Bilgola

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Who We Are

Intelligence for the attention economy

Bilgola is an intelligence firm providing proprietary research and strategic counsel on the mechanics of human attention. We serve clients across media, technology, consumer, and the nonprofit sector who seek a deeper understanding of how audiences allocate their most scarce resource: time.

Founded on the insight that attention flows like water, pooling and shifting between platforms, devices, and formats, we give our clients the framework to navigate these currents. The name 'Bilgola' translates to "swirling waters."

Philosophy
We are in a post-creator world
Era I

The Platform Era

1920s – 2000s

Began with commercial radio and accelerated through television and the early internet. Success meant securing placement on scarce legacy channels. Infrastructure — broadcast licenses, studio lots, professional equipment — became the moat.

Era II

The Creator Era

2005 – 2020

Social platforms democratized distribution. Anyone could produce and share content without navigating gatekeepers. Smartphones and high-speed internet meant that anyone who could create compelling content had a defensible moat.

Era III

The Post-Creator Era

2020 – Present

AI has democratized content creation itself. Algorithms determine reach, personalized echo chambers are the new normal, and shared cultural moments are increasingly rare. The technical barriers that once granted creators an advantage have collapsed.

In the same way that digital platforms gave creators access to distribution and let them disrupt traditional media, AI is now making it easier to produce quality content. Creators are being drowned out and displaced, making it harder than ever for ideas to break through.

Where America's Attention Goes

Daily content consumption by generation, broken down by device and medium. A portrait of diverging attention economies.

Sources: Statista, Harmony Healthcare IT, Pew Research Center, eMarketer, PQ Media, Nielsen (2024–2025)

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Who's winning attention right now

We track creators, content, and platforms: who is capturing share of attention, what formats are breaking through, and where audiences are migrating.

Last updated March 2026
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What We Offer

Reports

Proprietary research on the attention economy applied to specific industries, platforms, and companies.

Advisory

Ongoing strategic counsel for organizations navigating structural shifts in how audiences allocate time and attention.

Events

Speaking engagements, curated dinners, and high-level conferences bringing together leaders across media, technology, and finance.

Team
Brian Lee

Brian Lee

Co-Founder

Brian Lee is the co-founder of Flavor Thing, a creator advisory and investment firm helping early-stage creators maximize revenue and build devoted communities. He incubated and invested in Righteous Eats, the award-winning food channel that helps underrepresented small, mom-and-pop businesses in New York City. Previously, Brian oversaw Consumer Business Initiatives at Group Nine Media and Maker Studios. He founded Knocksteady, representing artists like Anderson .Paak, which was acquired by Maker Studios, later acquired by Disney.

Cole Maritz

Cole Maritz

Co-Founder

Cole Maritz is currently an entrepreneur in residence at the Manhattan Institute. Previously, Cole was a co-founder of Skipper, a venture-backed startup dedicated to streamlining the online reservation process for hotels and resorts. Skipper was acquired by Safara in 2024. Prior to Skipper, Cole worked for various media and marketing companies in the creator and hotel categories, including Curacity, Simulmedia, and Tubular Labs. He is also an active investor in startups and hotels such as the Sundance Mountain Resort and Headway.