Growth @ Scale

In this compelling episode of Growth@Scale, host Matt Widdoes is joined by gaming industry veteran Travis Boatman, the visionary behind Carbonated, Inc. With a resume that includes leading roles at major companies like Zynga and EA, Travis delves into his journey within the dynamic world of mobile gaming. From groundbreaking technological advances to game design innovations, this conversation is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the gaming industry's evolution. As they explore the intricacies of starting his own company, Travis provides invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs encountered during the development of their latest project, a unique mobile game set in a dystopian world. He highlights the importance of innovation, specifically through technology like AI, and how it plays a pivotal role in creating immersive and personalized gaming experiences. The dialogue also touches on working in a rapidly changing tech landscape, where agility and learning are essential to success. Key Takeaways: Industry Evolution: Travis shares his extensive experience, emphasizing how the gaming industry has evolved, particularly in mobile gaming, driven by new technology and innovative design strategies. Entrepreneurial Journey: Insights into the challenges and motivations behind starting Carbonated, Inc., underscoring the importance of pursuing personal passion projects. Game Design Philosophy: A novel approach to game design focusing on appealing themes, mechanics, retention, and monetization, using these pillars to build successful gaming experiences. AI and Gaming: The transformative impact of AI in game development and how it can personalize gaming experiences for a global audience. Survival and Innovation: Strategies for maintaining momentum and staying competitive in the tech-heavy gaming industry, including the importance of resilience and continuous learning. Resources: Carbonated, Inc. O3DE Foundation USC Viterbi School of Engineering Transcript for the episode To dive deeper into Travis's journey and insights in the gaming industry, listen to the full episode. You'll uncover more about the challenges of game design, how to leverage AI in development, and the keys to long-term success in tech. Stay tuned for more episodes of Growth@Scale for more discussions with industry leaders.

In this episode of Growth@Scale, Matt sits down with Moshi Blum, Chief Marketing Officer at the mobile gaming company Beach Bum. With an extensive background in mobile gaming and marketing analytics, Moshi’s career also includes leadership roles at prominent mobile companies Viber and Adjust. Moshi shares how founders can leverage AI to transform marketing strategies and scale creative production faster and more efficiently than ever. Key takeaways: 1️⃣ AI-driven creativity at scale: Learn how to use AI to generate compelling ads and even create Spotify-worthy music tracks to stand out in a competitive market. 2️⃣ Data insights from user feedback: Discover how AI tools help analyze app reviews to uncover user needs and craft data-informed strategies that drive growth 3️⃣ The future of marketing with AI: Find out why adopting AI now is critical for staying competitive by empowering small teams to compete with industry leaders   Read the transcript here.

Kristen Perry had a successful career in ad tech and mobile gaming before making the bold decision to pivot into the Bay Area real estate market, where she now excels with Coldwell Banker.    In her tech career, Kristen was a powerhouse in business development, leading sales efforts at companies like Tapjoy, Tilting Point, Luna Labs, and Lifestreet.   In our conversation, Kristen and I discuss:   Adaptability is Key: the importance of being able to adapt to changing environments, whether in the tech industry or real estate Valuing Relationships: building strong, genuine relationships based on trust and communication is central to Kristen's success in both industries Personal Fulfillment: choosing a career that aligns with your personal passions and values is crucial for long-term satisfaction and success Effective Communication: listening is a vital part of communication, especially in sales, to understand and meet client needs effectively Continuous Learning: Commitment to lifelong learning and self-improvement can significantly enhance your professional growth and adaptability   Chapters:  (0:01) Kristen Perry's Career Pivot from Ad Tech to Real Estate (4:29) The Shift to Remote Work and Its Impact on Job Satisfaction (8:10) The Importance of Communication and Relationship Building in Sales (15:07) From Home Building to Real Estate During COVID (18:33) Transitioning from Ad Tech to Real Estate (25:14) Building Trust and Relationships in Real Estate Transactions (29:41) Building Relationships and Community in Real Estate (36:09) The Importance of Value-Added Services in Real Estate Transactions (39:36) Lessons Learned from Transitioning from Tech to Real Estate (46:30) Transitioning From Tech to Real Estate for Fulfillment

