They found the "low cost/no ads" hole in the market that everyone else had abandoned and jumped right in. I think this could really pay off for them if they play their cards right.

https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/07/rokus-3-streaming-service-howdy-will-be-coming-to-other-platforms-ceo-says/

We’re moving toward a world where the "commercial break" is dead and replaced by creator-led storytelling that you can buy with one click.

https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/pinterest-announces-new-ctv-show/808902/

By weaving brands like Wayfair directly into the story, they’re closing the loop. You see it, you save it, you buy it — all without a single traditional commercial break.

It’s proof that in 2026, if an ad feels like an ad, it’s already failed.

Personally, the goal is simple: protect my time for bigger decisions, better thinking, and the people who matter. If I get that right, the rest tends to follow.

I also want to spend real time building new IP, original content, formats, and tools that let us tell better stories, and continuing to invest in the Philadelphia creative community through mentorship, education, and nonprofit work. That part matters to me.

Going deeper with the clients we already trust each other with. Growing the team with specialists who raise the bar on storytelling and design.

We still shoot real stories with real people, AI just ensures that when we walk onto set, the entire crew and client team are already 100% aligned on the vision. That's efficiency that protects the craft.

What was the one tool that helped your team work smarter this year?

We were able to achieve such speed and clarity because we embraced AI.

AI became the new pre-production department in 2025. We now leverage AI tools for early-stage creative clarity, like:
• Fast storyboards
• Mood boards & look exploration
• Concept development/treatments

Emily Diego: Emily has grown tremendously as a manager. She's the operational backbone, keeping us all organized, on task, and on time, while expertly setting client expectations.

I want to shout out two people who absolutely crushed it and embodied this growth:

Jake Zebley: Our Swiss Army knife took a massive leap forward, significantly honing his skills in 2D/3D animation and his edit prowess. He makes the impossible possible.

We delivered consistently strong work across categories without compromising creativity because we paused to align on the why and the desired outcome, and then let our team sprint full throttle. That clarity is what allows for smart scaling and deep client partnerships.

The goal is simple: when they leave, they can confidently tell their next employer, "Here's what I can do, and here's what you should pay me for." That's the only way we measure success.

What’s the most valuable, tangible skill you learned from an early internship experience?

For our part, we believe the internship has to be a genuine, mutual investment. We set goals and check in to see if they're still aligned and enjoying the work.

And students really need to hear this: The very first thing I do when you reach out is Google you. I'm making a judgment on who will represent my company, so you need to look at your online brand as the professional asset it is; it’s a basic test of professionalism.

Without that alignment, speed just turns into rework... and rework is what really kills our momentum.

I realized I have to focus on building a rhythm where everyone knows the destination before the race even starts.

What was your biggest leadership lesson in 2025?

The teams that could move fast and communicate clearly were the ones that truly outperformed.

I realized I had to slow us down just enough to align on the "why" and the desired outcome. That brief pause for clarity is what allowed Loaded Pixel to sprint full throttle afterward.