Tony Fratto
Showing 1–8 of 8 transcripts.
- Goldman Sachs33 min
Axios’ Jim VandeHei on how to build a modern media company
Jim Vande Hei co-founded Politico and later Axios to fill a critical gap in political and business journalism by leveraging digital speed, a two-tiered revenue model, and a proprietary "smart brevity" style to outperform legacy media. The venture rapidly scaled from a team of three to a diversified enterprise encompassing niche B2B intelligence, local news operations, and an AI-driven communication subsidiary led by co-founder Roy Schwartz. Despite early skepticism from industry veterans, the company established a resilient culture built on aggressive hiring standards, direct feedback mechanisms, and a strategic focus on specialized content to ensure long-term viability in a fragmented media landscape.
- Milken Institute56 min
Global Trade Outlook for 2019
Tony Fratto, Janice Charette, Ben Digby, Gilbert Kaplan, Ron Kirk
Former USTR Ron Kirk and international trade officials convened to address the disconnect between abstract trade benefits and the immediate economic pain driving political backlash over Brexit, USMCA, and tensions with China. The panelists examined how communication failures and genuine legitimacy concerns regarding Chinese practices have shifted global commerce toward bilateral agreements, creating a complex web of regulations that challenges the effectiveness of the WTO. Outcomes from the discussion highlighted a strategic pivot where nations must modernize dispute mechanisms and navigate strict new rules while balancing domestic security needs with the demands of a rapidly shifting Asian economic center.
- Milken Institute57 min
U.S. Overview: Political and Economic Currents After the Midterm Elections
Philippa Thomas, Adrienne Elrod, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Steve Krouskos, Sara Latham, Frank Luntz, Ian Shorris, Geoff Trinkline, Seema Shah, Rachel White, Fonda Ahan, Özgür Önder, Ron Kerr, Tony Fratto, Ryan, Darius Baxter
Panelists projected U.S. economic growth of 2.5% to 3% through 2019 while warning of severe long-term fiscal deficits and stagnant productivity driven by an education gap. The discussion highlighted distinct political dynamics where the Democratic primary is expected to be policy-driven despite a dominant Republican base, alongside a critique of incoherent trade strategies that harm consumers without securing strategic advantages against China. Ultimately, experts concluded that restoring societal civility and addressing K-12 educational failures are critical prerequisites for the nation's future competitiveness and the American Dream.
- Milken Institute59 min
U.S. Overview: Big Markets, Big Politics
Philippa Thomas, Jonathan Blair, Ross DeVol, Tony Fratto, Steve Krouskos, William Lee, Trevor Custle, John Jones
A panel of five experts, including Bill Lee of the Milken Institute and Steve Kruskos of EY, assessed the current U.S. economy with high optimism while highlighting a paradox between strong macroeconomic indicators and low public trust. The discussion covered the structural impacts of a $1.5 trillion tax bill, the risks of reduced regulatory burdens, and shifting investment trends driven by Brexit and tightening U.S.-China trade relations. Despite consensus on robust growth potential, speakers warned of underlying vulnerabilities such as income inequality, a slowdown in new business formation, and potential asset price distortions caused by monetary policy uncertainty.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
The Future of NAFTA
Tony Fratto, Navdeep Bains, Gerónimo Gutiérrez, Jodi Hanson Bond, Moisés R. Kalach B.
Following a threatened US withdrawal from NAFTA, leaders from the United States, Canada, and Mexico have pivoted to renegotiation with a shared mandate to modernize the agreement while protecting its trilateral structure and supply chain integrity. Business experts and officials emphasize that any new framework must expand into digital economies and strengthen labor and environmental standards without imposing tariffs that could erase the $37,500 in annual revenue per factory worker currently generated by integrated trade. Navigating this complex political landscape requires coordinating efforts with Congress and avoiding disruptive bilateral disputes, particularly as Mexico approaches its upcoming presidential election.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
U.S. Overview: Post-Election America and the World
Ross DeVol, Tony Fratto, Adam Hitchcock, William Lee, Richard Socarides, Ross Duvall, Tony Frada
This panel analysis dissects the 2016 electoral realignment driven by disaffected rural voters in the Upper Midwest and examines the resulting shifts in demographic coalitions and global economic trends. Experts evaluate the new administration's policy priorities, including projected tax reforms, potential deregulation through enforcement discretion, and the strategic use of trade negotiations to reshape global commerce. Furthermore, the discussion highlights critical challenges to long-term growth stemming from workforce constraints, automation, and the potential erosion of Federal Reserve independence under a president who views the central bank as a negotiating chip.
- Milken Institute54 min
Globalization: Path to Prosperity or Race to the Bottom?
Staci Warden, Victoria Espinel, Tony Fratto, Francisco González Díaz, Clark Roberts, Stefan Selig
Panelists analyzed the economic and political complexities of globalization, highlighting how the Trans-Pacific Partnership addresses modern digital flows while contrasting steady public support for trade with the acute, localized disruptions that drive populist sentiment. Evidence showed that economies integrated into global value chains outperformed protectionist ones, yet the discussion emphasized the urgent need to expand worker retraining programs and shift the policy narrative to explain the benefits of an open economy to younger generations. Ultimately, the dialogue argued that maintaining international connectivity is essential for addressing cross-border threats and sustaining future economic growth despite the challenges of the 2016 political landscape.
- Milken Institute1h 6m
Milken Institute/Google -- Innovation
Aneesh Chopra, Vijay Vaitheeswaran, Tony Fratto, Pablo Chavez, Brad Belk, Tony Prado, Shalina, Alayna Nolan, Tim Jarbo
Google and the Milken Institute co-hosted the maiden restart of "DC Talks," featuring a panel of experts including former U.S. CTO Anish Chopra and journalist Vijay Vaitheeswaran to dissect the role of government in fostering an innovation-driven economy. The discussion highlighted policy strategies such as open data initiatives, technology-neutral prizes, and infrastructure investment that have successfully accelerated adoption in sectors like health IT and renewable energy while emphasizing a shift from invention to value-creating fresh thinking. Looking forward, the speakers advocated for tolerance of failure, lifelong learning systems, and new accounting standards to recognize intangible assets as essential drivers for solving complex global challenges in the 21st century.