Episode Highlights with Timestamps:

• [00:45] Introductions
• [01:29] Matt shares his journey as a seasoned marketing leader, starting with his first taste of entrepreneurship flipping baseball cards. He discusses how his early passion for sports, celebrities, and connections led him to work for the NBA. Matt also dives into building the digital marketing frameworks we rely on today and explores the exciting opportunities awaiting marketers in Web3.
• [11:39] The key moments that made Matt a Web3 optimist: starting with early experiments with creator tools in the mid-2010s, followed by investing in crypto, and witnessing the rise of NBA Top Shot. These experiences highlighted blockchain's potential—not just for collectibles, but as a game-changing tool for identity management, CRM solutions, and transforming digital touchpoints.
• [16:06] Exploring the world of NFT memberships. How the misuse of NFTs as unsustainable profit centers lead to distrust in the technology. How to properly use NFT’s for the future of marketing and community building through loyalty and long-term engagement. Understanding the nature of how communities are built and how blockchain can enhance these multidirectional interactions with CRM and loyalty programs integrating with existing consumer behaviors.
• [21:14] The evolution of community-building in Web3, from early missteps to the return of a digital agency mindset. Key insights on how successful communities are built, the importance of quality membership, and why connecting products to communities is crucial for long-term success.
• [25:32] Matt discusses how education and transparency are key to overcoming negative associations with blockchain, and why differentiating use cases is essential for building trust. The future of blockchain depends on smart integration and clear, positive results that will outweigh the actions of bad actors.
• [29:02] Culture is the heartbeat of modern marketing. Learn how communities, nano-influencers, and the rise of new platforms are reshaping how we connect, create, and adapt in a rapidly evolving world.
• [32:41] The Creator Economy is shifting! Dive into the future of content creation, social impact, and how creators can leverage their work beyond financial gain in a world that is changing how we value creativity.
• [36:35] How will AI change the creative landscape? From helping creators improve their output to the rise of average content, Matt Wurst discusses how AI tools can enhance human creativity—but they won’t replace it.
• [42:01] Why human intelligence cannot be replaced by AI. And the importance of our own experiences in shaping our ability as creators and
• [47:17] Outro.

About Our Guest
Matt Wurst is the CMO at Genuin, a platform focused on creating a comprehensive network for brands, creators, and consumers. With extensive experience in both in-house and agency roles, Matt has collaborated with organizations like the NBA, revelation (acquired by Jellyfish), 360i and Mint.

Matt’s journey into Web3 began with the desire to return digital ownership to creators and consumers, away from corporate control. Passionate about the intersection of AI and Web3, Matt explores how these technologies are reshaping marketing, communities, and the creative process.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Matt on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewwurst/]
• Matt on X/Twitter [https://x.com/mwurst]

OVERNIGHT SUCCESS

PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY

HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU

Episode Highlights with Timestamps:

• [00:45] Matt shares his backstory, describing how childhood hobbies like gaming and collecting laid the foundation for his work with non-fungible assets, ecosystems, and entrepreneurship.
• [04:03] Reflecting on his Waldorf schooling experience, Matt explains how it encouraged him to explore various art forms and build a wide range of skills, shaping him into a generalist who now wears multiple hats at Bonfire.
• [06:08] From studying Computer Science to working at Goldman Sachs and Uber, Matt recounts his time in intense work cultures, gaining valuable experience at a high-growth scale-up nearing an exit.
• [10:00] The journey into entrepreneurship: how Matt met his co-founder Mel and began building their vision during nights and weekends before fully committing.
• [13:20] Matt's "Web3 Eureka" moment: discovering NFTs and how they disrupt Web2 reward mechanisms, enabling brands to transform transactional relationships into ones rooted in strong brand affinity.
• [17:00] Bonfire’s mission: empowering creators to own their relationships with superfans. Matt discusses how Web2 offers only marginal improvements to existing problems, whereas Web3 allows creators to reclaim ownership of customer relationships from social networks and marketing platforms.
• [21:04] A deep dive into the technicalities of on-chain technology for creators, with discussions on platforms like Rally and the risks of financial speculation in Web3 creator reward systems.
• [23:00] Balancing community feedback with the product vision and roadmap. Matt addresses the challenges of working with early-stage technology and the importance of healthy skepticism about the space's direction.
• [27:04] Unexpected creator requests and discovering their "zone of genius" in relation to the broader Web3 ecosystem.
• [29:38] Podcast NFTs: exploring the unique relationships podcasters have with their audiences. Matt brainstorms ways to address engagement challenges in Web2 and how Web3 can strengthen creator-fan relationships.
• [35:04] Tips for creators on community building and monetization. Matt compares scaling for monetization with identifying superfans, offering insights on how creators can successfully leverage Web3 to monetize their work.
• [39:21] How Adam Levy uses free podcast NFT drops to identify his superfans more effectively.
• [43:25] Outro.

About Our Guest
Matt Alston is the co-founder of Bonfire, a groundbreaking platform designed to empower creators and communities in the Web3 ecosystem. With a background spanning technology, finance, and entrepreneurship, Matt has worked at leading organizations like Goldman Sachs and Uber, gaining invaluable experience in high-growth and innovative environments.

Matt’s journey into Web3 began with a fascination for NFTs and their potential to revolutionize creator economies. Passionate about helping brands and creators build direct and meaningful relationships with their audiences, Matt and co-founder Mel at Bonfire are redefining how creators engage with their superfans through blockchain technology.

About Bonfire
Bonfire is a Web3-native platform that enables creators and communities to own their relationships with their superfans. By providing tools to launch and manage custom experiences on the blockchain, Bonfire empowers creators to break free from the limitations of traditional Web2 platforms.

Focused on delivering scalable and accessible solutions, Bonfire allows creators to build token-gated communities, reward superfans, and foster genuine connections. With a mission to transform transactional relationships into ones rooted in loyalty and engagement, Bonfire is at the forefront of Web3 innovation, reshaping the future of creator economies.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Bonfire Website [https://www.bonfire.xyz/]
• Bonfire Twitter/X [https://x.com/bonfire_tweets]
• Bonfire Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bonfirexyz/]
• Follow and stay up to date with Matt Alston [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-alston/] [https://x.com/matt__alston]

OVERNIGHT SUCCESS

PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY

HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU

Episode Highlights with Timestamps:

• [00:45] Introduction and Masha’s origin story
• [03:21] Transitioning from Entrepreneurship to working at Rarible
• [04:30] Leadership at Rarible and being early adopters of the NFT space
• [06:30] Building new technology, how did the early Rarible team prioritize their roadmap? Breaking down marketing in Web3
• [08:44] The importance of community building in Web3, how do you build community? The relationship between NFTs, community and the product roadmap - the importance of understanding your user in building your product.
• [13:15] What is the difference between Rarible and Rarible protocol? How does Rarible support creators and web3 builders?
• [16:19] Phygital: What’s happening? How is Rarible supporting the adoption of Physical X Digital space. Membership passes. Ownership. Merchandise. Growing communities.
• [19:52] What’s exciting Masha in the Web3 space? Community growth. Multichain growth.
• [22:45] How to get started in Web3? The Artist roadmap on how to build

About Our Guest
Masha is the former Head of Marketing & Communications at Rarible. She was the first marketing employee at Rarible and helped the team shape their roadmap and understanding on how to manage all things marketing. PR, social media, community growth, events and more. During her time she was able to drive the strategy which grew Rarible’s owned channels to over 1 million followers.

Since the recording of this podcast, Masha is now continuing to build her Web3 Marketing consultancy at It Takes Two.

About Rarible
Rarible.com is a decentralized marketplace for buying, selling, and creating non-fungible tokens (NFTs). It allows users to mint their own NFTs without requiring coding knowledge, enabling artists, creators, and collectors to trade digital assets such as art, music, domain names, and collectibles.

Built on blockchain technology, Rarible supports multiple networks like Ethereum, Tezos, and Polygon, offering users flexibility in choosing their preferred platform. The platform emphasizes user governance, allowing participants to vote on platform upgrades and decisions through its native cryptocurrency, $RARI.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Rarible [https://rarible.com/] [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rarible/] [https://x.com/rarible]
• Follow and stay up to date with Masha: [https://x.com/masha_vy] [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariavyazemskaya/]

OVERNIGHT SUCCESS

PRESENTED BY DRAPER UNIVERSITY

HOSTED BY CHRIS JOANNOU