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Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

Strauss Zelnick - Playing to Your Strengths - [Invest Like the Best, EP.347]

Invest Like the Best with Patrick O'Shaughnessy

Colossus

Technology, Business, Investing

4.72.5K Ratings

🗓️ 10 October 2023

⏱️ 75 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

My guest this week is Strauss Zelnick, the CEO of leading game publisher Take-Two Interactive. Maybe most well-known for its hugely successful Grand Theft Auto game, Take-Two is a sophisticated, top-tier developer, publisher, and marketer of interactive entertainment that owns Rockstar Games and 2K. Strauss’s passion for entertainment led him strong and fast into the industry as he worked his way from sales to CEO and transitioned from motion picture to gaming. Today we cover his approach to staying on the cutting edge of media development, unlocking talent and potential in those around you, and becoming the leader you were meant to be. His intensity and his standard for excellence come through clearly. Please enjoy my conversation with Strauss Zelnick. Subscribe to Colossus's New Show: Art of Investing Buy a ticket to Patrick and David Senra's live show. Listen to Founders Podcast For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here. ----- This episode is brought to you by Tegus Converge — the first virtual event centered on the world of investor research. When twin brothers Tom and Mike Elnick realized that the research process for investors was broken, they founded Tegus to fix it. Now the people behind the most trusted research platform are bringing institutional investors together to investigate the state — and the future — of fundamental research. On November 8th, join industry luminaries like IGSB Founder Reece Duca and Daniel Gross, AI Expert, Entrepreneur and Investor, to dig into the latest research trends and breakthrough technologies shaping the investment landscape. Register today at tegus.com/register. ----- Invest Like the Best is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Invest Like the Best, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.  Past guests include Tobi Lutke, Kevin Systrom, Mike Krieger, John Collison, Kat Cole, Marc Andreessen, Matthew Ball, Bill Gurley, Anu Hariharan, Ben Thompson, and many more. Stay up to date on all our podcasts by signing up to Colossus Weekly, our quick dive every Sunday highlighting the top business and investing concepts from our podcasts and the best of what we read that week. Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @patrick_oshag | @JoinColossus Show Notes (00:03:39) - (First question) - Why the entertainment media sector is so interesting (00:05:08) - Key inflection points in the history of media (00:09:17) - The role of pure content in businesses today (00:10:32) - Requirements for being a successful media business operator (00:12:03) - Strategies for working effectively with creatives (00:16:13) - How to cultivate a conducive environment for creatives (00:25:54) - The allure of collaborating with Take-Two (00:30:09) - Strauss’ journey to becoming the chairman and CEO of Take-Two (00:37:42) - Strategies for reducing costs in business (00:41:16) - Embracing diversity in the video game industry (00:43:41) - Identifying high-quality intellectual property (IP) (00:46:04) - The inspiration behind Strauss’ book Becoming Ageless: The Four Secrets To Looking and Feeling Younger Than Ever (00:51:12) - Influential leaders for learning and growth (00:55:45) - The impact of technology and the rise of new platforms (00:57:00) - Common misconceptions about Take-Two (00:59:42) - Unique attributes of Take-Two projects (01:00:36) - Defining moments in the history of the business (01:04:19) - Anticipating the future direction of Take-Two (01:13:41) - Sources of motivation and inspiration (01:15:29) - The concept and value of a masterpiece (01:11:08) - Paramount values as a parent (01:11:38) - The kindest thing anyone has ever done for Strauss

Transcript

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0:00.0

This episode is brought to you by Tegus Converge, the first virtual event centered on the world of investor research.

0:06.0

When Twin Brothers Tom and Mike Elnick realized that the research process for investors was broken, they founded Tegus to fix it.

0:12.5

Now, the people behind the most trusted research platform are bringing institutional investors together to investigate the state and the future of fundamental research.

0:20.5

On November 8th, join industry luminaries like IGSB Founder Ristuka and Daniel Gross, AI expert entrepreneur and investor, to dig into the latest research trends and breakthrough technologies shaping the investment landscape.

0:33.0

Register today at tegas.com slash register.

0:38.0

If you're a regular listener of my podcast, I have another recommendation for you.

0:42.5

The podcast is called Founders and it's hosted by David Senra, who has devoted his life to learning from history's greatest entrepreneurs.

0:49.5

David and I will be doing our first and probably only live show together in New York City on October 19th during Tech Week at Webster Hall.

0:57.5

Tickets are selling pretty fast, so if you're interested in joining us, you can check out the link in the show notes.

1:02.5

Please enjoy this episode, and if you haven't already, subscribe to Founders.

1:10.5

Hello and welcome everyone. I'm Patrick O'Shaughnessy, and this is Invest Like The Best.

1:14.5

This show is an open-ended exploration of markets, ideas, stories and strategies that will help you better invest both your time and your money.

1:22.5

Invest Like The Best is part of the Colossus family of podcasts, and you can access all our podcasts, including edited transcripts, show notes, and other resources to keep learning at join Colossus.com.

1:34.5

Patrick O'Shaughnessy is the CEO and founding partner of Positive Sum and the CEO of O'Shaughnessy Asset Management.

1:42.5

All opinions expressed by Patrick and podcast guests are solely their own opinions and do not reflect the opinion of Positive Sum or O'Shaughnessy Asset Management.

1:51.5

This podcast is for informational purposes only, and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions.

1:58.5

Clients of Positive Sum or O'Shaughnessy Asset Management may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this podcast.

2:06.5

I guess this week is Strauss Zelmek, the CEO of Leading Game Publisher Take 2 Interactive.

2:13.5

Maybe most well known for its usually successful Grand Theft Auto game, Take 2 is a sophisticated top-tier developer, publisher, and marketer of interactive entertainment that owns Rockstar Games and 2K.

2:24.5

Strauss' passion for entertainment led him strong and fast into the industry as he worked his way from sales to CEO and transitioned from motion pictures to gaming.

2:33.5

Today we cover his approach to staying on the cutting edge of media development, unlocking talent and potential in those round you, and becoming the leader you are meant to be.

2:41.5

His intensity and his standard for excellence comes through clearly. Please enjoy my conversation with Strauss Zelmek.

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