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☆ AfroTech debuted in Houston, where optimism outweighed uncertainty
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-18 | by ( Monica Melton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

AdvertisementThe AfroTech Conference for Black tech professionals debuted in Houston this year. The eighth edition of AfroTech, which lasted four days in Houston, held its place among one of the largest gatherings of Black tech professionals. AdvertisementMost of the attendees walked away with connections that anchor their experience as one of few Black tech professionals, if not the only one on their teams or at their tech companies. Many were searching for connections that could land early career conferencegoers their first tech job or a branch to pivot to new tech companies or into entrepreneurship. Her loss didn't seem to dampen the mood too much, but it has cast doubt and uncertainty as big tech companies line up to kiss the ring of the new administration.

Persons: strode, conferencegoers, Kamala Harris, Elon Musk, We're, Alex Oladele, Morgan DeBaun, Apt, that's, Lesley Bellow, Morgan Debaun, Morgan, Bellow, George R, Joshua Pinkay, Pinkay assuredly Organizations: Conference for Black, Trump, SpaceX, Twitter, IBM, LinkedIn, Media, Group, Brown Convention, BMG Locations: Houston, Silicon

☆ Shopify will stop reimbursing employees for internet costs while remaining a remote-first company
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Shopify told employees late last week that, as of July 1, the company will no longer allow certain types of expense reimbursements. Those expenses include a benefit that allows employees to be reimbursed for up to $55 in monthly internet costs. "The Internet expense was set up to fill a need as the pandemic hit and we transitioned to remote work. AdvertisementThe policy will continue in certain countries and US states where regulations require employers to provide reimbursement for remote work costs. AdvertisementRepresentatives for Shopify did not return BI's request for comment on the changes to its expense policy.

Persons: Shopify Organizations: Service, Business, BI, Employees Locations: Canada, Shopify, mstone@businessinsider.com

☆ Here are Tuesday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Meta, Dell, Amazon, Apple, CrowdStrike, Netflix, Airbnb & more
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

UBS upgrades Globant to buy from neutral UBS said it sees "demand stabilization" for the IT and software development company. Wedbush upgrades Airbnb to outperform from neutral Wedbush said investors should buy the dip in shares of Airbnb. Morgan Stanley reiterates CrowdStrike as a top pick Morgan Stanley raised its price target on the stock to $422 per share from $372. Morgan Stanley reiterates Microsoft and Meta as overweight Morgan Stanley said in its analysis of large-cap institutional ownership that Microsoft is most under-owned and Meta the most over-owned. " Morgan Stanley reiterates Amazon as overweight Morgan Stanley said the e-commerce giant has a "widening" competitive advantage. "

Persons: Melius, Truist, Mizuho, Hannifin, it's, Futu, Steve Steinour, Zach Wasserman, Huntington, NCLH, Wells, Morgan Stanley, CrowdStrike, Dell, John Donovan, JMP, Guggenheim Organizations: Nvidia, Parker, Mizuho, Argus, UBS, JPMorgan, NASDAQ, 38ppt, " Bank of America, Bank of America, RBC, Netflix, &, Deutsche Bank, Deutsche, Citi, DuPont, Department of Justice, TAM, Guggenheim, Microsoft, Meta, Apple Locations: Asia, Airbnb, ZS, China

☆ What's more important? AI or the election.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In today's big story, we're announcing the finalists for our business, tech, and innovation bracket. What's on deck:This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. If you're just catching up, a few weeks ago we identified eight of the biggest trends in business, tech, and innovation. And then there were two: the AI race vs the US presidential election. Dan Rosen, founder and partner, Commerce Ventures:Advertisement"As a fintech investor, AI strikes me as more important.

