Michael Gross’ Post

Give smart students messy data, a tight deadline, and a real-world challenge. Then stand back and watch magic happen. Last week, we hosted our first-ever "Data-thon" at Roku, in collaboration with New York University and Antenna - and it was incredible. The challenge was simple in concept but tough in execution: use real-world, messy data, along with market data from Antenna, to explore how streaming bundles impact churn and subscriber behavior, then surface insights that could shape real strategies. In just a few hours, these students immersed themselves in the streaming business, learned the dynamics of bundles and retention, and delivered presentations that rivaled professional analytics teams. They didn’t just analyze data. They built frameworks, framed hypotheses, and even vibe-coded tools to bring their ideas to life. Their storytelling was sharp, their insights grounded, and their creativity on full display. It’s hard to overstate how impressive it was to see them learn an entire industry, work through imperfect data, and deliver thoughtful, data-driven recommendations - all in a single day. Collaborations like this remind me why I love working with students. Their curiosity, energy, and professionalism are contagious. More companies should partner with universities like this. It takes effort, but the return is immense on both sides. Huge thanks to Steven Goss and Taing Eaindray Aung from the NYU School of Professional Studies - Mosisa Abagaro and Brendan Brady from Antenna - Lana Vilner, Becky Metler, Brenna (Mulhern) Bogart, Robert Ditzion and Surendra Botlagunta from Roku for making it happen. The future of data storytelling is bright. #DataAnalytics #Streaming #Education #Roku #Antenna #NYU #Innovation