Josh Simon, the Netflix alum who took the reins of Funko as CEO in September, discusses his vision for growing the pop culture brand and collectibles maker. The company aims to improve its speed-to-market on timely trends, pursue new markets in Asia and Latin America and generally expand the scope of Funko's thinking as a business. "How do we turn every product into a canvas for storytelling," Simon tells Variety's Jennifer Maas.

Josh Simon, the Netflix alum who took the reins of Funko as CEO in September, discusses his vision for growing the pop culture brand and collectibles maker. The company aims to improve its speed-to-market on timely trends, pursue new markets in Asia and Latin America and generally expand the scope of Funko's thinking as a business. "How do we turn every product into a canvas for storytelling," Simon tells Variety's Jennifer Maas.

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment.

Strictly Business

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment on Variety's weekly interview series.

Industry leaders converse about business deals, strategy and the future of media and entertainment on Variety's weekly interview series.

Variety's Strictly Business

New Funko CEO Josh Simon is Determined to Make Culture Pop for Collectibles Firm

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2f2ec19c-c358-42b6-bd1c-b3f0005ad219/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety’s Michael Schneider details his reporting and the incredible access he received to cover the fifth and final season of HBO Max’s beloved comedy “Hacks.” And Cindy Lin, executive director of UCLA’s Ziffren Institute for Media, Entertainment, Technology and Sports, discusses the big developments in entertainment law as Variety unveils our annual Power of Law issue including this year’s Legal Impact Report honorees.

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Cover Story segment,&nbsp;Variety&rsquo;s Michael Schneider details his reporting and the incredible access he received <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/features/hacks-final-season-jean-smart-heart-surgery-lesbian-episode-1236706725/">to cover the fifth and final season of HBO Max&rsquo;s beloved comedy &ldquo;Hacks.&rdquo;</a> And Cindy Lin, executive director of UCLA&rsquo;s Ziffren Institute for Media, Entertainment, Technology and Sports, discusses the big developments in entertainment law as <a href="https://On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Cover Story segment, Variety&rsquo;s Michael Schneider details his reporting and the incredible access he received to cover the fifth and final season of HBO Max&rsquo;s beloved comedy &ldquo;Hacks.&rdquo; And Cindy Lin, executive director of UCLA&rsquo;s Ziffren Institute for Media, Entertainment, Technology and Sports, discusses the big developments in entertainment law as Variety unveils our annual Power of Law issue including this year&rsquo;s Legal Impact Report honorees.">Variety unveils our annual Power of Law issue including this year&rsquo;s Legal Impact Report </a>honorees.

Daily Variety – The Inside Scoop on the Farewell Season of ‘Hacks’; Power of Law: Ziffren Institute Chief Cindy Lin on Cutting-Edge Issues for Entertainment Law

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/afe554f0-d89b-457c-a4e7-b42600ff7683/transcript

On today’s episode, actor and singer Andra Day joins us to talk about her involvement in the Night Out for No Kid Hungry fundraiser set for April 11 at Rolling Greens in downtown Los Angeles. Day also says that she will have new music coming soon. "I haven't decided whether it's going to be a series of EPs or a full album yet," she says.

On today&rsquo;s episode, <a href="https://variety.com/2021/film/news/andra-day-billie-holiday-the-united-states-vs-1234890669/">actor and singer Andra Day</a> joins us to talk about her involvement in <a href="https://events.nokidhungry.org/events/night-out-for-no-kid-hungry/?ref=1TZELEL2600HU000000&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23619070685&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADp-erWYCrHDo5QGDFCyLZNPvJP_A&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw1tLOBhAMEiwAiPkRHuUeTUFuuuISQ9MmMGdnxPpTdR5nXzz2xJAljvYfPiVcyGG-ziTZDBoCjxgQAvD_BwE&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=1TZELEL2600HU000000&amp;utm_term=la-nightout&amp;utm_content=evergreen-tasting">the Night Out for No Kid Hungry fundraiser set for April 11</a> at Rolling Greens in downtown Los Angeles. Day also says that she will have new music coming soon. "I haven't decided whether it's going to be a series of EPs or a full album yet," she says.

Daily Variety -- Andra Day on Why She Supports No Kid Hungry's Campaign to End Childhood Hunger: 'It's of the Utmost Importance' 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/19cb1717-321e-4392-859e-b425012b93e6/transcript

On today’s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety’s Rebecca Rubin breaks down the big worldwide opening for Universal and Illumination’s “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.” The moviegoing galaxy was big enough for Amazon MGM Studios’ “Project Hail Mary” to hold on strong in week 3.

On today&rsquo;s episode, in our Box Office segment, Variety&rsquo;s Rebecca Rubin breaks down <a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/box-office/super-mario-galaxy-movie-box-office-the-drama-impresses-1236708742/">the big worldwide opening for Universal and Illumination&rsquo;s &ldquo;The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.&rdquo; </a>The moviegoing galaxy was big enough for Amazon MGM Studios&rsquo; &ldquo;Project Hail Mary&rdquo; to hold on strong in week 3.

Daily Variety -- 'The Super Mario Galaxy Movie' Illuminates the Box Office But Leaves Room for 'Project Hail Mary'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b2b5db71-ed34-4fb4-b214-b424011b0410/transcript

New Funko CEO Josh Simon is Determined to Make Culture Pop for Collectibles Firm

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