Persons: —, we're, Chelsea Jia Feng, Readers, Bruce K, Lee, Dan Rosen, Ira Allen, Tracy Albert, Wendy Craft, Elle, Dodd, Frank, Zach Blank, Nick DiGiovanni, Adam Jeffery, Ian MacNicol, David Einhorn, Jesse Cohn, Greg Coffey, Goldman Sachs, Brian Robinson, Nelson Peltz's, James Park, would've, Justin Sullivan, Marissa Mayer's, Enrique Munoz Torres, Elon Musk, Musk, Lukas Schulze, it's, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock, George Glover Organizations: Service, Business, Keebeck Wealth, Commerce Ventures, CNBC, NBCU, Getty, Elliott Management, Sohn, Street Journal, Disney, UCLA, Yahoo, LinkedIn, Elon, Apple, Ford, Workers, Advertising Research, NCAA Locations: Europe, California, New York, London

☆ The Juggernaut promised to revolutionize South Asian news. But insiders say the company's founder misled investors, struggled to raise money, and left workers 'heartbroken.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Katie Warren | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +33 min

They were gathered for the inaugural summit of The Juggernaut, a digital South Asian news startup that launched in 2019. The Juggernaut spokesperson told BI that "multiple employees have equity in the company," but BI was unable to identify any such employees. "Twenty years ago, you might've struggled to mention a South Asian actor that you've seen in a movie," he said. As of January, the site had about 10,500 subscribers, Sur told investors in an email viewed by BI. Some feel that the publication has strayed from its mission of delivering "untold, smart South Asian stories and news you won't find anywhere else."

Persons: —, Richa Moorjani, Manish Chandra, Anish Melwani, Sadiq Khan, Amitav Ghosh, Roy Rochlin, Jay Bhattacharya, didn't, Sur, Padma Lakshmi, Moorjani, Mira Nair, Oprah Winfrey, she'd, who've, Josh Benson, Bhattacharya, might've, you've, Dev Patel, Priyanka Chopra, Black millennials, Bhattacharya's, Adam Hansmann, Kevin Lin, Albert Ni, Charles Hudson, Steve Jennings, Sur's, Kyle Stanford, Axios, Stanford, Snigdha, Winfrey, MICHAEL TRAN, hadn't, wouldn't, Fariha Róisín, Meghna Rao, Róisín, Rao, Rao didn't, they'd, she's, it's, Hudson, who'd, Reetu Gupta, Aditi Shah, Sean Gupta, Steven Simione, would've, we're, Brian Morrissey, Morrissey, cofounders, Narendra Modi's, Sneha Mehta Organizations: Spring Studios, Netflix, Business, New Yorker, Harvard Business School, Guardian, American, Old Town Media, Athletic, BI, Indian, Yale, McKinsey, Precursor Ventures, Forbes, Getty, TechCrunch, YouTube's Sustainability, YouTube, Paramount Pictures Studios, Immigration Services, Stanford, Digiday, Gannett Locations: York City, chai, Jean's, hasn't, Sur, New York City, South, Asian, India, Madhya Pradesh, Queens, Sur texted, Indian American, AFP, Róisín, Los Angeles , California, South Asia, Silicon

☆ How the fortune of one of America’s biggest pharmaceutical families has quietly funded conservative causes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Casey Tolan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +21 min

From The Searle Freedom TrustThis year, the Searle trust is poised to play an even bigger role as it empties out its coffers. Researchers who study political nonprofits say that the Searle trust has had a major impact, even as the Searle family has stayed under the radar compared to more well-known conservative benefactors. The Searle trust is one of the most prolific funders of conservative groups among all private foundations, according to a CNN analysis of nonprofit tax data. The Searle trust has given millions to the Foundation for Government Accountability, which has worked behind the scenes to push conservative policies such as stricter voting laws. Dennis, the CEO of the Searle trust, is also the chair of DonorsTrust.

