Co-creating Entertainment with Brands: Matt Rotondo of Sugar23 on Transforming the Production Process

In this episode we welcome to the show Matt Rotondo, Head of Brand Division at Sugar23. Matt reveals how Sugar23 are shaking up the entertainment space through an innovative co-creation process with brands from the earliest deevelopment stages. With extensive experience in advertising and brand partnerships, Matt shares insights into how he is helping brands to strategically leverage entertainment to impact business positively - and create exciting new projects. Traversing the development of projects like scripted comedies, and the distribution process, the converstion delves into the power of brand partnerships, with Matt sharing success stories of brands like Mattel and Dove transitioning their products into cultural phenomena. The episode concludes with a discussion on how brand activations, film festivals, and theatrical releases can foster deep connections with audiences. Tune in to learn how brands can systematically engage with their consumers through theatrical and streaming releases.    About Matt Rotondo  Matthew Rotondo began his marketing career at Wieden+Kennedy, an independent, fiercely creative advertising agency where he contributed meaningfully to some of Nike and Microsoft’s greatest work. Matt then worked globally for some of the top marketing networks – McCann and BBDO - living in NY, Hong Kong and LA. In LA he pivoted towards entertainment, in a marketing leadership position at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), building creative campaigns for corporate brands from within the entertainment industry. Matt helped his corporate clients find and develop opportunities to connect with consumers unlike any other marketing agency, identifying global opportunities for Budweiser, Burberry, Diageo, Harley-Davidson, QVC, Ralph Lauren, Unilever, Virgin and many more. At CAA Matt became a leading source of corporate revenue, delivering $40M+ in retainer earnings during the 10 years of his tenure. Substantially more was earned through his ability to parlay marketing relationships into talent and creator client opportunities. In 2019 Matt executive produced an IMAX documentary titled Superpower Dogs, securing $4M from Mars Petcare. This project pioneered new forms of sponsorship value from edutainment projects. The film continues to run in the global network of museums and science centers. Today Matt leads the branding division of Range Media Partners, responsible for developing the business model for this nascent group. Out of the gate Matt secured representation for Waffle Iron Entertainment, Nike’s entertainment production division. Further, Matt is leading talent business deals for several of Range’s largest clients, driving business models, branding and partnerships. He's lived in Nashville, TN since 2014.