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☆ How FaZe Clan's future owner hopes to rein in pissed-off talent and build a sustainable influencer business
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Several of its top talent have revolted against the company on social media over the past year. Beginning in late 2022, Nordan "FaZe Rain" Shat posted a series of YouTube videos criticizing FaZe's leadership and spending decisions. He would oversee the brand alongside Thomas "FaZe Temperrr" Oliveira, FaZe's proposed president, and Yousef "FaZe Apex" Abdelfattah, set to become FaZe's COO. GameSquare CEO Justin Kenna, a former CFO at FaZe, said he knew he needed buy-in from FaZe talent for the deal to move forward. GameSquare wrote in a press release announcing its FaZe deal that it expects to record more than $18 million in savings by cutting "duplicate corporate costs" and other expenses following a merger.

Persons: Shat, FaZe's, influencer Richard, FaZe, Bengtson, GameSquare, Thomas, Oliveira, Yousef, Justin Kenna, Kenna, Bengston, Lee Trink, Tyler, Ninja, Blevins, we're Organizations: FaZe, Nasdaq, Ninja Labs

☆ FaZe Clan's plummeting valuation shows how risky it can be to bet your company's future on influencers
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Dan Whateley | Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

While esports as a category has broadly struggled with monetization , FaZe's difficulties stemmed more from its reliance on just a few influencers for revenue. The company makes money through revenue splits with its talent, brand partnerships, and esports winnings. For FaZe, that revenue is often concentrated on the backs of a few big stars. "This was too nascent of a business model to be publicly traded with too much 'key person risk' around influencers," Chapman said of FaZe. GameSquare has subsidiaries like merchandise brand Mission Supply Co., influencer-marketing platform Sidekiq, and streaming data analytics firm Stream Hatchet, all of which could potentially be applied to the FaZe brand.

Persons: Influencers, Clan, monetization, Michael Metzger, Josh Chapman, FaZe, Chapman, Justin Kenna, Kenna, we're Organizations: Drake, Konvoy Ventures, Clubhouse Media, YouTube Locations: influencers, GameSquare

☆ Ireland recovers largest ever drugs seizure worth over $165M
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Amy Croffey | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The biggest-ever drug seizure in the history of Ireland was intercepted off the coast of Cork in the southeast of the country on Tuesday, Irish police said. “It is the largest drug seizure in the history of the State,” Justin Kelly, Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s police force, said at the same conference. Three men, aged 31, 50 and 60, have been arrested on suspicion of organized crime and are currently being questioned at Garda stations in County Wexford, according to a Garda press release. Officers said the drugs originated from South America and were bound for crime groups in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly said the drug seizure was the largest in Ireland's history.

Persons: Matthew ”, Gerry Harrahill, ” Justin Kelly, ” Kelly, Justin Kelly, Garda Síochána, ” Tony Geraghty Organizations: CNN, Revenue, Dublin, State, Garda, Irish Air Corps, Irish Revenue Customs Service, Irish Defence Forces, Irish Naval Service, Maritime Analysis, Narcotics, European Union Locations: Ireland, Cork, South America, County Wexford, United Kingdom, Europe, Dublin, Lisbon, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal

☆ Ireland in Record $166 Million Cocaine Seizure After Naval Operation
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish rangers made the country's biggest ever drugs seizure after a naval operation involving warning shots being fired at a Panamanian cargo vessel which had refused to follow instructions, authorities said on Wednesday. The seizure of 2,253 kg (4,967 pounds) of cocaine worth an estimated 157 million euros ($166 million) came after members of the army ranger wing boarded the vessel off the country's southeast coast using ropes dropped from a helicopter in high winds. "I cannot overemphasise the significance of this operation and the disruption that this is going to cause the organised criminal group behind the shipment," he told a press conference. Kelly said the cocaine was partly destined for the Irish market and that the organised crime group comprised a number of different elements across Europe. The operation was conducted in collaboration with a group comprising five other EU member states and Britain.

