#292 César Couto Ferreira: Don’t Believe the Hype—Design the Legacy

César Couto Ferreira spent over a decade deep in the world of global media—shaping MTV across Europe and Africa, working with stars, and riding the wave from analog to digital. But when Amy Winehouse died, something broke. Not in the headlines, but inside him. He saw how the industry treated artists as content—not people—and decided he couldn’t be part of it anymore. That moment became his call to redesign his life. 

In this episode, César shares how he left global prestige behind to build systems of real impact—helping governments, mentoring young entrepreneurs, and bringing Web Summit to Portugal. 

For Gen Xers questioning the legacy of their work, this episode is a gut-check: you can walk away from the machine—and build something that lasts.

>>The Rise and the Reckoning

“I was living on the same street as Coldplay. But something felt deeply wrong.”

Cesar traces his rise from DJ to MTV exec—and the moment he realized proximity to fame doesn’t mean pride in the system.

>>When Amy Winehouse Died, Everything Shifted

“We prepped obituaries like playlists. And then Amy died. I couldn’t unsee it.”

Her death wasn’t just tragic—it was Cesar’s breaking point. It made him question everything about the machine he helped run.

>>Leaving the Bright Lights to Build Real Change

“I chose to stop. Not because I failed—but because I wanted to design something better.”

Cesar reflects on the long walk away from global media—and into tech, civic transformation, and mentorship across Portugal and Brazil.

>>Legacy Over Likes

“Media taught me how to influence. Now I’m using that skill for society.”

From helping bring Web Summit to Lisbon to working with governments and young founders, Cesar is now designing systems with human value.

>>Advice from a Media Veteran to the Always-Online Generation

“Read more books. Touch more people. Don’t believe the hype.”

Cesar leaves a timeless reminder: attention is power—and what you do with it matters more than who sees it.

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Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Cesar Couto Ferreira

 

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