# The Secret Industry That Makes Movies Go Viral

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-town-with-matthew-belloni-5195688/the-secret-industry-that-makes-movies-go-viral
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-town-with-matthew-belloni-5195688/the-secret-industry-that-makes-movies-go-viral.md
Podcast: [The Town with Matthew Belloni](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-town-with-matthew-belloni-5195688)
Published: 2026-06-19T00:48:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/GLT4245965644.mp3
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/GLT4245965644.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-town-with-matthew-belloni-5195688/episodes/the-secret-industry-that-makes-movies-go-viral
Duration seconds: 2158

## Resource

Matt is joined by journalist Lane Brown from New York Magazine to discuss his latest article digging into the insidious world of online clipping and narrative campaigning. Lane explains how virality and popularity are manufactured and engineered to resemble the improvised enthusiasm of human strangers, the companies behind these simulated trends, which movies, shows, bands, and viral moments were influenced by these tactics, how prevalent this is in media, how AI will play a role, and what to expect in the future (02:28). Matt then finishes the show with a couple of predictions about ‘Shrek 5’ and ‘The Social Reckoning’ (28:51). Host: Matt Belloni Guest: Lane Brown Producers: Craig Horlbeck, Jessie Lopez, and Matt PevicTheme Song: Devon RenaldoRead Lane’s piece HERE After false reports of Deborah's death, she and Ava return to Vegas. Watch now. Landman Season 2: for your Emmy consideration in all Drama Series categories. Visit http://ParamountFYC.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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## Transcript

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