Driving Disruption: Dan Goman Of Ateliere Creative Technologies On The Innovative Approaches They Are Taking To Disrupt Their Industry

An Interview With Cynthia Corsetti

Automated Localization: We use advanced AI to streamline the localization process, automating the translation, dubbing, and subtitling necessary to prepare content for global markets. This automation drastically cuts the time and expense traditionally required for localization, making it faster and cheaper for our clients to reach audiences worldwide.

In an age where industries evolve at lightning speed, there exists a special breed of C-suite executives who are not just navigating the changes, but driving them. These are the pioneers who think outside the box, championing novel strategies that shatter the status quo and set new industry standards. Their approach fosters innovation, spurs growth, and leads to disruptive change that redefines their sectors. In this interview series, we are talking to disruptive C-suite executives to share their experiences, insights, and the secrets behind the innovative approaches they are taking to disrupt their industries. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Dan Goman.

Dan Goman, a pioneer in digital media, has over 20 years of experience driving innovation in the sector. As founder and CEO of Ateliere Creative Technologies, he leads efforts to revolutionize the media & content technology industry with innovative cloud-based solutions. Goman’s career spans roles at Computer Associates, AT&T, Lucent Technologies, and Microsoft, where he played key roles in network integration and development. His vision for Ateliere focuses on streamlining and innovating the content workflow, from concept to consumer — , positioning the company as a leader and challenging the industry’s overreliance on legacy systems.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about disruption, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

I’m essentially a techie, a nerdy software guy who’s been in the field for many years. I’ve worked with almost all the major software companies out there — Microsoft, Lucent Technologies, BMC Software in Texas, and Computer Associates, which is now owned by IBM. So, my background is deeply entrenched in software.

Then, around early 2010, I had something of an epiphany. I saw a shift coming from legacy broadcasting to digital streaming in the media space. I predicted there would be a massive transition and an explosion of streaming video channels. That’s how I started my company, based on that realization. Now, I’m doing this full time, and it turns out, the idea was right on the money. There’s a lot more to the story, of course, hours worth, but that’s the condensed version for you.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

Ateliere Creative Technologies really stands out because of our innovative, cloud-native solutions that make the media supply chain way more efficient, cutting costs significantly. A standout feature we offer is our FrameDNA™ technology, which uses artificial intelligence to deduplicate video content, dramatically reducing AWS storage costs. For example, one of our clients estimates they will reduce their long term storage costs by up to 90% thanks to FrameDNA™. This massive savings allowed them to reallocate resources more effectively, enhancing their strategies for content distribution and monetization.

You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Visionary Thinking: Early in my career, I foresaw the shift from traditional broadcast to digital and understood the necessity of transitioning the media supply chain to the cloud. This vision led to the creation of Ateliere Connect, a cloud-native platform that manages the entire media supply chain, from concept to consumer, revolutionizing how media companies operate​​.

Resilience: When we first launched Ateliere, we faced skepticism about the viability of cloud solutions in media management. Despite these doubts, we persevered and demonstrated the advantages of our platform. Today, industry giants like Lionsgate and MGM rely on Ateliere Connect, validating our resilience and commitment to innovation​​.

Adaptability: The rapid evolution of AI technology required us to continuously adapt and integrate new capabilities into our platform. Embracing generative, multimodal AI and machine learning, we developed features like automated localization and regulatory compliance monitoring, which have become essential for our clients to efficiently manage and distribute content globally​​, while also increasing monetization opportunities.

Leadership often entails making difficult decisions or hard choices between two apparently good paths. Can you share a story with us about a hard decision or choice you had to make as a leader? I’m curious to understand how these challenges have shaped your leadership.

One of the toughest decisions I had to make was whether to invest heavily in developing our proprietary FrameDNA™ deduplication technology or to continue enhancing our existing offerings. Both paths had potential, but the development of FrameDNA™ posed a significant risk due to the high R&D costs and uncertain market reception. Ultimately, I chose to invest in FrameDNA™, believing in its potential to revolutionize content storage. This decision paid off, as FrameDNA™ now helps our clients save millions in storage costs and has positioned Ateliere as a leader in media asset management​​.

Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition so that all of us are on the same page. In the context of a business, what exactly is “Disruption”?

In business, disruption means radically overhauling the old market structures. It involves rolling out innovative technologies, products, or services that rewrite the competitive landscape. Take Ateliere, for instance. We revolutionized media management by integrating every production phase into a single, cloud-native platform, replacing fragmented processes with streamlined, cost-effective operations.

Disruption challenges entrenched practices, questioning the ‘always done it this way’ mindset to create solutions that are not just incrementally better but transformative. It redefines norms, making processes not only more efficient but also fundamentally better suited to evolving market demands. That’s the essence of business disruption — transforming challenges into opportunities for significant advancement.

How do you perceive the role of ‘disruption’ within your industry, and how have you personally embraced it? Is it a necessity, a strategy, or something else entirely in your view?

In the media and entertainment industry, disruption is both a necessity and a strategy. The rapid advancement of technology and changing consumer preferences require constant innovation to stay relevant and competitive. At Ateliere, we have embraced disruption by pioneering cloud-native media supply chain solutions and integrating generative AI-driven technologies. This approach has allowed us to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance content monetization for our clients. Disruption is integral to our business model and drives our continuous improvement and adaptation​​​​.

What lessons have you learned from challenging conventional wisdom, and how have those lessons shaped your leadership style?

Challenging the usual way things are done has really hammered home how critical it is to be resilient, adaptable, and always thinking ahead. Every time we’ve tried something new we’ve bumped up against plenty of skepticism, but I’ve learned that if you stick with it, if you keep pushing forward with a clear vision, you can push past that initial wave of doubt.

This whole experience has really shaped how I lead. I’ve become more proactive, constantly seeking opportunities to embrace calculated risks. This philosophy has cultivated a company culture that prioritizes innovation and continuous improvement, driving us to consistently push the boundaries of what we can achieve — we strive to stay ahead in this industry.

Disruptive ideas often meet resistance. Could you describe a time when you faced significant pushback for a disruptive idea? How did you navigate the opposition, and what advice would you give to others in a similar situation?

When we first introduced the idea of a fully cloud-native media supply chain, it was met with considerable skepticism. Many in the industry doubted its feasibility and raised concerns about security. The resistance mainly came from traditionalists who were deeply rooted in the use of on-premises solutions. They were hesitant to make the leap to a technology that seemed so radically different from the conventional methods they trusted.

To tackle this opposition, we didn’t push harder against their doubts; instead, we pivoted to education. We began by outlining the clear advantages of cloud technology — emphasizing its scalability, potential for cost savings, and superior security features compared to many on-site systems. To solidify our claims, we initiated several pilot projects. This approach allowed us to turn abstract benefits into concrete results that were hard to ignore.

My advice to others facing similar resistance is to remain patient, provide evidence through small wins, and clearly communicate the long-term benefits of the disruptive idea​​​​.

What are your “Five Innovative Approaches We Are Using To Disrupt Our Industry”?

1. Cloud-Native Solutions: Our flagship platform, Ateliere Connect, is built natively on AWS, which allows us to offer unmatched scalability, elasticity, and resilience compared to traditional on-premises solutions. This cloud-native architecture empowers media companies to manage their entire supply chain with unprecedented efficiency, fully leveraging the cloud’s capabilities to adapt to changing demands without the burden of physical infrastructure.

2. AI-Driven Deduplication: One of our most impactful innovations is FrameDNA™, a technology that harnesses artificial intelligence to identify and eliminate redundant video content across storage systems. By reducing storage needs by up to 90%, FrameDNA™ not only slashes costs but also enhances the overall management of media assets, making operations leaner and more cost-effective.

3. Automated Localization: We use advanced AI to streamline the localization process, automating the translation, dubbing, and subtitling necessary to prepare content for global markets. This automation drastically cuts the time and expense traditionally required for localization, making it faster and cheaper for our clients to reach audiences worldwide.

4. Disaster Recovery in the Cloud: Our disaster recovery solutions embedded within Ateliere Connect provide robust business continuity capabilities with minimal downtime. In the event of a system failure, media companies can swiftly transition to a cloud-based repository, ensuring that their operations continue uninterrupted and that data remains secure and accessible.

