What We Offer

Work We've Done

Market Research + Intelligence

01Performed a digital IP valuation for a publicly traded media conglomerate.

02In-market customer surveys for US and various Asian markets to inform product strategies for a new ecommerce platform.

03Market research and executive surveys to inform new advertiser products and sponsor packages for a major audio streaming platform.

04Europe and North America landscape analysis of the digital sports media and social betting / casino / gaming industries to inform white spaces and roll-up targets.

Revenue Growth + Product Launches

01Product roadmapping and go-to-market planning for a new “livestream e-commerce” platform launched by publicly-traded SAAS company.

02Developed new growth strategy for top podcast network and digital media brand. Led to 8-figure YoY revenue growth.

03Advised on the owned & operated AVOD growth strategy for a major video streamer incumbent.

04Launched a premium scripted podcast vertical for an award-winning production company. Led to 7-figure YoY revenue growth.

05Advised on a “social commerce” roll-out for a large celebrity-backed media media and licensing brand. Included evaluation of social shopping portals, 3PLs, and user acquisition agencies.

06Placed a senior Hollywood executive into COO role at a venture-backed digital content x commerce platform.

07Created the business model, go-to-market plan, and growth strategies for OTT platform launches in sports, news, and film.

08Conducted a user acquisition “funnel” audit. Included revised strategy and optimization across OTT networks, FAST platforms, social media, email, website, and CTV.

M&A + Capital Markets

01Led buy-side diligence into an 8-figure podcast network and ad-tech platform.

02Evaluated 200 growth stage e-commerce companies as part of a search for a Content x Commerce investor roll-up strategy.

03Raised seed funding for an early stage international podcast network.

04Provided buy-side advisory, including valuation and future growth planning, on a nine-figure acquisition of an Asia-based digital media network.

Case Studies

XL Media

XL Media (LSE: XLMedia PLC) is a global performance publisher. It combines the power of people, data-driven behavioral insight, and captivating ...

Learn more

Team Coco / WarnerMedia

Team Coco is a digitally-native comedy brand, and a joint venture between Conan O’Brien and WarnerMedia. Entering 2020 Team Coco sought to ...

Learn more

Atmosphere

Atmosphere is a free multi-channel TV streaming service with content designed for businesses offering 51 original and partner TV channels. ...

Learn more

Mattson

RockWater is an active collaborator with Mattson, a global food and CPG innovator behind brands like Popchips, Blue Bottle Cold Brew, White ...

Learn more

At Will Media

At Will Media is an award-winning, full service podcast company. They are the go-to producer for innovative new audio formats, like the first ...

Learn more

FilmNation

FilmNation Entertainment, one of the world’s preeminent independent entertainment companies, sought to diversify and complement its core film and ...

Learn more

XL Media

XL Media (LSE: XLMedia PLC) is a global performance publisher. It combines the power of people, data-driven behavioral insight, and captivating editorial content to build valuable connections between brands and consumers.

When we began looking for intelligence partners, we knew we wanted a group who would work with us as part of a team, not a vendor. We found exactly what we were looking for in RockWater. Starting from a very open place, they were comfortable with and capable of helping us identify and focus on the most advantageous areas of business for the group. The research they deliver is consistently contextual, actionable and valuable in driving strategic decisions and growth.

Elizabeth Carter, VP of Marketing and Taylor Quist, Head of Global Brand Strategy

Who to know

Elizabeth Carter

VP of Marketing

Taylor Quist

Head of Global Brand Strategy

Team Coco / WarnerMedia

Team Coco is a digitally-native comedy brand, and a joint venture between Conan O’Brien and WarnerMedia. Entering 2020 Team Coco sought to capitalize on incredible revenue and M&A market momentum. Their executive leadership required advisory to define their growth strategy and execution plan, board communications, and buy-side M&A diligence and valuation.

In my role as COO of Team Coco, when we decided we needed help strategizing and plotting new growth initiatives, RockWater was the first call I made.

Adam Sachs, COO

Who to know

Adam Sachs

COO

William Navarre

Sr. Director of BD & Revenue

Atmosphere

Atmosphere is a free multi-channel TV streaming service with content designed for businesses offering 51 original and partner TV channels. Atmosphere offers an incredibly powerful advertising medium where brands can develop contextualized advertising campaigns with highly targeted delivery by venue-type, geography, or content channel type. The platform was developed using proprietary content, technology, and data to deliver unparalleled experiences for businesses, consumers, and advertisers. The business was incubated within Chive Media Group and spun out in 2019.

Chris and the RockWater team gave us the exact leverage we were looking for in an advisor. The team brings deep industry perspective, thoughtful frameworks, and a strong network of relationships.

Mike Grisko, CFO

Who to know

Mike Grisko

CFO

Eric Spielman

CSO

Mattson

RockWater is an active collaborator with Mattson, a global food and CPG innovator behind brands like Popchips, Blue Bottle Cold Brew, White Castle, and Yogurtland. Together, RockWater and Mattson are bringing unique food & beverage commerce solutions to traditional and digital media partners ranging from publishers and celebrities to sports / esports leagues and franchises.

Chris and his team are not just collaborators, they’re visionaries. They see opportunities for clients that they don’t see themselves. We have ideated with RockWater, and think of them as a group of creatives, as well as strategists.

Barb Stuckey, President & Chief Innovation Officer

Who to know

Barb Stuckey

President & Chief Innovation Officer

Katie Hagan

Vice President, Innovation

At Will Media

At Will Media is an award-winning, full service podcast company. They are the go-to producer for innovative new audio formats, like the first singing competition podcast series for Audible, and the original Siegfried & Roy series for Apple TV+. At Will also makes premium content for brand partners like the New York Times, Netflix, and Marriott Bonvoy. At Will is quickly growing their portfolio of premium scripted and non-fiction originals, and is included in the first audio slate ever featured at the TriBeCa Festival.

Who to know

Will Malnati

Founder & CEO

FilmNation

FilmNation Entertainment, one of the world’s preeminent independent entertainment companies, sought to diversify and complement its core film and TV businesses by expanding into audio and digital, with the end goal of broadening its storytelling platform and driving additional enterprise value.

RockWater’s team dovetails incredibly sophisticated marketplace intelligence with an impressive, far-reaching network of leading professionals at nearly every top digital-focused company – with this powerful combination, they provide clients with invaluable strategic insights and guidance. Chris and the team helped us quickly identify and prioritize opportunity lanes for FilmNation as we expanded our global content platform into the digital space. We’d recommend them with the highest praise, in a heartbeat.

Milan Popelka, COO

Who to know

Milan Popelka

COO

Alyssa Martino

VP of Podcasts

Want to connect with the RockWater team?

Contact Us Today