Kevin McClain

What “Speed Goes Pro” really means in today’s content marketplace…….. The launch of “Speed Goes Pro” by IShowSpeed and OBB, in partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods and distributed exclusively on YouTube, represents more than just another creator success story. It’s evidence about what so many of us have been talking about across the sports and entertainment landscape over the last year. Consider this: - A premium sports series, typically expected on ESPN or a leading streaming service, debuts not on cable or Netflix, but on a creator’s channel. - The studio is Speed himself. - The financier is a brand. - The network is YouTube, offering global distribution and a fanbase that few streamers can match. This transcends traditional “creator content.” It’s a new playbook for premium IP. Why this matters: - Speed to Market: From concept to launch in months, eliminating lengthy development cycles. - Creative Control: The vision remains with Speed and OBB, free from executive interference. - IP Ownership: Speed and partners retain ownership of the IP. - Direct Fandom: Distribution occurs where fans already engage, on Speed’s YouTube channel and social networks. - No Gatekeepers: No “will there be a second season?” decision makers. The audience decides in real time and Speed and team can optimize……..and make a Season 2 even better in true collaboration with the audience and Dick’s. - Brand as True Partner: Dick’s (who opened their own Content Studio) is no longer seen as an interruptor but an enabler of a premium viewing experience……delivering real entertainment and in return getting real value! The thesis is clear: If Speed Goes Pro can match the production quality and storytelling of traditional sports documentaries and achieve millions of views in just a few days (4.3M as of today), it’s evident where many future media franchises will emerge. I know I am a broken record but let me say it again 😉…….The power dynamics have shifted: - Talent is now the studio and network. - Brands are not only financiers and creative partners but have the opportunity to build real audiences in partnership with Talent. - Platforms like YouTube can serve as primary distribution channels. Hollywood and Madison Avenue should take note and pivot ASAP!! Because if one creator can do this with one brand and one platform, imagine what happens when this model truly scales across hundreds of creators and Talent with fandoms bigger than most cable networks (and even some streamers). The question isn’t if this is the future. The question is: Who’s bold enough now to play it this way? Which CMOs as we head into Ad Week in NY soon are seeing this dynamic and will be early movers? Take a look at the first episode below (pretty good guest star btw) and tell me what you think? And of course - huge congrats to Speed, Mason Klein, Mark Bennett and Michael Ratner. Groundbreaking fellas! https://lnkd.in/gDWQ87Xk

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As a marketing leader in iGaming, I have experienced the frustration of stagnant programmatic performance. You purchase a "High-Value Bettor" segment from a data provider, yet your CPAs remain high. Why is this happening? The answer lies in the fact that segment has been sold to every other sportsbook in the country. Targeting isn’t broken; it’s exhausted. At Cool Prevails, we believe the next era of growth is not about buying pre-built lists, but about owning the data layer. We are assisting Casino brands in building a proprietary moat by combining: - Real-time Intent: Identifying players as they engage with content across 750k+ publishers - Wealth & Behavioral Data: $300M+ 400 consumer attributes, including income, credit card ownership, and lifestyle - Website Deanonymization: Identifying the individuals behind your anonymous site traffic The result? Our partners have seen an average 25% drop in CPA by moving away from commodity programmatic segments and utilizing their own "God-tier" datasets. It's time to stop renting stale data and start owning the player profile. Read the full breakdown on the "Proprietary Player Moat" here: https://lnkd.in/g2z6cBc9 #iGaming #CasinoMarketing #ProgrammaticAdvertising #DataOwnership #PearlDiver

