The Edge by MGR

We are leaving SoundCloud for another podcast host which means our podcasts will no longer be appearing on SoundCloud. Subscribe to the podcast at any of these places to keep listening: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-edge-by-mgr/id1331802408 Google Play: https://play.google.com/music/m/Ivzoezkfxrsdhna3oirnckkskre?t=The_Edge_by_MGR Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1331802408/the-edge-by-mgr Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-edge-by-mgr Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5TtzsHjYua9rMHR7UhkA3r

David Gil speaks with Travis Walker, the co-founder and CMO of ARK. ARK is arguably one of the most ambitious tech projects being worked on currently. They discuss many things, including including how to compete with multi-billion dollar companies like Google & Facebook, what he looks for when hiring new people for his team, how his team is able to work remotely rather than being based in Silicon Valley or some other tech hub, why Ark chose to go with DPoS over other consensus mechanisms (don’t worry if you’re not sure what that means, we’ll explain it) and much, much more. MGR Unplugged Podcast: https://mgredge.com/mgr-unplugged/ Topics: (4:10) – Travis’ background and what led him to co-found ARK. (5:07) – What is the goal of ARK? (5:47) – How Travis approaches the marketing and UX of a complicated tech product. (6:12) – With all of ARK’s major ambitions, what is the primary focus for the team currently? (10:00) – Where Travis sees ARK being in 3-5 years. (12:12) – Why ARK chose not to centrally locate in a tech hub like Silicon Valley and instead chose to work remote, and what challenges or advantages that choice brings. (13:55) – The main character traits Travis looks for when hiring. (15:57) – How a small teams of 20-30 people like ARK are able to take on multi-billion dollar behemoths like Facebook, Google, IBM, and others. (18:00) – Why ARK chose DPoS over other consensus mechanisms like PoW or PoS. (18:38) – Why 51 delegates is the optimum number for a DPoS system. (20:33) – Should delegates be able to remain anonymous or should their identities be revealed? (22:04) – What are smartbridges and how do they work? (24:36) – With which major blockchains does ARK currently function? (26:45) – What decentralized applications (dApps) Travis thinks have the most promise. (27:40) – Is there potential for a blockchain based, decentralized social network? (30:00) – Of all the places Travis has traveled in the past few years, which destination was his favorite? Check our other stuff out too: The Edge: https://mgredge.com Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: http://MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency

There's a lot of outcry over data privacy, but far fewer solutions. David Gil discusses how we can balance privacy with having access to modern convenience and apps that require data to be useful. Then, he talks about what the ultimate solution could be, and if there even is one. Full Show Notes: https://mgredge.com/the-datapocalypse-how-do-we-solve-one-of-the-biggest-challenges-of-our-time/ Topics: Is it your responsibility to read all Terms & Conditions? – (2:16) Free apps are probably selling your data – (3:22) Is giving up privacy worth the convenience of great services? – (8:10) Should all free platforms offer a paid “Privacy” version? – (15:04) Should governments intervene? – (22:10) How GDPR hurt small businesses – (23:24) Australia’s short sighted “Violent” content law – (24:28) Check our other stuff out too: The Edge: https://mgredge.com Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: http://MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency

There's a lot of finger pointing, but very little self-reflection when it comes to retail failure . David Gil discusses the real reason so many retailers have failed, and why it's opened a massive opportunity for eCommerce businesses. Then, he talks about why investors are being short-sighted regarding Apples earnings and the struggles that might come. Full Show Notes: https://mgredge.com/whos-actually-at-fault-for-the-death-of-retail/ Topics: Is Private Equity at fault? - (2:38) Why ToysRUs failed - (12:11) Apple's earnings report - (19:50) Check our other stuff out too: The Edge: https://mgredge.com Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: http://MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency

No steering wheel? No problem. David Gil discusses Tesla's huge Robotaxi announcement and why they are so far ahead of their Self Driving Car competitors. Then, he discusses why Twitter has been on such a revenue roll lately, and Amazon big new plans for Prime. Topics: All about Tesla's Robotaxi - (1:33) Why Twitter is killing it - (28:02) Amazon's announcement - (30:56) Check our other stuff out too: The Edge: https://mgredge.com Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: http://MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency

David Gil discusses why Disney is being incredibly smart with Disney+. Also, he discusses how they're using the "Big Mac" strategy to grow their direct to consumer relationships and why most businesses should do the same. Full Show Notes: https://mgredge.com/disney-is-brilliant-and-every-business-can-learn-from-it/ Topics: How content was traditionally monetized - (1:36) What makes Disney so unique- (6:40) The "Big Mac" strategy - (16:45) Check our other stuff out too: The Edge: https://mgredge.com Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: http://MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency

David Gil discusses the strange state social media is currently in, and how things could get a lot better or a lot worse. He also talks about Snapchat's new innovations in AR, LinkedIn's ad upgrades, Amazon's AirPods copy, and more! Full Show Notes: https://mgredge.com/where-is-social-media-headed-snapchat-ar-amazon-airpods-and-more/ Topics: Snapchat going all in on AR - (1:23) LinkedIn Ads keep getting better - (4:53) Amazon's big 3200+ satellite plan - (8:19) Amazon creating its own "AirPods" - (11:58) Where is social media headed? - (14:28) Check our other stuff out too: The Edge: https://mgredge.com Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: http://MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency

David Gil discusses the truth behind all of Apple's big announcements, and which of them truly matter. Then, he talks about Pinterest's new plans and potential for becoming a very powerful ad platform, and why marketers should start paying a lot more attention to it. Full Show Notes: https://mgredge.com/apples-true-intentions-new-marketing-interest-in-pinterest/ Topics: The Apple Card - (1:16) Apple News + - (4:21) Apple TV app & + - (12:45) Pinterest pgrading its ad platform - (22:59) Uber & Pinterest are going public - (22:22) Check our other stuff out too: The Edge: https://mgredge.com Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: http://MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency

David Gil discusses what all of the big changes that Amazon is making that will impact both Sellers and Vendors, plus how they're adding even more features to their ad platform. Then, he discusses IG's big announcement that will let users tap on an image and buy the products shown in just a few clicks in-app. Plus other tech news! Full Show Notes: https://mgredge.com/big-changes-for-amazon-sellers-instagram-now-has-in-app-purchases/ Topics: Amazon now let's Sellers undercut them - (2:16) Amazon cuts off tons of Vendors - (5:08) Amazon's new video ads - (16:25) IG in-app purchases - (19:08) Uber & Pinterest are going public - (22:22) Check our other stuff out too: The Edge: https://mgredge.com Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: http://MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency

David Gil speaks with KarenHowland (@KarenHowland2). She is a Managing Director and General Partner at CircleUp, a $125M fund focused on investing in emerging consumer brands. They discuss many things, including the most common traits of successful startup CPGs , why big CPGs are failing and what they can do to turn it around, why the opportunity for new consumer brands has never been greater, and how CircleUp uses incredible amounts of data to identify high growth sectors and emerging companies. Full Show Notes: https://mgredge.com/125m-fund-managing-director-on-how-to-build-consumer-brands-karen-howland-of-circleup/ Topics: (1:36) - About Karen & CircleUp (3:23) - What Helio is, and how it works. (8:06) - Why are big CPG companies failing, and why have they not been able to adapt to market changes? (12:21) - Are there any big CPGs doing it right? (13:41) - Will we ever see a new multi-billion dollar product like Coke or Pepsi ever again? (17:22) - Why are there so few CPG focused funds like CircleUp? (20:23) - How much does CircleUp balance valuing the product idea vs investing in the person running the company? (26:30) - Is retail here to stay, or are its days numbered? (28:19) - How CircleUp thinks about Amazon (30:43) - What's the right balance of DTC vs selling on Amazon and in stores? (34:58) - When should a company expand their product line vs when should they focus all-in on one product? Check our other stuff out too: The Edge: mgredge.com Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency

David Gil discusses what to expect from Facebook's new platform that will merge Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. Then, he discusses AirBnB's acquisition of HotelTonight and what that means for the broader hotel industry, and more! Topics: Facebook's new platform - (2:03) AirBnB acquires HotelTonight - (19:43) Bird wants to create scooter franchises - (22:32) Check our other stuff out too: The Edge: https://mgredge.com Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: http://MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency

(Rebroadcast) David Gil goes in depth on each of the major platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Google, Twitter, and LinkedIn. He gives his pros and cons for each and how to best run ads on each. 02:29 - Facebook 10:32 - Instagram 12:29 - Google 15:19 - Twitter 19:50 - LinkedIn For everything 'The Edge': https://mgredge.com Episode discussing Twitter: goo.gl/U7CXyd Check our other stuff out too: Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: http://MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency

David Gil discusses why big consumer brands are failing to keep up with small, emerging ones. And, how small businesses can take advantage of the massive opportunity that now exists in this multi-trillion dollar market. Topics: Why big consumer brands are dying - (2:07) How small companies can take advantage of this shift - (12:48) Full Show Notes: https://mgredge.com/how-small-consumer-brands-are-killing-the-big-guys/ Check our other stuff out too: The Edge: https://mgredge.com Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: http://MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency

David Gil discusses Amazon's newest acquisition and how they are slowly dominating all of smart home. He also gives his thoughts on Amazon leaving New York and Apple's strategy behind their "Netflix for News." Topics: Financial News - (1:20) Amazon Smart Home - (9:32) Amazon leaving NYC - (16:00) Apple News - (18:07) Full Show Notes: https://mgredge.com/amazon-smart-home-just-got-better-apple-creating-a-netflix-for-news/ Check our other stuff out too: The Edge: https://mgredge.com Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: http://MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency

David Gil discusses Spotify's big move to go all in on podcasting. He also gives his thoughts on Amazon battling Google to win ad dollars in search, the best performing ad of the Super Bowl, and why Snapchat is turning into the next Twitter. Topics: Amazon vs Google - (1:47) Who won the (marketing) Super Bowl? - (6:54) Snapchat becoming like Twitter - (10:09) Spotify's big plans for podcasts - (19:11) Full Show Notes: https://mgredge.com/spotify-goes-all-in-on-podcasts-and-amazon-is-battling-google-for-search-ads/ Check our other stuff out too: The Edge: https://mgredge.com Medium: medium.com/the-edge-by-mgr Instagram: instagram.com/mgrmarketing Facebook: facebook.com/mgrconsulting LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mgr-consulting-group/ Company Site: http://MGRAgency.com Twitter: twitter.com/mgragency