Welcome to The Beat’s latest drop—a playlist of perspectives from the influencers and innovators moving the needle. Here’s what’s on repeat from the voices moving culture forward:

• The Try Guys navigate the leap from YouTube's creative freedom to the structured world of national TV, questioning if the charm that thrives in chaos can fit into traditional broadcasting's polished frames.

• Cannabis companies are striking out on their own, crafting innovative retail and tech solutions in the shadows of big tech, with trailblazers like Jane Technologies and Aeropay leading the charge.

• A bold call to arms for impact-driven storytelling challenges us to burn the traditional playbook and embrace a revolution beyond Hollywood's gilded echo chamber, proving action speaks louder than awards.

For the uninitiated: The Beat is a free, biweekly newsletter designed for the influencers, tastemakers, and innovators in the worlds of music, entertainment, media, food & beverage, fashion, sports, gaming, and more. Each article featured below is penned by a member of Rolling Stone Culture Council, a community of influential leaders across an array of industries.

With the lineup set, let’s turn up the volume on this week’s insights.

From YouTube Fame to TV Screens: A Risky Transition or a Golden Opportunity?

In a bold dive into the digital age, we're challenging the traditional media landscape by asking: Can YouTube stars really make it big on national TV without losing their soul?

The case of The Try Guys and other digital darlings springing onto TV screens has us all wondering if what works in the wild web can truly dazzle in the prim, proper, and highly polished world of television.

Diving into this audacious quest, we uncover:

🌐 YouTube: A Creative Utopia? YouTube's freedom allows creators like The Try Guys to thrive with their quirky humor and creative control, pushing boundaries without a network's tight leash.

📚 Creative Control Loss: Transitioning to TV often means creators have to compromise their unique flair for the sake of fitting into a more structured, and sometimes stifling, format.

💰 Financial Fable or Fact? While TV offers the allure of bigger budgets, the transition doesn't always mean more money in the pocket of the creators, as much of it is absorbed by the operational costs of larger-scale productions.

🎯 Ultimate Goal Examination: Success on TV hinges on a creator's goals – seeking broader exposure vs. retaining creative freedom and direct fan engagement.

Read The Full Article >

Cannabis Innovation: Crafting the Future of Retail in the Shadows of Big Tech

As big tech keeps its distance, the cannabis industry isn't just waiting around – it’s blazing its own trail, crafting cutting-edge retail solutions amidst the mist of federal prohibition. From AI-driven platforms to bank-to-bank payments, this sector's rebellious spirit is reshaping its destiny, one innovation at a time.

Here's how they're doing it:

🚀 Jane Technologies Leads the Charge: With a little MIT genius and a lot of grit, Jane Technologies is revolutionizing cannabis e-commerce, proving you don't need mainstream platforms to create a shopping experience that rivals the best.

🏦 Aeropay Sidesteps Traditional Payment Rails: Who needs credit cards when you have Aeropay? By developing a secure, bank-to-bank payment system, Aeropay is giving the green light to cashless, hassle-free cannabis transactions.

🔍 Metrc's QR Codes Usher in Transparency: With serialized QR tech, Metrc is turning every cannabis product into an open book; a bold move in an industry where knowing your green is gold.

📈 The Google Analytics of Ganja: Goodbye, guesswork. Hello, Lit Alerts. This platform is changing the game by providing real-time market data, making cannabis retail as sharp and responsive as its counterparts in other sectors.

📊 TerrAscend Integrates Tech Like a Pro: Tearing down the barriers traditional ERP systems face, TerrAscend is piecing together a modular, cloud-based tech marvel, custom-built for the cannabis industry’s unique needs.

Read The Full Article >

Igniting a Revolution in Impact Storytelling: Beyond Hollywood's Gilded Echo Chamber

Step aside, Hollywood. It's time for the storytellers, the disruptors, and the daredevils to seize the narrative reins. We're on the brink of a storytelling revolution, waving goodbye to the old guard and hello to raw, unbridled impact.

Buckle up as we rip through the script:

🎭 ACT ONE: The Uncomfortable Truth - Hollywood's echo chamber is too comfy, selling visibility over viability and mistaking applause for action. While the industry toasts to itself, real stories and real change are left clutching at straws.

🏴‍☠️ ACT TWO: The Rise of the Mavericks - Enter The Podium Society, not your average studio, but a rebel alliance dedicated to storytelling with a mission. It's about turning narratives into action, with no time wasted on seeking approval from the powers that be.

📣 ACT THREE: A Call to Arms - This isn't a time to play it safe. If you're looking to make a dent in the universe, start by rethinking the very essence of storytelling. It's about creating waves, not just content; impact, not just impressions.

Read The Full Article >

Wrapping Up

If these articles sparked your interest, we have a network that you will love: Rolling Stone Culture Council.

This exclusive, vetted community brings together influential leaders and innovators in art, media, gaming, theater, social impact, fashion, film, hospitality, sports, and more.

Put yourself at the forefront of innovation with access to publishing opportunities on RollingStone.com, a personalized, SEO-friendly Executive Profile, and the chance to network with other respected leaders in the field.

Join Rolling Stone Culture Council today and become part of a group driving innovation in entertainment.