Tag: TikTok

META: Where Will Growth Come From?

META: Where Will Growth Come From?

Analysts estimate that META will grow revenues in 2023 over 2022. However, the estimates I see imply that revenue growth will be back-end loaded. We know how that usually ends. I see META struggling to generate year-over-year Revenue growth and expect for 2023 to be a down Revenue year. Zuckerberg is not an Operator. META's … Continue reading META: Where Will Growth Come From?

FTC Sues To Block Microsoft’s Activision Acquisition

FTC Sues To Block Microsoft’s Activision Acquisition

Lina Khan's FTC is bad news. It reminds me of the FTC during the Obama Administration - quick to pick a fight with companies (I know from first-hand experience), without understanding the competitive landscape or how markets work. In this case, Microsoft's Xbox unit is the platform and Activision is the content publisher that will … Continue reading FTC Sues To Block Microsoft’s Activision Acquisition

META & The UFC?

META & The UFC?

Meta Platforms (META) would provide the UFC an on-ramp to the metaverse. The UFC would provide META with valuable global content that could both serve as grist for META's virtual reality mill and provide META with a competitive edge in the content wars versus TikTok, Apple (AAPL), Amazon/Prime Video/Twitch (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Google/YouTube (GOOG), Microsoft/Xbox … Continue reading META & The UFC?

The Metaverse Is The Least of META’s Problems

The Metaverse Is The Least of META’s Problems

Meta Platforms (META), has serious challenges in front of it: Apple's permission-based Ad tracking has hit META and other iOS app developers hard. Apple's iOS change is the primary reason why META's average price per Ad dropped 14% in the June quarter. This reality is not going away and META would be smart to find … Continue reading The Metaverse Is The Least of META’s Problems

META’s Remake Is No Sure Bet

META’s Remake Is No Sure Bet

META's remake is no sure bet. The Facebook blue business is yesterday's business. Its best attribute is that it generates significant free cash flow that may be deployed toward remaking the company.Instagram is in the process of being retooled. IG's recommendation algos are being rewritten to more closely match TikTok's - meaning users would see … Continue reading META’s Remake Is No Sure Bet

Twitter Made Its Own Bed

Twitter Made Its Own Bed

Years of weak management and weak corporate governance are the reasons why Twitter is in the mess it is in. Twitter has been social media's weak sibling since its inception, trailing some combination of Facebook/Instagram and TikTok for over a decade. The fact that Twitter is in the position it is in is hardly a … Continue reading Twitter Made Its Own Bed

Most Popular Social Networks Among Teens

Most Popular Social Networks Among Teens

TikTok Gains, Facebook Loses and Don't Forget YouTube Some highlights (click here to download table): Snapchat has lost popularity among teens since 2018.TikTok has become the leading social media platform among teens.Instagram has lost share among teens since 2019.Twitter and Facebook were the biggest losers among teens (2012-2020).YouTube was not part of the survey yet … Continue reading Most Popular Social Networks Among Teens

The Marriage of Big Tech and Big Government

The Marriage of Big Tech and Big Government

A Big Tech vs. Big Government showdown is far less likely than a marriage of the titans. Whether it be Google's search monopoly, the Facebook/ Twitter/ TikTok social media oligopoly, the AWS/ Azure/ GCP oligopoly, the App Store/ Google Play duopoly, or the iOS/Android duopoly, the amount of power and influence concentrated among the world's … Continue reading The Marriage of Big Tech and Big Government

Narcissist CEOs Drive Risky Corporate Behavior

Narcissist CEOs Drive Risky Corporate Behavior

CEOs that allow themselves to be ruled by ego and emotion, that need to see their name in news headlines ("Narcissist" CEOs as defined by Stanford Professor Charles O'Reilly), are more likely to take significant risks - including impulsive M&A transactions - at the expense of a thoughtful, long-term operating strategy. Stanford's O'Reilly has done … Continue reading Narcissist CEOs Drive Risky Corporate Behavior

Questionable M&A Strategy (Oracle) and Due Diligence (GM)

Questionable M&A Strategy (Oracle) and Due Diligence (GM)

Two head-scratching Technology deals. Oracle's TikTok deal appears to be smoke and mirrors while GM's due diligence on its Nikola deal appears to be surface-level at best. Both wreak of desperation. Oracle's TikTok deal is high on sizzle, low on substance. Assuming the Oracle/TikTok deal receives U.S. government approval and ultimately closes (we are not … Continue reading Questionable M&A Strategy (Oracle) and Due Diligence (GM)