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NFR #65 - Streaming Battles, Venture Funding & Weed Apps

Joining 1,000 readers from companies such as Klaviyo, Shopify, Recharge, Amazon, HubSpot, BrewDog, IBM and Canva.

October 19, 2022

Never Fully Read

Joining 1,000 readers from companies such as Klaviyo, Shopify, Recharge, Amazon, HubSpot, BrewDog, IBM and Canva.

Never Fully Read is a 5-minute marketing newsletter providing you latest events across eCommerce, NFTs, culture & more every Wednesday morning on Linkedin & sub-stack.

Newsletter in a flash:

đŸ€– eCommerce news:

“Beyond Meat plans to lay off about 200 employees, or 19% of its workforce, according to a regulatory filing disclosed Friday. The company cited declining sales and said the layoffs are “based on cost-reduction initiatives intended to reduce operating expenses
and target cash flow positive operations within the second half of 2023.” Beyond Meat expects the cuts to be completed by the end of the year.”

“The moment has finally come. Today, Netflix hosted a press call to reveal a preview of its new ad-supported tier, “Basic with Ads,” which will launch on November 3 in nine countries, including the U.S., and cost $6.99 per month, $13 less than Netflix’s Premium plan. This aligns with reports that the new plan would be $7-$9. Plus, Nielsen will be Netflix’s audience measurement partner, which is surprising since Nielsen has been criticized for reporting inaccurate streaming data.”

““The team at Ambi Robotics brings a new way of thinking about traditional problems,” Liefer said. “With advanced tech that can solve a wide range of real-world problems, the team [has] decided to use their expertise to drive the exploding ecommerce industry toward a sustainable supply chain, so the strain of sorting parcels doesn’t rest on the shoulders of our most valuable asset — people. Ambi claims that warehouse associates can work alongside three to four of these systems to increase the average throughput per employee to over 1,200 items sorted per hour.”

“On Flipverse, which goes live on Flipkart’s Android app Monday, the company is offering “gamified, interactive and immersive” experiences for consumers where they will be able to collect the company’s loyalty points — Supercoins — as well as digital collectables from partner brands as they make purchases. Flipverse also features a number of casual games. At a briefing Monday, Flipkart said “a wide range of brands” including Puma, Noise, Nivea, Lavie, Tokyo Talkies, Campus, VIP, Ajmal Perfumes and Himalaya are partnering to set up experience theatres on Flipverse.”

“Mental health has risen to the forefront of our nation’s health concerns,” Calm CEO David Ko said in a statement. “From the tolls of the pandemic to financial uncertainty and workplace anxieties, people have turned to Calm over the past ten years to manage their mental health. As we move into healthcare, our goal is to reach even more people with clinical mental health tools and destigmatize the importance of regular mental healthcare.” The rollout of Calm Health comes after a bit of a rough patch for Calm, which laid off 20% of its staff in August as usage fell from a pandemic peak. Prior to the layoffs, Ripple CEO David Ko became Calm’s chief executive, signalling the company’s ambitions to move into new market opportunities.”

“Lopo Champalimaud, who previously founded hair and beauty booking platform, Treatwell, after a stint as MD of lastminute.com, is V3’s co-founder. I spoke to Champalimaud about the move and what V3’s strategy would be: “I’ve got over 25 years of being an entrepreneur and I figured the next 25 years helping entrepreneurs build their businesses,” he said. “With V3 we plan to invest in consumer-focused companies, be global, and very much focus on ESG, because that’s where consumers are. It’s really about trying to think about how the consumer evolves and to remain at the forefront of that.” V3’s Indian deals will be led by Arjun Vaidya, who sold the D2C ayurvedic medicine brand to the Dr. Vaidya’s brand.”

“Jane Technologies’ impressive cannabis marketplace is finally available in an app. The company today launched its first iOS app, enabling users to browse the inventory of local cannabis dispensaries and make purchases within the app. Its web-based marketplace is lovely, and I’ve found it amazingly accurate, thanks to its live inventory information. I’m thrilled the company is bringing the power of its web marketplace to a smartphone app. Users can shop local retailers by stores, products or categories and browse confidently, knowing the listed inventory is accurate.”

