Owning Customer Relationship
Companies that win in the Internet era do so by owning the customer relationship, which gives them power over suppliers.
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Amazon Health doesn’t seem like much now, but there are hints it could be the ultimate application of Aggregation Theory.
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Disney’s rumored acquisition of 21st Century Fox is all about competing with Netflix; whether or not that is a good thing depends on your frame of reference.
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The Internet has removed scarcity, meaning business models based on controlling distribution are no longer viable. Instead, the key to success is controlling access to the best customers — and that means being the best.
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Apple and Gemini, Foundation vs. Aggregation, Universal Commerce Protocol
The deal to put Gemini at the heart of Siri is official, and it makes sense for both sides; then Google runs its classic playbook with Universal Commerce Protocol.
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An Interview with Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe About Building a Car Company and Autonomy
An interview with Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe about starting a car company, scaling, and building for an autonomous future.
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Netflix and the Hollywood End Game
Netflix is driving the Hollywood end game, likely confident it can increase the value of IP, and fend off YouTube.
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Google, Nvidia, and OpenAI
OpenAI and Nvidia are both under threat from Google; I like OpenAI’s chances best, but they need an advertising model to beat Google as an Aggregator.
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An Interview with Michael Morton About AI E-Commerce
An interview with Michael Morton about AI-driven e-commerce, and why this is both Amazon’s category to lose and a threat — and a big opportunity for Walmart and Shopify.
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Walmart on ChatGPT, Walmart (and Amazon) Motivations, Spotify Podcasts on Netflix
Walmart joins ChatGPT Instant Checkout; will Amazon be next? Then, Spotify and Netflix form the anti-YouTube alliance.
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OpenAI’s Windows Play
OpenAI is making a play to be the Windows of AI: the all-encompassing platform that controls both hardware supplier and software developers.
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An Interview with Booking CEO Glenn Fogel About Travel and Aggregation
An interview with Booking CEO Glenn Fogel about being an aggregator, the power — or not — of network effects, and how AI can finally create the perfect travel agent.


