PodShow
A veteran media industry executive, Ron Bloom is the visionary CEO and business leader behind the founding of PodShow. Ron is ultimately responsible for PodShow's business units, team building, operations, financing and hyper-growth. Bloom was the chief strategist in securing PodShow's elite private investors, including venture firms Kleiner Perkins, Sequoia Capital and Sherpalo Ventures. Bloom is often referenced as the author of the media industry's "5/50" rule and Fart's Law of consumer technology adoption.
Ron Bloom is a former Chairman and Chief Executive Office of THINK New Ideas, a company he founded with PodShow co founder Adam Curry. He helped to build the Company to over 500 employees working out of 8 offices in the US and abroad, driving revenues from a start-up to approaching $100 million in less than three years. He led the company through venture rounds, an IPO, multiple acquisitions, a private placement of public equity, and, eventually the sale of the company for an estimated 350 million dollars.
Prior to joining THINK New Ideas, Bloom again partnered with Adam Curry, acting as President and Chief Operating Officer of On Ramp helping it to become one of FORTUNE Magazine's "Top 25 Emerging Technology Companies of 1995.
In recent years, he has worked with a range of companies, helping to develop technologies for the cable industry as well as helping to launch a company that provides technology solutions for Homeland Security. In his first career, Ron Bloom was a celebrated song writer and recording artist, having collaborated on several Top 10 hits, including Into the Night, which was a hit single twice. His musical talents and artistic perspective have helped to shape PodShow's products, marketing, services and talent relationships.
Related Links: www.podshow.com www.ronbloom.com
Last Updated: Sat, Oct 25, 2008
| Category | Title | Author/Speaker | Organization | Length | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Video | How to Find the Right Venture Capitalist | Ron Bloom · Ray Lane | PodShow | 08:57 | 01/2007 |
| Video | Relationship Between an Entrepreneur and a VC | Ron Bloom · Ray Lane | PodShow | 05:44 | 01/2007 |
| Video | Attracting High Quality Business Opportunities | Ron Bloom · Ray Lane | PodShow | 11:23 | 01/2007 |
| Video | Influence of Leadership Style on a Company | Ron Bloom · Ray Lane | PodShow | 04:07 | 01/2007 |
| Video | How to Choose Good Board Members | Ron Bloom · Ray Lane | PodShow | 04:19 | 01/2007 |
| Podcast | The Dynamic Relationship Between an Entrepreneur and VC | Ron Bloom · Ray Lane | PodShow | 01:01:43 | 01/2007 |
VC Ray Lane talks about why he chose to invest in Bloom's company stressing his belief in Bloom's vision for the podcasting industry. For Bloom, it was about finding a VC who knew what was going on in the industry and could be counted on to make the right decisions not only as an investor but also as a mentor.
Ray Lane, VC for Bloom's company, PodShow, talks about how his commitment as an investor goes beyond investing. He has helped PodShow grow in the market by building connections with the right people. He also believes that conflicts of interest between a VC and founder are mitigated as long as the VC's don't invest in competitors of the company.
Bloom describes how he has been able to magnetize his company, Podshow, to advertisers by allowing only global brands, to the audience by allowing user-generated content, to producers by allowing the top level producers to make most money, and finally to the engineers by providing them with the right leadership. He also talks about the importance of user generated content, especially for advertisements.
Bloom talks about the importance of leadership in shaping the perception of a company. It is the leader who defines the vision of the company. At PodShow, Bloom and Adam Curry make calculated decisions about the steps they take that are visible to the world. This ensures creation of an image aligned with their vision for the company.
Bloom talks about his relationship with the board of Podshow as an ongoing dynamic one. They spend a lot of time with each other discussing issues as a healthy debate. A good board is one who is able to give advice at the right time and help in making connections. He also believes that the camaraderie of the board with each other is important. 
Ray Lane, General Partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Ron Bloom, CEO of PodShow, describe their relationship in building an online media entertainment company focused on meeting the fast-changing demands of today's web users.