The Secret Behind Great Storytelling | Jane Rosenthal

In this episode of The Business of Creativity, Sir John Hegarty sits down with Jane Rosenthal, Oscar and Emmy-nominated producer, co-founder of the Tribeca Festival, and the creative force behind films including Meet the Parents, The Irishman and Bohemian Rhapsody. Jane has spent decades bringing stories to life, but her most impactful project may not have been a film at all. In the aftermath of 9/11, she and Robert De Niro co-founded the Tribeca Festival to help rebuild lower Manhattan through culture, creativity and community. This conversation explores the power of storytelling to shape industries, cities and societies. Jane shares lessons from producing some of Hollywood's biggest films, why authenticity matters more than data, how great creative partnerships are built on trust, and why AI should be viewed as a collaborator rather than a threat. The discussion also dives into audience attention, mentorship, the future of entertainment, and why the most powerful stories are the ones that bring people together. ABOUT THE SERIES The Business of Creativity is hosted by Sir John Hegarty, one of the most awarded creative minds in advertising history. Each episode brings together founders, entrepreneurs and creative leaders who have used creativity to build category-defining businesses and reshape industries. Learn more about The Business of Creativity at: https://businessofcreativity.com 📩 New episodes weekly 👉 Subscribe for more conversations with the world's most creative business leaders 💬 Which insight from Gary changed how you think about business, creativity or AI? #janerosenthal #storytelling #creativity #leadership #filmindustry #tribecafilmfestival #entrepreneurship #ai CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction: The Power of Storytelling 02:10 Growing Up Around Theatre & Creativity 03:37 Why Jane Chose Producing Over Acting 05:36 Her First Break in Entertainment 08:48 Lessons From Live Television & Sports 09:48 How Interesting Experiences Create Opportunity 11:06 Why Great Producers Follow Passion 13:06 Authenticity in the Age of Attention 15:19 How Jane Chooses Stories Worth Telling 16:50 AI, Technology & Creative Opportunity 19:02 Why AI Is Creating a New Creative Class 20:44 The Importance of Editing 22:46 Storytelling vs Audience Segmentation 24:18 Building a 35-Year Partnership with Robert De Niro 26:20 The Birth of Tribeca After 9/11 28:47 How Creativity Revitalised Lower Manhattan 29:54 Why Shared Experiences Matter 31:10 What Brands Can Learn From Entertainment 32:59 Why You Should Never Underestimate Your Audience 34:41 How Streaming Changed Storytelling 36:37 The Freedom of a Tight Brief 37:17 Why Constraints Create Better Ideas 37:47 Mentorship & Building Creative Communities 39:41 Optimism, Consolidation & The Future of Entertainment 46:00 Final Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices