The Business of Creativity with Fred Seibert

This week on the Pixel Retentive Podcast, we’re honored to welcome back a true living legend - Fred Seibert. Fred’s influence is so deeply woven into the fabric of animation, television, and tech that it’s nearly impossible to summarize. As a co-founder of MTV and its first creative director, the founder of Frederator Studios and FredFilms, and an early investor in Tumblr, Fred’s fingerprints are on the evolution of modern pop culture. From championing iconic shows like Adventure Time, Fairly OddParents, and Castlevania to shaping the early days of YouTube, Fred’s career has been a masterclass in bridging creativity with business vision.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Fred transitioned from making jazz records to shaping the future of animation and digital media
• Why being an artist today means mastering both creativity and business
• Fred’s insights on why the TV and animation industries are facing "hyper chaos"
• The importance of self-advocacy and audience building for creators today
• How indie animation is mirroring the early days of rock bands finding their audiences
• Why original creators on YouTube and new digital platforms are the future of pop culture
• Fred’s reflections on ambition, opportunity, and the reality behind "making it"
• The evolving definition of "mainstream success" in today’s fragmented media landscape

 

"There's a real difference between making something and getting an audience." - Fred Seibert

This line from Fred is a reality check every creative needs. Making amazing work is just half the battle - if you want your art to live, breathe, and impact others, you have to also build the bridges that connect it to the world. In today's crowded digital landscape, the ability to market, share, and advocate for your work is just as critical as the work itself. It's not enough to create - you have to connect.

 

Overview:

Hey friends, it’s Carl here. I can't overstate how much it meant to sit down again with Fred Seibert. His journey from radio to MTV to building animation empires is mind-blowing, but even more inspiring is how clearly he sees the future - and how much he believes in the new generation of creators. Fred broke down the real path to creative success: it's messy, it's business-savvy, and it demands ambition and authenticity. We dug deep into how indie creators today are the new garage bands, finding audiences not through gatekeepers but by sheer hustle and passion.

Huge shoutout to my co-host Ryan Summers for joining me on this episode - his energy, insights, and passion for the animation world took the conversation to an even deeper, richer level. Can't wait to have him back on future episodes!

If you're a creator, or dreaming of being one, this episode is pure gold.