Interview with Dario Di Zanni
Dario Di Zanni is a serial entrepreneur and product manager with significant experience in the interactive entertainment sector. He co-founded Kinetic Energy and previously worked for companies such as Disney and AMC. Throughout his career, he has contributed to the development of digital and physical products, including Disney’s first direct-to-consumer product, laying the foundation for numerous successful digital businesses.
Dario, you started your career managing marketing roles and driving growth in the Italian publishing industry at Mondadori. How did you transition into media?
My career evolution has always felt like a continuum because I see publishing as an integral part of the media landscape. My passion for media began early, inspired by large-scale events like the Pope’s Sunday addresses, which showed me how media shapes culture and connects people. This fascination deepened as I explored storytelling through technology, thanks to early gifts like a gaming console and computer from my aunt, an engineering teacher. These experiences fueled my love for stories and their power to influence society.
When I began my career at Mondadori, I saw publishing as a key medium—whether a printed page or a digital stream, it’s all about engaging audiences, shaping culture, and telling stories. My time in marketing taught me how to drive growth and create meaningful connections between content and audiences. As I transitioned across formats—home video, games, and interactive media—it wasn’t about leaving publishing behind but rather expanding my understanding of media’s role in society.
To me, the thread tying it all together is storytelling and a curiosity for how technology transforms the way we connect, share, and shape culture.
Can you share your experience in developing Disney’s first direct-to-consumer digital and physical product, known as Disney DigiComics that could be considered an anticipation of the digital distribution model.
Disney Digicomics was my first entrepreneurial venture within Disney, based in Milan’s global magazine division. Our business was largely licensing-focused, and during a review with our Japanese publishers, we learned about the rise of mobile manga—comics consumed on flip phones in Japan. Intrigued, my colleague and I visited Japan, where we recognized that media consumption, including comics, was shifting to digital platforms, a trend that would only accelerate with advancements in smartphones.
When the iPhone launched, we partnered with Apple’s global team to create an app and a digital publishing system. This system converted Disney’s comics library into a consumer-facing application, allowing audiences worldwide to reconnect with beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. It was an early direct-to-consumer (DTC) initiative, leveraging devices to build lasting relationships with audiences through storytelling.
Our work gained internal recognition, becoming a case study in Disney’s broader DTC transformation. It even intersected with Marvel after its acquisition. Though the initiative eventually shifted to licensees, the knowledge we developed influenced Disney’s later ventures, including Disney+. Disney Digicomics was an early step in reimagining how Disney engaged consumers directly in the digital age.
After Disney’s experience you led the strategic and innovative development of AMC Networks’ businesses, transforming franchises like The Walking Dead and launching initiatives in Gaming, D2C, and consumer products. Tell us more about this experience
This ties back to my childhood dream of working in television, inspired by the power of media to impact large audiences, as I saw during events like the Pope’s addresses. After 12 years at Disney, where I built digital products and businesses, I wanted to apply that experience to another segment of the media industry undergoing transformation. AMC Networks, with its iconic franchises like The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, offered an opportunity to help drive their shift in the evolving media landscape. In my head, I was going to be able to make a greater impact there due to the smaller size of the company – bigger fish, smaller pond!
At AMC, I joined the team leading their transformation into streaming, developing AMC+, their subscription video-on-demand platform. I also worked on expanding their footprint in gaming, commerce, and consumer products, leveraging their IP to build new revenue streams. Initially part of the development team, I later transitioned to a role under the Chief Commercial Officer, aligning my efforts with the company’s broader business goals.
During the early days of the COVID pandemic, I recognized how my Disney and AMC experiences positioned me uniquely to contribute to the emerging creator economy. This realization inspired me to step out on my own, aiming to make an even greater cultural and societal impact by embracing new opportunities in this evolving space.
And then in 2021 (in full Pandemic) you co-founded Kinetic Energy, what are its main goals?
In 2021, during the height of the pandemic, I was at AMC, feeling the isolation like everyone else but also witnessing a massive transformation in entertainment. I realized it was the right time to leverage my expertise and pursue my long-standing goal of building something on my own. Partnering with Diana Williams, a former colleague from Disney and Star Wars, we founded Kinetic Energy Entertainment to rethink what a future-focused studio should look like.