Persons: Justin Kelly, Kelly, Padraic Halpin, David Holmes Organizations: DUBLIN, Reuters Locations: Panamanian, Panama, South America, Europe, Britain, Spain, Netherlands, Poland

☆ A.I. Excels at Making Bad Art. Can an Artist Teach It to Create Something Good?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Zachary Small | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +15 min

“Is It Good Enough to Fool My Gallerist?” David Salle, one of America’s most thoughtful painters, hoped an A.I. “We are sending the machine to art school,” Salle quipped, before expounding on the principles of light, shadow, depth and volume that good painting requires. Safe to say that nobody would mistake this image for a Salle painting. Salle’s style has changed over the years, which made capturing his essence a little more challenging for an algorithm. Put through the blender of a machine, Salle’s art becomes a remix: a pastiche of pastiches.

Persons: ” David Salle, David Salle, ” Salle, wisps, ”, —, Justin Kaneps, Danika Laszuk, Grant Davis, Ben Lerner, “, David Salle ”, Hillary Clinton doppelgänger, Edward Hopper … …, Giorgio de Chirico, Bernini, Salle, Salle’s, Sarah French, ” Davis, David, John Baldessari, Peter Arno, Richard Prince, Cindy Sherman, Alex Katz, Katz, Jackson Pollock, Davis, … …, …, tutus, Barbara Gladstone, Arno, shrugged Organizations: The New York Times, New York Times, Whitney Museum of American Art, Betaworks, ” Salle, California Institute of, Arts, New Yorker, Salle Locations: ” Salle, ”, Seoul

☆ Read the 16-page pitch deck that 'Million Dollar Listing' star Josh Flagg and his cofounders used to raise $1.7 million for their real estate media startup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Celebrity real estate agent Josh Flagg, media exec Griff O'Brien, and investor Andrew Shanfeld have teamed up to launch Estate Media, a personality-driven media company. Real estate has become a huge pop culture topic, aided by reality TV series like "Selling Sunset" and the "Million Dollar Listing" franchise. The company will offer content created with a network of real estate personalities who, Estate Media said, reach a collective 25 million followers. While the real estate industry has come down from its pandemic frenzy, O'Brien believes Estate Media can ride ups and downs in the market. Scroll down to see the deck Estate Media used to raise its seed round.

Persons: Josh Flagg, Griff O'Brien, Andrew Shanfeld, O'Brien, Flagg, Shanfeld, Jack Davis, Chip, Joanna Gaines —, There's, Margot Ettedgui, TikToker Aaron Grushow, Robert Rivani, Glennda Baker, Ricky Carruth, Adam Weitsman, Chris Heller, Rich Antoniello, Austin Rief, Devin Emery, Brian Goldsmith, Ricky Van Veen, Justin Killion, Spence Markel Organizations: Estate Media, Entertainment, Crypt, HGTV, Los Angeles, Estate, Ojo Labs, Complex Networks, Austin, Morning, Growth Partners, Powerhouse Capital, CollegeHumor

☆ NFL Thursday Night Football: D’Andre Swift runs over Minnesota Vikings in Philadelphia Eagles win as Justin Jefferson makes history
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —D’Andre Swift put in a dominant performance as the Philadelphia Eagles punished an error-prone Minnesota Vikings on Thursday in 34-28 win. However, between Swift and quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Eagles were able to find enough explosive plays to keep Minnesota at bay. The Vikings’ quarterback was hit 10 times, including two sacks. “And our staff, we need to go back and continue to find ways to re-emphasize how important it is when you have the football in your hands playing for the Minnesota Vikings. Sue Ogrocki/AP Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Deven Thompkins runs with the ball during the fourth quarter of a 20-17 win against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Persons: CNN — D’Andre Swift, Swift, LeSean McCoy, ”, Nick Sirianni, “, Jalen, DeVonta Smith, Kirk Cousins, Terrell Edmunds, Fletcher Cox, Derik Hamilton, Kevin O’Connell, we’ve, ” O’Connell, I’ve, we’re, Aaron Rodgers, Leonard Floyd, Rodgers, Elsa, Christian McCaffrey, Justin K, Hayden Hurst, Richie Grant, Dale Zanine, Jakobi Meyers, Denver Broncos CB Damarri Mathis, Ron Chenoy, Joe Burrow, Grant Delpit, Sue Ogrocki, Deven Thompkins, Nick Wosika, JK Scott, Kirby Lee, Zay Flowers, Randy Litzinger, TJ Watt, Brock Purdy, Matt Freed, Patrick Mahomes, Jay Biggerstaff, Justin Jefferson, Jefferson, Odell Beckham Jr, Darius Slay, Michael Owens Organizations: CNN, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Eagles, Philadelphia, Detroit Lions, Research, Vikings, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, NFL, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Acrisure, Getty Images Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Benz, Falcons, USA, Network, Reuters Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos CB, Raiders, Reuters, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, US Bank, Los Angeles Chargers, JK, Miami Dolphins, Chargers, Dolphins, Reuters Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Baltimore, Texans, Getty Images Pittsburgh Steelers, Niners, Kansas City Chiefs Locations: Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Minneapolis, Missouri

