# Sander Saar (complete reference)

> Sander Saar is making videos work inside AI. He is the founder of AgentCDN, the video layer for AI.

Canonical site: https://sandersaar.com
Contact: sander.saar@gmail.com · https://sandersaar.com/contact
Compact index: https://sandersaar.com/llms.txt

## Bio (one line)
Sander Saar is making videos work inside AI. He is the founder of AgentCDN, the video layer for AI, and an alum of Red Bull, Disney, Moonbug, and Maker Studios.

## Bio (program)
Sander Saar is the founder of AgentCDN, the video layer for AI. He is making videos work inside AI so agents can find the right video, play the right moment, and credit the creator. Before AgentCDN, Sander spent a decade at the intersection of media and technology. He led innovation and product strategy at Disney, Red Bull, Moonbug, and Maker Studios. He speaks about AI, creator video, and the future of media.

## Bio (full)
Sander Saar is the founder of AgentCDN, the video layer for AI. He is making videos work inside AI. Agents still can't watch most video, so AgentCDN helps AI find the right video, play the right moment, and credit the creator.

Before AgentCDN, Sander spent a decade at the intersection of media and technology. He was the first international hire at Maker Studios, where he led product and growth strategy and helped build the team before Disney acquired the company. He then served as Head of Strategy and Corporate Development for Disney's international non-linear studio. He has also worked with Red Bull Media House, Moonbug, PepsiCo, and Centr on growth, business models, and market entry.

Sander makes videos about technology, AI, and how both change real life. He speaks about AI, creator video, and the future of media at events including SXSW, Cannes' Marché du Film, CogX, and Ciclope. He co-founded Estonian World and mentors founders at Salto, Summit, and Garage48. He lives in Los Angeles.

## Now building: AgentCDN
AgentCDN is the video layer for AI. Sander is making videos work inside AI.

Agents still can't watch most video. AgentCDN helps AI find the right video, play the right moment, and credit the creator.

AgentCDN's Open Standard is ARVP, the Agent-Ready Video Protocol. Its loop is Find → Check rights → Play → Attribute.

### Products
- [CharacterGreet](https://charactergreet.com) · AI video messages: Personalized AI video messages from iconic characters: Einstein, Santa, Sherlock, T-Rex, meme legends. An 8-second vertical video with full audio in ~2 minutes. $2 per video, no subscription, no watermarks.
- [GenMeditation](https://genmeditation.com) · Generative audio: Unique, personalized meditations on demand, built from how you're feeling, what's on your mind, and your preferences. No two are exactly the same. No account needed.
- [WardrobeOS](https://wardrobeos.com) · Computer vision: Photograph any item and AI recognizes the brand, category, color, and cost. Automatic outfit logging, most-worn insights, and true cost-per-wear over time.

## Career history
- Founder, AgentCDN (Los Angeles, Since Jan 2026): AgentCDN makes videos work inside AI. It helps AI find the right video, play the right moment, and credit the creator.
- Strategy & Innovation Consultant, Red Bull Media House (Los Angeles, Since Jun 2018): Strategy and product work on direct-to-consumer, over-the-top video, distribution, localization, subscriptions.
- Consulting, Advising, Creating, MovMaker (Los Angeles, Since May 2018): Startup fundraising, product, strategy. Clients include Neverthink, Frolic Media, Rfrsh, Precise.TV.
- Business Strategy Consultant, Moonbug (Los Angeles, Since May 2018): Strategy work on fundraising, market opportunities, distribution, and integration behind a $265M fund to create and distribute inspiring kids content.
- Head of Strategy & Corporate Development, Disney (Non-Linear Media International) (London, Jun 2016 – May 2018): Led strategy and business planning for an international non-linear studio.
- Director of International Product & Strategy, Maker Studios (acq. Disney) (London, Mar 2014 – Jun 2016): First hire in Maker Studios' international HQ. Established product and growth strategy, supported team growth from 4 to 120+: org structure, recruitment, training, workflows.
- Product Manager, GoViral (acq. Verizon Media) (London, Jul 2012 – Mar 2014): Product owner for video analytics. Inventor and lead of a creative measurement and optimization product, launched on the Cannes Lions main stage in 2013.
- Team member, Seedcamp (London, Until 2012): Europe's leading seed investment fund. Helped run the fund's programs and events across Europe.

