Audio: 'The Ear Is Mightier Than The Eye'

Aryeh Bourkoff

Aryeh Bourkoff, founder and CEO of independent investment bank LionTree said audio is looking more attractive than video these days as consumers are a bit tapped out on TV, reports Deadline.

People have 11 hours a day to spend on leisure time, he insisted during a Q&A at the Tribeca Festival Friday, and if that’s mostly video it’s a problem. “We have gone overboard on video streaming, which is why the rise of audio has happened. We think audio is more valuable these days than video,” he told moderator Stephanie Ruhle during TribecaX, a session that looks at business and entertainment.

The MSNBC anchor — and audience members — were incredulous at the 11-hours stat, but took his point — podcasting has really exploded. “The ear is mightier than the eye” right now, he said.

Bankers are in business to do deals and LionTree is involved in many. Bourkoff, a former longtime UBS media banker, implied more deals will come in media. DTC is great and growing but requires bulk and innovation or consumers will “churn out.” Streaming companies have to keep growing, adding gaming and other services to keep people engaged. But companies should be careful how they do it..

Bourkoff has no shortage of clients but said LionsTree’s work on both of those deals — he repped AT&T in the WarnerMedia/Discovery deal and MGM in its sale to Amazon — others opportunities were facilitated by something unexpected – staying put in New York when many of his financial colleagues fled (Florida was popular). He forged connections and found ways to set up in-person one-on-one meetings with clients during the pandemic.