The ALSMA Executive Insights Series
Episode Two: Matthew Brennan, co-founder, China Channel (China)
In Episode Two of the ALSMA Executive Insight Series, we chat with Matthew Brennan, co-founder of China Channel and author of the new book, “The Attention Factory” — an in -depth look at TikTok and its parent company Byte Dance.
Our conversation with Matthew covers TikTok’s origins, the secrets to its success, how it makes money, and its controversies. In particular, we discussed concerns over the platform's privacy.
Matthew says concerns about TikTok’s privacy are legitimate. But they are no different than the concerns consumers should have about Facebook or Instagram.
"I think it's totally legitimate if you are concerned about privacy to not use those platforms,” Matthew said. "It is a trade off, right? You're getting a free service, which means you are the product."
TikTok, for all its success thus far, has just scratched the surface of its revenue opportunities, Matthew contends.
“Today, it has got very light monetization, it's really in the early stages,” Matthew said. “It’s further ahead in Asia than it is in Europe and North America. But even in Asia, it's still fairly early."
Episode One: James Ciuffetelli, former Executive General Manager, Sensis (Australia)
The inaugural episode features an interview with James Ciuffetelli, former GM Digital at Sensis. James offers an assessment of the lessons learned from the directory industry’s multiple transformations over the course of his 30+ year career.

TikTok and short video: Emerging opportunities for SMBs
Matthew Brennan, China Tech | Speaker | Writer | WeChat & Tencent Specialist
Matthew is a speaker and writer focusing on Chinese mobile technology and innovation. His opinions are regularly featured in global media such as Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, The Economist, BBC, The Financial Times, CNBC. Matthew has been based in mainland China for over 16 years, speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese and organizes China’s largest WeChat digital marketing conference for international companies.
Matthew has delivered presentations for companies including Google, Tencent, DHL, NBC Universal, Boston Consulting Group, LinkedIn, Schneider Electric and L’Oréal Group as well as for a large number of industry association conferences. He delivers a combination of inspiration and insight into the new wave of Chinese digital innovation.

TikTok & ByteDance - New Report, New Book
Check out Matthew Brennan's new book: Attention Factory - The Story of TikTok and China's ByteDance. 300+ pages of original analysis and exclusive reporting about China's fastest-growing tech company.
This is not a re-hash of stuff you've already read. The book is packed with analysis and insight that cannot find elsewhere. Even ByteDance staff who've read it, have commented on how surprised they were at some of the things the author dug-out over 9 months of research and writing. The entire work was edited by China-based TechCrunch journalist Rita Liao who has herself has written extensively about the company.
To celebrate the launch, a free report "Understanding TikTok & ByteDance" is now available to give a teaser on some of the book's content. The 47 slides covering ByteDance's rapid rise.
- Outline of the company’s unique structure
- Bios of the company’s top executives
- An extensive list of ByteDance’s products
- Company history, office locations, investors
- TikTok’s dual flywheels and recommendation engine