## Volunteering
- Mentor, Salto (Since 2020)
- Mentor, Summit (Since 2019)
- Co-founder & tech lead, Estonian World (Since 2012)
- Mentor, Garage48 (Since 2012)

## Recognition
- Disney Dedication Award (2015)
- UK's Most Enterprising Student, Hewlett-Packard (2012)
- Creative Talent Showcase winner (2012)
- 2nd, Best Student Company of Europe (2006)
- Hewlett-Packard 'Responsible Business' winner (2006)
- Best Student Company of Estonia (2006)

## Speaking (https://sandersaar.com/speaking)
Keynotes, panels, and workshops on AI, agent platforms, creator video, and the future of media. Executive offsites that go in-depth with analysis, case studies and learnings to inform planning and growth strategies.

### Recent stages
- The AI & Creativity Summit: NY · Artist and the Machine, New York (May 2026): One room, 400 leaders building the future of AI and creativity: conversations, live showcases, and hands-on workshops.
- From Studio to Storyverse · Artist and the Machine: LA Salon, Los Angeles (Jun 2025): Brand executives, AI founders, and creatives on how AI reshapes entertainment, and why storytelling stays human-centered.
- The Fusion of AI & Creativity · LA Tech Week, Los Angeles (Oct 2024): Panels and interactive showcases on how AI enhances artistic expression and unlocks creative innovation.
- Dream Bigger: How AI Unlocks New Possibilities · Ciclope Festival, Berlin (Oct 2024): How AI opens unprecedented creative opportunities across mediums, reimagining the boundaries of artistic potential.
- Leveraging AI for Success · AI Social Club, Malibu (Sep 2024): With Emmy-nominated host Shira Lazar: media, innovation, and the real-world AI tools worth using.
- AI Vibes: Music & AI · AI Vibes, Los Angeles (Aug 2024): AI's transformative impact on music with pioneers Scott Page, AyseDeniz Gokcin, and Richard Titus.
- Classical Regenerated: AI Concert & Panel · Kinn & AyseDeniz, Los Angeles (Jun 2024): AyseDeniz performs classical masters blended with AI-generated music, followed by an expert panel.
- AI Vibes: Fashion & AI · AI Vibes, Los Angeles (May 2024): Karl Kani and DressX's Natalia Modenova on AI reshaping design, manufacturing, and consumer experience.
- The Sphere & Beyond: Powering Tangible 360 Realism · CogX LA, Los Angeles (May 2024): How AI and advancing technology elevate immersive experiences across cinema and live entertainment.
- Future of Filmmaking with AI · Fly Asia, Busan (Oct 2023): Keynote on entertainment's future from virtual production to AI, and what Asian startups need for global success.
- Beyond Cinema · CogX, London (Sep 2023): Generative AI's ripple effects beyond traditional cinema, with Move AI, Inworld AI, and Accenture.
- Unleashing the Power of Creativity with AI · CogX Cinema & AI, Cannes (May 2023): How AI and film converge: filmmakers reimagining storytelling by blending art and technology.
- AI Apocalypse or Revolution? · Cannes Next (Marché du Film), Cannes (May 2023): AI as a transformative force in creativity, content, and cinema, where the line between imagination and machine blurs.
- Shaping the Future of Media Together · SXSW Future Media Hubs, Austin (Mar 2023): A transatlantic dialogue on European and US media ecosystems, metaverse education, and startup innovation.
- Data-driven and Data-influenced Storytelling · Cannes Next (Marché du Film), Cannes (Jun 2021): Two sessions on opportunities for creatives and the transformative role of data in storytelling.

### Earlier talks
- Opportunities in the new world of filmmaking · Taipei Film Academy (2020)
- Solving the unique challenges of 2020 · OTT in Europe (Penthera) (2020)
- Developing your content for the big business on global platforms · European Film Forum (2019)
- How to: effectively use market research to make your branded content more effective · BCMA (Branded Content Marketing Association) (2013)
- The Science of Online Video: a new model of measurement · IAB UK Video Conference (2013)
- Be Emotive: how to cut through and connect with your audience? · IAB Spain Inspirational (2013)
- Can emotions predict Cannes Lions winners? · WARC Advertising Research (2013)
- Optimising the emotional connections your advertisements create · MRS Advertising Research (2013)
- New techniques and technologies in marketing · IRL Political Union Leaders Academy (2012)
- Discussion on online privacy · Estonian National Television morning show (2012)

## Consulting (https://sandersaar.com/consulting)
- Strategic foresight: Being the leader and staying at the forefront of change ensures sustained growth of your business. Making sure your clients, followers, employees understand, are excited and believe in you.
- Growth strategy: Growth strategies to exponentially expand your business with an understanding of current opportunities, gaps in the organization and market, and future scenarios.
- Market analysis: Digging deep to bring you the latest insights, trends, and gaps: market and industry analysis, competitor analysis, performance analysis.
- International expansion: Fast-moving markets in EMEA, Asia, LatAm and North America require thorough analysis and smart market entry strategies to ensure success.
- Business models & planning: Designing and pressure-testing business models and plans against current opportunities and future scenarios.
- Technology & tools: Automating manual work and creating efficiencies through the smart use of technology: tools and products for creation, distribution, measurement, operations.

