The Business of Information

What drives the business of information? From data and media to AI and regulation, the forces shaping our digital world are evolving fast. This podcast unpacks the strategies, policies, and innovations redefining how we create, distribute, and govern information. Each episode features candid conversations with CEOs, policymakers, and industry experts tackling educational technology, market and alternative data, AI disruption, and beyond. Join us as we decode the business of information—one episode at a time.Presented by the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA).

The Business of Information is a business podcast hosted by SIIA, with 25 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

SIIA hosts The Business of Information, a business show with 25 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  The Business of Information

  Building a B2B Media Business Beyond Advertising with Joe Glionna of Newcom Media

  Sep 22, 202646 min

  Joe Glionna, President of Newcom Media, joins host Chris Mohr to discuss how a family-owned B2B media company evolves without losing sight of the audiences it serves. A third-generation publishing professional who started out licking stamps at the kitchen table, Joe shares how Newcom grew through a series of acquisitions, what he learned from integrating businesses much larger than his own, and why the company now thinks beyond traditional advertising toward events, continuing education, subscriptions, and other revenue streams. He also explains how Newcom decides when print still makes sense, why he prefers to be a “first follower” rather than an early adopter of AI, and how surviving COVID fundamentally changed the way he thinks about debt, cash flow, and leadership. In this conversation, you'll hear: Why Newcom Media is building new revenue streams beyond traditional advertising What Joe learned from growing a 30-person family business through major acquisitions How audience demographics help determine when print still makes business sense Why continuing education has become a natural extension of Newcom’s trusted B2B brands Why Joe is cautious about the long-term cost of AI despite being optimistic about its potential How COVID changed his approach to debt, cash flow, and financial risk Why transparency—and putting his own family first in line for cuts—helped his team navigate the company’s most uncertain period Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to hear more conversations about the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the business of information. Learn more about SIIA: https://www.siia.net Follow SIIA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/siia/ Follow SIIA on X: https://x.com/SIIA

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Business of Information

  When AI Agents Cross the Line with Tod Cohen of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips

  Sep 8, 202641 min

  As AI agents become more capable of acting on our behalf, they’re also raising difficult questions about access, authorization, and who is responsible when they go too far. Tod Cohen, Partner in Manatt, Phelps & Phillips’ Digital and Technology group, joins Chris Mohr to examine those questions through the recent Amazon v. Perplexity litigation and what it could mean for companies trying to protect their data and digital environments. Drawing on decades of experience in technology policy, Tod explains why many of today’s AI questions can be addressed through laws already on the books—and where genuine gaps may be emerging. He and Chris unpack the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the implications of allowing AI agents to operate under a user’s authorization, the risks for publishers and other data owners, and why regulation of frontier AI models may be one area where new federal rules are actually needed. They also look back at lessons from the early internet era and consider how policymakers can protect against harm without getting in the way of technologies that create real value. In this conversation, you’ll hear: Why Tod believes most existing law is already capable of addressing many AI-related issues What happened in the Amazon v. Perplexity case and why the Ninth Circuit’s decision could have broader consequences How AI agents complicate traditional ideas of access, authorization, and responsibility Why the decision could force publishers and other data owners to put more barriers between users and their content Where Tod sees a genuine regulatory gap around frontier AI models What the early days of the internet can teach policymakers about regulating transformative technologies Why Tod remains optimistic that technology will ultimately make the world more accessible and better Learn more about SIIA: Website: https://www.siia.net LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/siia/ X: https://x.com/SIIA

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Business of Information

  Why Niche Media Is Built to Last with Andy Clurman of Active Interest Media

  Aug 25, 202635 min

  Andy Clurman, Chairman and Principal Owner of Active Interest Media, joins host Chris Mohr to discuss why specialized media businesses continue to thrive despite decades of predictions about the industry’s demise. Drawing on a career that spans Ski Magazine , Time Warner, Active Interest Media, and the Equine Network, Andy explains why the strongest media businesses are built around passionate communities rather than individual publications—and why diversification into events, education, memberships, services, and other adjacent businesses has been central to his strategy. He also shares what he looks for when acquiring a brand, why some niches are far more valuable than others, and how staying focused on audiences rather than chasing scale can create durable businesses. In this conversation, you'll hear: Why passionate niche audiences can create resilient media businesses What Andy looks for when evaluating a potential acquisition How Active Interest Media expanded beyond publishing into events, education, memberships, and services Why print still matters even when it’s no longer at the center of the business How AI could enable media companies to serve increasingly specific audience needs What the next generation is teaching Andy about how people consume—and pay for—media Why the media companies that survive will have multiple meaningful points of connection with their audiences Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts to hear more conversations about the people, ideas, and innovations shaping the business of information. Learn more about SIIA: https://www.siia.net Follow SIIA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/siia/ Follow SIIA on X: https://x.com/SIIA

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Business of Information

  Why Community Wins in the Age of AI with KC Crain of Crain Communications

  Aug 11, 202626 min

  KC Crain, President and CEO of Crain Communications, joins host Chris Mohr to discuss what it takes to lead a 110-year-old family media company through one of the most disruptive periods in its history. From starting his career as a reporter at Automotive News to overseeing iconic brands like Ad Age and Crain’s Chicago Business , KC shares why he sees AI as an opportunity rather than a threat, why premium journalism remains a competitive advantage, and how Crain is transforming decades of trusted reporting into new data and information products. The conversation also explores the value of niche communities, the future of B2B media, and why staying focused on serving professionals—not chasing scale—has positioned the company for long-term success. In this conversation, you'll hear: Why KC believes community—not scale—is the foundation of successful B2B media How Crain is using more than a century of journalism to build AI-powered products Why premium information continues to outperform commodity news The challenges of leading a 110-year-old family business through constant disruption How AI is accelerating innovation across data, technology, and product development Why KC remains optimistic about the future of media despite rapid industry change Learn more about SIIA: https://www.siia.net Follow SIIA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/siia/ Follow SIIA on X: https://x.com/SIIA

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Business of Information

  Can AI Actually Help Kids Learn? with Dr. Kristen DiCerbo of Khan Academy

  Jul 27, 202652 min

  Dr. Kristen DiCerbo, Chief Learning Officer at Khan Academy, joins host Chris Mohr to explore one of the biggest questions in education today: can artificial intelligence improve learning, or will it simply make it easier for students to avoid the hard work of thinking? Drawing on decades of research in psychology, educational technology, and learning science, Kristen explains why AI should be viewed as a tool that amplifies learning—not replaces it—and why the quality of educational technology depends far more on its design than on the technology itself. The conversation examines how Khan Academy built Khanmigo, the organization's AI-powered tutor, the research behind effective learning experiences, and why not all screen time deserves to be treated the same. Kristen also discusses the role of teachers in an AI-enabled classroom, the importance of evidence-based educational technology, and how AI could help make high-quality learning more accessible for students around the world. In this conversation, you'll hear: Why AI tutors can support learning without simply giving students the answers The difference between productive educational screen time and passive digital consumption How Khan Academy designed Khanmigo using decades of learning science research Why students often struggle to ask for help—and how AI can bridge that gap What schools and parents should look for when evaluating educational technology Why foundational knowledge will matter even more in an AI-powered future Learn more about SIIA: https://www.siia.net Follow SIIA on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/siia/ Follow SIIA on X: https://x.com/SIIA

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The Business of Information. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.