Could This Really Be The Beginning Of The End For WhatsApp?

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Description: It seems that Facebook is about to reverse years of promises around the integrity and independence of its flagship WhatsApp messaging platform. And coming off the back of the worst year of PR for the social media giant, the implications for the future of WhatsApp could be game-changing. Source: Forbes.com Date: Jan 26, 2019… Read more »

Health care industry spends $30 billion a year on marketing

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Description: Critics say patients are often misled by ads that advocate high-priced drugs, unapproved stem cell treatments or genetic tests. Source: NBC.com Date: Jan 08, 2019 Link: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/health-care-industry-spends-30-billion-year-marketing-n956251 Questions for discussion: Summarize the criticisms leveled at the health care industry in this report? Do you agree with the assessments? How should the industry, governments, and… Read more »

Facebook Advertising Profiles Are a Mystery to Most Users, Survey Says

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Description:  The scrutiny of Facebook’s collection and use of consumer data in recent years has prompted the tech giant to repeatedly defend its efforts around transparency and privacy. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Jan 16, 2019 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/business/media/facebook-advertising-transparency-users.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights in this report. What do you think is motivating FB to publicize this… Read more »

Hey Siri, What Are Hearables?

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Description:  A new category of wearable emerges Source: eMarketer.com Date: Jan 09, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/hey-siri-what-are-hearables?ecid=NL1009 Questions for discussion: Why is the development of hearable technology a game changer for the industry? What sorts of devices and applications can you image in the future?

Inside the $3 billion race to kill plastic

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Description: These startups are capitalizing on consumer anxiety about climate change to market reusable straws, food wrap, and storage bags. Can they compete with plastic industry giants? Source: FastCompany.com Date: Jan 16, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90290048/inside-the-3-billion-race-to-kill-plastic Questions for discussion: How are startups challenging the giant consumer products companies in this arena? Why is this a particularly… Read more »

How Starbucks went from one coffee bean store to an $80B business

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Description:  In its 47-year history, Starbucks has transformed from a single coffee bean store in Seattle to a 30,000 cafe international coffee power house. But massive expansion hasn’t come without growing pains. How Starbucks went from one coffee bean store to an $80B business from CNBC. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Jan 07, 2019… Read more »

Want to Reach Gamers? Try Mobile

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Description:  Most people think of gamers as Xbox-obsessed teenagers, but it turns out that mobile is by far the more popular place to play Source: eMarketer.com Date: Jan 10, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/mobile-gaming-poised-for-significant-growth-in-2019?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: What does the report say about the future of mobile gaming? What are the opportunities available to developers for monetizing… Read more »

Amazon’s Biggest Bull Says It Should Disrupt Gas Stations

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Description:  Amazon.com Inc. is a dominant player in industries as diverse as cloud computing, streaming media, and of course e-commerce, but the next business it should set its sights on is decidedly more old fashioned: gas stations. Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Jan 02, 2019 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-02/amazon-should-disrupt-gas-stations-says-street-s-biggest-bull Questions for discussion: What are the pros… Read more »

Some Bad (and Good) News for Facebook in 2019

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Description:  Looking ahead to key digital trends in 2019, eMarketer’s analysts render a bad news/good news pair of predictions for Facebook. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Dec 04, 2018 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/predicting-some-bad-news-and-good-news-for-facebook-in-2019 Questions for discussion: What does the report say about expected online viewing behaviors? What does this mean for online businesses and FB in particular?

Here’s how the Apple Watch’s heart monitor works

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Description: CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains how to use Apple Watch’s built-in ECG monitor. Source: CNN.com – video report Date: Dec 04, 2018 Link:  https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2018/12/05/apple-watch-ecg-app-health-review.cnn-business/video/playlists/top-news-videos/ Questions for discussion: Do you think this device will significantly increase consumer choice for Apple in place of other brands? Who is the target market for this and other health… Read more »