Prem Akkaraju is leading the charge to transform Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh’s Weta Digital visual effects firm into a full-fledged production company delivering original content. Akkaraju explains how the New Zealand-based Weta businesses have evolved during the past two years and where they see opportunity for the company in the increasingly crowded entertainment marketplace. 

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Prem Akkaraju is leading the charge to transform Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh’s Weta Digital visual effects firm into a full-fledged production company delivering original content. Akkaraju explains how the New Zealand-based Weta businesses have evolved during the past two years and where they see opportunity for the company in the increasingly crowded entertainment marketplace.  Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>

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

Prem Akkaraju is leading the charge to transform Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh’s Weta Digital visual effects firm into a full-fledged production company delivering original content. Akkaraju explains how the New Zealand-based Weta businesses have evolved during the past two years and where they see opportunity for the company in the increasingly crowded entertainment marketplace.

WetaFX CEO on Growing Peter Jackson’s Production Empire: ‘We’re a Household Name in Households That Make Movies’

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8e5beed4-9faf-49b4-b3dd-ae3e00dd706b/transcript

Aleen Dreksler, CEO and founder of Betches Media, details the digital media brand's origin story and why it blossomed into a hub for comedy and community designed for women. The episode also features a separate conversation from the SXSW festival that highlighted Variety's recent 10 Creators to Watch list.

Aleen Dreksler, CEO and founder of <a href="https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/nfl-betches-media-partnership-women-1236248686/">Betches Media, </a>details the digital media brand's origin story and why it blossomed into a hub for comedy and community designed for women. The episode also features a separate conversation from the SXSW festival that highlighted&nbsp;<a href="https://variety.com/lists/creators-to-watch/">Variety's recent 10 Creators to Watch list.</a>

Betches Media CEO and Founder Aleen Dreksler on Building a Digital Hub for Women With Comedy and Community

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1537f20f-f824-4798-ae12-b42f0135707c/transcript

Betches Media Founder and CEO Aleen Dreksler on Building a Digital Hub for Women With Comedy and Community 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/48251162-19b3-4853-99c9-b42f011c704a/transcript

On today’s episode, Variety’s Todd Spangler details the growing opposition within media and entertainment to Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. And Marc Malkin talks to documentary filmmaker Morgan Neville about his Focus Features documentary “Lorne,” about the enigmatic “Saturday Night Live” leader.

On today&rsquo;s episode,&nbsp;Variety&rsquo;s Todd Spangler details the<a href="https://variety.com/2026/film/news/mark-ruffalo-blasts-paramount-warner-bros-merger-senate-hearing-1236722756/"> growing opposition within media and entertainment to Paramount Skydance&rsquo;s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery</a>. And Marc Malkin talks to documentary filmmaker <a href="https://variety.com/2026/tv/columns/lorne-michaels-staurday-night-live-uk-smarter-funnier-cooler-1236721839/">Morgan Neville about his Focus Features documentary &ldquo;Lorne,&rdquo;</a> about the enigmatic &ldquo;Saturday Night Live&rdquo; leader.

 Daily Variety – Hollywood Marshals Opposition to Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery Merger. Will It Matter?; ‘Lorne’ Measures the Man Behind ‘SNL'

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a7a681f8-30e5-4175-8fdc-b42e01250ee1/transcript

WetaFX CEO on Growing Peter Jackson’s Production Empire: ‘We’re a Household Name in Households That Make Movies’

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