Persons: Searle, Daniel C, Trump, Donald Trump, ”, Galen Hall, who’s, Kimberly Dennis, ” Searle, “, Sarah Scaife, doesn’t, Michael B, Thomas, SPN, They’ve, ” Brendan Fischer, Brendan Fischer, “ They’ve, ” Hall, Caleb Rossiter, ” Galen Hall, movement’s MAGA, It’s, Mike Pence, that’s, Dennis, Henry Ford, John D, Rockefeller, ” Fischer, Gideon, Michael Searle, ” Dennis, “ We’re, Dan, Gideon Daniel Searle, Daniel Searle, Jonathan Eig, Jack Searle, Daniel Searle’s, Gregory Pincus, John Rock, Pincus, weren’t, –, Sue, Eig, Margaret Marsh, Enovid, misoprostol, Searle –, Pfizer –, ” Daniel Searle, Donald Rumsfeld, Searles, Biden, Wade, Dobbs, Kristen Batstone Organizations: CNN, Searle Freedom Trust, University of Michigan, Sarah Scaife Foundation, Searle, American Enterprise Institute, Reason Foundation, Tax Foundation, Manhattan Institute, Cato Institute, Foundation, Government, State Policy Network, American Legislative Exchange Council, Fair, Pacific Legal Foundation, Federalist Society, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Environment Research Center, CO2 Coalition, Heartland Institute, ”, CO2, Heartland, Republican Party, movement’s, America, Policy Institute, Trump, American Freedom Foundation, Everett, FDA, Rutgers University, Pfizer, Monsanto, Heritage Foundation, Reason, Affordable, New Civil Liberties Alliance, Public Policy Center, Claremont, National Women’s Health Network, Trust, IRS Locations: Missouri, St, Louis , Missouri, California, judgeships, ”, Omaha, Metamucil, Dramamine, Puerto, Brazil, Diet Coke, America

☆ China might have a friendlier face now, but it's not giving up on its aggressive Wolf Warrior diplomacy, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The move has also fueled speculation about the end of Wolf Warrior diplomacy. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty ImagesChina is also aware that the shock value of Wolf Warrior diplomacy brings diminishing returns. "I think the limits of wolf warrior diplomacy are apparent," Loh said. The Wolf Warrior will be backThat said, Wolf Warrior diplomacy will return, depending on the issue at hand, said Loh. LEAH MILLIS/Getty ImagesSo why did Liu tell reporters and academics in New York that Wolf Warrior diplomacy would never return?

Persons: —, Liu Jianchao, Liu, China's, Antony Blinken, ROBERTO SCHMIDT, Ian Ja Chong, Chong, Zhao Lijian, Zhao, Rather, Stanley Rosen, Rosen, you'll, Zhao dismissively, Nancy Pelosi's, Anthony Kwan, Pan Chengxin, Donald Trump's, Pan, Dylan Loh, Xi Jinping, Biden, Xi, BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI, Loh, Qin Gang, LEAH MILLIS Organizations: Service, Communist Party's International Department, of Foreign, Business, US, AFP, Getty, National University of Singapore, Foreign Ministry, University of Southern, China Institute, U.S . House, Deakin University, Nanyang Technological University of Singapore, Getty Images, Chinese Foreign Locations: New York, China, West . China, Beijing, University of Southern California's US, Maryland, Ukraine, Weibo, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, Gaza, AFP, Getty Images China, West

☆ Electronic Arts, maker of Madden NFL, to lay off 5% of staff as gaming industry layoffs widen
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Clare Duffy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

New York CNN —Electronic Arts plans to lay off 5% of its employees, making it the latest company in the gaming and tech space to reduce its workforce. Epic Games cut 830 jobs in September. In January, Tencent’s Riot Games said it would lay off 11% of its workforce and Microsoft said it would cut 1,900 jobs from its Activision Blizzard and Xbox gaming divisions. And electronics giant Sony said on Tuesday it would cut 8% of its global workforce, amounting to around 900 jobs. That means that after its cuts to staff last year, Wednesday’s layoffs could affect more than 600 workers.

