Eduardo de Meneses , host of the renowned program ” MunDu Meneses” on ESPN, shares the secrets behind the success of the production that has won over viewers for its unique approach that mixes sport and entertainment. In an exclusive interview, Eduardo reveals how he balances these two elements, providing an immersive experience for the public. He highlights the importance of humanizing athletes and celebrities, creating a genuine connection with viewers through relaxed and revealing conversations.
With a solid career in sports journalism, Eduardo stands out for his versatility and ability to adapt to different platforms, from radio and television to digital media. He shares his vision on the evolution of sports journalism over the years and the challenges and opportunities that arise in this constantly changing landscape.
Furthermore, Eduardo reflects on the praise received from coach Tite during a press conference, highlighting the importance of recognition in the midst of a career marked by dedication and passion for sports journalism.
Eduardo, congratulations on the success of ” MunDu Meneses”! Can you tell us a little more about the program and how it differs from other ESPN sports productions?
About ” MunDu Menezes”, it really is a very special program for me. I present other programs from the house, but “Mundo Menezes” has a unique feature: combining sport with entertainment. The idea is to create a light program, full of interesting stories, but always maintaining this lightness for those who watch. We mix players, artists, singers, comedians, YouTubers, and the conversation is always light, intertwining these two worlds. It’s quite interesting. Since March last year, we have been producing this program very successfully, gaining many views and success both in numbers and in the entertainment and sports market.
” MunDu Meneses” combines sport and entertainment in a light and relaxed conversation. How do you balance these two elements and what can viewers experience in this format?
Balance really comes from conversation and exchanging experiences. The idea is, for example, to talk about football or sport as a background, but also to bring people from the world of entertainment to participate and talk about their careers, whether as musicians or in another area. The most interesting thing is that the two worlds, sport and entertainment, dialogue with each other. We often see that people from the music world had the desire to be in sports, and vice versa. There is a natural affinity, as both fields have consumers in common; music people consume sports and, in the same way, sports people consume music. This makes the mix of themes particularly interesting.
The ESPN brand reached the milestone of 5 million subscribers on YouTube with the launch of your program, and you played an important role in this growth with digital programs. What is it like to work in such a dynamic environment and how do you see the future of digital media in sports coverage?
ESPN is really betting on expanding its work in the digital sphere, intensifying its online presence. I am happy to present programs both on the linear platform, which reaches a more traditional audience, and on the digital platform, which reaches different age groups and offers other products. It is fascinating to observe this dynamic. ESPN seeks to significantly expand this area, standing out for its excellent number of subscribers and views on digital. Therefore, the company is experiencing a very positive period.
You highlighted the importance of bringing an informal atmosphere to ” MunDu Meneses”. How do you think this more relaxed approach might impact interaction with viewers and the success of the show?
This informal environment really humanizes the players, showing them in a different light. It’s incredible to discover curiosities such as your culinary skills or musical tastes, whether it’s country music, rap or samba. These revelations promote a closer and more genuine connection with the audience. The interaction that takes place, especially on YouTube, where viewers express their reactions, is a valuable part of this dynamic. Humanizing athletes in this way not only brings them closer to their fans but also enriches the viewing experience, making it more personal and engaging.
With an established career in sports journalism, you embarked on this new project. What motivated you to create ” MunDu Meneses” and how has the public received it?
So, what really drove me was this continuous and intense quest to become a versatile journalist and presenter, working on multiple platforms. I have a great appreciation for working with diverse audiences, each with their own particularities and importance. This experience has been incredibly rewarding, especially due to the warm reception from the public. It is important to highlight that MunDu Menezes is not just restricted to a digital platform; is a pioneering program on ESPN, present on all available platforms. This includes YouTube, StarPlus , audio aggregation platforms for podcasts and television. This multichannel approach allows us to reach a wide audience, each segment with its specific viewers, which significantly expands our reach.
What was it like for you to receive praise from coach Tite during a press conference? Has this brought any changes to your approach or perspective on your journalistic work?
Tite’s approach was really warm and meaningful. At that time, already in a new phase of my career as a reporter, I was covering the Brazilian team. During a press conference, I experienced a special moment: I was in front of a program called ” Além da Bola “, which, following a similar premise to ” MunDu Menezes “, focused exclusively on players, providing a space for dialogues that humanized and they revealed interesting facts about them, but without the entertainment component. Tite expressed appreciation for the program, and this recognition, coming in the midst of a press conference watched worldwide, left me quite flattered and without much reaction at the time. I felt truly happy and grateful for the kindness and affection shown by Tite.
You have extensive experience working across different media, from radio to TV and now digital platforms. How do you see sports journalism evolving over the years and what are the challenges and opportunities in this constantly changing scenario?
I see digital platforms as fundamental allies in the current journalism scenario. The profession is constantly evolving, with new perspectives and products being developed to meet the demands of these platforms. I am not a journalist who opposes the growth of social media or YouTube. On the contrary, I believe they are extremely important tools for reaching different audiences and expanding the dissemination of content. Therefore, I welcome this change and am happy to be part of this context.
You are recognized for your great work covering the clubs on a daily basis, always with humorous reports. How do you find inspiration to bring this more relaxed aspect to your stories and programs?
During my 10 years as a reporter at ESPN, and throughout my 20-year career, I built relationships and bonds that last to this day. People recognize my work for the good relationships within the clubs and with the players, in addition to the quality of the coverage. This experience gave me a unique insight into how news is received by audiences at home. Now, as a presenter, I take this knowledge with me and try to offer fun and light content, after all, we are entering people’s homes and it is important to bring something that contrasts with the weight of the world outside.
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