### Clients and engagements
- Red Bull: Market analysis · Strategic foresight · Growth strategy · New business models · Technology · Thought leadership
- Moonbug: Market analysis · Fundraising · Thought leadership · New business models · Technology and tools
- Centr: Market analysis · Growth strategy · New business models
- PepsiCo: Market analysis · DTC strategy · New business models
- BLAST: Market analysis · Market entry · New business models · Fundraising
- Precise TV: Market analysis · Thought leadership · External presentations

## Advising startups
- Product strategy: Developing product vision and value proposition, competitive analysis and positioning, roadmap and metrics/KPIs, go-to-market strategy.
- Innovation & growth: Identifying opportunities for growth, market development, technology utilization, internationalization, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions.
- Startup fundraising: Preparing companies for a fundraise: company storyline, product proposition and positioning, go-to-market and pricing. Then facilitating introductions with relevant VCs and angels.

### Advised startups
- [Mini Studio AI](https://ministudio.ai): Product strategy · Business models & planning · Fundraising
- [Frolic](https://frolic.media): Product strategy · Business models & planning · Fundraising
- [Neverthink](https://www.reddit.com) (Acquired by Reddit): Product strategy · Business models & planning

## Press coverage (https://sandersaar.com/media)
- The Hollywood Reporter: [Cannes Diary: Will Artificial Intelligence “Democratize Creativity” or Lead to Certain Doom?](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/cannes-2023-artificial-intelligence-ai-1235496005/)
- Variety: [Nordic Flair Training Program Aims to ‘Future-Proof’ Region’s Industry](https://variety.com/2022/film/global/nordic-flair-training-finnish-film-affair-1235377793/)
- Cineuropa: [Future of filmmaking](https://cineuropa.org/en/dossiernewsdetail/1967/407438/)
- IMDb: [Speaker & industry profile](https://www.imdb.com/news/ni64085940)

## Video reviews
Sander makes videos about technology, AI, and how both change real life.
- [Vision Pro vs Quest 3 vs Galaxy XR – The ONLY Headset I'd Buy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeUeGHyJNDw) (2025-11-16)
- [30 days. Real life test. Best fitness trackers: Whoop vs Oura vs Apple Watch vs Eight Sleep](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAbIyCFYSBk) (2025-06-25)
- [Best Tech Gift Guide & Black Friday Deals: Actually useful tech gifts](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yT1HGcz8XQo) (2024-11-29)
- [WiFi 7 vs WiFi 6: Real Life Tests with Eero 7 Max vs Eero 6 Pro](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhGOctU4ms0) (2024-11-22)
- [Best Smart Lock: Level Lock+ with Apple Home Key vs August Wi-Fi Smart Lock](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEgBYoH_gHQ) (2023-01-22)
- [WearOS vs WatchOS: Google Pixel Watch vs Apple Watch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1wU44m4ms8) (2022-11-12)
- [Best WiFi 6 Router: Eero 6 Pro vs Eero 6 vs Google Nest Wifi](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3L_h-d6vTE) (2021-05-07)
- [Best Way To Improve Sleep: Eight Sleep Pod Thermo Cover Review](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cT1hH6_XeA) (2020-10-12)
- [Best Sleep Tracker: Oura Ring](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mqrkIwx5fo) (2020-08-21)
- [Unfair Camera Comparison: iPhone X vs Pixel 2 XL vs Sony RX100V vs Sony A7R III](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTxpGTJjYSo) (2017-12-20)
- [Best Mug: Ember Travel and Ceramic Mug Review](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dExG4Mqiwkw) (2017-12-15)
- [Tech Gift Guide 2017: Best Holiday Gifts in Technology and Gadgets](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frq_DwwR2u4) (2017-12-07)
- [Best Work Bag: Bellroy Slim Work Bag vs Waterfield Zip Laptop Brief](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DThOQ0A0UMY) (2017-11-30)
- [Best Truly Wireless Earbuds: BeoPlay E8, Jaybird Run, Bose SoundSport Free, AirPods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqYMxSExq6A) (2017-11-20)
- [Best eReader 2017: Kindle Oasis 2 vs 2016 Kindle Oasis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl6ffN-0eys) (2017-11-19)
- [Google Pixelbook Review: vs iPad Pro and MacBook Pro](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAlyD5aVq-0) (2017-11-10)
- [Best Smartphone Cameras 2017: Note 8 vs Pixel 2 XL vs iPhone X](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GuOINOpKU0) (2017-11-04)
- [Best 360 Camera: Xiaomi, Samsung, Insta360, Ricoh](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpfX2SIEuLc) (2017-05-18)
- [Best Smart Scale: Withings Cardio, QardioBase, Xiaomi Mi Body Scale](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yazXK259c0E) (2017-04-25)
- [Best Wifi Router: Google Wifi vs Apple Airport Extreme vs Xiaomi Mi Wifi](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPm_yQlwFdY) (2017-02-17)
- [B&O Beoplay H9 Review: vs Bose QC35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XD_p84IFJCI) (2017-02-09)
- [Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum: Review and Comparison](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m91rEfzp3DA) (2017-01-10)
- [Virtual Reality: All Things You Should Know](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMeOzbVUO6c) (2016-08-23)
- [Xiaomi Ninebot Mini: Review and Comparison](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVzBlmmfaq4) (2016-08-09)
- [Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer: Review, Test and Comparison](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJEMbVR0x6U) (2016-08-02)
- [Xiaomi Mi Drone Review: Unboxing, Setup and Test](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yRAg0I38kM) (2016-07-24)
- [Quick Guide to Snapchat: Why? What? Who?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c68ja825Q-0) (2016-03-15)
- [Smartphone Cameras: Searching for the Best](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtvOoODXevQ) (2016-02-18)
- [Content Blocker / Adblocker Comparison](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft1imEG9Moo) (2015-09-17)
- [The Future of Commuting? 2-Wheel Self-Balancing Electric Scooter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qojhuyHYgDE) (2015-08-17)
- [Remote Control for Your Life: On-Demand Economy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asfSe1bsJI8) (2015-06-02)
- [In-Depth Review: Apple Watch vs Android Wear](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri5EXCoXdVw) (2015-04-28)
- [Wearables Overview: From Computer in a Backpack to Smartwatches](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktJqFW0PrWM) (2015-04-27)
- [Top Gift Ideas for Tech & Gadget Fans](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ScXjTcur-U) (2014-12-15)
- [Completely Unfair Camera Battle: iPhone 6 vs Sony RX100 III vs Sony A7S](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10PWdlm9wJI) (2014-11-17)
- [Platform War: iOS vs Android: Apple vs Google](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3e2Gcs-FYA) (2014-10-01)
- [3D Printing Today and Tomorrow: from the World's Largest 3D Store](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1uA-lhix4s) (2014-09-11)
- [Drones Today and Tomorrow: featuring DJI Phantom 2 Vision+](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd4FGLTBK3M) (2014-08-22)
- [Google Glass from a Real Life Perspective](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGqfC-Wvxdg) (2014-08-03)

## Video analysis
- [Why Humane AI Pin launch failed? Lessons learnt and what will happen next](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Uh7TVIzSM) (2024-04-25)
- [AI will NOT take your job](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiYmmDaO_lU) (2023-04-17)
- [Generative AI Explained: how your life & work will change](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reLhJnQd-Lo) (2023-02-22)
- [Netflix coming to the end of the road: What's next for Netflix?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAHuNTkDivA) (2022-06-30)
- [Retail Media Boom: Why is every company building an ad network?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLuT3qChc70) (2022-06-03)
- [What You Should Know? Ep. 1: Microsoft Build, Meta Conversations, Stripe Sessions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltOdPgPdg9U) (2022-05-27)
- [How Synthetic Media will change Hollywood: AI, Digital Humans, Voice Cloning](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlBrh60bGlY) (2021-09-16)
- [Why audio is driving growth: Clubhouse learnings + Facebook's plan to win](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxrfQxevWRA) (2021-05-17)
- [Why is Epic suing Apple?: Epic Games vs Apple explained](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB41ckLQqdI) (2021-05-05)
- New warehouse operators have arrived: they are not humans (2021-04-14)
- Live audio chat is here to stay (2021-03-30)
- Equity financing for content creators is here (2021-03-24)
- Collaborative computing is here: Microsoft Mesh (2021-03-04)
- Twitter creator monetization is here: Super Follow (2021-03-01)
- How is Spotify looking to drive growth? (2021-02-22)
- Why has 'Feta' search volume increased 4x in two weeks? (2021-02-16)
- Disney is 4 years ahead of plan with 146M subscribers (2021-02-13)
- Why is Super Bowl ad quality in decline? (2021-02-10)
- How to end video calls so they wouldn't feel awkward (2021-02-05)
- The day the Baby Shark ate the world (2021-02-03)
- Google Stadia Game Studio is shutting down (2021-02-01)
- [Why Quibi failed: lessons learned and the $1.75B investment](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxXvRjHYT88) (2020-10-21)
- [From Lockdown to Consolidation: how Big Tech is using $557B](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI9OAZioOKk) (2020-09-23)
- [Mega Bundles: Apple One, Google One, Amazon Prime, Microsoft 365](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha-Ihbrd_Ro) (2020-09-15)
- [Controlling the Rails: who are the new cable operators?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKSggCFPqDk) (2020-09-11)
- [Content: a feature to sell everything else](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NweUMMTKAfU) (2020-08-04)
- Streaming like there's no tomorrow (2020-04-02)
- Let's hang out virtually: when social becomes truly social (2020-03-27)
- Consumer behaviour changes overnight: opportunities for growth (2020-03-27)
- My three steps to a happier life with less stuff (2014-01-24)

