“When you have something that can’t get canceled, you can be free. What has made society better today than it was hundreds of years ago is not just our prosperity. It’s the evolution of ideas. Anything that wants to limit discussion is dangerous to the evolution of ideas,” -Joe Rogan
1. The Power of Creators
This was THE week for creators, influencers, bloggers, etc. And not just because social media consumption is at an all-time high. Joe Rogan, a famous podcaster and youtube star, just signed a $100M deal with Spotify in exchange for exclusive distribution rights to his podcast. This is huge for content generators because it paves the way for future creators to leverage their platform to generate new revenue streams outside of collaborations and ads.
Also, Facebook announced that it will be compensating influencers on IG TV through advertising revenues. This is in an effort to grow the platform and incentivize creators to produce more high-quality content on IG TV. This new feature coupled with Instagram Shop creates a unique opportunity for independent creators and entrepreneurs to grow and monetize on the app.
My thoughts? It took Facebook a very long time to monetize. For the past decade, they have been leveraging content generated by users and absorbing all of the ad revenues. Now, with the competitive landscape shifting, they need to make their platform more appealing for creators to stay. Continued competition like this is a good thing and will only benefit the users in the end.
2. The Acceleration of Tech
“It feels a little bit like a story of two retail worlds. You have the legacy retailers — the Neiman Marcuses, the Barneys, the J Crews — that are no longer around because they did not adapt fast enough.”- Shopify CEO
Shopify takes advantage of the crisis as almost every brick-and-mortar store shifts to online. They are now moving into verticals like restaurants and grocery stores that they didn’t view as potential opportunities prior to COVID.
Gap uses robots to combat warehouse constraints due to COVID in an effort to continue operations. This is great for Gap in the short term but could have negative long term implications for warehouse jobs.
Google & Apple use iPhone and Android apps to track the spread of Coronavirus. These apps will use Bluetooth technology to let people know when they’ve come into contact with someone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus, a process called contact tracing.
3. Who’s Thriving
Lululemon makes this list again! Wallstreet continues to increase its price target on the stock. Although, I personally don’t know many people that are buying $100 sweatpants right now..
Zoom has become a household name in just two months. Their daily active users went from 10 million in December 2019 to 300 million in April 2020 and their stock has shot up alongside it. That being said, Microsoft and Google have both launched competitive products that easily integrate with their email platforms. Zoom definitely has some competition.
Beyond Meat sales have jumped up +157 YoY%! The plant-based meat company is growing at an unexpected pace as the US faces a national meat shortage with many meat plants currently closed. These closures, coupled with the fact that consumers are cooking at home much more during shelter in place, creates the perfect opportunity for Beyond Meat. They are such an interesting and unexpected winner from the Pandemic.
4. Best Sales this week
Nordstrom: 60% off Clearance items
Madewell: Extra 50% Off Sale items
West Elm: End of Season Sale 75% Off
5. Favorite Products This Week
View here!
Xoxo
Jackie
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