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

Portal-A

PORTAL A is an award-winning branded and original content company. The company's accolades include being named Agency of the Year by The Streamys...

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ViacomCBS

We specifically hired Chris and his team to support competitive landscape analysis, market intelligence and growth planning for branded ad sales ...

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XL Media

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

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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 ...

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FAO Schwarz

FAO Schwarz is the world's most renowned specialty kids toy manufacturer and retailer. Since being founded over 160 years ago, the company has ...

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VERB Technology

VERB Technology Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: VERB) is rapidly emerging as the market leader in business-focused interactive video sales and marketing ...

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Atmosphere

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

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Red Seat Ventures

Red Seat Ventures partners with talent, brands, and influencers to fund, build, and operate unique businesses. Founder and executive leadership ...

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EffinFunny

EffinFunny is a full-service creative production company that makes award winning content targeted at the growing US born South Asian ...

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Mattson

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

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FilmNation

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

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CASHDROP

CASHDROP, launched in January 2020, is a cloud POS Company with a twist on the economic model. Merchants access full capabilities of the app for free,

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Super Studios

Super Studios is an innovative web3 creative lab founded by acclaimed crypto thought leader Elliot Wainman (@elliotrades) and his partner Dave ...

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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 ...

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Revry

Revry is a uniquely positioned streaming media company representing the newest voices within the LGBTQ+ community, and we’ve had a wonderfully ...

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Collabspace

Collabspace is a mobile-first platform for Creators and Creative Freelancers to connect and transact for paid creative gigs and collab ...

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Cosmily

Cosmily is a single platform that combines education, discovery, purchase, and community for skincare enthusiasts – generating custom skincare ...

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Portal-A

PORTAL A is an award-winning branded and original content company. The company’s accolades include being named Agency of the Year by The Streamys, Video Agency of the Year by Digiday, and a Top 20 Content Creator by AdWeek. Its clients include Google, Amazon, Target, Disney, MLB, and Snapchat. The company’s founders engaged RockWater to evaluate both its existing and new planned business lines within branded and original content. The strategy assignment resulted in a new investment and resource plan, to help drive revenue growth and accelerate new market entry.

RockWater was a great executive ally. They took time to understand our growth needs, created a custom workplan, and executed with precision. Their recommendations were data-based and actionable, and are now part of our operating plan. RockWater also brought good energy to our org, which helped get team buy-in. We look forward to working with them again.

Zach Blume, Co-Founder and President at Portal-A

 

Who to know

Zach Blume

Co-Founder, President

ViacomCBS

We specifically hired Chris and his team to support competitive landscape analysis, market intelligence and growth planning for branded ad sales solutions – as we better understood his broader capability set, we expanded our engagement to include new IP incubation ideas, IP valuation and more. I highly recommend RockWater to any client in need of sharp and actionable strategy advisory.

Thomas De Napoli, Sr. Director of Viacom Velocity

Who to know

Thomas De Napoli

Sr. Director of Viacom Velocity

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

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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

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Adam Sachs

COO

William Navarre

Sr. Director of BD & Revenue

FAO Schwarz

FAO Schwarz is the world’s most renowned specialty kids toy manufacturer and retailer. Since being founded over 160 years ago, the company has transformed into an omnichannel brand across brick & mortar, wholesale, and web and social commerce. The company is owned by ThreeSixty Group, which owns and operates 5+ global consumer brands including Vornado and Sharper Image.

To plan FAO’s digital transformation, we needed an expert team who understood how parents and kids are spending their time and money online, which is powering new direct-to-consumer business models for toy retailers. RockWater was a great bolt-on partner to us and facilitated outlining an exciting new growth strategy for FAO Schwarz.

 

Jan-Eric Kloth, President, International Sales, Retail, & Corporate Strategy at ThreeSixty Group

Who to know

Jan-Eric Kloth

President, International Sales, Retail, & Corporate Strategy at ThreeSixty Group

VERB Technology

VERB Technology Company, Inc. (NASDAQ: VERB) is rapidly emerging as the market leader in business-focused interactive video sales and marketing tools, including livestream ecommerce, CRM, and content management applications. With offices in California and Utah, VERB services clients in 60 countries and in 48 languages.

