Tanya Bershadsky

California Steps Up for Indie Film Fantastic news for creators—especially independent ones! So encouraging to see real investment in reviving California’s film, TV, and animation industry. It would be even better to see a built-in incentive specifically designed to support lower-budget films. Those stories often carry the most grit and heart—and with the right boost, they can go far. #IndieFilm #FilmIncentives #CaliforniaFilm #CreativeEconomy #SupportIndieVoices #Filmmaking #StorytellingMatters #WomenInFilm #NarrativeNonfiction #ContentThatMatters #GetInTheBoat

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Summons Productions Announces Dual Bay Area Music Residencies for 2026 In a strategic expansion that reflects its rising influence in the independent music sector, Summons Productions, under the leadership of Chairman and CEO Drananda Summons, has secured two year-defining music residencies in the Bay Area—Berkeley and San Francisco—positioning the company for a landmark 2026. The Berkeley Residency, scheduled to launch January 2026, will serve as the flagship location for the Summons Productions performance series Summons Lounge. Designed as an incubator for independent musicians, vocalists, and cross-genre creators, Summons Lounge has rapidly become a proving ground for emerging artistry and an essential space for music discovery in Northern California. In May 2026, Summons Productions will extend its reach with a second Summons Lounge Residency in San Francisco, widening its platform for musicians seeking industry-level performance opportunities without the barriers often found in traditional venues. This dual-residency structure marks a significant evolution in the company’s music-driven programming, allowing Summons Productions to operate simultaneously in two of the Bay Area’s most competitive cultural markets. Both residencies are being established in partnership with North Beach Pizza Berkeley & San Francisco, whose venues have become hubs for live music, creative gatherings, and community-centered entertainment. Their collaboration with Summons Productions underscores a shared mission: to cultivate accessible performance spaces that elevate independent music while supporting the creative economy of the region. As Summons Productions enters 2026 with two anchored residencies, the company strengthens its position as a leading force in the Bay Area’s independent music landscape—bridging artists, audiences, and industry pathways through the ongoing evolution of Summons Lounge.

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Decline of Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade: A Lesson by @alexmcalle The decline of Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade offers valuable lessons for the location-based entertainment (LBE) industry. Once a thriving hub of shopping, dining, and street performance, the promenade suffered from shifting consumer habits, the rise of e-commerce, lack of fresh programming, and a failure to adapt to changing demographics and cultural tastes. For LBE operators, the key takeaway is that novelty fades quickly without continual reinvention. Just as retail tenants must refresh window displays and product lines, entertainment venues must evolve storylines, seasonal overlays, and interactive elements to keep locals returning—not just tourists. Stagnation breeds decline. Another lesson is the importance of diverse, layered experiences. The promenade relied heavily on retail and light entertainment; when retail faltered, the ecosystem collapsed. LBEs should balance anchor attractions with food, live events, pop-ups, and community-driven programming to ensure resilience. Finally, safety, accessibility, and ambiance are non-negotiable. As foot traffic dwindled, the promenade struggled with perception issues that further drove visitors away. LBEs must invest in atmosphere and guest comfort as much as in the main attraction. The story of Third Street is a reminder: in physical entertainment spaces, constant innovation, multi-dimensional experiences, and community connection are the lifeblood of long-term success. #realestateexpert #realestatedevelopment #themeparkdesigner #Storytelling #CreativeJourney #themeparkdesign #productioncompany #themedentertainmentdesign #themedentertainmentindustry #themedentertainmentdesigner #themedentertainmentassociation #architainment #losangelescounty #losangelescalifornia #losangelesart #creativebusiness #creativebusinesses #immersivestorytelling #immersiveentertainment

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Rumblefish, part of SESAC Music Group, has struck a deal with ByteDance to handle music licensing and royalty services for TikTok and CapCut. The partnership lets music publishers directly license their catalogs to both platforms, with support for multi-territory deals based on rights coverage. Rumblefish will manage everything from linking song and recording data to processing royalties and usage reports. https://lnkd.in/gMCktazB #Rumblefish #musiclicensing #Bytedance

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Creators are becoming studios. Literally. #CreatorCamp ’s new 45,000 sq ft studio in #Austin is built for modern content teams, not legacy media. There’s no gatekeeping here. It’s optimized for volume. For short-form. For fast turnaround. For collabs. And it’s not just for video brands. Music creators are part of this too. Why does this matter? Because 40% of tenants are already working six days a week, cooking content across verticals. If you’re building tools for music-tech, think about where that music is actually being made, and who’s in the room. Real creation isn’t happening in isolation anymore. #musictech #dstro7 #content #creator #tiktok