CNN —New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will miss the rest of the 2023 NFL season after suffering a complete tear of his left Achilles tendon, according to multiple sources. CNN has reached out to the Jets and Rodgers’ representatives for details. He was attended to by Jets medical staff before being helped off the field at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, making his debut with the New York Jets, is sacked by Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd. The Jets built absolutely everything in their team, in their season, the entire organization shaped around Aaron Rodgers and he deserved it.

Persons: Aaron Rodgers, Rodgers, Robert Saleh, Leonard Floyd, Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Elsa, Christian McCaffrey, Justin K, Hayden Hurst, Richie Grant, Dale Zanine, Jakobi Meyers, Denver Broncos CB Damarri Mathis, Ron Chenoy, Joe Burrow, Grant Delpit, Sue Ogrocki, Deven Thompkins, Nick Wosika, JK Scott, Kirby Lee, Zay Flowers, Randy Litzinger, TJ Watt, Brock Purdy, Matt Freed, Patrick Mahomes, Jay Biggerstaff, Zach Wilson, Xavier Gipson, Mike Greenberg, Seth Wenig, ” Greenberg, ” Organizations: CNN, New York Jets, Jets, ” Jets, Buffalo Bills, Bills, MetLife, NFL, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Acrisure, Getty Images Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, Benz, Falcons, USA, Network, Reuters Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos CB, Raiders, Reuters, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, US Bank, Los Angeles Chargers, JK, Miami Dolphins, Chargers, Dolphins, Reuters Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Baltimore, Texans, Getty Images Pittsburgh Steelers, Niners, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, ESPN Locations: East Rutherford , New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Minneapolis, Missouri, New York City , Washington, DC, Shanksville , Pennsylvania

☆ Why are all the cool Kit Kats only available internationally?
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Danielle Wiener-Bronner | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

They create buzz and urgency, which help decades-old brands like Kit Kat stay relevant. A few years later, Rowntree’s renamed the product Kit Kat Chocolate Crisp. Nigel Roddis/ReutersAfter manufacturing and distributing Kit Kat for decades, the British company entered into a deal with Hershey, giving it control over US Kit Kat distribution in 1970. Nostalgic candies, like traditional Kit Kat bars, exert a powerful hold over those who loved them in their childhood, she noted. When people reach for a Kit Kat, they’re reaching for a reliable jolt of sweetness and good feelings, she said.

Persons: Kit, Kit Kat, Kat, Kats, Behrouz Mehri, Nestlé, Lynn Dornblaser, Dornblaser, “, Kit Kat wasn’t, Chocolate Crisp, Rowntree’s, Kat Chocolate Crisp, Rowntree's Kit Kat, Nigel Roddis, Hershey, Kit Kats, Rowntree Mackintosh, Milo Kit Kat, Chris O’Donnell, ”, O’Donnell, it’s, Milo, Kit Kat Japan, Kat Churro, Justin Kukura, Marcia Mogelonsky, they’re Organizations: New, New York CNN, Target, Walmart, Hershey, Getty, Mintel Consulting, Reuters, Nestlé, Lotus, Hershey Company Locations: New York, United States, Japan, AFP, British, Hershey , Pennsylvania, ., Australia, Hershey

☆ Negasi Zuberi: Man accused of holding a woman in a cinder block 'dungeon' in his Klamath Falls, Oregon, home has pleaded not guilty
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Sara Smart Emma Tucker Joe Sutton Andy Rose | Sara Smart | Emma Tucker | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Zuberi was taken into federal custody after a woman escaped from his Klamath Falls home last month, according to a news release from the FBI field office in Portland. The woman was kidnapped from Seattle and sexually assaulted before being placed in a “makeshift cell” in Zuberi’s garage, investigators said. “Zuberi told the victim she was under arrest,” the Klamath Falls Police Department said in a news release. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where detectives responded to a report of a rape victim, according to Klamath Falls police. Klamath Falls Mayor Carol Westfall told the local newspaper Herald and News that she and her husband own the home where Zuberi allegedly held the woman.

