PARTNERSHIPS, STRATEGY, AND CONTENT LICENSING FOR THE AI ERA

Welcome to DS Digital—where content licensing, business development, and strategic partnerships converge to shape the future of AI, media, and technology. At DS Digital, I bring decades of experience in content acquisition, licensing, and distribution to help companies secure valuable assets, unlock revenue opportunities in AI, and build strategic alliances that fuel innovation and growth.

In today’s AI-driven world, content is being reshaped and monetized in unprecedented ways. At DS Digital, I help businesses address key questions such as:

  • Are you unlocking the full revenue potential of your content or platform by leveraging AI-driven strategies and new distribution channels?
  • Do you have the right partnerships and licensing agreements in place to secure valuable content and drive growth in an AI-first world?
  • How can your content or AI platform align with emerging innovations to increase discoverability, scalability, and market impact?

With over 20 years of experience in digital media, I’ve built ecosystems and strategies that fuel growth for content companies and technology platforms. My leadership roles at companies like Sony, Motorola, and Samsung/Harman, and scaling innovative startups like MediaNet Digital, Liquid Audio, and SoundHound.AI, have prepared me to address the complex challenges at the intersection of AI and content.

At DS Digital, I’m building on this foundation to support content creators, AI platforms, and businesses seeking to navigate the opportunities of this evolving landscape. Whether you’re pursuing licensing, IP protection, or AI-driven strategies, I bring the expertise, insights, and commitment needed to help you thrive. Let’s create the strategies and partnerships you need to lead in the AI-driven future.


What I Do at DS Digital:

  • Content Licensing & Acquisition: Leverage my expertise to navigate licensing challenges and explore growth opportunities in AI-driven markets.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Identify, negotiate, and implement alliances that create long-term value, with a focus on emerging AI-content collaborations.
  • Business Development: Unlock new revenue streams and market opportunities by aligning products and services with industry trends, including AI and digital transformation.

Here’s how I can support you:

Strategy: Building the Foundation for Success

  • AI-Driven Content Strategy: Develop actionable strategies to monetize content and protect assets in an AI-first market.
  • Market & Trend Analysis: Identify new opportunities through research and competitive insights.
  • Product-Market Fit: Align your offerings with market demands to drive adoption and growth.
  • Value Proposition Development: Craft compelling narratives that resonate with partners and drive engagement.

Engagement: Connecting with the Right Partners

  • Targeted Outreach: Identify and engage partners aligned with your strategic goals, including opportunities in AI-content licensing.
  • Negotiation & Term Development: Structure and negotiate partnership terms that maximize value and ensure long-term success.

Execution: Delivering Results That Matter

  • Partnership Implementation: Execute partnership strategies seamlessly, ensuring alignment with your vision.
  • Scalable Growth: Provide ongoing guidance to optimize, refine, and expand partnerships for sustained success.

Recent engagements include:

  • Better Brain AI: Intelligent workflow automation that understands your business.
  • Manifest UX: Product strategy, design, and experience consulting.
  • Native Voice.AI: Unifying voice assistants into one seamless platform.
  • GenUI: Trusted partners in software development.
  • The Underground Group: Creating authentic content with compelling stories.
  • Wcities: Connecting users to explore, discover, and engage with destinations.
  • US Market Access Center: Helping businesses enter the US market.
  • UC Berkeley’s stEP Startup Program: Supporting student entrepreneurship with business development expertise.

DAN STEINY NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Drawing from a proven track record of negotiating over a hundred content acquisition, distribution, and technology licenses, I’ve supported numerous startups and Fortune 500 companies in pioneering content-focused products and services.

SoundHound.AI: Led content and data partnerships for SoundHound.AI, a trailblazer in the AI audio and music space (IPO during tenure).

JBL & Google/YouTube Music: Orchestrated a multi-million global co-marketing partnership between JBL Smart Speakers and Google/YouTube Music, a first-of-kind for Harman International.

Sony VAIO: Managed software partnerships and integration for Sony’s groundbreaking VAIO, the company’s first-ever consumer computer.

Liquid Audio: Directed product management & business development for Liquid Audio, the first online platform legally selling digital music (IPO during tenure).

MediaNet: Directed strategic partnership management for MediaNet, the first major label-owned digital music streaming company.

Live365: Drove business development with Live365, a pioneer in pure-play streaming radio.

PBS Home Video: Managed content partnerships with PBS Home Video under Pacific Arts, overseeing PBS’s first entry into the retail market (Pacific Arts was founded by Michael Nesmith of The Monkees fame).

NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND FIRSTS

Drawing from a proven track record of negotiating over a hundred content acquisition, distribution, and technology licenses, I’ve supported numerous startups and Fortune 500 companies in pioneering content-focused products and services.

SoundHound.AI: Led content and data partnerships for SoundHound.AI, a trailblazer in the AI audio space (IPO during tenure).

JBL & Google/YouTube Music: Orchestrated a multi-million global co-marketing partnership between JBL Smart Speakers and Google/YouTube Music, a first-of-kind for Harman International.

Sony VAIO: Managed software partnerships and integration for Sony’s groundbreaking VAIO, the company’s first-ever consumer computer.

Liquid Audio: Directed product management & business development for Liquid Audio, the first online platform legally selling digital music (IPO during tenure).

MediaNet: Directed strategic partnership management for MediaNet, the first major label-owned digital music streaming company.

Live365: Drove business development with Live365, a pioneer in pure-play streaming radio.

PBS Home Video: Managed content partnerships with PBS Home Video under Pacific Arts, overseeing PBS’s first entry into the retail market (Pacific Arts was founded by Michael Nesmith of The Monkees fame).

INDUSTRY & DOMAIN EXPERIENCE

✅ Streaming Content: Audio, Music, Entertainment, Media, OTT, Publishing.

✅ Artificial Intelligence (AI): Virtual Assistants, Generative AI, LLM, Speech Recognition, Machine Learning.

✅ SaaS: Content Services & Applications, Data Platforms.

✅ Consumer Electronics: Connected Car/Automotive, Mobile & IoT.

✅ Content Creator: Songwriter, Screenwriter, and Performing Musician

Content Acquisition expertise spans collaborations with diverse entities, including news organizations, publishers, streaming music providers, radio stations, data providers, online video/film/TV platforms, audiobook distributors, podcasts, gaming companies, mobile app developers, and software providers. I’ve applied this skill set at industry giants like Sony, HP, Motorola, and Harman International (a Samsung company), as well as at pioneering AI startups such as SoundHound.AI and Native Voice.AI, and at video distributor Pacific Arts/PBS Home Video.

Content Distribution experience includes partnering with manufacturers of PCs/notebooks, IoT, mobile devices, consumer electronics, and the connected car. I’ve done this work for Harman International, MediaNet Digital, Live365, and Liquid Audio.

Whether you’re an AI platform navigating data licensing, a SaaS leader unlocking new revenue streams, a CE hardware company driving business growth, or a content creator seeking to maximize revenue and distribution in an AI-first world, I’m here to help. With decades of experience and a proven track record, I offer not only the expertise to develop transformative strategies but also a vast, trusted network of professionals, companies, and clients. This network spans product development, UX design, content strategy, marketing, PR, and legal guidance—ensuring you have the connections and resources needed to achieve your goals. Together, we can craft partnerships and solutions that protect your assets, unlock growth opportunities, and drive innovation in today’s fast-evolving media and technology landscape.

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