The Digest: Fairfield County Marketing & Media Pros

Critical insights, local highlights, new opportunities.

Author

Shawn Kallet
February 19, 2026

Welcome to this week’s edition of The Digest.

This week, we’re looking at why YouTube engagement actually dips in the middle, why Dick’s Sporting Goods just had 10,000 people apply to tell their story, and how Fairfield County's media landscape is shifting following the FanDuel shutdown. From "vibe coding" in Stamford to Ethan Hawke’s subway sermons on art vs. fame, we’ve got plenty to help you navigate a media world that’s getting weirder, and more interesting, by the day.

Here are a few themes that jumped out at me while curating this week’s edition.

  • The Fragmented Future of Video: Content is bifurcating into extremes. We see the rise of 60-second "Microdramas" on one end and Apple’s massive push into long-form video podcasts on the other. The "middle ground" is becoming a dangerous place to be.

  • The Creator-as-Enterprise: Creators are no longer just "influencers" for hire; they are becoming the primary storytellers for heritage brands (like Dick’s Sporting Goods) and building diversified business empires that often outshine their original platforms.

  • Post-Hype Calibration: The industry is cooling off from the "AI will do everything" and "track every single click" phase. There is a visible shift toward intentionality—whether that’s rethinking AI workflows or moving toward "less precise but more accurate" measurement models.

  • Local Highs and Lows: While the FanDuel Sports Network shutdown is a blow to the Southport/Stamford sports media scene, the sheer volume of new leadership roles at Synchrony, NBC, and vineyard vines suggests the local talent market remains incredibly resilient.

That’s it for this week. Enjoying this newsletter? Please feel free to share with others and let me know your thoughts.

Marketing & Media News

Your next favorite show to binge may be just 60 seconds long

Microdramas are bite-size, scripted, made-for-mobile shows, and they’re gaining popularity in the U.S.

www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/microdrama-popularity-united-states-short-form-soap-operas-rcna258800

'Creators as the new storytellers': Over 10,000 apply to be part of Dick's Sporting Goods creator program

Dick's Sporting Goods is courting more creators as it aims to play a bigger role in culture, media and sporting events like the U.S. Open.

digiday.com/marketing/creators-as-the-new-storytellers-over-10000-apply-to-be-part-of-dicks-sporting-goods-creator-program/

Apple Podcasts Goes All-In on Video in Bid to Reclaim Podcast Momentum

After years of ceding ground to YouTube and Spotify in the fast-growing video podcast arena, Apple is making its most decisive move yet to close the gap.

stagerunner.net/apple-podcasts-goes-all-in-on-video-in-bid-to-reclaim-podcast-momentum

YouTubers aren’t relying on ad revenue anymore — here's how some are diversifying | TechCrunch

YouTubers are no longer just creators, and in some cases, their side businesses are growing faster than their channels.

techcrunch.com/2026/02/10/youtubers-arent-relying-on-ad-revenue-anymore-heres-how-some-are-diversifying

Fairfield County Spotlight

Fan Duel Sports Network parent company folding it up April 14

on April 14 Main Street Sports Group of Southport plans to shutter its operation and lay off its 44 employees from the CEO on down. The company, which takes up most of the space at the 27,392-square-foot Pequot Plaza office building, started off the year with broadcast rights to 29 NBA, NHL and MLB teams. Its demise has left nine MLB teams scurrying for flagship regional TV coverage just about a month before Opening Day.

westfaironline.com/fairfield/fan-duel-sports-network-parent-company-folding-it-up-april14/

Insights

Why brands are shifting toward ‘less precise, more accurate’ gauges for paid social

AI modeling and an understanding that there's more to life than the last click are changing the way clients evaluate paid social investments.

digiday.com/media-buying/why-brands-are-shifting-toward-less-precise-more-accurate-gauges-for-paid-social

YouTube engagement varies by length, adding complexity to video marketing plans

Engagement peaks at 1 to 3 minutes, dips at 3 to 5, then rebounds, challenging the “shorter is better” playbook.

www.emarketer.com/content/youtube-engagement-varies-by-length-adding-complexity-video-marketing-plans

With AI backlash building, marketers reconsider their approach

With AI hype giving way to skepticism, advertisers are reassessing how the technology fits into their workflows and brand positioning.

digiday.com/marketing/with-ai-backlash-building-marketers-reconsider-their-approach

Events

Startlab Workshop: Vibe Coding to Product-Market Fit

StartLab is kicking off a new collaboration with Batchery Al Startup Studio and AI Collective, bringing Silicon Valley-tested proven strategies and tactics to…

When: 10-11a, Thursday, 2/19
Where: Shippan Landing
Who: Founders, marketers, vibe coders

luma.com/aic-st-2-12?tk=t3B4Pv

Local Jobs

Video of The Week

Channel: SubwayTakes with Kareem Rahma
Title: 15 Minutes of Ethan Hawke Dropping Gems on a Subway
Published: Oct 8, 2025

Actor, writer, and director Ethan Hawke (Before Sunrise, Training Day, Dead Poets Society) rides the subway with Kareem Rahma for a raw conversation about art, fame, and what really matters. He breaks down why chasing money ruins creativity, why fame is a trap, and why true artists make work for the love of it, not for applause. Along the way, Ethan reflects on The Beatles, humility, and the idea that the real miracle isn’t walking on water, it’s walking at all.

What’s Next?

This digest is a starting point. The goal is to build a community of senior marketing and media professionals in Fairfield County. If you have news to share, a campaign to highlight, job opportunities, or an event to promote, please email me at [email protected] 

Best,

Shawn

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