Our mission is to adapt to the ongoing disruptions in technology, consumer behavior, commerce, and the entertainment ecosystem. Drawing from our experience creating products across various media—digital and physical—we aim to anticipate trends and design a nimble, forward-thinking framework for storytelling and content creation. The name “Kinetic Energy” reflects our commitment to constant forward momentum, staying aligned with the rapid changes shaping the industry.
How do you envision the future of interactive entertainment, and what role do you see yourself playing in that evolution?
At Kinetic Energy, we believe games and interactive entertainment will shape the future for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, much like radio, TV, and the internet defined earlier generations. Games are becoming the primary interface through which younger audiences discover, interact, and connect with entertainment and each other.
This shift is already visible in platforms like Roblox and Fortnite—massive, dynamic spaces where social interaction and storytelling converge. If you consider the concept of the metaverse, these environments exemplify its current iteration. Games are not only the largest entertainment category in terms of revenue and audience growth but also the future of storytelling.
Advancements in game creation, distribution, and marketing tools are democratizing access to these platforms, enabling a broader pool of creators to bring their ideas to life. This evolution allows stories to emerge from diverse voices, transforming games into a key medium for intellectual property creation and monetization. We see this as the next frontier in entertainment, fostering greater inclusivity and innovation while redefining how audiences engage with content.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to innovate in the entertainment industry?
My advice is simple: stay curious. In a time when communication is often mediated by technology, divisiveness has become prevalent—even on key issues for aspiring creative entrepreneurs, or “creapreneurs,” in entertainment. These range from copyright and generative AI to studio incentive structures. Navigating these complexities requires a mindset of curiosity and openness.
For any “creapreneur” to succeed, the key is to start small but think big. Always look ahead to where the industry is heading—”skate where the puck is going,” as the saying goes. Embrace every phase of progress and technological evolution, even if it seems uncertain or challenging. Sitting out moments of change due to skepticism or doubt means missing opportunities to innovate and grow. Curiosity not only drives creative problem-solving but also helps you remain adaptable in a rapidly shifting landscape. By staying curious, you can develop your ideas into impactful, future-ready businesses while thriving in an ever-evolving entertainment world.
*This interview has been realized prior to the wildfires in Los Angeles. By Italy Meets Hollywood Newsroom
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Dario Di Zanni is a serial entrepreneur and product manager with significant experience in the interactive entertainment sector. He co-founded Kinetic Energy and previously worked for companies such as Disney and AMC. Throughout his career, he has contributed to the development of digital and physical products, including Disney’s first direct-to-consumer product, laying the foundation for numerous successful digital businesses.
Dario, you started your career managing marketing roles and driving growth in the Italian publishing industry at Mondadori. How did you transition into media?
My career evolution has always felt like a continuum because I see publishing as an integral part of the media landscape. My passion for media began early, inspired by large-scale events like the Pope’s Sunday addresses, which showed me how media shapes culture and connects people. This fascination deepened as I explored storytelling through technology, thanks to early gifts like a gaming console and computer from my aunt, an engineering teacher. These experiences fueled my love for stories and their power to influence society.
When I began my career at Mondadori, I saw publishing as a key medium—whether a printed page or a digital stream, it’s all about engaging audiences, shaping culture, and telling stories. My time in marketing taught me how to drive growth and create meaningful connections between content and audiences. As I transitioned across formats—home video, games, and interactive media—it wasn’t about leaving publishing behind but rather expanding my understanding of media’s role in society.
To me, the thread tying it all together is storytelling and a curiosity for how technology transforms the way we connect, share, and shape culture.
Can you share your experience in developing Disney’s first direct-to-consumer digital and physical product, known as Disney DigiComics that could be considered an anticipation of the digital distribution model.
Disney Digicomics was my first entrepreneurial venture within Disney, based in Milan’s global magazine division. Our business was largely licensing-focused, and during a review with our Japanese publishers, we learned about the rise of mobile manga—comics consumed on flip phones in Japan. Intrigued, my colleague and I visited Japan, where we recognized that media consumption, including comics, was shifting to digital platforms, a trend that would only accelerate with advancements in smartphones.
When the iPhone launched, we partnered with Apple’s global team to create an app and a digital publishing system. This system converted Disney’s comics library into a consumer-facing application, allowing audiences worldwide to reconnect with beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. It was an early direct-to-consumer (DTC) initiative, leveraging devices to build lasting relationships with audiences through storytelling.