Persons: ”, Andrew Wilson Organizations: New, New York CNN, Electronic Arts, EA, Madden NFL, Apex, ” EA, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Sony Locations: New York

☆ EA to lay off 5% of workforce, or about 670 employees
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Alex Koller | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An Electronic Arts video game logo is seen at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. The company's announcement marks the latest headcount reduction among video game developers in recent months, continuing a broader trend of significant downsizing across the tech industry. On Tuesday, Sony said it would lay off about 900 employees in its PlayStation division, or 8% of its workforce. EA CEO Andrew Wilson wrote in a memo to employees on Wednesday that the video game company is "streamlining our company operations to deliver deeper, more connected experiences for fans everywhere." "We are continuing to optimize our global real estate footprint to best support our business," Wilson wrote in his Wednesday note.

Persons: Andrew Wilson, Wilson, —, Steve Kovach Organizations: Arts, Electronic Entertainment, Electronic Arts, EA, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Sony, PlayStation, Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Riot Games, SEC, Apex, EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, CNBC PRO

A bipartisan coalition of senators over the weekend released a long-awaited and highly anticipated bill that spans border security and international aid for Ukraine and Israel in their wartime efforts. The proposed deal would substantially change immigration laws and also provide $60 billion for Ukraine and $14 billion for Israel. Some Republicans have grown skeptical of additional funding for Ukraine, which President Joe Biden proposed in a supplemental spending package. But GOP hard-liners insisted on border reforms before any consideration of Ukraine aid – which is how the border bill originated. Additionally, it includes $14.1 billion in security assistance for Israel and some pockets of money for humanitarian aid in war-torn regions.

Persons: Mike Johnson, ” Johnson, Johnson, Don’t, Chuck Schumer, MSNBC’s, Joe ”, ”, Here’s, Joe Biden Organizations: Israel, of Homeland Security, International, Ukraine, Russia, United Nations Relief, Agency, Asylum Locations: Ukraine, Israel, U.S

☆ I am very sad for the NYPD's useless and purgatory-bound subway robot
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Sophie Kleeman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

But now the NYPD robot has been placed in purgatory — a barren shopfront — and I am no longer laughing. According to The New York Times, K5 has been removed from its post in the Times Square subway station, where it required constant guardianship from human police officers. "The robot for the police, or the police for the robot?" ⁦@danarubinstein⁩ and ⁦@HurubieMeko⁩ on the sad fate of the NYPD robot. Similarly, the NYPD told me that K5 "has completed its pilot deployment in the NYC subway system."

Persons: Eric Adams, @HurubieMeko⁩, ezsZJ3mgWc — Maria Cramer, @NYTimesCramer, I, it's Organizations: New York City, NYPD, The New York Times, Times, City Hall, Yankees Locations: NYC

☆ Inside TikTok's fight against the most powerful music label in the industry and what could happen next
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Music licensing talks are heating up between TikTok and Universal Music Group as negotiations have left the conference room and entered the public sphere. "Their core mission is to generate as much money as they can from their recordings for their shareholders," David Herlihy, a copyright lawyer and music industry professor at Northeastern University, told BI. The company is in the process of launching a dedicated streaming app, TikTok Music, and has worked closely with artists on influencer listening parties, livestreams, and in-person events. But TikTok, as a global social giant, is an important product for music artists and labels. This is why the music industry is seeking to capture more value."

Persons: Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, TikTok, It's, David Herlihy, David, Goliath, UMG, Tatiana Cirisano, Jonny Kaps, MIDiA's Cirisano Organizations: TikTok, Universal Music Group, Business, Hollywood, Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Northeastern University, Music, MIDiA Research, YouTube, Universal, SiriusXM Locations: India, Australia

☆ The pioneering influencer firm Gleam Futures is shutting down its talent-management arm
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Marta Biino | Lara O'Reilly | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

It's the end of an era: the pioneering influencer agency Gleam Futures has sunset its talent-management arm, the company confirmed to Business Insider. Ad giant Dentsu Aegis acquired a majority stake in Gleam in 2017 and took over as sole owner in 2020. On the talent side, Gleam Futures had been undergoing changes for some time. In 2023, Gleam Futures managers slowly began an exodus toward other UK talent firms, including InterTalent, Insanity, and HLD, bringing their talent with them. The company's website went from showing a roster of over 60 talent in 2022 to just 20 in late 2023.

Persons: Gleam, Dom Smales, Zoe Sugg, Tanya Burr, Melanie Kentish, Gleam's, Julie Chadwick Organizations: Gleam, Business, Gleam Futures, Studios, Dentsu Locations: Gleam

☆ Twilio lays off 5% of employees in unit activists want to divest
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Jeff Lawson, chief executive officer of Twilio Inc., during the Singapore FinTech Festival in Singapore, on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. Software provider Twilio said Monday it would lay off roughly 5% of its workforce citing underachievement in the growth of a unit that activist investors have targeted. The cuts will strike deepest in Twilio's Data and Applications unit, the same unit activist investors at Legion Partners and Anson Funds are pushing Twilio CEO Jeff Lawson to divest. Lawson said in his letter that Twilio will also change how it sells its Flex digital engagement product. Anson and Legion have pushed Twilio to sell the Data & Applications unit, if not the whole company.

Persons: Jeff Lawson, Twilio, Anson, Legion, Lawson, hasn't Organizations: Twilio Inc, Singapore FinTech Festival, underachievement, Legion Partners, Anson Funds, CNBC, Securities, Exchange Commission, Communications, Legion Locations: Singapore

☆ Facebook is the top social-media platform for millennials and Gen Z to shop on. Here are 4 other takeaways from a new 26-page report.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Marta Biino | Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Facebook is the platform where millennial and Gen-Z consumers are most likely to purchase a product, according to a new survey of US social-media users. "YouTube has been the slow and steady platform in the turmoil that social media has been over the years," Assayag said. For instance, among Gen-Z consumers, Snapchat displaced Facebook as a top five platform for consuming content. However, when it came to posting content, YouTube was replaced with Instagram as the most popular platform among all consumers surveyed. However, only 41% of consumers "somewhat agree" that they would pay for exclusive content from an influencer they follow.

Persons: Pierre, Loïc Assayag, TikTok Traackr, Assayag, They're, TikTok, Instagram, Traackr, influencer Organizations: Facebook, YouTube, Meta, influencers

☆ Insider Today: Apple's new iPhone is here
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter. But the show's real stars were the new versions of Apple's iPhone and Apple Watch. But if you were hoping a new iPhone will send Apple's stock soaring, think again. Prior to Tuesday's event, Apple's shares fell an average of 0.2% on days a new iPhone was announced, according to Barron's. The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, senior editor and anchor, in New York City.

Persons: Bond, Elon Musk's, Justin Sullivan, Octavia Spencer, Tim Cook, Max, Insider's Sarah Jackson, Jordan Hart, Lakshmi, iPhones, Gary Coronado, Jamie Dimon, — Warren Buffett —, Bill Gross, DoubleLine's Jeffrey Gundlach, Pimco, DoubleLine's, Gross, Anna Moneymaker, Thomas Trutschel, isn't, Sundar Pichai, Elon, Walter Isaacson, Read, Kent Walker, Chelsea Jia Feng, Patreon, Naomi Osaka, Shaquille O'Neal, Allegra, Dayquil, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Yelp, Dan DeFrancesco, Naga Siu, Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan Organizations: Service, Jets, Apple, Apple Watch, Getty, Bloomberg, JPMorgan, Wall, Google, Software, Amazon, FDA, North American, Detroit Auto, GMC, Bourbon Locations: Wall, Silicon, Milwaukee, Lakshmi Varanasi, ., China, that's, Latvia, Estonia, Chelsea, Colorado, Arizona, Morocco, New York City, San Diego, London, New York

☆ Netflix will allow customers to keep physical DVDs and get 10 more free before the company completely shuts down its rental service
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Lloyd Lee | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Netflix is shutting down its physical DVD rental service on September 29. The company announced that it will allow customers to keep any unreturned discs. AdvertisementAdvertisementNetflix will allow customers to keep its DVDs as the company winds down its physical disc rental operation after 25 years in service. AdvertisementAdvertisementBy the way, a happy clarification in response to all the news headlines out there:We are not charging for any unreturned discs after 9/29. Since it began its popular DVD-by-mail service in 1998, Netflix has mailed more than 5.2 billion physical discs, the company said.

