As CEO of Sundial Media and Technology Group, home to Essence, Refinery 29, Afro-Punk, and Beautycon, Kirk McDonald has spent 30 years at the intersection of publishing, ad tech, and agency leadership, and his thesis is simple: the industry optimized for clicks and reach when it should have been building for cultural relevance and community. Kirk unpacks the difference between influencers and creators, calls out AI as a proxy for "artificial intimacy," and argues the DEI backlash is a business mistake dressed up as a culture war.

As CEO of Sundial Media and Technology Group, home to Essence, Refinery 29, Afro-Punk, and Beautycon,&nbsp;Kirk McDonald has spent 30 years at the intersection of publishing, ad tech, and agency leadership, and his thesis is simple: the industry optimized for clicks and reach when it should have been building for cultural relevance and community. Kirk unpacks the difference between influencers and creators, calls out AI as a proxy for "artificial intimacy," and argues the DEI backlash is a business mistake dressed up as a culture war.

Join Christian Muche, Global President and Co-Founder of POSSIBLE, for a new podcast, POSSIBLE NOW—the podcast where bold possibilities take center stage.

 

This isn’t just another business podcast—it’s a deep dive into the future of marketing, culture, and technology with the visionaries who are redefining the game. Each week, we’ll uncover the stories behind breakthrough ideas, the leadership lessons that drive success, and the bold moves shaping tomorrow.

 

No limits. No boundaries. Just big ideas and fearless action. So what are you waiting for? Subscribe now and join us on this journey of discovery!

Join Christian Muche, Global President and Co-Founder of POSSIBLE, for a new podcast, POSSIBLE NOW&mdash;the podcast where bold possibilities take center stage.
&nbsp;
This isn&rsquo;t just another business podcast&mdash;it&rsquo;s a deep dive into the future of marketing, culture, and technology with the visionaries who are redefining the game. Each week, we&rsquo;ll uncover the stories behind breakthrough ideas, the leadership lessons that drive success, and the bold moves shaping tomorrow.
&nbsp;
No limits. No boundaries. Just big ideas and fearless action. So what are you waiting for? Subscribe now and join us on this journey of discovery!

Possible NOW

From Audiences to Communities: Kirk McDonald on the Future of Media

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c7cf3c91-d369-4bf3-a177-b41d00d31150/transcript