Ep. 42: Matt Fitzgerald - Campaigns, MrBeast and Getting Arrested with your Grandmother
The saying, "Those who tell the stories rule the world," is such a core truth that it is both a quote from Plato and a Native American proverb - two entirely distinct societies coming to the same conclusion. We in water know that our inability to tell our story is one of the most frustrating aspects of the sector and one of, if not the most, negatively impactful. So what happens when you put water's story in the hands of two of the best storytellers and creators on the planet? Matt Fitzgerald is the campaign architect of #TEAMWATER, which, after #TEAMTREES and #TEAMSEAS, is the third major campaign from MrBeast, the world's largest YouTuber, and Mark Rober, the world's most prominent science YouTuber. #TEAMWATER's aim is to mobilize $40 million in one month in order to provide two million people with clean, safe, reliable drinking water for decades. It is one seriously entrepreneurial undertaking, and Matt is a remarkable guy. We thought it would be fascinating to sit down with him and find out how he thinks about pulling off something this audacious, and we were right - it was. Please enjoy my conversation with Matt Fitzgerald.
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Campaign architect Matt Fitzgerald discusses the strategy behind #TEAMWATER, the $40M clean water initiative with creators MrBeast and Mark Rober. He shares his philosophy on building successful movements like #TEAMTREES and #TEAMSEAS, focusing on harnessing the "attention economy." Fitzgerald explains the importance of simple, emotionally resonant narratives that make complex issues universal and inspire mass participation, turning viewers into heroes and creating tangible change.
00:00 - Power of Storytelling in the Water Sector
02:28 - What Makes an Effective Campaign
05:39 - Building Narratives That Inspire Participation
08:12 - Inside the #TEAMWATER Mission and Impact
11:05 - Leveraging Massive Creator Reach for Change
13:29 - Lessons from #TEAMTREES and #TEAMSEAS
20:44 - Competing in the Attention Economy
25:25 - Messaging Strategies That Resonate
28:57 - Balancing Grassroots and Grasstops Influence
36:17 - Matt Fitzgerald’s Career and Campaign Insights
42:12 - Using Emotion to Drive Action
43:20 - Shaping Philanthropy for Water’s Future
47:20 - Call to Action for #TEAMWATER Support at https://teamwater.org/
49:18 - Matt’s advice for water entrepreneurs
Links:
Burnt Island Ventures
Matt Fitzgerald
Contribute to #TEAMWATER
