Five Questions with Jonathan Skogmo (Founder & CEO, Jukin Media)

Jonathan Skogmo is the Founder & CEO of Jukin Media, a digital-first media company powered by user-generated video content. He started his career as a traditional TV producer for First Television, Asylum Entertainment, and Nash Entertainment, before launching Jukin in 2011. Jonathan is a member of the Producer's Guild of America and currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Online Video Committee.

1. What are you most excited about at the moment?

JS: Generally, I'm just really excited about Jukin and being a digital media company in 2021. There are more opportunities than ever before to capture and consume content. There are more short-form content platforms to monetize, build, and create passionate communities than ever before. Ad dollars continue to shift from legacy media to digital media. We continue to invest in our CTV /streaming programming and we believe we're only scratching the surface of what's yet to come in digital media.

2. What's something new you're experimenting with?

JS: At Jukin, we've recently been focusing on establishing a feedback-focused culture and environment. We want to hear honest and transparent feedback internally from Jukin team members, as well as externally from customers, clients, and fans. In doing so, we can use the results as an effective tool to improve the business and measure performance. Anything that we launch, produce, test, reiterate, etc. should be a part of the feedback cycle we are working to implement.

3. What digital media trend do you believe is incorrect or overhyped?

JS: Clubhouse

4. What's one BIG prediction you have for the digital media industry over the next 12 months?

JS: You're going to see a lot more consolidation in the digital media industry. Right now, digital companies that have been able to survive the pandemic have seen an increase in valuations, and I believe that this trend will continue over the next 12 months. I believe you will see many more acquisitions from legacy media companies, digital publishers, SPACs, and private equity firms. Everybody is looking to scale and to become a player in the space, but they need significant eyeballs in order to do so.

5. What one piece of advice would you offer aspiring entrepreneurs?

JS: I would want entrepreneurs to take a step back and ask themselves if they really want to go on this journey because it is all-consuming. It consumes your personal life, family life, and health, but it's also the greatest journey someone can go on. However, be ready for the struggle and road bumps along the way. As an entrepreneur just starting out, you need to know all the risk associated with it beforehand, so the big the question is "Do you really want to take that leap of faith?"