Sweeping change and the dismantling of old systems feel like the defining themes of this year.Mergers, capital cycles, and companies going public or private are nothing new. But what we are seeing now represents a different media landscape. We have used the term “new media” since the Web 2.0 explosion of mobile and socials. Today, it means something else entirely.Venture capital is under pressure. If you are a traditional software business, the environment is unforgiving. Money is harder to access since interest rates climbed. Liquidity events are fewer and further between. The IPO market remains shaky. Many of the breakout companies of the 2020’s are staying private longer and some funds are returning capital, shutting down, or consolidating.But one firm continues to separate itself: Andreessen Horowitz.We honored them early with our FlashFWD awards. Now, with repeated outsized wins, they are writing a modern playbook for influence. Here’s the broad strokes:Own your media voice.Build relationships with powerful media personalities.Flood the zone with content.Control your narrative.Shape your companies.Protect your policy interests.In a recent podcast episode on this subject, the founders joked that traditional news publications should be called “Olds.” Whether you agree or not, the philosophy is clear: legacy institutions often report yesterday’s stories.In LA last week, the dominant conversation was the shifting power in Hollywood. With Netflix stepping out of the race for Warner Bros., and assets flowing toward Paramount Global, the board has shifted.In the past year, The Ellisons gained control of Paramount, MTV, CBS, TikTok, CNN, Warner Bros. Studios, HBO and much more. This matters for two reasons.First, content changes. You can feel it in legacy franchises like CBS Sunday Morning and 60 Minutes. Tone and framing evolve quickly under new ownership. With CNN and Real Time with Bill Maher operating inside a new structure, audience loyalties are shifting. Even TikTok feels different. Distribution patterns adjust. Visibility changes.Second, consolidation creates opportunity.Who runs MTV?Who curates BET?Who controls music supervision for the Paramount slate or the next big HBO shows?How do songs secure sync placements?Which creators get greenlit?Which formats scale?When power consolidates, new lanes open.As some spaces tighten, others expand. Constraints create room for new voices and formats to break through. We see it in a new class of content builders and creator studios that understand audience economics, like Dhar Mann and his studio model.Fragmentation is becoming the new mainstream and brands are forced to take notice. Direct audience relationships win. Niche is powerful and influence is portable. There are new artists who will rise, new thinkers who will gain traction, and new schools of thought that deserve larger platforms.This week, we are hosting an event in Miami for my longtime friend and esteemed colleague, Oliver Libby. Oliver just released his first book, Strong Floor, No Ceiling, which is already generating meaningful conversations among a broad spectrum of leaders. He’s a straight shooter, a sharp storyteller, and a deep thinker with a vision for America that’s rooted in practical optimism and the radical center.Join us for the Miami book launch THIS FRIDAY at 6:30pm at Books & Books in Coral Gables.RSVP here.
BEATS
Matt Friend to Host Snapchat’s First-Ever Snappys Awards ShowSnapchat today announced The Snappys Awards Show, our first-ever flagship awards show dedicated exclusively to celebrating the creators shaping culture on Snapchat. (Snap Newsroom)
A24 Will Release ‘Undertone’ in the Best-Sounding Venues You Can ImagineExclusive: Ian Tuason's horror film will be released in fully immersive Dolby Cinema on March 9, prior to its wide theatrical release on March 13. (IndieWire)
Liquid Death and Spotify Create an 'Eternal Playlist Urn'You can take it with you when you go. Liquid Death and Spotify teamed up to create the “Eternal Playlist Urn.” It boasts a respectful design for your loved ones plus a bluetooth speaker. (Muse by Clios)
CoreWeave's New AI Investment: Chance the RapperCoreWeave is enlisting Chance the Rapper to help define its next act as investors increasingly scrutinize the AI boom's big spenders. (Business Insider)
Zara Larsson Writes Her Own Story With Urban OutfittersZara Larsson is heading on tour, and Urban Outfitters is along for the ride with Add to Story. Following a whirlwind year propelled by the breakout success of her hit single "Midnight Sun," Zara is gearing up for her tour of the same name. (Paper Mag)
American Eagle’s Next Marketing Move? Sponsoring StagecoachOn the heels of its February 11 announcement naming rising country musician Ella Langley as its newest brand face, American Eagle is unveiling another big music move: It will serve as the exclusive apparel and denim sponsor of Stagecoach, the world’s largest country music festival. (Glossy)
Apple Music Is Suddenly On Chocolate Bars In German Grocery StoresApple Music teams up with a German confectionery brand to offer chocolate bars with QR codes linking to an album and a free Apple Music trial. (Digital Music News)
Albums We're Excited for in MarchFrom Gnarls Barkley to Ty Dolla $ign, the spring kicks off with an eclectic slate of releases from across the musical spectrum. (Okayplayer)
Becky G Gets Fans Hyped up for World Baseball Classic in 'Expect Everything' CampaignWith just two weeks to go until the start of the tournament, when Australia takes on Chinese Taipei at 10 p.m. ET on March 4, it’s time to prepare for the biggest stars in the game to represent their homes. (MLB)
BYTES
Erik Torenberg, Ben Horowitz, and Marc Andreessen discuss how the media landscape has fundamentally changed and what a16z is doing about it. They cover why offense beats defense, why individuals now matter more than corporate brands, why speed wins in the new media landscape, and the difference between oral and written culture on the internet.
Legendary music producer Jermaine Dupri pulls back the curtain on how hit songs really get made in TED’s rapid-fire Q&A format, “On the Spot.” Answering a stream of unexpected questions, he covers what makes a good hook, why he doesn’t chase “cool,” how he helped build Atlanta’s sound and more.
Ready. Steady. Go: Harry Styles. One Night in Manchester. is coming to your living room. That’s right, Harries and Stylers: Netflix is bringing you the very first live performance of the international icon’s highly anticipated new album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.
The 2026 BRIT Awards aired today, February 28, from its new venue, Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. Performers at the ceremony, which was hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall for the sixth year running, included Harry Styles, Rosalía, Olivia Dean, and Raye. Below, watch footage of each performance.
SPIN IT BACK
LAST WEEK'S BEATS + BYTES | The Cultural Shift Around Ageing I’ve been deeply interested in the health and wellness space for as long as I can remember. Over time, I’ve realized that health is my number one core value in all its forms: mental, physical, and emotional.
This week's newsletter was carefully curated by the Nue Agency staff and our editor Rachel Meisner. If you think we missed something this week or have any suggestions/comments for next week's newsletter, let us know!