Persons: Negasi Zuberi, Zuberi, Heather Fraley, Negasi, “ Zuberi, “, banged, ”, Carol Westfall, Westfall, ” Westfall, Stephanie Shark, Zuberi –, Justin Hyche, Justin Kouassi – Organizations: CNN, FBI, Investigators, Klamath, Klamath Falls Police Department, Portland, Police, FBI Portland, Herald, ”, Authorities Locations: Oregon, Klamath, Portland, Seattle, Zuberi’s, Washoe, Klamath Falls, Reno , Nevada, Zuberi, California , Washington , Oregon, Colorado , Utah, Florida , New York , New Jersey , Alabama, Nevada

☆ Wild transcripts show Rudy Giuliani made lewd comments to his rape accuser, insulted Jewish mens' genitals, and accused Matt Damon of being gay
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

These are my tits," Giuliani told Dunphy on March 12, 2019, according to one transcript filed as a court exhibit. "I want to own you, officially," Giuliani told Dunphy according to a March 4, 2019 transcript, punctuated by her affirmative response. "I can't think about you or I get hard," Giuliani told Dunphy, according to the transcript. We've had this like, affair for two years and I'm friendly with her husband," Giuliani told Dunphy, according to the transcript. According to other transcripts, Giuliani claimed Jewish men have small penises compared to Italians (Giuliani is Italian) and complained about Jewish religious holidays.

Persons: Rudy Giuliani, Giuliani, Noelle Dunphy, Donald Trump, Dunphy, Mr, Maria Ryan, Justin Kelton, Dunphy's, Giuliani didn't, sapiosexuality, Trump, Kelton, Alex Wong, Ryan, We've, Ryan couldn't, Bob, Michael Bloomberg, Matt Damon, Damon Organizations: Service, New, FBI, Bloomberg Locations: Wall, Silicon, New York, Italian, Egypt

☆ 13 signs you're smarter than you think you are
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Shana Lebowitz | Áine Cain | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Potential signs of high intelligence include being messy and worrying a lot. Check out the list below and see if any of these signs apply to you. In other words, smart people often underestimate their brain power. If you're not too sure about your own intellect, it could indicate that you're pretty intelligent — thoughtful enough to realize your limitations, at least. Here are some subtle signs that you are considerably smarter than you think.

Persons: Shakespeare, David Dunning, Justin Kruger, Dunning, Kruger, — Organizations: Service, Cornell University Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Rudy Giuliani is in settlement talks with sexual abuse accuser Noelle Dunphy
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Rudy Giuliani is in talks to settle a sexual abuse lawsuit brought by Noelle Dunphy. Katz was arguing that Giuliani shouldn't be forced to pay fees for improperly trying to move Dunphy's lawsuit from Manhattan state court to federal court. The case was sent back to New York state courtIn June, Katz tried to move the case to federal court. US District Judge Edgardo Ramos sent the case back to state court during the court conference on Friday, after Katz backtracked on the move. He told Insider that he looks "forward to prosecuting this case in New York State Court where it belongs."

Persons: Rudy Giuliani, Noelle Dunphy, Dunphy, —, Giuliani's, Adam S, Katz, Giuliani shouldn't, Justin Kelton, Kelton, Giuliani, Donald Trump, Edgardo Ramos, Katz backtracked, Ramos, I'm, Judge Ramos, Joe Biden, Jack Smith, Trump, Biden Organizations: Service, New, New York City, FBI, Court, New York, Voting Systems, Trump, Justice Locations: New York, Manhattan, Florida, New, Smartmatic, Washington, Pennsylvania

☆ Bournemouth sign Kluivert from Roma
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

June 23 (Reuters) - Bournemouth have signed Dutch winger Justin Kluivert from Serie A side AS Roma on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club said on Friday. Kluivert, son of ex-Netherlands striker Patrick Kluivert, has joined for a reported 9.6 million pounds ($12.21 million). "We are delighted to have made Justin our first signing ahead of the new season," Bournemouth chief executive Neill Blake said in a statement. Kluivert, who has two caps, also had loan spells with Bundesliga side RB Leipzig and Ligue 1 team Nice. Bournemouth face Maccabi Tel Aviv in Marbella on July 16 before hosting Atalanta two weeks later and Lorient on Aug. 5.

