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, Variety’s Brian Steinberg reports on the triple-header kickoff of Upfronts week after attending Monday’s NBCUniversal, Fox and Amazon Prime Video presentations. He parses each platform's pitch to Madison Avenue. And we’ll hear from NBCUniversal Entertainment chief business officer Liz Jenkins on risk-taking in the time of disruption, in remarks delivered this month at SeriesFest in Denver. "We've found our cruising altitude again," she says.

On today&rsquo;s episode,&nbsp;Variety&rsquo;s Brian Steinberg reports on <a href="https://variety.com/t/upfronts/">the triple-header kickoff of Upfronts week</a> after attending Monday&rsquo;s NBCUniversal, Fox and Amazon Prime Video presentations. He parses each platform's pitch to Madison Avenue. And we&rsquo;ll hear from NBCUniversal Entertainment chief business officer Liz Jenkins on risk-taking in the time of disruption, in remarks delivered this month at <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/lord-of-the-flies-spartacus-house-of-ashur-seriesfest-1236723049/">SeriesFest in Denver.</a> "We've found our cruising altitude again," she says.

Daily Variety – Tech Talk, Streaming, Sports and Reboots Dominate Upfronts; NBCUniversal’s Liz Jenkins on Risk-Taking Amid Disruption

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/250afb19-9ad7-4647-97f7-b448013209fb/transcript

On today’s special Upfronts-themed episode, Rita Ferro, Disney’s president of global advertising, offers a preview of the Mouse House’s May 12 presentation to advertisers in New York. Ferro details Disney’s plan to link the live spectacle of the Grammys, the Super Bowl and the Oscars for big brands. She gives her perspective on the state of the scatter market, the mood of the upfront compared to last year, and how Disney is embracing the creator economy.

On today&rsquo;s special <a href="https://variety.com/t/upfronts/">Upfronts-themed episode</a>, Rita Ferro, Disney&rsquo;s president of global advertising, offers a preview of the Mouse House&rsquo;s May 12 presentation to advertisers in New York. <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/oscars-disney-advertising-super-bowl-grammys-live-shows-1236632874/">Ferro details Disney&rsquo;s plan to link the live spectacle of the Grammys, the Super Bowl and the Oscars</a> for big brands. She gives her perspective on the state of the scatter market, the mood of the upfront compared to last year, and how Disney is embracing the creator economy.

Daily Variety – Upfronts 2026: Disney’s Rita Ferro Details the Mouse House’s Cross-Platform Push, Embracing Live and Connecting Grammys, Super Bowl and the Oscars for the Biggest Brands

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5f7eb1e1-516f-4588-a8e9-b4470104a4d6/transcript

On today's episode, Variety's Jennifer Maas takes a deep dive on the rabid fandom around Hasbro's Magic: The Gathering collectible trading card game. Maas collected insights and perspectives from die-hard fans who attended the MagicCon fan convention held May 1-3 in Las Vegas.

On today's episode, Variety's Jennifer Maas takes a deep dive on the rabid fandom around Hasbro's Magic: The Gathering collectible trading card game. Maas collected insights and perspectives from die-hard fans who attended the MagicCon fan convention held May 1-3 in Las Vegas.

Inside the Unprecedented Growth of Hasbro's Magic: The Gathering and Trading Card Game's High-Stakes Pro Competition

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1ba21eef-162d-4e26-b1d8-b445004042e7/transcript

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

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