating in gaming as they do in sports or entertainment? It's a recurring question that those of us in the industry ask. In 2026, gaming isn't a pastime; it's a passion point. Gaming is a way to connect with a digitally savvy audience in a meaningful way. Where most brands fall short is that they aren't taking the time to understand the audiences and communities they are trying to reach. Simply buying media on a platform isn't a gaming strategy; it isn't connecting with the gaming audience. At REVXP, we use data and insights paired with our industry experience to craft real strategies - the same way brands approach sports and entertainment partnerships. Understanding audiences in gaming is key, just as unlocking opportunities. Working with the rEvolution research and insights team, we surveyed 1,000 gamers in late '25 to unlock insights for brand marketers. Most notably, gamers are spending almost as much time gaming as they are sleeping. Whoa..scary, but gaming isn't just watching and playing games these days, as our graphic below indicates. Thanks to David Kuhn, Anita Ding, and Karim Shalaby from our A&I team for the collaboration on the survey. To my rEv team members, Geo Stewart and Esther Yoon, thanks for showcasing the depth of strategic work that goes into our client work. Finally, a massive thank you to Alexander Lee for his belief and trust. Check out the article on GamesBeat here: https://lnkd.in/eDPa6HK2

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Most underperforming family entertainment businesses don’t suffer from a lack of resources. They suffer from misallocation. Across turnarounds and multi-unit operations, the pattern is consistent: capital exists, talent exists, and physical assets exist—but they aren’t deployed where they create the highest return. Three areas tend to drive the largest gaps: People. Strong organizations don’t just hire talent—they actively align people to roles where their strengths produce results. That often requires moving individuals out of legacy positions and into roles that better match how they operate, even when it’s uncomfortable. Capital. More spending doesn’t equal better performance. High-performing operators invest selectively—prioritizing upgrades that directly improve guest experience, throughput, or margin rather than masking underperformance with incremental spend. Space. Physical layout matters. Poor sightlines, cluttered areas, and misdirected guest flow quietly suppress engagement and revenue. Space should work as an asset, not a liability. The difference between struggling and scalable businesses isn’t access to resources—it’s leadership’s ability to deploy them intentionally. #ExecutiveLeadership #CapitalAllocation #OperationalExcellence #TalentStrategy #AssetOptimization #BusinessTransformation

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Excited to announce our recent collaboration with Sundial Media & Technology Group for the ESSENCE-branded FAST channel. This partnership embodies our commitment to serving underrepresented audiences with authentic content and substantial growth opportunities. The landscape is evolving rapidly, with Black viewership on streaming platforms increasing by 40% annually. Despite this surge, tailored programming for Black women remains limited on major CTV and digital platforms. Our initiative goes beyond filling this void; we are establishing a dedicated cultural hub. By merging ESSENCE's 55-year legacy as the voice of Black women with our production and distribution expertise, we are poised to expand our impact significantly. Partnering with a brand that attracts over 500,000 attendees annually to the largest Black culture festival ensures access to a highly engaged consumer base with proven loyalty and purchasing power. The game-changing aspect lies in our development of direct distribution channels. Ownership of distribution is pivotal as it allows us to deliver genuine content directly to the intended audiences, bypassing intermediaries. This move enables us to seamlessly transition the festival enthusiasm and community spirit into year-round premium content on Connected TV, YouTube, and major FAST platforms. What sets this endeavor apart is our focus on creating sustainable revenue streams for Black women creatives while establishing direct connections with culturally involved and economically active audiences. This isn't merely a channel launch; it's about fostering economic empowerment and steering the narrative from creation to distribution. It's about distribution rooted in and driven by the culture. #StreamingStrategy #Partnership #femalecreators #CTV #DigitalMedia #HARTBEAT #ESSENCE #Distribution Source: [Link to the article](https://lnkd.in/gcqXvr9H)

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If you love tech and sports you have to see this. A look under the hood at what Owl AI sees and how it thinks, all from just one camera at the bottom of the halfpipe at the Aspen X Games. You will see it track the snowboarder, identify each trick (something most humans struggle with), calculate the max height, ave height, and total rotations, while literally writing its own script for the TV commentary in five different languages, all happening in real time with no human intervention. Objectivity has never been more important in sports. Blatant bad calls are ruining games across nearly every sport. The athletes, the fans, the cities, and everyone who loves sports deserve the right and accurate call every time, no exceptions.

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🚨BREAKING: The UFC Just Changed the Streaming Game Paramount just struck a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal to bring all UFC events—starting in 2026—to Paramount+ and CBS. Here’s the kicker: No more traditional PPV for U.S. fans. For decades, UFC’s biggest fights were locked behind a $70+ pay-per-view wall. Now, those same marquee events will be available to Paramount+ subscribers (and some on CBS) at no extra cost beyond the monthly fee. Why this matters: • PPV Disruption – The UFC is one of the last sports holding onto the PPV model. This move signals the beginning of the end for pay-per-view as we know it. • Streaming’s Sports Playbook – Exclusive live sports aren’t just about filling the calendar; they’re about subscriber growth, retention, and creating “can’t-miss” moments. • Consumer Shift – Audiences have been trained to expect everything on demand for one price. This deal aligns the UFC with modern viewing habits. For Paramount+, this isn’t just a fight deal—it’s a knockout blow in the streaming wars. For UFC, it’s a chance to reach millions more fans without the PPV barrier. The question now: If Ultimate Fighting Championship can drop PPV for streaming, who’s next? #news #streaming #tv #paramount #UFC

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