Persons: Justin Kluivert, Kluivert, Patrick Kluivert, Justin our, Neill Blake, Justin, pacey, Janina Nuno Rios, Ken Ferris Organizations: Bournemouth, Serie, AS Roma, Premier League, Bundesliga, RB Leipzig, Ligue, Nice, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Atalanta, Thomson Locations: Dutch, Netherlands, Valencia, Europe, Marbella, Lorient, Mexico City

☆ Rudy Giuliani asks judge to toss 'salacious' references to his appearance in 'Borat' movie, denies making racist remarks and selling pardons in response to ex-staffer's sex-abuse lawsuit
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Jennifer Cunningham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rudy Giuliani asked a judge to toss parts of the sex-abuse lawsuit against him. Giuliani also denied selling pardons for Trump and making discriminatory remarks. Those claims, Giuliani said, are either false or don't bolster Dunphy's underlying claims that he sexually assaulted her. According to Dunphy's lawsuit, Giuliani behaved the same way in his apartment with her and then forced her to give him oral sex. Noelle Dunphy's lawsuit includes allegations of sexual abuse, using Rudy Giuliani's presence in the "Borat" sequel as a reference point.

Persons: Rudy Giuliani, Giuliani, —, Noelle Dunphy's, Dunphy, Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani's, Noelle Dunphy, Adam Katz, –, Dunphy's, Justin Kelton, Giuliani's Organizations: Trump, Service

That month, it announced five new agreements with multi-unit operators to condense and transfer more than 230 existing restaurants. "There is strong interest in growth opportunities with Subway from multi-unit operators," Subway said in a statement to Reuters for this story. Klein, the franchise attorney, said that since 2022, his firm examined three multi-unit Subway deals on behalf of clients interested in investing in the chain for the first time. Of the 100 largest multi-unit U.S. restaurant franchisees by revenue in 2022, none had a Subway in their portfolio, according to a ranking by Franchise Times magazine. Instead, top franchisees owned hundreds of Wendy's (WEN.O), Yum Brands' (YUM.N) Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, Restaurant Brands' Burger King, Dine Brands' (DIN.N) Applebee's and other chains.

Persons: Justin Klein, John Gordon, Klein, it's, Gordon, Burger, Alicia Miller, Hilary Russ, Matthew Lewis Organizations: YORK, Subway, Reuters, QSR Magazine, Restaurant Brands International Inc, Times, Yum Brands, Bell, Restaurant Brands, Catalyst Insight, Thomson Locations: United States, U.S, Miami, Jersey, New York, Nevada, New Mexico

☆ ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Review: Worlds Wide Web
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Maya Phillips | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Both “Spider-Verse” films, in what will be a trilogy, create dimension in these kinds of details, and I don’t just mean the animation. Because what else is adolescence but a confrontation with the various possibilities in life, the infinite selves you can be? The fact that Miles and Gwen also shoot webs and swing around skyscrapers is incidental to their emotional arcs in the film. “Spider-Verse” also asks intriguing questions about the limitations of the canon, and whether tragedy is a prerequisite for a Spider-Man origin story — the death of an Uncle Ben or Aunt May or Uncle Aaron. But “Across the Spider-Verse” is never dull, nor precious with its characters and comedy.

Persons: Gwen, Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K, Thompson, Miles, Uncle Ben, Uncle Aaron, —, three’s Locations: New York, Jamaican, two’s

☆ The Inspirations Behind ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Carlos Aguilar | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In the 2018 animated hit “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” Miles Morales, a Brooklyn teenage superhero in development, receives multiple unexpected visits from other dimensions. For the film’s sequel, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” it’s Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) who must follow Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld), a version of Spider-Woman, into new realms where other spider people exist. “It’s almost like we’re jumping from one book to another,” Thompson said. Rick Leonardi, who designed the comic “Spider-Man 2099,” came on board to help devise 3-D animation tools that could emulate his line work. And Brian Stelfreeze, a seasoned artist for Marvel Comics, was instrumental in formulating the film’s take on Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman.

