Cord Cutting — Startups — Movie Release Disruptions — Facebook Messenger — Back to the 80s
Gruvi Weekly Digest #2 — A weekly catch up on what we found interesting at Gruvi.
If you wonder what the future will bring, according to Nielsen, we’ll actually be seeing more, rather than less cords and wires. We tend to doubt that, but we are more confident in the fact that Facebook’s Messenger will continue to develop to insert itself in all aspects of our daily communication. Likewise, we are looking forward to follow the shifts that Neflix’s activity will cause in current practices of movie releasing. When it comes to startups, the future is uncertain by default, but that is not good enough reason to disregard it. Last, but not least, some 80s nostalgia, courtesy of Computer Show, to celebrate Back to the Future Day.
Matt, Operations Lead
The Cable Industry Thinks Cord Cutting’s A Fad That Will End Once Millennials Procreate (via TechDirt.com)
Nielsen, the US TV ratings company, thinks ‘cord-cutting’ is a fad that will end as millennials start having families. No, seriously. As this article points out, Nielsen also seems to be ignoring the ‘cord-nevers’, for whom the idea of paying a fortune for a catalogue of extraneous channels has never been as appealing as streaming content on demand for a fraction of the price. It’s not a good sign if anyone in the industry genuinely believes this; traditional TV needs to evolve if it is to survive.
Ben, CEO
Facebook Messenger: inside Zuckerberg’s app for everything (via Wired)
Facebook’s emphasis on its Messenger services is a very interesting strategic long term play and has the potential to be the company’s next big global platform. In the interview with David Marcus, the Messenger platform will be opening up to select partners such as ESPN, Giphy, Boostr, Dubsmash and Talking Tom?—?to build new “tools for expression” that would let users create and share content inside the app. He also revealed this it would let users communicate with businesses just as if they were friends?—?through simple conversation threads that would let them “make a reservation, buy something, change shipping information…”.
Mirona, Gruvi’s Go Getter
Theaters are boycotting Netflix’s first feature film, which is great for Netflix (via Quartz)
The day and date release of Beast of No Nation on October 16th has ruffled some feathers down the exhibition chain and has further confirmed that cinema exhibition is on its way to a fundamental change. Where venues (choose to) lose out, filmmakers win. Especially those who have seen their mid-budget projects of thoughtful and well crafted offering stuck in limbo, to the benefit of massive budget tentpole franchises. The results of Netflix’s bold move are surely eagerly expected across the film industry.
Julio, CTO
Default Alive or Default Dead? (via paulgraham.com)
Graham calls attention to an attitude often seen in the circle of startup kiddies: the lack of an understanding or care about basic things like a burn rate. Too regularly are startups seen as enterprises to attract venture capital rather than sustainable businesses in themselves. When combined with a lack of honesty towards oneself and one’s team, this attitude frequently results in a giant waste of time for everyone involved.
Johnny, Lead Developer
Computer Show (via computer.show)
Adam Lisagor has been directing and producing product and startup videos through Sandwich Video for a few years, combining smart effects with his own persona and sense of humour to create memorable adverts for companies like Slack, Aeropress and others. Computer Show is a faux 80s talk show, where interviewees struggle to make their points and present their products to the clueless know-it-all hosting the show. Today’s Silicon Valley startups bathed in that 80s nostalgia kids these days know and love.
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