The New Media Playbook with Marc Andreessen & Ben Horowitz

Erik Torenberg, Ben Horowitz, and Marc Andreessen discuss how the media landscape has fundamentally changed and what a16z is doing about it. They cover why offense beats defense, why individuals now matter more than corporate brands, why speed wins in the new media landscape, and the difference between oral and written culture on the internet. Timestamps: 0:00 — Introduction 2:26 — Offense Beats Defense in New Media 7:01 — The Death of the Corporate Brand 12:17 — Long Form as the Ultimate Shield 17:55 — If It's on TV It's a TV Show — If It's on the Internet It's a Viral Post 28:13 — Speed Wins Everything 33:16 — Is the Internet Oral or Written Culture? 37:02 — Building a16z's New Media Machine Resources: Follow Erik Torenberg on X: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Follow Ben Horowitz on X: https://twitter.com/bhorowitz Follow Marc Andreessen on X: https://twitter.com/bhorowitz Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

Erik TorenberghostMarc Andreessenguest

Mar 18, 202646mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: March 18, 2026
Duration: 46m
Channel: a16z
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Erik Torenberg, Ben Horowitz, and Marc Andreessen discuss how the media landscape has fundamentally changed and what a16z is doing about it. They cover why offense beats defense, why individuals now matter more than corporate brands, why speed wins in the new media landscape, and the difference between oral and written culture on the internet. Timestamps: 0:00 — Introduction 2:26 — Offense Beats Defense in New Media 7:01 — The Death of the Corporate Brand 12:17 — Long Form as the Ultimate Shield 17:55 — If It's on TV It's a TV Show — If It's on the Internet It's a Viral Post 28:13 — Speed Wins Everything 33:16 — Is the Internet Oral or Written Culture? 37:02 — Building a16z's New Media Machine Resources: Follow Erik Torenberg on X: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg Follow Ben Horowitz on X: https://twitter.com/bhorowitz Follow Marc Andreessen on X: https://twitter.com/bhorowitz Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

SPEAKERS

Erik Torenberg
host
a16z partner and podcast host/interviewer.
Marc Andreessen
guest
co-founder of a16z and tech entrepreneur/investor.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of a16z, featuring Erik Torenberg and Marc Andreessen, The New Media Playbook with Marc Andreessen & Ben Horowitz explores a16z’s new media playbook: offense, long-form, and speed wins They argue old media rewarded defensive communication and minimal controversy, while new media rewards offensive distribution—being interesting, speaking directly, and “flooding the zone” to move attention past negative narratives.

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