🧠“Severed” – AppleTV+ dirty secret. Ben & Jerry’s chocolatey lawsuit. Nvidia’s AI Super Bowl.
Mar 21, 2025
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Ben & Jerry's is making headlines with a legal showdown against Unilever over corporate governance and political activism. Meanwhile, Apple TV+ is struggling financially, largely due to its costly content strategy. The discussion also dives into NVIDIA's impressive evolution, showcasing its partnerships with big names like Disney and Taco Bell at their recent AI conference. The hosts explore how these developments highlight shifts in corporate dynamics and innovation.
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Quick takeaways
Apple TV Plus faces financial struggles, losing around one billion dollars annually due to its inability to attract subscribers despite critical acclaim.
Ben & Jerry's lawsuit against Unilever emphasizes the importance of maintaining brand identity and autonomy amidst corporate mergers and social activism challenges.
Deep dives
Apple TV Plus Faces Financial Challenges
Apple TV Plus is celebrating the season finale of the acclaimed series Severance, but the streaming service is struggling financially, losing approximately one billion dollars annually. Despite achieving critical acclaim with Emmy-winning shows like Ted Lasso and The Morning Show, Apple TV Plus constitutes only 1% of the overall streaming market, reflecting its struggle to attract subscribers. Apple's high spending on content, which costs around $5 billion per year, along with several missteps, such as restricting access to Apple devices only and high hardware prices, contribute to its financial woes. To establish a more profitable service, Apple must adopt a growth-oriented mindset and expand its subscriber base.
Ben & Jerry's Legal Battle with Unilever
Ben & Jerry's has initiated legal proceedings against its parent company, Unilever, claiming wrongful termination of its CEO and interference with its social activism. The lawsuit highlights a Mission-Driven Governance Clause established during the merger, which allows Ben & Jerry's to operate independently regarding social causes and activism. This ongoing conflict mirrors past issues faced by other brands, like Barstool Sports, illustrating the complexity of mergers where parent companies aim to suppress the outspoken identities of their acquisitions. As Unilever contemplates spinning off Ben & Jerry's into a separate entity, the ice cream company seeks to reclaim its autonomy and brand identity.
NVIDIA Hosts the Super Bowl of AI
NVIDIA recently transformed its annual GPU tech conference into a high-profile event dubbed the 'Super Bowl of AI', attracting significant media attention and industry partnerships. The event featured striking collaborations with major brands, including Taco Bell and General Motors, marking a notable shift in how the tech industry connects with consumer markets. NVIDIA's CEO, Jensen Huang, has cultivated a celebrity-like status as he showcases innovations in AI technology that extend beyond traditional computing. This strategic approach parallels the 'Barbie effect', where brands seek associations that enhance their value, indicating that even in the tech realm, popularity is shifting towards consumer-facing engagements.
Ben & Jerry are trying to buy back their company… and it reminds us of
The Super Bowl of AI just went down… Nvidia now plays with Disney, Taco Bell, and Barbie.
AppleTV+ is the only Apple product *losing* money... because it’s missing a Growth Mindset.
Plus, there are a dozen real-life companies in America named… Lumon. #Severance
$UL $NVDA $AAPL
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