Tomm Polos on the Creator Economy and What’s Next for Entertainment

The future of entertainment may be short, fast, and creator-driven.

That’s the message from USC Creative Arts Director Tomm Polos. He has helped create a series of classes at the University of Southern California to focus on the rapidly expanding creator economy and how it's connected to the entertainment industry.

Polos says many students still think “going viral” is the goal. Instead, he teaches them how to build sustainable businesses and careers around their content.

Part of that evolution includes the rise of short-form “micro-dramas” on platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. Polos says the bite-sized scripted content isn’t just a passing trend. It’s training audiences to expect tighter storytelling and faster emotional payoffs. Studios are paying attention, and creators who understand pacing, audience engagement and monetization are finding real opportunity.

Beyond the classroom, Polos also brings high-energy storytelling to the field as the official hype man for the Los Angeles Dodgers. As the team gears up for the new season, he says preparation is part performance, part strategy, studying player storylines, fan culture and social media trends to keep the in-stadium experience fresh.

You can listen to all Dodgers games on AM 570 LA Sports.

Whether in a lecture hall or at Dodger Stadium, Polos says the mission is the same: connect with audiences where they are, and move at the speed of culture.

Listen to Heather Brooker's conversation with Tomm Polos only on Entertain Me! on KFI News.