Joining Advancit Capital
“Content is king.”
This statement became the mantra of the media industry back in the 1980s and it still rings true today. But in today’s content-heavy world, that mantra is being matched in equal measure by the critical influence of the digital consumer.
Looking back both personally and professionally, I see that I’ve always had a hand in content.
From writing and curating music content for a small collective in London, to …
Building premium content at YouTube with the launch and growth of YouTube Red and YouTube Originals, to…
Exploring the future of immersive content via the world of virtual avatars at Lux Capital.
I’ve had a ringside seat as the importance of content grew everywhere I looked in our fragmented culture. As media has become democratized and consumers have become digital natives, content has evolved in great leaps, taking shape in various forms, being monetized through new business models, and being shared across different platforms.
Now, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be continuing to work with content, but in a new role: I’m joining the investment team at Advancit Capital, where I’ll be investing in technology and the digital consumer as it impacts the media landscape.
From my first introduction to Advancit, I was enamored by their portfolio of companies, companies transforming the next generation of media. From their early investments in companies such as Maker Studios, Headspace, and Masterclass to their most recent investments, Advancit’s story contains a narrative that defines how consumers are engaging with content today.
And as the definition of content has changed, the ability to engage an audience and monetize the content has expanded significantly, moving from traditional advertising revenue to new business models such as commerce, subscriptions, and community experiences.
Some of their recent investments exemplify this orientation:
100 Thieves — a lifestyle brand and gaming organization built on the back of content and commerce
The Athletic — a subscription-based digital sports media company offering high-quality local journalism content
Wondery — a community of storytellers that creates and curates immersive podcasts
…among many others
It’s an exciting time to be involved with these cutting-edge companies, which span multiple categories like digital subscription services, gaming and e-sports, digital health and wellness, creative AI, future of the worker (content/training for the employee), and lifestyle brands. Content, of course, is at the center of it all, but the true underlying force is the engagement of the digital consumer.
More importantly, I’m incredibly excited to work with and learn from Shari, Jason, Allison, and Jon who share deep industry knowledge and extensive, unparalleled access to industry relationships. I can’t think of a better place to support the entrepreneurs transforming the media landscape in an increasingly digital consumer world and take part in driving the mantra forward.
Because even in this digital landscape, content is still king.
If you're an early-stage founder building what the next generation of media will look like - feel free to reach out!
Follow me: @thejerrylu
E-mail: jerry [at] advancitcap [dot] com