 

Founder and C-suite leadership sought market research, consumer and executive surveys, and go-to-market planning for a new livestream commerce product launch.

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Rory Cutaia

Founder, Chairman, & CEO

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

Red Seat Ventures

Red Seat Ventures partners with talent, brands, and influencers to fund, build, and operate unique businesses. Founder and executive leadership sought investment targets for a Content x Commerce investor roll-up strategy, optimization of their user acquisition “funnel” across 6+ digital channels, and an audience and marketing forecast model.

RockWater delivers something few others can: unique perspective. Chris and his team analyze the complicated playing field and cut through the BS to deliver actionable insights that add immediate value. RockWater acts as an extension of my own team, adding a tool to our toolbox at the exact moment we need it.

Chris Balfe, Founder & Partner

Who to know

Chris Balfe

Founder & Partner

EffinFunny

EffinFunny is a full-service creative production company that makes award winning content targeted at the growing US born South Asian demographic. Their team has developed, created, and produced content for Comedy Central, FX, TBS, Red Hour, and ABC digital.

 

The company’s leadership tapped RockWater to research whitespace opportunities and develop the go-to-market plan to drive new revenues and grow enterprise value.

 

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Sandeep Parikh

Founder and Chief Creative Officer

Anand Shah

Head of Development

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

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

CASHDROP

CASHDROP, launched in January 2020, is a cloud POS Company with a twist on the economic model. Merchants access full capabilities of the app for free, and CASHDROP charges the merchant’s end customer a 5% convenience fee. It aligns CASHDROP to remove as much friction as possible for the merchant, since they only make money when the merchant does.

 

CASHDROP has tapped RockWater numerous times to advise on its fundraising and M&A activities.

 

The crew at RockWater are some of the most competent people I’ve ever worked with, and can parachute into a new project with lightning speed. They are always the first advisor I call, when I want to do something BIG

 

Benjamin Vear, President and Member of the Board

 

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Benjamin Vear

President, Member of the Board of Advisors

Super Studios

Super Studios is an innovative web3 creative lab founded by acclaimed crypto thought leader Elliot Wainman (@elliotrades) and his partner Dave Murray. Super Studios is building its corner of the Metaverse called The SuperVerse where its protocol ($SUPER) will be the foundation of an array of dapps. The first two dapps include the sophisticated NFT marketplace Gigamart (shipping Q4 ‘22) and the Play-And-Earn game Impostors (www.impostors.gg). Impostors recently saw its genesis drop sell out in 10 seconds generating over $100M in primary and secondary sales.

 

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Jason Ziemianski

Chief Strategy Officer

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.

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Will Malnati

Founder & CEO

Revry

Revry is a uniquely positioned streaming media company representing the newest voices within the LGBTQ+ community, and we’ve had a wonderfully positive experience with RockWater’s support in scaling our opportunities with revenue and partnerships.

Damian Pelliccione, CEO/Co-Founder

Who to know

Damian Pelliccione

Co-Founder and CEO

Chris Rodriguez

Co-Founder and CBO

Collabspace

Collabspace is a mobile-first platform for Creators and Creative Freelancers to connect and transact for paid creative gigs and collab opportunities. Their unique platform solution makes these creator economy collabs as seamless as possible — facilitating quick discovery, assessment, communication, management, and payment for creator partners.

 

Collabspace was built by a team of founders and engineers with extensive creator economy, product, and engineering experience, and is the result of over 25,000 engineering hours. The company’s leadership engaged RockWater to help them develop fundraising strategies and M&A opportunities.

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Dan McKenzie

Co-Founder & CEO

Cosmily

Cosmily is a single platform that combines education, discovery, purchase, and community for skincare enthusiasts – generating custom skincare routines from experts and peers powered by data-driven personalization. It is a trusted platform that filters out the noise from branded, augmented, and negative content.

 

Cosmily has repeatedly engaged RockWater to prepare for its fundraises – creating its pitch, financial model, and sourcing investors.

 

RockWater has been an invaluable resource, and is the first on my list to call when I need to kick off a fundraise.

 

Jeff Turnbull, Chief Executive Officer

 

Who to know

Jeff Turnbull

Chief Executive Officer

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