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The licensing business is moving faster today than at any point in its history. AI is transforming product development and speed-to-market. Hollywood is consolidating. The entertainment ecosystem is shifting from broadcast to streaming. Meanwhile, entirely new cultural engines—YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram—are driving content discovery and consumer demand. At the same time, the global influence of Anime, Manga, K-Pop, Kawaii culture, and creator-driven brands is reshaping the licensing landscape, while fandom and the “kidult” collectible economy continue to expand. Gaming itself is evolving as audiences shift from consoles to PC and mobile platforms. Retail is also undergoing a major reset. E-commerce continues to grow, but physical retail is being reborn through experiential retail and “retailtainment,” where stores are destinations for brand engagement, discovery, and community. And in uncertain times, brands matter more than ever. Consumers gravitate toward trusted IP, beloved characters, and cultural brands that provide familiarity and emotional connection. In this environment, staying informed at the executive level is what separates the winners from the losers in the licensing game. That’s exactly why we created X Tracks Licensing Summits—to bring together leaders across brand licensing, retail, entertainment, and consumer products to understand the forces shaping the future of our industry. 📍 Bentonville X Tracks Licensing Summit — June 18 📍 AnimeNYC X Tracks Licensing Summit — August 20 📍 LA Toy Previews X Tracks Licensing Summit — September Because in today’s licensing economy, knowledge is the ultimate competitive advantage.

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Great insights from Gray Wagner, CEO at The Fortune Engine, in the latest Movers and Shakers feature, powered by GameOn. Burst Games are quickly becoming one of the most interesting formats to watch in 2026, especially as operators look for smarter ways to capture attention, engage mobile-first audiences, and rethink retention. Well worth the read. #iGaming #BurstGames #GamingIndustry #PlayerRetention #Acquisition #MobileGaming #Innovation #HIPTHER

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The LPGA's new media deal represents a significant leap forward for women's golf and it's impossible not to be excited about what's coming. Starting next year, the production quality will transform dramatically: - 50% more cameras than 2025, delivering comprehensive hole and shot coverage - Enhanced slow-motion capabilities and 3x more microphones to capture the atmosphere and emotion of competition - Drone coverage showcasing both venue beauty and player skill - Expanded athlete storytelling, including broadcast walk-and-talks with players and caddies That last point deserves emphasis. Storytelling has been severely underutilized in women's golf, and it could be transformative for the tour's growth. When done right, compelling narratives are incredibly powerful, but they require thoughtful execution. I'm less convinced about the linear strategy. CNBC airing live golf feels like a step sideways when streaming platforms and YouTube should be the priority at this stage. Still, more distribution rarely hurts. Here's my concern: while these domestic improvements are impressive, the LPGA currently only provides a backhaul feed for US tournaments, no enhanced feed, no true world feed. International partners deserve better. I hope some of this investment extends beyond domestic borders to create a more robust product globally. The bigger question: Will we see similarly bold thinking applied to international media distribution? As someone who misses watching (and occasionally calling) LPGA tournaments, I'm hoping this signals the beginning of a broader transformation in how the tour approaches global media strategy. Women's golf deserves world-class coverage everywhere, not just in one market.

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Player experience is not just a “nice-to-have”, take it more seriously, goddamit. I love conversations about acquisitions. They are great. The fastest-growing markets, the biggest bonus offers, the splashiest campaigns, all of this is amazing.    However, acquiring a new player now costs up to 5x more than keeping one you already have, and a small lift in retention can swing profits by as much as 95%.   BetMGM’s latest results are the proof: 34% higher handle per active player, 70% higher NGR per active, all driven by engagement, and not mass acquisition.   So when I start talking about making every player feel like the only player, it’s the best for you to actually take it into account. That mindset takes three things:   1. Using AI to adjust bonuses, game suggestions, and communication in real time so it feels human, not ChatGPT-wannabe automation.   2. VIP programs for top segments with exclusive perks, but also ensuring casual players feel recognised and rewarded.   3. Actually testing the overdiscussed AR/VR and turning casino lobbies into actual destinations. Loyalty is the best currency and putting your bet on it will play a huge role in the long run. Make every second of your players count.   As acquisition costs keep climbing and funding gets tighter, the brands that master player experience will take market share without burning too much cash.   So here’s the question: in your business, what’s the one moment that keeps a player coming back? If you can’t name it instantly, that’s exactly the gap you need to close.

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