Episode 004: Dea Lawrence, Publisher and Co-President of Variety

How does a 120-year-old brand stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing entertainment landscape? In this episode of Best Brands on Earth, hosts Matt and Haley sit down with Dea Lawrence, Co-President and Publisher of Variety. Dea shares her incredible career journey—from starting as an actor on the New York stage to navigating Silicon Valley, before ultimately returning to Variety to help scale its live events business, build the Variety Content Studio, and win a Daytime Emmy along the way. We dive deep into:Brand Authority & Trust: How Variety maintains editorial integrity in an era dominated by clickbait. Diversifying Revenue: Scaling beyond print into custom live events, digital features, and award-winning video series. Adapting to Industry Shifts: Lessons learned from tech disruption, global expansion (from Hollywood to London), and the rise of the creator economy. Career Growth: The power of non-linear career paths and leaning into high-energy problem solving. Key Highlights & TakeawaysEditorial Integrity over Fast News: Why holding high journalistic standards creates a trusted, bulletproof brand that actors and executives continuously rely on. Building Future-Proof Ecosystems: Moving beyond traditional media revenue by expanding into video IP like Actors on Actors, custom tentpole events, and global partnerships. Culture Eats Disruption for Breakfast: How creating an open-idea culture where every team member is encouraged to pitch initiatives drives long-term innovation. Episode Timestamps & Chapters00:00 – Intro Chatter: Costa Rica, Earthquakes & Fast Fashion Trends 06:08 – Affordable EVs, Wendy's Meme Stock & The Bear Finale 12:12 – Today's Song: Bert Williams and the History of 1905 14:00 – Introducing Dea Lawrence, Co-President & Publisher of Variety 15:10 – From Broadway Actor to Digital Marketing Pioneer 22:00 – The Cold Call That Led to Variety 26:55 – The 120-Year History of Variety & Maintaining Editorial Integrity 31:10 – Diversifying Revenue: Live Events, Award Campaigns, and Video IP 36:45 – Embracing AI as an Efficiency Tool vs. Human Storytelling 38:55 – Sponsor Break41:10 – Inside the Variety Content Studio & Actors on Actors 46:40 – Expanding Variety Globally (UK & International Film Festivals) 50:10 – Dominating Social Engagement: TikTok & Micro-Dramas 54:30 – Building an Open, Innovation-Driven Newsroom Culture 59:50 – The Current State of Hollywood & Shifting Production Hubs 01:06:12 – Crumbs of Wisdom: Dea’s Work Ethic & Drive 01:10:35 – Why Auto Brands Master Customer Loyalty 01:12:46 – What Makes Variety One of the Best Brands on Earth 01:14:18 – Episode Wrap-Up & Key Takeaways Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Notification Bell so you never miss an episode! 🔔#BestBrandsOnEarth #Variety #EntertainmentIndustry #MediaStrategy #DeaLawrence #ActorsOnActors #Podcast