Nigel Eccles was CEO and co-founder of the massively successful fantasy sports and betting platform FanDuel. Since then, he has gone on to found four companies, and sits on the board of a number of others. His most recent venture is BetHog, a seed-stage casino and sportsbook.   In our conversation, Nigel and I talk about: The lessons learned from the early days of Fan Duel How to target the right audience to narrow your focus and improve market fit Simplifying your product to optimize user satisfaction and retention Embracing iteration to stay flexible as you work to discover Product-Market Fit Capitalizing on market timing by entering growing markets before they become saturated And much more   Chapters: (0:01) From Farm to Fanduel: Nigel Eccles' Journey in Fantasy Sports (3:33) The Intersection of Fantasy Sports, Betting, and Data Analytics (10:25) Strategies for Success in Consumer Entertainment and Gaming (15:38) The Reality of Product Launches and Entrepreneurial Expectations (19:05) The Importance of Accountability and Conviction in Decision-Making (22:33) The Futility of Forecasting in Early-Stage Startups (26:03) Navigating Saturated Markets and Timing Investments (36:09) Platform Shifts and the Evolution of Consumer Technology (38:04) Crypto Casino and Sportsbook Targeting Young, Risk-Seeking Males (39:15) Balancing Skill Levels in PvP Games for Optimal Player Experience (41:45) Balancing Skill and Chance in Competitive Gaming (45:19) The Strategic Depth and Bluffing Nuances of Liar's Dice (47:16) Monetizing Popular Games Like Liars Dice for Online Play (48:08) Navigating the Challenges of Scaling and Product Market Fit (50:58) Unexpected Trends in Gaming and the Resurgence of Chess (52:36) The Importance of Inquisitiveness and Experimentation for Entrepreneurs   Link to Transcript Post

David Rodnitzky is the founder of David Rodnitzky Consulting, a boutique firm dedicated to helping agency founders navigate complex acquisition, scaling, and M&A opportunities. He also founded 3Q Digital, a media management company managing over$2 billion in ad spend annually, which subsequently became part of DEPT.  Rodnitzky has written a book called “Selling Your Marketing Agency: Making the Most of Your Most Important Deal” that helps guide agency founders through one of the biggest decisions in their careers. In this episode, Matt and David discuss what it takes to build a successful business, the importance of thinking long term with client relationships, and the emotional and strategic complexities of selling a company, as well as some key insights into the world of M&A   Chapters: (0:01) David Rodnitzky's Journey from Iowa to San Francisco (1:58) From Dot-Com Boom to Founding Three Q Digital (7:13) Scaling a Digital Marketing Agency from Coffee Shop to Acquisition (12:44) Navigating Mergers and Acquisitions with Strategic Earnouts (20:07) Selling and Reacquiring a Company Multiple Times (25:56) Balancing Culture and Performance in the Workplace (32:11) Common Pitfalls and Ethical Issues in Advertising Agencies (40:45) Selling Your Business: Emotional and Practical Considerations (45:26) Boeing's Merger with McDonnell Douglas and Resulting Hostile Takeover (46:51) The Importance of Strategic Thinking in Legal and Business Decisions (50:30) Strategic Thinking and Due Diligence in Business Acquisitions (52:42) Building Long-Term Value in Agencies for Successful M&A   Link to Podcast Transcript

Brad Stroh is the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Achieve (formerly Bills.com), a digital personal finance platform that has helped over 1.5 million people and resolved billions of dollars in debt, as well as providing billions in loans. Brad has an extensive background in private equity and venture capital, with a focus on creating scalable financial solutions. In this episode, Matt and Brad discuss the regulatory challenges faced by fintech startups and how innovation and agility within organizations can pave the way for scalable growth. They also discuss emerging fintech trends, the role of AI and machine learning in personalizing customer experiences, and how to approach building a liability management platform. Key Takeaways: Next Gen of Fintech - Emerging fintech trends, including the role of AI and ML in personal finance Consumer Finance / Cost of Scale - Challenges and strategies of navigating regulatory processes Scaling for Adaptability- The importance of keeping innovation, efficiency, and agility top of mind as you scale Building a Successful Team - The importance of aligning team incentives, collaboration, and a customer-first focus Chapters 0:01        Achieve's journey: From founding to financial          empowerment 3:38       Bootstrapping success and navigating private equity challenges 8:24        Building a liability management platform for consumer debt 11:53       From idea to scale: building a fintech business 18:43      Navigating regulatory challenges and opportunities in fintech 28:10      Achieve's unique approach to consumer debt              management 36:37      Overcoming financial stress through empathy and digital tools 40:12       Fostering innovation and agility in large organizations 48:31       Balancing team harmony and performance in organizations   Link to Podcast Transcript

Dylan Serota is the CEO and co-founder of Terminal, a leading global talent marketplace platform for hiring developers. Before Terminal, he held leadership roles at companies like Eventbrite, where he oversaw platform product initiatives, strategic partnerships, and corporate strategies in collaboration with partners like Google and HubSpot.  In this episode, Matt and Dylan explore the dynamics of global talent acquisition, meeting the demands of remote work and global talent acquisition, and the role of  venture studios in the process of hiring talent. Dylan shares insights from his time at Eventbrite before founding the talent acquisition platform Terminal to address the mounting challenges of finding high-quality engineering talent within the global marketplace.  Key Takeaways: The evolution of Terminal: Initially an in-house solution for Atomic VC's portfolio, Terminal evolved to address broader market needs for technical talent through a remote-first model, significantly influenced by the pandemic. The future of remote work: How the permanent shift to remote work requires companies to be more intentional about their culture and operational processes AI and recruitment: How leveraging AI to efficiently sort and match candidates with job requirements can reduce operational costs and streamline the hiring process Optimizing your talent strategy: Instead of focusing on hiring the "best" engineers per industry standards, find the best match for your specific company needs through a practical, work-focused hiring strategy   Chapters: 0:01               Building global talent solutions with Terminal 1:50               The future of global talent marketplaces and remote work 14:08             The role of venture studios in creating entrepreneurs 18:33             The challenges and benefits of remote work for startups 24:08             Rethinking hiring: finding the right fit for your company 28:01             The benefits of contract to hire in modern workplaces 34:05             Leveraging AI to enhance efficiency in tech hiring 41:38             Innovating talent marketplaces with AI & generative technology 43:44            Conclusion and closing remarks   Link to Transcript Post

Lindsey Dillon is the Vice President of Marketing at Harness, a fintech platform empowering consumers to align their spending with their personal values. Previously, she held a leadership role at Cash App, where she led post-acquisition growth initiatives. Lindsey also has worked on product marketing campaigns for companies like StubHub and Lyft. In this episode, Matt and Lindsey discuss staffing a product marketing team built for success, how to craft a meticulous, customer-first product launch approach, and the critical role of customer feedback across every stage of development. Key Takeaways: Understanding Your Audience: Deep audience research and competitive analysis are fundamental for successful product positioning Leveraging Customer Feedback: Keeping customers engaged at every stage of product development ensures alignment with customer needs and encourages product-market fit Leading by Example: Build a culture of stewardship, empathy, and hands-on leadership to maximize team success and innovation Humanizing Remote Work: Stronger personal connections and a supportive work culture are essential for team productivity Chapters: 0:00        Harnessing fintech for impactful consumer spending 4:43        Strategies for effective product launches in saturated markets 15:24       Incorporating customer feedback throughout the product lifecycle 19:03       Challenges of customer feedback and product development 20:54      Customer-centric product development and Iterative launch strategies 26:51       Leadership, culture, and setting aggressive goals in team management 32:50      Fostering creativity and innovation in marketing teams 38:23      The power of ‘Yes If’ and ‘I Wonder’ in team dynamics 44:33      Navigating team dynamics during acquisitions 50:22      The importance of humanization and face-to-face interaction in remote work 54:47      The ritual of ‘potato negotiations’ and social interactions 56:35      The Importance of Small Talk in Workplace Meetings 59:15       Conclusion and closing remarks   Link to Transcript Post

