Digital Media in 2015 - My Predictions in TechCrunch

Here is an excerpt from my latest guest article for TechCrunch titled, “The Future of Digital Media in 2015” (click this link to read the full article in which I make 8 predictions for the year).

2014 proved to be a transformational year for content-driven digital media and investment (a new “golden age” of content I predicted for TechCrunch at the beginning of this year).  For the first time, that investment – much of it SoCal-based -- finally took its rightful place in the sun even in the eyes of ever-skeptical NorCal venture capitalists.  It was easy to see why, given mega–deals like Disney Studios buying leading multi-channel network (MCN) Maker Studios for up to $1 billion, Facebook buying virtual-reality company Oculus Rift for $2 billion, Microsoft uploading Minecraft maker Mojang for $2.5 billion, Apple buying Dr. Dre’s Beats for nearly $3 billion, and Amazon snatching up live gamer site Twitch for $1 billion.  5 deals – nearly $10 billion.

So, what do these deals portend for 2015?  Certainly, accelerating digital media activity and focus – meaning billions of dollars of new bets placed by VCs, strategic investors and acquirers on content-driven opportunities.  

You can find my 8 digital media predictionsfor 2015 by reading my full guest article in TechCrunch (click here).