Organizations: Netflix, Morning Locations: DVD.com

☆ DeSantis chose wrong Disney battle, right war
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Jennifer Saba | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

NEW YORK, Aug 22 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis may have been politically foolish for picking a battle with Walt Disney (DIS.N), but economically speaking, he was on to something. Disney received special status in 1967 after it agreed to help drain the Florida swamp, literally, and build an entertainment park in exchange for special designation. DeSantis seized on the remarks, and with Florida lawmakers earlier this year, took control of the special board. Last week Disney filed a counterclaim to regain control. DeSantis chose the wrong battle but the right war.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Walt Disney, Disney, Bob Chapek, DeSantis, Donald Trump, didn’t, —, Timothy Bartik, Lauren Silva Laughlin, Sharon Lam, Aditya Sriwatsav Organizations: Reuters, Disney, Republican, New York Times, Comcast, Apple, Walt Disney, Florida, DeSantis, Thomson Locations: Florida, Siena, North Carolina, Virginia, State, . North Carolina, Reedy

☆ TikTok is killing its Shopify storefront integration as it moves to control all aspects of in-app e-commerce
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-22 | by ( Dan Whateley | Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

TikTok is shutting down its Shopify-integrated "storefronts" feature next month as it looks to control all aspects of in-app shopping and drive sellers to use its e-commerce platform, TikTok Shop. The tool let Shopify sellers sync product catalogs to TikTok where users could click on linked items to purchase them on Shopify. Purchases that happen on TikTok Shop aren't redirected to third-party platforms like Shopify, which means TikTok will have primary visibility into all aspects of the customer journey. Since TikTok Shop does not currently integrate with Shopify, Shopify could miss out on revenue if its merchants choose to set up shop with TikTok and direct sales there instead of their main Shopify store. However, Rick Watson, the CEO and founder of RMW Commerce Consulting, doesn't consider TikTok Shop too much of a threat to Shopify.

Persons: TikTok, Kylie Cosmetics, it's, It's, ByteDance, Shopify, influencers, Rick Watson, doesn't, Watson Organizations: Manly Bands, RMW Commerce Locations: China

☆ Netflix's DVD service is going out with a bang and mailing customers one last mystery shipment of 10 movies
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( Sarah Jackson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Netflix is sending DVD subscribers one last mystery shipment before sunsetting its rental service. Netflix announced in April it is ending its iconic DVD service after 25 years. DVD customers have until August 29 to opt in at this website, and the final DVDs will be shipped out on September 29. In 2022, Netflix generated roughly $31.5 billion in streaming revenues, compared to about $145 million from its DVD service, according to its annual report last year. Are you a longtime Netflix DVD subscriber?

Persons: it'll, Ted Sarandos Organizations: Netflix, Morning Locations: what's

☆ Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan's charity organization is making a major change in strategy after laying off 48 people. Read the leaked emails.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Kali Hays | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative conducted layoffs this week, in a major blow to its education team. However, the cuts were entirely focused on employees in tech and grantmaking in CZI's education department, a core pillar of the organization's since its founding. As part of the changes, two leaders in CZI's education work are leaving their roles. While today's announcement most directly impacts our Education teammates, I know we are all affected regardless of where we sit in the organization. I am grateful for all of our Education teammates, past and present, whose contributions made our accomplishments to-date possible and carved our path forward.

