a16z's New Media Playbook

February 28, 2026

So, here’s something that really caught my attention — how the media game has flipped on its head. According to Erik Torenberg, Ben Horowitz, and Marc Andreessen from a16z, the old rules no longer apply. Now, offense beats defense, and individuals matter way more than big corporate brands. Speed is everything — if you’re not quick, you’re already behind. What’s fascinating is the shift from traditional written culture to a more oral, conversational style online. This means people want authenticity, real voices, not perfect messages. As Erik and Ben point out, the internet’s now about “who’s fastest and most genuine,” not just who has the biggest budget. And get this — this new landscape favors those who can adapt fast and leverage personal influence over brand reputation. So, if you’re trying to stand out, it’s less about corporate power and more about how quickly and genuinely you can connect. That’s the future, and according to content+a16zpodcast@a16z.com, it’s happening right now.

Erik Torenberg, Ben Horowitz, and Marc Andreessen discuss how the media landscape has fundamentally changed and what a16z is doing about it. They cover why offense beats defense, why individuals now matter more than corporate brands, why speed wins in the new media landscape, and the difference between oral and written culture on the internet.

Resources:

Follow Erik Torenberg on X: https://twitter.com/eriktorenberg

Follow Ben Horowitz on X: https://twitter.com/bhorowitz

Follow Marc Andreessen on X: https://twitter.com/bhorowitz

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Audio Transcript