Sean Atkins, Dhar Mann Studios: Why Creators Are the Future

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🎙️ MAJOR INTERVIEW ALERT! Today we sit down with Sean Atkins, CEO of Dhar Mann Studios, and former exec at MTV, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO, Yahoo!, & Discovery.

Today we sit down with Sean Atkins, CEO of Dhar Mann Studios. Dhar Mann is the creator mastermind behind a brand new 125,000-square-foot Burbank studio campus, creating scripted content for his 140 million fans across YouTube, Facebook and other platforms.

Atkins joined as CEO in 2024, and has 20 years of experience at the intersection of consumer, media, and tech. He’s held leadership roles at companies like MTV, Discovery, HBO, Dhar Mann Studios, Bertelsmann, Jellysmack, Yahoo!, and Disney.

As an entrepreneur, he launched one of the first ad-tech firms, a television startup that exited for nine figures, and raised $1 billion in financing. He has built multiple $100M+ businesses spanning consumer internet, the creator economy, ad tech, OTT/streaming, podcasting, e-commerce, and licensing.

TLDR: He’s insanely accomplished, and the fact he’s betting big on Dhar Mann, shows a clear shift by more traditional execs into creator-led studios, and creators being the now, and the future of our Industry.

Our conversation is below:

AvA: What was your first job in Entertainment, and what did you take away from that experience that still guides you today?

Atkins: My first job was as a temp at a production company that did documentaries. What I learned was to be curious, work hard and always ask for projects to stretch yourself.

AvA: You’ve worked at MTV, Discovery, HBO, Jellysmack, Yahoo!, Disney, and now Dhar Mann Studios. When you made those pivots, what signals told you it was time to move to your next venture?

Atkins: I've always been curious about consumer behavior change driven by the intersection of tech and media. So when I see an audience migrating, or a business model that needs to shift due to these changes, my curiosity drives me to want to be part of that change.

AvA: The creator-driven studio is rewriting the old Hollywood model. If you were a young assistant or creator trying to break in right now, what’s the smartest way to think about building a career in this new system?

Atkins: I don't think it is any different than the "old way." Focus on companies that are growing. Look for a way in. Be more concerned about getting on the rocket ship than what seat you get. Then look to help everywhere you can. That's the great thing about these young creator companies - you'll get to wear tons of hats.

Grocery Store On Set at Dhar Mann Studios - Credit LA TImes

AvA: Dhar Mann Studios has 143M+ followers and over a billion monthly views. Beyond the numbers, what makes it a durable brand, and why do you think creator-first companies like this are built for long-term growth?

Atkins: A few things: (1) Listen to your community and evolve with them. (2) Find ways to scale that don't require the founder. The capacity of the talent is your biggest limiting factor. (3) Be mission driven. You will have ups and downs. If you are only in it for fame or money, you will burn out.

AvA: What qualities do you look for when hiring new talent?

Atkins: I look for work ethic, entrepreneurial mindset, kindness, resilience, curiosity and positive attitude.

AvA: If you had to bet on one thing that will define entertainment in the next five years (platform, format, or cultural shift) what’s your pick?

Atkins: Creators becoming a bigger and bigger piece of time spent.

AvA: What is one piece of advice you have for someone early in their career?

Atkins: Always be learning and growing. This industry will continually be under change. So the more you can be comfortable and lean into change, the longer the career you will have.

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