How Ken Lerer taught Buzzfeed's Jonah Peretti to turn viral prankery into big bucks

TL;DR

Despite initially not intending to make money, the creators of a viral sensation found unexpected success and formed collaborations that led to the creation of the Huffington Post.

Transcript

did you think that you were going to turn this into a job at some point did you have were you thinking of different ways to turn this into a job given the popularity well we used to get made fun of by the press mostly because we weren't trying to make money so we'd be to be like I'm you know we're here with jonah and chelsea peretti who have this v... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Viral success does not always require a focus on monetization.
• 💦 Working at a non-profit can provide the freedom to pursue creative and intellectual interests.
• 🥺 Chance encounters and collaborations can lead to unexpected business ventures.
• ❓ Partnering with individuals with complementary skills and networks can contribute to success.
• 👨‍💼 Unplanned collaborations and accidental business ventures can be highly successful.
• 🤑 Criticism from the press about not making money can be overcome by fulfilling intellectual interests.
• 👨‍💼 Learning about networks and the media industry is essential for business success.

Questions & Answers

Q: Did you initially plan to turn your viral creation into a job?

No, the creators were not focused on making money and faced criticism for not seeking profit. They were more interested in learning and pursuing their intellectual interests.

Q: How did you get connected with Kenny Kindler and Ariana Huffington?

Kenny Kindler learned about the creators' work at a summit and approached them to collaborate. He introduced them to Ariana Huffington, who had an extensive network of influential people. Together, they established the Huffington Post.

Q: What was the role of the non-profit organization in your journey?

One of the creators had previously worked at a non-profit called I beam, where they had the resources and freedom to explore their interests. This allowed them to focus on their viral creation without the need for immediate financial success.

Q: How did the collaboration with Kenny Kindler and Ariana Huffington happen?

Initially, Kenny Kindler approached the creators to collaborate on a political cause. Later, he met Ariana at an event and realized her extensive network could be utilized online. This led to the formation of the Huffington Post.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The creators of a viral sensation initially faced criticism for not trying to make money from their creation.

• One of the creators had previously worked at a non-profit and had the freedom to pursue intellectual interests.

• Through chance encounters and collaborations, the creators joined forces with Kenny Kindler and Ariana Huffington, leading to the establishment of the Huffington Post.