Craig Fuller, Founder and CEO of FreightWaves which began as a combination media company and data provider for the logistics industry, joins Erik Torenberg to discuss the evolution of FreightWaves, different media models and their scalability, and shares his thoughts on what the future of AI media will look like. — SPONSORS: BEEHIIV Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 to https://Beehiiv.com and use code “EMPIRES” for 20% off your first three months. — Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more, Spotify Apple — LINKS: FreightWaves: https://www.freightwaves.com/ Subscribe to the Media Empires Newsletter: https://media-empires.beehiiv.com/ — X / TWITTER: @eriktorenberg (Erik) @FreightAlley (Craig) — TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (00:15) The Evolution of Freight Waves (03:01) Breaking Down Media Business Models and Monetization Strategies (08:42) Complex Landscape of Media and Audience Engagement (12:35) Sponsor: Turpentine (13:26) Strategic Synergy Between Media and SaaS Businesses (17:27) Underrated Potential of Media Businesses (27:35) Opportunities and Challenges of Niche Media (29:59) Vertical Media Opportunities Across Industries (30:54) Dynamics of Media in the Supply Chain Industry (32:33) Expanding Media Ventures (33:41) Potential for Vertical Media in AI and Crypto (35:39) Critique and Future of Tech Journalism (37:34) Strategies and Challenges of Building a Vertical Media Business (43:06) Importance of Breaking News and Building Credibility (48:48) Evaluating Business Models for a New Media Venture (58:06) Wrap — This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected].