The Best One Yet 🌮 “Choco Taco 2.0” — Salt & Straw’s Taco Bell collab. Electric Cars’ last call. Interview with Friend AI’s CEO. +AOL RIP
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Oct 3, 2025 
Avi Schiffman, founder and CEO of Friend, dives into the world of AI companionship, revealing plans for a Friend AI movie and discussing his product's cultural marketing strategies. He explores the challenges of manufacturing and fundraising while maintaining a focus on user privacy. The hosts also chat about Taco Bell and Salt & Straw's nostalgic revival of the Choco Taco, and share insights on the recent record sales in the electric vehicle market, comparing trends to the cannabis industry and the internet.
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AOL's Emotional Asset Value
- AOL's sale shows how emotional value can eclipse financial value in legacy tech brands.
- Nick and Jack highlight that screen names hold surprising cultural and transactional worth today.
Engineering Revived A Cult Treat
- Salt & Straw solved the Choco Taco's shipping problem with new engineering and coating order.
- The collaboration with Taco Bell revives the product by combining niche creativity with mass distribution.
A New Collab Playbook
- Big-brand Ă— small-brand collabs add distribution to coolness and speed to scale.
- Hosts call this the 'big sister, little sister' playbook for more meaningful partnerships.