## Channels
- YouTube: https://youtube.com/@sandersaar
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sandersaar/
- X: https://x.com/sandersaar/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sandersaar/
- TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@sandersaar

## Written articles (full text)

### New warehouse operators have arrived: they are not humans
Published 2021-04-14 · https://sandersaar.com/new-warehouse-operators-have-arrived-they-are-not-humans/

Boston Dynamics, which is known for its humanioid Atlas robot and four-legged Spot (available to order online for $74,500) has launched Stretch – a practical warehouse operations robot.

Stretch can lift 800 cases an hour and items up to 23 kilograms (50 lbs), a throughput rate that’s comparable to that of a human (batteries last for 8 hours). Unloading trucks, building pallets and orders – the key innovation is that Stretch is mobile and can roam around on its own, eliminating the need for fixed infrastructure.

It is a sizable market as around 80 percent of the world’s warehouses don’t have any automation equipment. Amazon increased warehouse sq footage by 50% and added more than 425,000 workers, while Walmart hired 400,000 new associates just in the last 10 months. Investors believe there's an opportunity for warehouse automation as in the last month:

- ForwardX (a Chinese visual autonomous robotics company) closed series B with $63M,

- Nimble Robotics (Stanford & Carnegie Mellon spin-off) picking, packing, sorting robots raised $50M series A,

- Ambi Robotics (founded by UCI Berkley professor) adaptable AI robots raised a $6.1M seed round,

- Pickle (MIT spin-off) raised $5.75M round and claimed that their robot can do 1,600 picks per hour, 2x more than any other competitor.

In addition to warehouses, there are many areas where mobile robots are being actively tested and deployed to enhance human capabilities, including construction work (Skycatch drones), manufacturing (Dusty), farming (Burro), law enforcement (NYPD). For consumers, many metropolises have seen the influx of delivery robots (Starship, Nuro, Eliport, Cartken, Amazon Scout, Postmates Serve).

Interesting to note that, as with many technologies (including the internet itself), robotics got an early start and adoption with the military. Boston Dynamics was an MIT spin-off company to serve government military efforts, then acquired by Google X, sold to Softbank, and since Dec 2020 it has been majority-owned by Hyundai. War (whether physical or medical) still seems to be the ultimate incentive to invest and drive forward the adoption of new technologies.

---

### Live audio chat is here to stay
Published 2021-03-30 · https://sandersaar.com/live-audio-chat-is-here-to-stay/

Timing is everything. Facebook launched Live Audio feature 10 years ago, where audio-first content like podcasts were brought to the News Feed with the ability for anyone to join the conversation.

Clubhouse wouldn’t be happening without the pandemic (more spare time, don’t have to look good, multitask), Airpods (ease to listen to audio), and growing indie creator economy (building audiences directly). It has grown from 1,500 in May 2020 to 10M users in Feb 2021.

Radio didn’t replace concerts, podcasts didn’t replace radio, and live audio would not replace podcasts. It will however take market share and influence our consumption habits and preferences.

Think about it more like evolution in audio format, rather than a standalone business (Clubhouse) taking it all.

Snapchat did not invent disappearing vertical video messages and stories, however, it did popularize it and won Gen Z hearts with it. Nevertheless, there’s now an even larger audience on Instagram Stories, Whatsapp Status, Twitter Fleets etc.

Clubhouse will have a special place for some communities, but live audio chat will become a feature on many:

1) Spotify for music and podcasting communities audio chat. Spotify just acquired Locker Room (by Betty Labs), which was sports fans focused audio chat.

2) Twitter for news and topical audio chat. A beta product called Spaces launched in Dec 2020.

