W50: Midweek
This week we're looking for the possibility and the opportunity, especially when the core of an issue seems rather bleak. Here are a few things to consider:
Paramount is cutting staff to unify its distribution teams as it plans a merger with Skydance Media in 2025. Fortunately, the layoffs are expected to only affect a "handful" of people. As media companies and streaming services continue to solidify their strategies and consolidate their teams, there will be a surplus of experienced talent. Where can their skills be best leveraged to expand our access to information and entertainment?
After a significant misfire, Sonos is initiating a return to office, focused principally on product teams associated with its app. Given their remote-friendly path, they will soon have some workforce burdened with an in-office commute, and others that remain working how they did previously. We're increasingly seeing this divergence between truly remote workers, and those who simply stopped coming in to the office but remained in place. We wouldn't be surprised for commute privileges to play a bigger role in compensation negotiation and for location to once again become a hiring qualification.
The Brutalist, an Oscar-nominated film from A24, is going to IMAX. The large format presentation promises to highlight the cinematic and technical achievements of the film. At a time when fewer films are getting large theatrical releases, it's great to see a film that's getting a proper presentation.
Google's Project Mariner opens the doors to its AI Agents, giving machine the limited capacity to make direct manipulations of your Chrome browser, including the ability to click buttons, submit forms, and handle other day-to-day functions. This is the true start of intelligent automation - taking tasks that would typically have been impossible to automate and making them part of an AI-driven process. Where can this have the greatest benefit to us as people?
The Arctic is once again "uncharted territory" as warming climates have lead to instability in the permafrost. The tundra, previously a non-emitting carbon sink, has begun to thaw and subsequently release carbon dioxide. The warning signs of various climate shifts were made apparent - we're now experiencing the reality of their passing. What can be done given this new reality?
Traditional printing continues to show surprising strength, according to Harper-Collins CEO Brian Murray, with audiobooks continuing to grow in popularity. We're finding the endurance of traditional analog reality to have surprising staying power, especially in entertainment. What's next, alongside vinyl, film, and books?