Brendan Bilko is the founder of Robin, a studio dedicated to reimagining sports through brand building and product development. His experience includes time as Entrepreneur in Residence at Lisi and Elysian Park Ventures. He is also the Co-Founder and CEO of Dexter, as well as co-founder of the creative agency May Day, where he worked with brands like Levi's, Cadillac, Red Bull, and Comedy Central.   In this episode, Matt and Brendan share insights on  how to build and maintain a successful brand strategy, sustain brand impact as you scale, and why focusing on authenticity and consistency in this process is crucial.    Key Takeaways: Don’t Chase the Competition: Instead of copying successful competitors, focus on what makes your brand unique and true to its core values Authenticity is Key: Being genuine in your brand messaging fosters trust and loyalty among customers Consistency and Simplicity: From logo design to messaging, maintain consistent branding to ensure your audience easily recognizes and relates to your brand. Simple, clear branding often leads to better recognition and engagement Have a Brand Champion: Ensure there's a dedicated person internally to help you maintain and enforce brand standards.   (0:01)           Brendan's path from creative agency to sports  branding (4:05)          Key elements of successful sports branding (7:23)           Navigating brand consistency and authenticity in marketing (15:07)        Challenges of naming a company and The Google Mistake (16:27)         Brand consistency and unexpected product lines (22:04)       Defining & maintaining brand identity in growing companies (27:59)        The power of support in transforming a startup's mission (32:33)       The importance of simplicity in early-stage branding (37:01)        Brand champions ensure consistent branding (42:14)        Tubi's playful rebrand and massive subscriber growth (46:41 )      Staying true to your brand and avoiding distractions (49:33)      Conclusion and closing remarks   Link to Transcript

Kimberly Corbett  is a large-scale marketing development and analytics solutions expert who has worked for some of the top gaming franchises in the world. Her past experiences include roles at Warner Brothers Games, Zynga, and Kabam. She is currently the Chief Publishing Officer at Fortis Games. In this episode, Matt and Kimberly discuss the importance of cross-functional collaboration, how gaming companies can leverage AI to stay ahead, and the challenges and opportunities of the modern gaming market, particularly user acquisition and the balance between paid and organic growth strategies.  Key Takeaways: The Future of Gaming: AI is transforming the gaming industry and helping companies launch more sophisticated and efficient gaming experiences Encouraging Cross-Functional Collaboration: Success in scaling a product lies heavily in nurturing cross-functional teams with aligned incentives and goals to drive a high-growth culture Balancing Organic and Paid Growth: Overemphasis on achieving virality can become a trap… instead, focus on creating a great product and balancing organic and paid strategies will become more sustainable   Chapters:   (0:01)        Scaling video games and user acquisition strategies (2:27)         AI's impact on game development and publishing (5:19)          Adopting AI: the competitive edge in gaming (10:16)        Nurturing cross-functional collaboration and innovation in startups (16:35)       Learning from failure to achieve success in business (19:29)       The non-linear and chaotic nature of game development (23:56)      The serious business behind the gaming industry (28:29)      Balancing organic growth and paid marketing in early stage startups (31:46)       Choosing the right analytics tools for user data (34:11)         The challenges of data management in rapidly growing companies (35:18)        Balancing data savvy and brand focus in modern marketing (41:24)        Qualities to look for when hiring and scaling teams (46:47)       Conclusion and closing remarks   Link to Transcript