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Inside Amoeba Music Berkeley: What Crate Digging Teaches Us About Creativity I recently filmed a “biggest music store treasure hunt” episode inside the original Amoeba Music on Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley, founded in 1990 and still one of the world’s most respected independent record stores. As a Grammy‑winning musician and founder of TEKTONIKmusic.org, I used this visit to explore how physical records, deep listening and music history can still shape creativity, focus and emotional health in a digital‑first world. In the episode I also reference Amoeba’s later Hollywood flagship and its huge one‑block footprint as an example of how a passionate community can grow into a global cultural landmark. You can connect with me here for more discussions around music, performance and innovation. Amoeba Music #AmoebaMusic #Berkeley #MusicIndustry #CreativeLeadership #Vinyl Amoeba Music is an American independent music store chain with locations in the California cities of Berkeley, San Francisco, and Hollywood, Los Angeles. It stocks media, primarily music, but also films and television programs via DVD and VHS. Its music selection includes rock, pop, blues, soul, funk, rap, and jazz. It is popular as a tourist destination for fans of physical media or music in general. It was founded in 1990 in Berkeley, California, and remains in operation, having survived the decline of CD sales in the 2000s. Amoeba stores generally focus on vinyl and compact discs.

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Everyone keeps saying “the algorithm is unpredictable.” It’s actually becoming more predictable than ever...if you’re paying attention. Here are 3 platform updates that tell you exactly where social is heading right now: • Threads now lets users customize their feed using the “Dear Algo” prompt. Translation: platforms are rewarding intentional engagement and clear signals. • YouTube is integrating Shorts deeper into Google Search. Short-form video is no longer just scroll content, it’s searchable content. • Hashtags are quietly making a comeback on Instagram. Not 30 spammy tags. 3 to 5 niche, keyword-driven hashtags that support SEO and discoverability. The common thread? Search matters. Signals matter. Specificity matters. We’re moving out of the “post and hope” era and into the “optimize and position” era. The platforms are literally telling brands how to win. Most just aren’t adjusting their strategy fast enough. If you’re a brand or founder trying to grow in 2026, your content isn’t just content anymore. It’s search strategy, brand positioning, and discoverability all in one. That’s exactly what we help our clients build at Ground-Up Social here in San Diego. If your social presence isn’t driving discovery, leads, or real brand growth yet, let’s change that → groundupsocialmedia.com

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Here's part 2 of 3 from my talk on 2025 creator M&A. I discusss mkt correction to new growth signals, and 4 must-watch deal themes 👇 1. Talent Services 2. IM / Creator Tech 3. Social Publishers 4. Podcasting Part 1 of my video series highlights the 3 takeaways every founder and investor must know about creator economy dealmaking. If you missed it, I'll re-link it in the comments below 👇 -- I'm the founder of RockWater Industries Industries. We do M&A and strategy advisory for the creator economy and digital / audio agencies.

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Big News To Share: Canva selects Crunch Digital for clearance and reporting! We’re honored that Canva has entrusted us with their music-clearance and reporting. Their leadership in creative software aligns perfectly with our mission to provide optimized rights management systems for efficiency and accuracy in clearance and reporting. Crunch Digital continues to expand as the go-to partner for major brands seeking rigorous, transparent, and scalable music clearance and reporting frameworks. Plus, our clients have full access to our one-of-a-kind TEMPO (https://lnkd.in/gt88j2EJ) platform for real-time clearance information. We are looking forward to working with the Canva team!! #canva #musicclearance #musicreporting

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Extremely proud of what our Crime House team has built. The #3 Top New Podcast Launch of 2025 (Triton Digital). True crime reaches 42 million Americans monthly through podcasts (Sounds Profitable). But the genre is evolving. Audiences don't just want weekly deep dives anymore. They want breaking cases, real-time developments, and coverage that moves as fast as the news cycle. This show is built for that. Daily episodes. Real-time updates on social between episodes. It's an always-on true crime newsroom, not just a podcast. The Triton ranking tells us we built something the audience was asking for. But the real proof is how fans show up. That's what turns a show into a franchise. Congrats to the entire Crime House and broader PAVE Studios team! This is just the start.

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At PacRim Labs LLC — Today Film financing landscape is undergoing a transformation. Mainstream capital is only now catching up with what independent producers and global storytellers have known: the opportunity in media is real and under-invested. Investors such as my friends at Upstart Co-Lab are calling this out, events like the International Film Finance Forum are validating new models of cross-border structure, tax incentives, and risk-aware production finance. At PacRim Labs LLC, we are positioning the company at the intersection of production, finance, technology and global sourcing— deploying capital into quality pre-sold theatrical and streaming content offering package investors access via well-structured proceeds, security and upside. I believe this is how the next generation of film-fund managers and producers will operate — rigorous finance meets creative vision. A few key differentiators: -Financial discipline and investment structuring -Global production sourcing and incentive optimization -Distribution & sales funnel aligned from day one -Investor-oriented mindset with transparency, oversight and control