Persons: ” Miles Morales, ” it’s Morales, Shameik Moore, Gwen Stacy, Hailee, Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K, Thompson, Miles, Stan Lee, Steve Ditko’s arachnid, “, ” Thompson, ”, Rick Leonardi, Brian Stelfreeze, Jessica Drew Organizations: Marvel Comics Locations: Brooklyn

☆ Silicon Valley Founders and VCs Are Making Sobriety Popular
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Samantha Stokes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Sellers is among a growing contingent in the tech community that's going alcohol-free. From founders to investors, members of the startup community are eschewing booze in the name of staying sharp — and healthy. "About six months ago, I stopped drinking alcohol. That's really hard because in this industry, you have to be high energy. That's really hard because in this industry, you have to be high energy.

☆ BuzzFeed is shutting down its news arm and parting with 2 top executives
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

BuzzFeed News is shutting down as part of broader cuts at BuzzFeed that sent its stock price tumbling. The digital media company has struggled financially since its 2021 IPO. BuzzFeed is shutting down BuzzFeed News along with making layoffs of 15% in divisions across the organization, according to a memo shared with Insider. Two top BuzzFeed execs, Christian Baesler, COO, and Edgar Hernandez, CRO, are leaving the company as well. A handful of top execs from BuzzFeed's Complex Networks left as part of that round, including Complex's president, Justin Killion.

☆ Global Executives Say Greenwashing Remains Rife
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Rochelle Toplensky | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Most global executives think greenwashing is widespread in their industry, and despite customers becoming more vocal about preferring sustainable brands, many companies are cutting corners on their environmental, social and corporate governance initiatives. PREVIEWThe risk of greenwashing is increasing with crackdowns on overstated green claims on both sides of the Atlantic. Despite that threat, the figures are consistent with last year’s findings: Nearly 60% say their own organization is overstating its sustainability methods. Nearly three-quarters of executives said they want to advance sustainability efforts but don’t actually know how to go about doing it. Most executives surveyed—85%—said customers and clients are becoming more vocal about their preference for engaging with sustainable brands.

☆ Here's an exclusive look at the pitch deck that Y Combinator alum Opkit, a health insurance verification startup, used to raise funding from investors like Plaid CEO Zach Perret's VC firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Opkit is a startup that helps telehealth companies verify and process patient health insurance. Software engineers Sherwood Callaway and Justin Ko first met as early employees at the fintech startup Brex and became fast friends. As more telehealth companies were popping up after the pandemic, they often had issues with quickly processing patient health insurance for care, Callaway told Insider. Opkit also offers providers an insurance dashboard, that allows telehealth employees to perform eligibility checks or inquiries to insurance companies about specific patients' plans. "Opkit was our first experience doing venture fundraising, and Y Combinator really helped us make connections with investors," said Callaway.

☆ Britain's salad vegetable crisis its own fault, says former Sainsbury's boss
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The crisis has been exacerbated by less winter production in greenhouses in Britain and the Netherlands due to high energy costs. "We could have chosen to subsidise the energy this winter as we have done for other industries." Horticulture has been excluded from a government Energy and Trade Intensive Industries scheme (ETII) that provides help with energy costs. King said that most UK supermarkets still had "very good" supply of salad vegetables coming in but overall the country is short. "That's why supermarkets introduce fair purchase policies so that 'real' customers are able to buy the one or two that they really need."

☆ See 32 pitch decks that some of the hottest proptech startups used to raise millions from top VCs like SoftBank and a16z
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-17 | by ( Alex Nicoll | James Rodriguez | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

VC investment fell by 38% in 2022, but the technological transformation of real estate continues. investment fell by 38% in 2022, but the technological transformation real estate continues. Early innovators like Zillow showed that there was a place for real estate on the internet, while investments from firms like SoftBank showed that big money was paying attention. Insider has collected 32 pitch decks that successful firms have used to raise funding from VCs and private-equity firms. Clockwork AnalyticsThe pandemic laid bare the necessity of a technological transformation of commercial real estate.

FAA officials said a preliminary review traced the outage to a damaged database file, but added there was no evidence of a cyberattack and the investigation was continuing. FAA officials said they were working to "further pinpoint the causes" so the problem can be avoided in the future. One issue airlines are facing is trying to get planes in and out of crowded gates, which is causing further delays. He described confusion as airline employees and many passengers were initially unaware of the FAA's moves and flight delays. The U.S. Travel Association, which represents the travel industry including airlines, called the FAA system failure "catastrophic."

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