Our work gained internal recognition, becoming a case study in Disney’s broader DTC transformation. It even intersected with Marvel after its acquisition. Though the initiative eventually shifted to licensees, the knowledge we developed influenced Disney’s later ventures, including Disney+. Disney Digicomics was an early step in reimagining how Disney engaged consumers directly in the digital age.
After Disney’s experience you led the strategic and innovative development of AMC Networks’ businesses, transforming franchises like The Walking Dead and launching initiatives in Gaming, D2C, and consumer products. Tell us more about this experience
This ties back to my childhood dream of working in television, inspired by the power of media to impact large audiences, as I saw during events like the Pope’s addresses. After 12 years at Disney, where I built digital products and businesses, I wanted to apply that experience to another segment of the media industry undergoing transformation. AMC Networks, with its iconic franchises like The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, offered an opportunity to help drive their shift in the evolving media landscape. In my head, I was going to be able to make a greater impact there due to the smaller size of the company – bigger fish, smaller pond!
At AMC, I joined the team leading their transformation into streaming, developing AMC+, their subscription video-on-demand platform. I also worked on expanding their footprint in gaming, commerce, and consumer products, leveraging their IP to build new revenue streams. Initially part of the development team, I later transitioned to a role under the Chief Commercial Officer, aligning my efforts with the company’s broader business goals.
During the early days of the COVID pandemic, I recognized how my Disney and AMC experiences positioned me uniquely to contribute to the emerging creator economy. This realization inspired me to step out on my own, aiming to make an even greater cultural and societal impact by embracing new opportunities in this evolving space.
And then in 2021 (in full Pandemic) you co-founded Kinetic Energy, what are its main goals?
In 2021, during the height of the pandemic, I was at AMC, feeling the isolation like everyone else but also witnessing a massive transformation in entertainment. I realized it was the right time to leverage my expertise and pursue my long-standing goal of building something on my own. Partnering with Diana Williams, a former colleague from Disney and Star Wars, we founded Kinetic Energy Entertainment to rethink what a future-focused studio should look like.
Our mission is to adapt to the ongoing disruptions in technology, consumer behavior, commerce, and the entertainment ecosystem. Drawing from our experience creating products across various media—digital and physical—we aim to anticipate trends and design a nimble, forward-thinking framework for storytelling and content creation. The name “Kinetic Energy” reflects our commitment to constant forward momentum, staying aligned with the rapid changes shaping the industry.
How do you envision the future of interactive entertainment, and what role do you see yourself playing in that evolution?
At Kinetic Energy, we believe games and interactive entertainment will shape the future for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, much like radio, TV, and the internet defined earlier generations. Games are becoming the primary interface through which younger audiences discover, interact, and connect with entertainment and each other.
This shift is already visible in platforms like Roblox and Fortnite—massive, dynamic spaces where social interaction and storytelling converge. If you consider the concept of the metaverse, these environments exemplify its current iteration. Games are not only the largest entertainment category in terms of revenue and audience growth but also the future of storytelling.
Advancements in game creation, distribution, and marketing tools are democratizing access to these platforms, enabling a broader pool of creators to bring their ideas to life. This evolution allows stories to emerge from diverse voices, transforming games into a key medium for intellectual property creation and monetization. We see this as the next frontier in entertainment, fostering greater inclusivity and innovation while redefining how audiences engage with content.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to innovate in the entertainment industry?
My advice is simple: stay curious. In a time when communication is often mediated by technology, divisiveness has become prevalent—even on key issues for aspiring creative entrepreneurs, or “creapreneurs,” in entertainment. These range from copyright and generative AI to studio incentive structures. Navigating these complexities requires a mindset of curiosity and openness.
For any “creapreneur” to succeed, the key is to start small but think big. Always look ahead to where the industry is heading—”skate where the puck is going,” as the saying goes. Embrace every phase of progress and technological evolution, even if it seems uncertain or challenging. Sitting out moments of change due to skepticism or doubt means missing opportunities to innovate and grow. Curiosity not only drives creative problem-solving but also helps you remain adaptable in a rapidly shifting landscape. By staying curious, you can develop your ideas into impactful, future-ready businesses while thriving in an ever-evolving entertainment world.
*This interview has been realized prior to the wildfires in Los Angeles. By Italy Meets Hollywood Newsroom
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