Are virtual idols the future of pop? Can AI benefit creative industries? Are established media titles regaining audience trust? What will streaming look like in the future? In this part of the 2025 Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about how media and entertainment are changing worldwide.
- Sector
- Location Global
Jenna Park founded PULSE9 and Pulse9 AI, companies specialising in AI graphics. PULSE9 created the AI girl group IITERNITI and Deep Real AI, a virtual figure automation technology. Deep Real AI has built virtual singers, PR ambassadors, vTubers, and virtual content creators.
Nikhil Shah is a creative, technology, and social impact entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Mixcloud, a major platform for on-demand radio, with a global community of over half a million recognised DJs and radio presenters. He also runs a record label, ManMakeMusic.
Paul McDonald is a professor of media industries at King’s College London. Currently, he’s conducting international research to examine the integration of media industries into the economic and cultural life of cities. Recent publications include the Routledge Companion to Media Industries and Digital Media Distribution: Portals, Platforms, Pipelines. Paul co-edits the British Film Institute’s International Screen Industries book series, founded specialised media industries research networks within the Society for Cinema and Media Studies and European Network for Cinema and Media Studies, and established the biennial Media Industries conferences.
Therese is Canvas8’s lead editor in the APAC region. She works with experts, journalists, and analysts to understand trends and make sense of them for clients across industries. She was previously editor of VICE Asia, where she led the team in winning a Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) award for Excellence in Arts & Culture Reporting. As a reporter, she covered current events, K-pop, global pop culture, life, and mental health. She’s spent time in Hong Kong but is now based in the Philippines, splitting her time between busy Manila and the mountain city Baguio.