5. Unified Content Hub: The Content Hub is a cornerstone of our platform, centralizing media libraries while integrating workflows and offering comprehensive business intelligence tools. This hub allows our clients to streamline their operations dramatically and enhances their monetization strategies by providing a single, unified view of all content and operations, facilitating better decision-making and more efficient management.

Looking back at your career, in what ways has being disruptive defined or redefined your path? What surprises have you encountered along the way?

Being disruptive has defined my career trajectory, leading to the founding of Ateliere and the creation of groundbreaking technologies that challenge conventional norms. One surprise I encountered was the rapid adoption of cloud-native solutions by large media companies, which validated our vision and reinforced the importance of continuous innovation. Additionally, the unexpected challenges, such as initial resistance from industry traditionalists, taught me the value of resilience and adaptability in driving change.

Beyond professional accomplishments, how has embracing disruption affected you on a personal level?

I’m quite vocal about my passion for wellness, and if you’ve ever stumbled across my writings, you’ll know that I view the journey through a lens of proactive care rather than reactive solutions. The mainstream medical approach tends to wait for problems to escalate before they address them, leading to a cycle of dependency on medications — which frankly, isn’t the life I want. This gap in our healthcare paradigm has led me to adopt and advocate for lifestyle tweaks that are simple yet profoundly effective in maintaining long-term health. Embracing disruption in my professional endeavors has mirrored the way I handle personal health: with deliberate, thoughtful opposition to the status quo.

In your role as a C-suite leader, driving innovation and embracing disruption, what thoughts or concerns keep you awake at night? How do these reflections guide your decisions and leadership?

• At the top of the list is the relentless pace of technological advancement. There’s this constant pressure to stay a step ahead, to ensure we’re not just keeping up but leading the charge in innovation. Our goal is always to deliver solutions that anticipate and meet the evolving needs of our clients.
• Another pressing concern is data security and privacy. In today’s world, where cyber threats are ever-evolving, protecting our clients’ data is paramount. I spend a lot of time thinking about how we can bolster our defenses to prevent breaches and maintain the trust that our clients place in us.
• The media and entertainment sector, where we primarily operate, is anything but static. Consumer preferences shift quickly, and new trends can emerge overnight. Staying agile and responsive to these changes is non-negotiable. We must continually adapt our strategies to stay relevant and responsive to market demands.
• Finally, there’s the challenge of talent acquisition and retention. Attracting and nurturing top talent is essential for driving innovation. We strive to create an environment that not only draws the best minds but also supports their growth and keeps them engaged. It’s about fostering a workplace culture that encourages innovation and makes our team members want to stick around for the long haul.

When it comes to making decisions, these insights guide me towards a blend of intuition and analysis. I’ve learned to trust not only the data but also my instincts, which often point us in the right direction before the trends become apparent to everyone else. Overall it’s profoundly shaped how I lead, seeking to not just address the immediate needs of the business but also prepares us to thrive in an uncertain future.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

If I were to ignite a movement that truly benefits a wide swath of people, it would undoubtedly center on educating the public about healthy living and preventative care. Here’s what gets to me: there’s a profound lack of proactive measures being taught and implemented. Most of us are just not aware of the simple, everyday actions we can take to prevent rather than treat illness. My mantra, “healthy mind, healthy body,” is something I try to live by every day. It’s a two-way street; keeping your body healthy strengthens your mind, and a resilient mind fosters physical health. We’ve seen too many examples in popular culture, like in the movies, where the go-to solution for stress is a drink. That’s not the message we should be sending. Instead, we could be teaching resilience, clarity, and genuinely sustainable ways to handle life’s challenges.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

You can connect with me on Linkedin here. For my business insights, visit my Medium page, and for my thoughts on health and wellness, check out my Substack.

Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!

About the Interviewer: Cynthia Corsetti is an esteemed executive coach with over two decades in corporate leadership and 11 years in executive coaching. Author of the upcoming book, “Dark Drivers,” she guides high-performing professionals and Fortune 500 firms to recognize and manage underlying influences affecting their leadership. Beyond individual coaching, Cynthia offers a 6-month executive transition program and partners with organizations to nurture the next wave of leadership excellence.