Persons: Chan Zuckerberg, Priscilla Chan, Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, Chan, Brooke Stafford, CZI's, Dakarai Aarons, Sandra Liu Huang, Huang, CZI, Slack, Brizard, Brooke, Dakarai, Sandra, Priscilla Organizations: Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Meta, CZI, Facebook, Education Policy Center, University of Colorado, Education, People Team Locations: Meta, Boulder

☆ How an Olympic swimmer with a 9-to-5 engineering job schedules his day: ‘It may not be easy, but there is time for everything’
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Around the office, at his Atlanta-based engineering job, Nic Fink's coworkers call him "The Fish." It's an apt nickname for the 30-year-old who moonlights as a swimmer on the U.S. national team and has competed at Olympic tournaments. But for the average 9-to-5 worker, adding in a professional swim training schedule might seem nearly impossible — at least, without barreling toward burnout. Here are two tips he keeps in mind to make it happen:'There is time for everything'Fink typically starts his day at 5:30 a.m. to make it to his two-hour morning swim training. As he ping-pongs from the pool to the office back to the pool, Fink relies on to-do lists and strict scheduling to keep himself organized.

Persons: Nic Fink's, Fink, Melanie Margalis, Fink's, It's Organizations: U.S ., CNBC, Georgia Institute of Technology, U.S, Georgia Tech Locations: Atlanta, what's

☆ It looks like Netflix's cheapest ad-free plan, Basic, might be getting the axe. It's already gone in Canada.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Netflix dropped its "Basic" ad-free $9.99 a month membership plan in Canada at the end of June. There are signs the streaming giant will sunset its "Basic" plan in the US as well. The removal of the "Basic" plan may signal Netflix's move to boost sign-ups for its ad-tier. There are also signs that the streaming giant may be sunsetting its "basic" membership plan for new US customers. Only time will tell whether Netflix's removal of its 'Basic' plan will leave a lasting impact on the streaming giant's bottom line.

Organizations: Netflix, Morning, Apple Locations: Canada, New York, America, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe

☆ A guy tried using ChatGPT to turn $100 into a business making 'as much money as possible.' Here are the first 4 steps the AI chatbot gave him.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | Aaron Mok | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Jackson Greathouse Fall asked ChatGPT to turn $100 into "as much money as possible." As of mid-March, the company was valued at $25,000, according to a tweet by Greathouse Fall. From there, ChatGPT suggested the domain name EcoFriendlyFinds.com. But when Greathouse Fall learned the domain name cost $848 to acquire, it suggested one that was more affordable: GreenGadgetsGuru.com. While Greathouse Fall didn't disclose his investors, he tweeted that his "DMs are flooded" and that he is "not taking any more investors unless the terms are highly favorable."

Persons: Jackson Greathouse, ChatGPT, Greathouse, Jackson, — Jackson, We're, He's, didn't, —, Green, chatbot Organizations: Morning, realtors —, Twitter, Facebook, jzinkula

☆ Pokemon Go maker Niantic is laying off 230 employees
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —Niantic, the creator of hit mobile game Pokemon Go, announced it is laying off 230 employees and reorganizing its business as it grapples with new macroeconomic uncertainty. In a letter to staff announcing the job cuts, Niantic CEO John Hanke said the company is taking other significant actions as well: shuttering its Los Angeles studio, sunsetting its NBA All-World game and halting production on Marvel: World of Heroes. The privately held company’s breakout hit, Pokemon Go, was among the first mobile games to embrace augmented reality when it launched in 2016. “In the wake of the revenue surge we saw during Covid, we grew our headcount and related expenses in order to pursue growth more aggressively, expanding existing game teams, our AR platform work, new game projects and roles that support our products and our employees,” Hanke wrote. Eventually, however, “our revenue returned to pre-Covid levels and new projects in games and platform have not delivered revenues commensurate with those investments,” he added.

Persons: New York CNN — Niantic, John Hanke, sunsetting, Hanke, ” Hanke, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, NBA, Marvel, Layoffs.fyi Locations: New York, Los Angeles

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