『Pixel Retentive Podcast』のカバーアート

Pixel Retentive Podcast

Pixel Retentive Podcast

著者： Epic Made
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今ならプレミアムプランが3カ月 月額99円

2026年5月12日まで。4か月目以降は月額1,500円で自動更新します。

概要

 This is Pixel Retentive podcast, where I, an Artist and a Business Owner, discuss the art of business and the business of art. Here, we explore the intersection of creativity, business, marketing, and entrepreneurship.Pixel Retentive (c) 2026 マネジメント・リーダーシップ マーケティング マーケティング・セールス リーダーシップ 経済学
エピソード
  • Your Brand Isn't a Campaign. It's a Universe with David Gallaher

    Your Brand Isn't a Campaign. It's a Universe with David Gallaher
    2026/03/31
    In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl sits down with David Gallaher, transmedia storyteller, writer, and creative executive whose career spans Marvel Comics, DC, Ubisoft, and immersive live experiences. From breaking into Marvel with a hand-drawn comic strip resum to pioneering early interactive "cyber comics" and developing narrative systems for games and live events, David's journey is anything but conventional. With a background in neuroscience and a deep love for comics, old time radio, and role-playing games, he has built a career exploring how stories evolve across platforms. At the heart of this conversation is a powerful idea: your brand is not a campaign. It is a universe. We explore immersion, audience agency, transmedia storytelling, and how meaningful participation turns consumers into co-authors. How David broke into Marvel by faxing a comic strip resumeWhat early interactive comics taught him about digital storytellingWhy comics and old-time radio are inherently participatory mediumsHow video games blend multiple storytelling formats into one immersive experienceThe psychology of choice and why meaningful decisions matter in narrative designHow to design stories specifically for the platform they live onWhy immersion breaks the moment friction interrupts flowHow Creatures and Cocktails blends live theater, Dungeons and Dragons, and hospitalityThe power of physical artifacts in a digital worldWhy brands that create universes build deeper fandom "Your brand isn't a campaign. It's a universe." – David Gallaher David reframes storytelling as something expansive and interconnected. When narratives stretch across comics, games, live experiences, and digital platforms, audiences stop being passive viewers and become participants. That participation builds ownership, emotional investment, and long-term loyalty. The more immersive and intentional the design, the stronger the connection. Special Shout Out David gives a heartfelt shout-out to Kurt McClung, Co-founder of Taliespin, whose mentorship and visionary leadership in immersive storytelling and business innovation opened the door to bolder narrative experiments and creative growth, and he recognizes Alistair Barrett, his collaborator on Creatures and Cocktails, whose creativity and enthusiasm infuse every immersive experience they build together. Last but not least, he acknowledges Steve Ellis, artist of High Moon. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: David Gallaher on LinkedInTaliespinCreatures and Cocktails: David Gallaher & Allistar BarrettAcademy Center of the ArtsSteve Ellis: High NoonUnderstanding Comics by Scott McCloudOld-time Radio (OTR): Era when broadcast radio was the dominant form of home entertainment in the United States, roughly from the early 1920s through the 1950'sUnreasonable Hospitality by Will GuidaraBluefishing by Steve Sims If this episode resonated with you, share it with a storyteller, game designer, or brand builder in your orbit. Until next time, ✌️ – Carl Connect with Us on Epic Made on InstagramEpic Made on Facebook EM on YoutubeEM on LinkedinEpic Made's Website
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    48 分
  • Design isn't neutral. It never was with Kenneth Fitzgerald

    Design isn't neutral. It never was with Kenneth Fitzgerald
    2026/03/24

    In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl sits down with Kenneth R. FitzGerald — educator, designer, artist, curator, writer, and Professor of Design at Old Dominion University.

    From starting out as a ceramics major to becoming a self described "accidental" design critic, Ken's journey is anything but linear. What began as a letter to the editor of Emigre Magazine turned into a decades long career shaping conversations around graphic design, culture, and criticism. Along the way, he built a life balancing teaching, writing, personal creative work, and cultural commentary.

    At the heart of this conversation is a powerful idea: design is not neutral. It never was.

    We explore design as culture, design as responsibility, and why timidity is one of the greatest threats to creative growth.

    Quote of the Week

    "Design is 100 percent culture. You cannot avoid it." – Kenneth R. FitzGerald

    Ken dismantles the myth that design is purely objective problem solving. Outside of basic technical execution, design lives entirely within culture. Every visual decision communicates values, priorities, and narratives. Whether commercial or artistic, design participates in shaping society. The question is not whether it has cultural impact. The question is what kind of impact it has.

    Overview

    This conversation dives deep into the intersection of art, commerce, criticism, and responsibility.

    Ken reflects on discovering Emigre Magazine in the early 1990s and realizing that design could be intellectually vibrant rather than corporate and rigid. A single letter to the editor led to an invitation to write, which led to a career in design criticism that he never planned.

