Tech journalist Segall starts production company

Tech journalist Laurie Segall is launching her own production company, Dot Dot Dot, with colleague Derek Dodge, a media executive who has held roles at MTV, Discovery and CNN, reports Brian Steinberg of Variety.

Steinberg reports, “The company today debuts its first podcast, ‘First Contact,’ which is being distributed by iHeartMedia.

“‘I think the new next thing in technology is humanity,’ says Segall, in an interview.

“The first three episodes of ‘First Contact’ offer a blueprint of sorts to the types of stories the new company might tell. In one, Segall discusses the potential rise of dating bots, artificial-intelligence creations that will browse dating apps, flirt and set up meetings. In another, she interviews WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton, who left Facebook with hundreds of millions in tow, and now is placing emphasis on privacy.

“Will Pearson, the chief operating officer of the iHeart Podcast Network, thinks the programs will appeal not only to tech-savvy listeners but also to others who may not be as close to this dynamic industry. Other podcasters believe in limited release, he says, but iHeart can use its radio stations to generate wider pass-along. ‘We can make sure the audiences we feel would likely be interested will have the opportunity to learn about it.'”

Read more here.