Entertainment
The entertainment industry is made up of multiple, distinct sub-markets. One way to break it down is to consider the content or activity type, for example:
Digital content, inclusive of video streaming and downloads, news access and subscriptions, audio content purchases (i.e., books, stories, music, podcasts), and video games (i.e., game purchases, in-game purchases)
Events , inclusive of events ticketing to sports games , concerts, etc .
Online gaming and betting, inclusive of sports betting, casino games, and other wager-based betting experiences
Another way to consider the market is by the key players, like Consumers, Content Creators, Distributors/Platforms, and Advertisers. In either instance, if you are an organization working within one of these markets, you offer end users access to fun and leisure, and end users have high expectations for related experiences – including payments. As a result, you must take a more systematic and intentional approach to your payments strategy.
Glenbrook supports entertainment companies to address the following common questions
How should our payments strategy support our growth strategy?
How should we support tokenization, if at all?
What fraud vectors should we be most concerned about and how do we best mitigate those?
What is the optimal team configuration to support our payments strategy?
What is the optimal architecture to support our objectives?
Are we using the right payments partners?
What orchestration approaches are most meaningful to us?
Are we exposed to churn risk? If so, how do we best manage it?
Our Clients
Gaming Companies
Event Ticket Marketplaces
Newspapers
Digital Music & Audiobook Services
Video Streaming Services
Other Entertainment Companies
Entertainment Case Studies
Resources
Articles
Glenbrook shares our perspectives on activities in the industry.
Demystifying Payments Orchestration: Part 3 – Defining the Payments Orchestration Landscape
The 5 payments orchestration implementation models explored in this post reflect a spectrum of control, customization, and complexity. Understanding the distinct characteristics and where each orchestration model excels and where it introduces risk or limitations is essential for selecting the right fit.
We (Really) Can’t Stop Talking About Tokenization: A 2025 Update
Glenbrook’s Chris Uriarte unpacks network tokenization updates from Visa and Mastercard.
Celebrating the Expansion of Glenbrook’s Leadership Team
Glenbrook is celebrating the expansion of its leadership team by announcing the promotions of Simon Skinner and Joanna Wisniecka to Associate Partner.
Podcasts
Glenbrook speaks with industry leaders to share a variety of perspectives on the latest payments trends and activities.
Episode 282 – Why You Need a Stablecoin Strategy, with Ran Goldi, Fireblocks
In this episode, Yvette Bohanan welcomes back Ran ‘Goldi’ Goldshtein, Senior VP of Payments and Networks at Fireblocks to provide his perspective on the evolution of the digital currency space.
Tune in as they break down a stablecoin transaction, discuss the current state and adoption of blockchain technology, and review various use cases for stablecoins. They define terms like TradFi, Defi, and smart contracts, and explore the impact of tokenized deposits and AI on the digital currency landscape.
Episode 281 – Fanning the Flames – Unpacking the Latest Proposed Settlement of the Payment Card Interchange Litigation
In this episode, Bryan Derman, Russ Jones, and Chris Uriarte share their first-take analysis of last week’s proposed settlement of the long-running antitrust litigation between Visa/Mastercard and a group of merchants regarding Payment Card Interchange and Merchant Discounts.
The discussion covers the basic parameters of the settlement proposal and then investigates some of the possible reactions by merchants, issuers, and networks were the settlement to be approved the by judge.
Episode 280 – Reflections on Fraud in 2025 and What Lies Ahead, with David Maimon, SentiLink
In this episode, Yvette Bohanan welcomes back David Maimon, Head of Fraud Insights at SentiLink, for the final episode of this year’s fraud series.
Listen in as Yvette and David reflect on state of fraud as 2025 comes to a close. They discuss rising identity theft reports, the persistent challenges of measuring fraud losses, and the alarming trends associated with synthetic identities, stolen identities, and insider fraud. The conversation explores issues around various payment systems, agentic AI tools, and the regulatory gaps that contribute to escalating fraud incidents.
News
Glenbrook objectively curates the news to keep you abreast of important daily headlines in payments.
Ethiopia: Ethswitch Nears Launch of International Card Payment Connectivity Pending NBE Approval
"Ethswitch, the entity responsible for operating Ethiopia’s national payment system infrastructure, has reached the final phase of integrating its domestic card schemes with 32 international card networks through a partnership with the Discover Global Network. The...
Visa to Start Operations in Syria Under New Payments Framework
"Visa is preparing to re-enter the Syrian market following an agreement with the Central Bank of Syria to develop a national digital payments framework and restore international connectivity to the country’s financial system. The partnership marks the first major move...
South Korea Plans Stricter Rules for Crypto Exchanges
"South Korea’s government is planning stricter rules on cryptocurrency exchanges after a recent hack at Upbit, a Seoul-based exchange run by Dunamu. Authorities want to introduce bank-level, no-fault compensation, requiring exchanges to cover user losses from hacks or...
Ready to see how Glenbrook can support your entertainment company to be as efficient and effective as possible?