Internet Needs Fewer Algorithms, More Humans: 1440’s Michelle Denhart
CANNES, France — The internet has spent the better part of two decades convincing us that an algorithm knows us better than our spouse, our dog and possibly our therapist. Michelle Denhart has another idea.
The head of brand and content strategy at 1440 says the future of trusted media may actually look a lot more like the past, with humans deciding what’s worth reading instead of software optimized to keep your thumb scrolling until bedtime.
Speaking with Beet.TV contributor David Kaplan at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Denhart outlined why 1440 has built its business around curation instead of feeding the world’s already overflowing content machine. The interview is part of a Beet.TV video series produced in collaboration with the New York Stock Exchange.
“1440 is built on curation,” Denhart said. “There is so much incredible content in the world, and our job at 1440 is to find and surface the best content out there.”
She didn’t stop there.
“The world does not need any more algorithmic content,” she said.
That’s a bold statement at Cannes, where AI was about as common as branded tote bags and discussions about “transforming creativity.”
Making readers smarter, not just busier
Denhart described 1440’s mission as delivering fact-driven news while also exposing readers to subjects they may never have searched for themselves.
“Our job is to deliver fact-driven news and knowledge to make you smarter about the world,” she said.
That includes major stories involving politics and world affairs but also fascinating topics that readers might otherwise miss.
“It’s information that you might not find elsewhere,” she said. “That’s fascinating, that’s interesting and just makes you a more interesting person.”
It’s a refreshing business proposition in an era when many digital platforms seem determined to answer questions nobody asked while recommending videos nobody intended to watch.
Rather than relying on engagement metrics alone, Denhart said the company stays close to readers by listening to feedback and even responding to emails.
The result, she said, is a relationship built around delivering value instead of simply capturing attention.
Not all content deserves your attention
Denhart acknowledged there’s no shortage of material competing for readers every day. The real challenge isn’t producing more of it.
“A lot of it’s great, but a lot of it’s not great,” she said.
That’s where curation earns its keep.
“Our role at 1440 is to shine a light on that content and be able to tell you, ‘Hey, this is gonna make you smarter. This is something that you might not find elsewhere.'”
Instead of trying to out-publish everyone else, Denhart argues that helping readers navigate the avalanche may be the more valuable service.
Think of it as having a well-read friend who quietly slides the good articles across the table instead of texting you 87 links before lunch.
Trust starts with facts
If curation is the product, trust is the brand.
Denhart said 1440 deliberately focuses on presenting factual information without editorial spin.
“We are very focused on providing fact-driven content,” she said.
Rather than creating original reporting for every story, the company highlights credible information already available and presents it in a straightforward way.
“We are very careful to provide content in a way that does not imply bias,” Denhart said. “It’s just the facts. It’s just delivered to you so that you can learn and you can move on with your day.”
That last part may be the most radical promise of all. Learn something useful, close the browser and continue living your life.
Less noise, more clarity
Denhart said the company’s approach also shapes its partnerships and broader role in media.
“We know that there’s so much content out there, and we don’t need to add to the noise,” she said. “We need to provide the clarity for that content.”
Instead of producing another wave of headlines destined to disappear into tomorrow’s feed, 1440 focuses on distilling existing reporting into information readers can quickly absorb.
In a media landscape overflowing with hot takes, algorithmic rabbit holes and enough content to occupy several lifetimes, Denhart’s pitch is surprisingly simple: maybe what people need isn’t another content factory. Maybe they just need someone to tell them what’s actually worth reading.
You’re watching The Beet.TV Leadership Sessions at Cannes Lions 2026, presented by 1440. For more videos from this series, please visit this page. You can find all of our coverage from Cannes Lions 2026 here.
CANNES, France — The internet has spent the better part of two decades convincing us that an algorithm knows us better than our spouse, our dog and possibly our therapist. Michelle Denhart has another idea.
The head of brand and content strategy at 1440 says the future of trusted media may actually look a lot more like the past, with humans deciding what’s worth reading instead of software optimized to keep your thumb scrolling until bedtime.
Speaking with Beet.TV contributor David Kaplan at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, Denhart outlined why 1440 has built its business around curation instead of feeding the world’s already overflowing content machine. The interview is part of a Beet.TV video series produced in collaboration with the New York Stock Exchange.
“1440 is built on curation,” Denhart said. “There is so much incredible content in the world, and our job at 1440 is to find and surface the best content out there.”
She didn’t stop there.
“The world does not need any more algorithmic content,” she said.
That’s a bold statement at Cannes, where AI was about as common as branded tote bags and discussions about “transforming creativity.”
Making readers smarter, not just busier
Denhart described 1440’s mission as delivering fact-driven news while also exposing readers to subjects they may never have searched for themselves.
“Our job is to deliver fact-driven news and knowledge to make you smarter about the world,” she said.
That includes major stories involving politics and world affairs but also fascinating topics that readers might otherwise miss.
“It’s information that you might not find elsewhere,” she said. “That’s fascinating, that’s interesting and just makes you a more interesting person.”
It’s a refreshing business proposition in an era when many digital platforms seem determined to answer questions nobody asked while recommending videos nobody intended to watch.
Rather than relying on engagement metrics alone, Denhart said the company stays close to readers by listening to feedback and even responding to emails.
The result, she said, is a relationship built around delivering value instead of simply capturing attention.
Not all content deserves your attention
Denhart acknowledged there’s no shortage of material competing for readers every day. The real challenge isn’t producing more of it.
“A lot of it’s great, but a lot of it’s not great,” she said.
That’s where curation earns its keep.
“Our role at 1440 is to shine a light on that content and be able to tell you, ‘Hey, this is gonna make you smarter. This is something that you might not find elsewhere.'”
Instead of trying to out-publish everyone else, Denhart argues that helping readers navigate the avalanche may be the more valuable service.
Think of it as having a well-read friend who quietly slides the good articles across the table instead of texting you 87 links before lunch.
Trust starts with facts
If curation is the product, trust is the brand.
Denhart said 1440 deliberately focuses on presenting factual information without editorial spin.
“We are very focused on providing fact-driven content,” she said.
Rather than creating original reporting for every story, the company highlights credible information already available and presents it in a straightforward way.
“We are very careful to provide content in a way that does not imply bias,” Denhart said. “It’s just the facts. It’s just delivered to you so that you can learn and you can move on with your day.”
That last part may be the most radical promise of all. Learn something useful, close the browser and continue living your life.
Less noise, more clarity
Denhart said the company’s approach also shapes its partnerships and broader role in media.
“We know that there’s so much content out there, and we don’t need to add to the noise,” she said. “We need to provide the clarity for that content.”
Instead of producing another wave of headlines destined to disappear into tomorrow’s feed, 1440 focuses on distilling existing reporting into information readers can quickly absorb.
In a media landscape overflowing with hot takes, algorithmic rabbit holes and enough content to occupy several lifetimes, Denhart’s pitch is surprisingly simple: maybe what people need isn’t another content factory. Maybe they just need someone to tell them what’s actually worth reading.
You’re watching The Beet.TV Leadership Sessions at Cannes Lions 2026, presented by 1440. For more videos from this series, please visit this page. You can find all of our coverage from Cannes Lions 2026 here.
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