“Evidence suggests TikTok is getting ready to release a podcast app: Audiomeans noticed that a new bot started harvesting its feeds on October 11, and in a statement to Podnews, says it has tracked TikTok as the source. TikTok also recently registered a patent for TikTok Music that includes podcast content.”

📈 Top trends:

“A ‘Prevention of Future Deaths’ report following a U.K. coroner’s inquest into the suicide of British schoolgirl, Molly Russell, who killed herself almost five years ago after viewing content on social media websites that promoted self harm, has recommended the government looks at requiring age verification on sign-up to social platforms to ensure the separation of age-appropriate content for adults and children. The inquest into Russell’s death heard she binge-consumed content about suicide and depression on sites including Instagram and Pinterest — some of which was algorithmically curated for her, based on the platforms tracking her viewing habits — before taking her own life, aged 14.”

  • In H1 2022, Apple Watch’s attach rate reached 30%, the highest for any half year since launch.

  • The watch has evolved in consumers’ eyes from a cool accessory to a useful tool focused on health.

  • Apple Watch is likely to be a key growth driver for Apple as the iPhone market saturates.

  • Apple Watch offers an annual revenue opportunity of as high as $70 billion.

🙉 NFT download:

“In the digital era, marketing products is no easy feat. It takes a ton to satisfy the modern customer.  Moreover, the job gets tougher when it comes to selling and marketing intangible products and services. But NFTs or non-fungible tokens are already taking the space by storm. Many multinational brands have already revolutionized the space, and others are trying out their hands at tokenizing their products and services as virtual assets. 

Global NFT Marketing Drives 

Corporations like Coca-Cola and Nike and artists like Marshall Mathers have been buying NFTs since 2021 to tap into the innovation NFTs bring
.”

Link to full article here

🏆 WTF moment:

“Parler, which launched in 2018, has been reinstated on Google and Apple Inc's app stores after being removed following the U.S. Capitol riots in January 2021. Parler is one of several social media platforms, including Gettr, Gab and Truth Social, that position themselves as free-speech alternatives to Twitter Inc.”

“In Paris on Oct. 3, Ye, who is also a fashion designer, wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase: “White Lives Matter.” Four days later, he made Instagram posts that several Jewish groups called anti-Semitic. Meta Platforms , which owns Instagram and Facebook, locked Ye out of his Instagram account for the posts.

Ye then moved to Twitter, posting on Oct. 8 for the first time in two years; Twitter soon locked his account.

The Parler deal came together quickly, CEO Farmer said, and Parlement was "presented with an opportunity.”

đŸ€ Twitter thread of the week:

TL;DR The Tarantino Story Framework:

1/ Story2/ Colour3/ Design4/ Dialogue and subtext5/ Sticky catchphrase

Link to the thread here

đŸ€ Hot jobs:

“The Lounge family is growing! We’re looking for a Head of Digital who is talented, passionate and a seasoned marketing leader with deep expertise in digital marketing and experience in supporting key e-commerce growth initiatives. We're looking for someone who is a natural problem solver, obsessed with the digital landscape and how it's changing.

You will support in leading a talented team of marketers with excellent digital backgrounds and will be responsible for leading Lounge’s digital growth globally. You will be developing and executing marketing strategies and supporting brand marketing campaigns.”

“As the Art Director, you will work closely with the Creative Director and Creative Producer in defining the creative vision for PANGAIA. You are passionate about creating innovative content across all platforms. You are responsible for content idea generation for all creative campaigns at PANGAIA, and for seeing each project through from conception to execution.

You work alongside multiple teams, ensuring both creative and brand guidelines are adhered to throughout all content. You will sit within the Creative Department, and report into the Creative Director.”

“Badoo, one of the world’s most downloaded dating apps, and part of the Bumble Inc. family which includes Bumble and Fruitz, is looking for an enthusiastic, entrepreneurial and performance driven Marketing Manager who loves working in a fast-paced, high-energy, start-up environment.

This role will be part of the marketing and communications team which is focused on engaging the world with Badoo, to help elevate its position as one of the world’s preferred dating and relationship brands. Reporting to the Global Head of Brand Engagement and Influence, this role will be located in London.”