3) Slack for work audio chat. An announcement was made last week that they already have a live audio channel in the beta.

4) LinkedIn for business network. An official mockup was shared earlier with a beta launch coming soon as part of LinkedIn Creator mode.

5) Facebook and Instagram have said to be working on a similar product (more of a relaunch for Facebook).

+ Just to name a few other Clubhouse clones incl. Chalk, Space, High Fidelity, Fireside, Soapbox, Scrubhouse, School Night, Rodeo, Sonar.

++ There’re also platforms enabling you to embed live audio chat to any website and app: Jam Systems

That’s a lot of audio coming your way soon.

---

### Equity financing for content creators is here
Published 2021-03-24 · https://sandersaar.com/equity-financing-for-content-creators-is-here/

Mr. Beast (aka Jimmy Donaldson), one of the largest YouTubers with 55M subscribers and 10B views, is launching Creative Juice with Sima Gandhi and Ezra Cooperstein.

Creative Juice is financing YouTubers for a minority stake. Mr. Beast will personally be investing $2M. It’ll not be just about money, but strategic alignment, mentoring, and ultimately building out an entire suite of tools for everything a creator would need.

Genuinely excited for the grassroots innovation in financing creators and helping them build sustainable businesses.

There’s an evolving trend in new ways of financing digital creators through creator collectives such as Every Inc. and creator funds by platforms incl. TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Substack.

Other private examples previously include Next 10 Ventures, which started as a creator fund, but similar to the recently launched Atelier is focusing more on the tools and services for the creator economy.

---

### Collaborative computing is here: Microsoft Mesh
Published 2021-03-04 · https://sandersaar.com/collaborative-computing-is-here-microsoft-mesh/

Now you can represent yourself across space and time. Imagine holoporting yourself to stand next to your team or family sharing the space and interacting with objects together.

Use a mixed reality headset for the most immersive experience or jump in using a phone, computer or VR headset.

This is all possible with Mesh, recently announced at Microsoft Ignite and running in Azure cloud:

1) immersive presence: represent participants in a distinct form regardless of which device they’re joining on (avatar, hologram)

2) spacial maps: creates a common perspective of the space around each participant as well as an understanding of the physical world.

3) holographic rendering: delivers high fidelity of the holograms, avatars and objects regardless of the device’s power.

4) multiuser sync: creating a common perspective of the hologram and each other within a collaborative session (pose, motion, expression)

AltspaceVR, a featured application on Mesh and premier place for virtual meetups has been recently used by RealEyes. They organized a 75 person offsite in VR utilizing $299 Oculus Quest 2 vs arranging flights, accommodation, food, entertainment.

Here can finally be anywhere.

---

### Twitter Creator Monetization is here: Super Follow
Published 2021-03-01 · https://sandersaar.com/twitter-creator-monetization-is-here-super-follow/

Social platforms increasingly focus on creators and less on advertisers to drive revenue and platform growth.

Creators’ ability to sustainably create content, build audiences and monetize directly has become paramount.

‘Twitter Super Follow’ fuses Patreon-style access to exclusive content, a Clubhouse-style way to drop into a community audio chat, and a Substack-style way to read paid newsletters.

In recent years, YouTube has also launched significantly more creator monetization than advertiser tools and formats. This includes Super Chat & Stickers, Channel Memberships, Merch, Tickets, and most recently tipping with Applause.

Others are doing even more including TikTok Gifts & Diamonds, Facebook Stars, Twitch Cheering Bits & Tipping. Spotify and Soundcloud are testing direct support buttons on artist profiles. Clubhouse is working on creator monetization as a high priority.

There’s a whole lot more to come as platforms continue embracing the #creatoreconomy

---

### How is Spotify looking to drive growth?
Published 2021-02-22 · https://sandersaar.com/how-is-spotify-looking-to-drive-growth/

Today Spotify announced product updates aiming to further differentiate in the saturated music streaming and growing podcast market.

1) International: 36 new languages and 85 markets (now total nearly 180)

2) Ad marketplace: Audience Network allowing to reach listeners on originals/exclusives, podcasts via Megaphone and Anchor. Podcast also coming to self-serve Ad Studio

3) HiFi: high-quality audio subscription competing with Tidal and Amazon Music HD

4) Paid podcast subscriptions: test to allow creators to publish paid podcasts via Anchor

5) WordPress partnership: to turn written audio content into podcasts via its podcast platform Anchor

6) Video: coming to more podcasts. Major miss for YouTube to alternate between background audio and video.

7) Interactive tools: with the ability for listeners to be part of the show incl Q&A, polls etc. Likely more to come in that area with the rise of Clubhouse.