    We unpack the idea that courage in design is not about aggression, but about clarity. Ken argues that designers must avoid timidity — whether in creative expression, critique, or professional negotiations. Standing behind your ideas, signing your name to your opinions, and owning your perspective builds both respect and community.

    The conversation also explores the ethical tension designers face when balancing economic viability with cultural responsibility. Ken challenges the false binary of "sell out or starve," arguing instead for a spectrum of agency and intentional choice.

    For creatives navigating the space between art and business, this episode is both grounding and galvanizing.

    Special Shout Out

    Ken gives a heartfelt shout out to Rudy VanderLans, founder of Emigre Magazine. A simple response to Ken's letter to the editor opened the door to writing, mentorship, and a lifelong role in design discourse. Rudy's willingness to give a young designer a platform shaped the trajectory of Ken's career.

    Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

    Kenneth FitzGerald

    Old Dominion University – Department of Art

    Emigre Magazine

    AIGA – American Institute of Graphic Arts

    Graphic Artists Guild

    If this episode resonated with you, share it with a designer or creative thinker in your orbit.

    And if you have a story worth telling, apply to be a guest at epicmade.net/podcast.

    Until next time,
    ✌️ – Carl

    Connect with Us on

    • Epic Made on Instagram
    • Epic Made on Facebook
    • EM on Youtube
    • EM on Linkedin
    • Epic Made's Website
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    50 分
  • 🎙️Hype Is Not a Strategy with Mario Kroll

    🎙️Hype Is Not a Strategy with Mario Kroll
    2026/03/17
    This week on the Pixel Retentive Podcast, I sat down with Mario Kroll, founder of UberStrategist and a 30 year veteran of the video game and entertainment industry. From launching WarGamer.com in the early days of online gaming to building a multi-award-winning PR and marketing agency, Mario has seen every hype cycle, platform shift, and industry reinvention you can imagine. He has navigated retail-to-digital distribution, pre-social media journalism to influencer dominance, and the post-COVID turbulence that reshaped gaming media and PR. At the core of this conversation is one big idea: hype alone will not save your product. With over 20,000 games launching every year, attention is the real battleground. Mario breaks down why discoverability is harder than ever, why community building must start early, and why even the best PR strategy cannot fix a mediocre product. If you are a founder, marketer, creative, or game developer trying to stand out in a noisy market, this episode is packed with hard-earned wisdom. What You'll Learn: How Mario built WarGamer.com to over 1.1 million users before social media existedThe biggest shifts in gaming PR from retail to digital to influencer driven ecosystemsWhy COVID changed the industry and why the "new normal" was a mythThe real challenge of discoverability in a market flooded with new releasesWhy community building must begin long before launchThe dangers of waiting until the last minute to think about marketingWhy Kickstarter campaigns fail without a pre-built audienceHow to balance vocal minority feedback without breaking your gameWhy great trailers and video assets are critical in 2026The difference between product-driven launches and brand-driven longevityWhy resilience and reinvention are essential for agency survival Quote of the Week "Make the best possible game you can. A great product with minimal marketing will outperform a mediocre product with a massive marketing budget." – Mario Kroll Mario makes it clear: PR amplifies quality. It does not manufacture it. Too many creators rely on hype, paid ads, or last-minute publicity to compensate for unfinished thinking. But in a crowded marketplace, audiences can tell. Strong fundamentals, clear positioning, and genuine community support are what make marketing efforts work. Without that foundation, hype burns fast and fades faster. Overview This conversation covers three decades of evolution in gaming, PR, and entrepreneurship. Mario shares how he transitioned from gaming journalist to agency founder, the lessons he learned managing 50 contributors across the world in the early internet days, and how UberStrategist grew through grit, layoffs, pivots, and constant reinvention. We also unpack the myth of job security versus entrepreneurship, the false comfort of corporate stability, and why founders must stay agile in volatile industries. One of the most powerful through lines in this episode is the importance of building a brand, not just launching products. Studios that invest in reputation, community, and long -term trust create sustainable success. Those who chase hype cycles struggle to survive. Whether you are launching a game, a tech product, a film, or a creative service, the principle remains the same: Hype is a tactic. Strategy is long-term. Resources & Mentions UberStrategist: uberstrategist.comEmail: workwithus@uberstrategist.comWar GamerNightdive Studios AtariBethesda: Elder Scrolls SeriesPAX East Special Shout Out Mario gives a special shout-out to Larry Kuperman, a gaming industry veteran known for leadership, mentorship, and advocacy work around toxicity and anti-Semitism in gaming. Larry has played a key role in shaping Nightdive Studios' trajectory and is a strong example of relationship-driven leadership in the entertainment industry. Pixel Retentive explores the intersection of creativity, business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Want to work with Epic Made on your next creative project? Hit us up at Epic Made. We'll help your brand resonate with the right people and look badass while doing it. If this episode sparked something for you, share it with a friend or colleague. Until next time, ✌️ – Carl Connect with Us on Epic Made on InstagramEpic Made on Facebook EM on YoutubeEM on LinkedinEpic Made's Website
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    48 分
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