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Video Game Veteran Ludon Lee Raising $250 Million to Develop Largest Indoor Theme Park in San Francisco Centre Downtown Mall Ludon Lee, a Silicon Valley veteran and Chinatown native, has recently announced his plans to revive the largest indoor video game theme park in downtown San Francisco. With the help of his privately held asset management company, Ludon Toy Company, Lee is raising $250 million to purchase the San Francisco Centre downtown mall and transform it into a state-of-the-art gaming destination. The new video game theme park will feature unlimited gaming for a single admission price, making it a dream come true for avid gamers. Visitors will also have access to a variety of shopping and dining options, making it a one-stop destination for entertainment. But what sets this theme park apart is the inclusion of real money eSports gaming, where players can compete for cash prizes in their favorite video games. Lee, a video game veteran with over 25 years of experience in the industry, is excited to bring this project to life. "I have always been passionate about video games and I believe that this theme park will be a game-changer in the industry. It will not only provide a fun and immersive experience for gamers, but also create job opportunities and boost the local economy," he stated. The San Francisco Centre downtown mall, which has been struggling in recent years, will undergo a major transformation under Lee's leadership. The video game theme park is expected to attract tourists and locals alike, and bring new life to the mall. With Lee's expertise and vision, the project is set to become a major attraction in the heart of San Francisco. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting development. https://lnkd.in/gsqBFGPC

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Catching up on my LinkedIn posts, I'm doubling down on Media AI: Warner Music Group's Robert Kyncl (who I've known since his Netflix days, followed by working with him at YouTube with our Endemol Shine Group creator talent) is smart to capture value early in AI. WMG's opt-in model should provide scale and promotion that pays. And, if fair renumeration drives consumption and revenue growth, then artists and audiences will find more interaction as they scale production and engagement via AI. It's akin to musical acts jumping early onto MTV, Vevo, YouTube, TikTok, etc., weigh the risk, then widen your distribution directly.

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Another episode of California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)'s 'The Future is Now' series has dropped! WorldWise Productions had a blast in Chico, CA, learning how Fusion NFC, with the help of ChicoSTART, is shaking up the concept of traditional networking. #youngentrepreneurs #californiasmallbusiness #videoproduction

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AudioShake Is Changing How We Work With Sound By raising $14M in Series A funding, AudioShake is taking its mission even further — helping creators, studios, and broadcasters unlock new value from their recordings. From separating stems to cleaning up dialogue or preparing training data for AI, they’re turning audio into something dynamic, editable, and intelligent. This is a huge step for everyone working at the intersection of music, media, and technology. https://lnkd.in/eh-etUM3 #AudioInnovation #AudioTech #AI #MediaTechnology #MusicTech #FutureOfSound #CreativeAI #StartupFunding

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE --- # 🔥 **Beef Stew Radio Launches as the Ultimate Hip Hop & Web3 Culture Platform** **Digital airwaves meet street culture in a bold new era of independent radio.** **United States — February 2026** — Beef Stew Radio ([www.BeefStewRadio.live](https://lnkd.in/et6_Fne2)) officially announces its growing presence as a disruptive force in hip hop media, independent music promotion, and Web3 culture broadcasting. Broadcasting live on X, Beef Stew Radio bridges the gap between **IRL artists and Web3 creators**, giving independent talent a powerful platform to be heard, seen, and monetized. --- ## 🎤 A Platform Built for Culture Beef Stew Radio isn’t just another online station — it’s a movement. The show delivers: * 🔥 Exclusive interviews with emerging and established hip hop artists * 🎶 New Music Friday mixtape sessions * 🌐 Web3, NFT, and crypto culture discussions * 🎧 Live DJ sets and interactive audience engagement * 💬 Real-time community interaction through Discord and social platforms With a loyal and fast-growing audience known as the **Gravy Gang**, the brand represents authenticity, independence, and ownership in today’s digital creator economy. --- ## 🚀 Empowering Independent Artists Beef Stew Radio focuses on: * Giving independent artists mainstream-level exposure * Connecting musicians with NFT and blockchain opportunities * Providing live feedback and promotion * Creating viral-ready moments optimized for social media By combining urban culture with emerging technology, the platform positions itself at the forefront of modern entertainment evolution. --- ## 📡 Where to Tune In Listeners can stream live shows, discover new music, and join the community at: 👉 **[www.BeefStewRadio.live](https://lnkd.in/et6_Fne2)** Live broadcast schedule includes: * Mondays * Tuesdays * Saturdays (Full programming schedule available on the website.) --- ## 💬 About Beef Stew Radio Founded to amplify authentic voices in hip hop and Web3 culture, Beef Stew Radio operates as an independent digital media hub dedicated to music discovery, artist empowerment, and community growth. With a strong presence on social media and live interactive broadcasts, the platform continues to expand its reach across the United States and beyond. --- ### Media Contact: Beef Stew Radio Website: [www.BeefStewRadio.live](https://lnkd.in/et6_Fne2) Community: Join the Gravy Gang via Discord ---

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Indie film distribution isn’t about chasing a deal—it’s about building leverage before you ever take a meeting. The strongest filmmakers know their audience early, position their release with intent (festivals, theatrical, or direct-to-platforms), and create demand through targeted marketing and release strategies. Not broad hope. Not blind self-release gambling. In today’s landscape, success comes from aligning your distribution path with your film’s scale, genre, and audience behavior—then executing with discipline. Don’t roll the dice! The filmmakers who win aren’t just telling great stories, they’re thinking like distributors from day one. DM if you want to learn more...

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