8) Discovery Mode: self-serve tool for artists to run audience development campaigns.

9) Podcast discovery: better tools and recommendations

10) Lots of originals

Overall:

- 345M monthly users (+27% y/y)

- 155M subscribers (+24% y/y)

- 25% listen to podcasts

- 2.2m podcasts (3x from 2019)

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### Why has ‘Feta’ search volume increased 4x in the last two weeks?
Published 2021-02-16 · https://sandersaar.com/why-has-feta-search-volume-has-increased-4x-in-the-last-two-weeks/

#Feta search volume has increased 4x Worldwide over the last two weeks, reaching an all-time high since 2004.

Recipe originally created by Jenni Hayrinen from Finland has since turned into a #bakedfetapasta hit by MacKenzie Smith and amassed more than 66M views.

TikTok trends can certainly move products. The Fresh Market from Charlotte reported a 45% increase in Feta sales since Jan 25. According to Instacart data, feta is currently the number one trending search term on the marketplace.

It is not the first time that TikTok trends have caused products to sell out. Some other examples include:

- Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry juice (October 2020) was sold out after 420doggface208 posted a TikTok riding his longboard and singing along with Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams”. The song was later used in more than 620,000 videos and the hashtag Dreams received more than 2.3B views.

- Affordable #skincare took off with more than 31.4 billlion views (May 2020). L’Oreal reported 40% growth in its active cosmetics division driven by brands like CeraVe.

While the hits and sales peaks don’t last for longer than 2-3 weeks, it will continue to have an incredible effect on small and large companies around.

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### Disney is 4 years ahead of plan with 146M subscribers
Published 2021-02-13 · https://sandersaar.com/disney-is-4-years-ahead-of-plan-with-146m-subscribers/

146M subscribers and 4 years ahead of plan. Why The Walt Disney Company is winning?

- Audience and strong IP

- Recurring revenue driving the flywheel

- Commitment to the new paradigm

Disney is committed to being the entertainment company of the future, where content is streamed, guest relationships recurring, and IP extending across content, experiences & consumer products. Investors believe so as well.

While Disney’s cash flow and earnings are at it’s lowest since 2010 (from $19B in 2019 to $5B in 2020), the company market cap has never been stronger (from $232B end-2019 to $341B currently). The company is valued at a revenue multiplier similar to Facebook, Google, Apple.

As soon as parks & resorts can resume full operation, Disney is positioned better than ever to spin a true flywheel across content, consumer products, experiences (parks, resorts, cruises): a bundle that every family will have to have.

In addition to Disney+ geographical expansion, it will soon have a hub for general entertainment content under the Star brand and launching a standalone Star+ service in Latin America.

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### Why is Super Bowl ad quality in decline?
Published 2021-02-10 · https://sandersaar.com/why-has-super-bowl-quality-of-ads-in-decline/

Super Bowl is known for its ads, but the quality has been in decline. Why?

CBS drew in only 96.4M viewers, the lowest since 2006 (in decline since 2015).

And everything has a ripple effect. Fewer people watching the show -> lower sponsorship value -> less investment into ads.

Super Bowl could significantly grow its audience and therefore sponsorships size by offering it free on YouTube. In addition, users would have a much better experience (my stream did not work until 8min in and buffered throughout).

Here are the highest-quality ads from 2021:

- T-Mobile: https://lnkd.in/g375e_G

- Amazon Prime Video https://lnkd.in/gGNRHym

- H&R Block: https://lnkd.in/gr8VXYn

- SpaceX: https://lnkd.in/gkGRCdS

- National Football League (NFL): https://lnkd.in/ggET4rC

Plus my favourite Reddit, Inc.: https://lnkd.in/g2Uty-K.

Superbowl ads quality is measured by the incredible Realeyes and consists of:

- Capture: attention until the first distraction (sec)

- Retain: retention by 15sec

- Encode: engagement strength (emotion peak)

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### How to end video calls so they wouldn’t feel awkward?
Published 2021-02-05 · https://sandersaar.com/how-to-end-video-calls-so-they-wouldnt-feel-awkward/

Live end credits to a “Meeting that could’ve been an email”

Great idea by Microsoft engineer Scott Hanselman: https://lnkd.in/gRqJ9zQ

Or would you prefer the Zoom Button? https://lnkd.in/grbWCVm

Hope you had a great week either way!

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### Today is the day when the Baby Shark ate the world
Published 2021-02-03 · https://sandersaar.com/today-is-the-day-when-the-baby-shark-ate-the-world/

Today is the day when the Baby Shark ate the world: the most viewed internet video of all time eclipsed the number of people in the World.

