Making Money
Business models are the surest way to understand a company’s motivations.
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For Apple, hitting middle age means a strategy primarily focused on monetizing its existing customers. It makes sense, but one wonders what happens next.
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The impact of Facebook’s News Feed changes on the media is far less interesting than what the changes — and their stated purpose — say about Facebook itself.
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Google is at its best when its product focus follows its business model; for too long Android was a detour.
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SpaceX Makes History, SpaceX and Unicorns, Disney in the Age of Abundance
SpaceX accomplished something truly momentous yesterday, and the company is a reminder that unicorns remain great investments. Plus, more on why I’m bullish on Disney
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Star Wars Grosses >$500 million, Disney: Cable or Content?, Goldman Sachs Recants on Microsoft
Star Wars has significantly exceeded expectations, yet Disney’s stock is down. The question is what matters: content, or cable networks? I argue it is the former, and that Disney’s future is bright.
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Dropbox Kills Carousel and Mailbox, Facebook Kills Creative Labs
Dropbox finally focuses on business, while Facebook realizes it’s a big company now.
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Tesla and Beyond Disruption, As Yahoo Turns
A follow-up on Beyond Disruption and why it doesn’t apply to Tesla. Then, what in the world is going on with Yahoo?
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Fidelity Reprices Again, Uber Partners with Tom-Tom, Lyft Struggling
Fidelity repriced some startups again, and it really isn’t that big of a deal. Plus, why Here may not have been right for Uber, and the struggles of Lyft.
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Adele Won’t Stream 25, Windowing Versus Piracy
Adele won’t stream her new album, and I think that makes a ton of sense. Monetizing IP might be hard, but I don’t think it’s necessarily hostile to your fans. Plus, what really ended piracy and what will be the biggest conflict in IP-related industries in the future.
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“Selling Feelings” Follow-up, Match.com’s IPO and Tinder, The Sean Rad Interview
Follow-up on my piece about Selling Feelings, and then an analysis of the Match.com IPO, and Tinder in particular. Plus, why I think Sean Rad is getting a bit of a bad rap for his disastrous interview.
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Selling Feelings
Distribution being free may have ruined old business models, but it allows businesses to get much closer to their customers and make money by meeting needs.
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Why ESPN Was Justified in Killing Grantland, Did ESPN Overpay for Sports Rights?, Disney Earnings
I’ve spent time on Grantland’s potential, but did ESPN really make a mistake by not taking advantage? I say no — the mistake was Grantland’s. Still, has ESPN stretched itself too thin, or might there be a method to their seeming madness when it comes to sports fees? Disney’s earnings — particularly CEO Bob Iger’s comments…