Dive into the secretive world of Mars, Incorporated, a candy and pet care titan. Uncover the fascinating origins of iconic treats like M&M’s and Snickers, and explore the family dynamics behind this private empire. Learn about the transformational journey of Frank Mars, from childhood struggles to candy mogul, and discover how the company evolved into a powerhouse in pet food. Plus, explore innovative marketing strategies and the chocolate-making process, revealing the sweet secrets that shaped the industry.

Dive into the fascinating journey of IKEA, from its humble beginnings in rural Sweden to becoming a global retail titan with a unique cash flow model. Discover how flat-packed furniture revolutionized logistics and affordability. Explore the clever integration of food offerings that enhance customer engagement and the company's innovative marketing strategies that made furniture accessible. Uncover the intriguing complexities of IKEA's governance structure and how its founder's vision continues to shape its identity in today's competitive landscape.

Meta is a company everyone knows (literally, everyone). But, somehow, it’s also a company that few people feel they actually understand. Their products are used by more humans than any other’s in history — almost half of the entire world’s population daily. But… what is Meta? Why do they do what they do? How do they do what they do? Ask ten people and you’ll likely get ten very different sets of answers.Today, we dive deeper than we’ve ever gone trying to find Acquired’s answers to those questions. And after months of research and 6+ hours of incredible stories about how they (and really “they” being Mark himself) bet it all and win time and time again in the face of overwhelming odds, we arrive at our answers. Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads, AI, Oculus, Orion, it’s all here. Tune in for one of the greatest corporate stories of all time: Meta, a Mark Zuckerberg Production.Sponsors:Many thanks to our fantastic Fall ‘24 Season partners:J.P. Morgan PaymentsStatsigCrusoeHuntressLinks:Please take our 2024 Acquired Survey if you have a minute. It'd mean the world to us! https://acquired.fm/surveyOur past episodes on Instagram, WhatsApp, Oculus, Snapchat, the Snap IPO, TikTok, NVIDIA, Microsoft, and the Mark Zuckerberg InterviewWorldly Partners: Meta multi-decade studyEpisode sourcesCarve Outs:Ben Cohen’s piece on NotebookLMMr. McMahonThe Dwarkesh PodcastMore Acquired:Get email updates with hints on next episode and follow-ups from recent episodesJoin the SlackSubscribe to ACQ2Check out the latest swag in the ACQ Merch Store!© Copyright 2024 ACQ, LLC‍Note: Acquired hosts and guests may hold assets discussed in this episode. This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

Daniel Ek, co-founder and CEO of Spotify, discusses the integration of social features in music streaming. Emily Chang shares insights on tech journalism and the evolution of content creation, while Jensen Huang highlights NVIDIA's role in AI advancements. Mark Zuckerberg reflects on Meta's journey and the impact of social networks. The group also explores the financial success of Taylor Swift and the innovations in finance by JP Morgan Payments, celebrating milestones and the future of technology and entrepreneurship.

Mark Zuckerberg, the iconic founder and CEO of Meta, offers a candid look at his journey and the future of technology. He shares insights from the early days of Facebook, revealing the pain of entrepreneurship and the importance of learning from challenges. Zuckerberg discusses the evolution of AR technology, emphasizing its role in enhancing human connections. He also reflects on his unique leadership style at Meta, showcasing a commitment to innovation and accountability, even amidst public scrutiny and market dynamics.

Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, joins to discuss the upcoming live show at the Chase Center in San Francisco. The excitement around community engagement is palpable as hosts reflect on their podcast's impressive growth, spurred by a Wall Street Journal feature. They touch on the unpredictable nature of business success and tease future live events. Parenting insights come into play with recommendations for strollers and family vacations, highlighting the fun and challenges of traveling with young children.

Explore Microsoft's journey from browser wars and DOJ case to Xbox, Nokia, mobile, social, and Azure success. Discover how Satya Nadella revived Microsoft, the rise of Windows 95, the battle of browsers, and the strategic partnership with Apple. Dive into Microsoft's legal battles, transformation into enterprise IT, revenue streams, and struggles with Windows Longhorn and Vista. Analyze Microsoft's challenges in programmatic advertising, search market share, and investment in Facebook. Delve into Microsoft's presence in the mobile market, transition from Windows 7 to 8, successors for Bill Gates, Azure's evolution, and strategic decisions under different CEOs.

Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz joins the podcast to share the journey of Starbucks from a small Seattle roaster to a global giant with 40,000 locations. Topics include overcoming challenges, expanding internationally, unique branding strategies, employee benefits, and maintaining authenticity amidst growth.

Dive into Microsoft's powerful journey from a teenage dream to a tech giant, covering major milestones like Windows 95's grand launch, strategic partnerships with IBM, and the evolution of enterprise sales strategies. Learn about Microsoft's innovative technology, legal challenges, and intense competition with industry rivals. Discover the early days of Microsoft Research, the strategic success behind their global expansion, and the leap from IBM's dominance. Also, explore hardware failures, Andre 3000's music comeback, meta Raybans, and wearable camera experiences in this captivating episode.

Explore the enigmatic success of Renaissance Technologies, a finance firm driven by scientists using math, computers, and AI to generate incredible returns. Follow the rebellious mathematicians who “solved the market” with a system that outperformed for 34 years, never losing money. Unveil the evolution of RenTec from manual trading to groundbreaking data-driven strategies, and their creation of the Medallion Fund. Delve into the intricate dynamics, innovative strategies, culture, and unique financial mechanics that set RenTec apart in the financial world.