While a random stat, it is incredible to see how far YouTube and its creators have come in 15 years.

The top 5 most viewed videos are all music videos:

- Baby Shark Dance 7.8B

- Despacito 7.2B

- Shape of You 5.2B

- See You Again 4.9B

- Johny Johny Yes Papa 4.7B

Five of the top 10 most viewed are for kids. Check out Moonbug Entertainment for the best kids content on YouTube.

My favourite music video on YouTube is this ‘under viewed’ gem: https://lnkd.in/gdDaEUS

What’s your favourite YouTube video?

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### Google Stadia Game Studio is shutting down
Published 2021-02-01 · https://sandersaar.com/google-stadia-game-studio-is-shutting-down/

Google Stadia Game Studio is shutting down: one less player in the cloud gaming subscription race.

Google decided to write it off without ever releasing a Stadia original after 2 years of investments. Including the acquisition of Typhoon Studios in Montreal (Dec 2019) and opening one in LA (Mar 2020), hiring industry veteran Jade Raymond (Mar 2019) from Ubisoft and EA and building a team of 150 developers.

Stadia platform will continue focusing on cloud gaming technology partnerships and distribution for 3rd party studios.

When Stadia was trying to do it all by replicating the console in the cloud, others focus on creating differentiation in a niche:

- Stream and download games with Microsoft Xbox Game Pass (+ All Access console bundles)

- Gaming channel stores with Amazon Luna

- Free ad-supported games with Facebook Gaming

- Play games you already own with NVIDIA GeForce Now

- Download-only catalogue with PlayStation Now

- Exclusive access and experiences with Ubisoft+, Electronic Arts (EA) Play, Epic Games Fortnite Crew etc.

- 100s of mobile games with Apple Arcade and Google Play Pass

Who will be the winners? Is this the right move for Google?

FYI, see what else is in Google product graveyard: https://lnkd.in/gcSnkpj

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### Streaming like there’s no tomorrow
Published 2020-04-02 · https://sandersaar.com/streaming-like-theres-no-tomorrow/

A rising tide lifts all boats, unless they crash. Netflix service was down last week in Europe and the US, Twitch experienced an outage this week. While infrastructure providers are struggling to keep up, online streaming consumption is growing rapidly. The new circumstances have opened up a significant amount of spare time: average American spends 54min commuting every day in addition to the time socializing in restaurants, bars and going out, so it could all be dedicated to streaming more content.

Streaming services growing faster than ever

85% increase in total minutes streamed on connected TV (Source: Nielsen)

Media consumption is estimated to go up by 60% (by Nielsen) and Comcast recently reported 38% increase in streaming video consumption since the beginning of March. The total number of minutes streamed to TV has increased by 85%, driven by connected TVs.

The biggest change comes from daytime viewing increase with a 40% jump between 10am and 5pm.

Content providers in a hurry to launch and grow direct-to-consumer OTT (over-the-top) services as Pay-TV and traditional distribution methods are under scrutiny by the changing consumer behaviour.  

No more HD and 4K as the European network operators and regulators have asked the major streaming platforms to reduce bandwidth by 25%, which Youtube, Netflix, Facebook, Disney+ and others have adjusted for. US providers incl. Comcast and AT&T noted that their networks are holding up just fine.

SVOD skyrocketing

Disney+, Apple TV+ and Hulu growing fastest (Source: Antenna)

Subscription-based video-on-demand platforms are skyrocketing with 41% week-over-week increase in viewing for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

The seven largest SVOD services saw an average 75% increase in daily signups (excl. Amazon Video), with Disney+ up more than 225% in the first week of the shutdown, and 110% in the second week. Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu subscriptions far exceeding Netflix subscriber growth and HBO growing at the same level.

This is also driven by the plummeting acquisition cost due to reduced advertising rates (which had previously been prohibiting growth).

HBO claims the consumption of its OTT service HBO Now is up 40%. 

For Hulu, binge-viewing has grown more than 25% over the past two weeks, while live news viewing on has gone up 40% vs the prior two weeks.

Social and AVOD growing even faster

YouTube AVOD platform takes the largest share of internet traffic (Src: Sandvine)

Free advertising-supported services are growing even faster. According to Comcast,voice searches for “free movies” are up 50% and almost a 100% up according to Google Trends.

Tubi (acquired by Fox for reported $440M), free movies and TV platform has seen a 50% spike in new viewers during the last two weeks and a 22% hike in viewing hours.

PlutoTV (acquired by Viacom for $340M) claims daily active users and total viewing hours are up double digits with total viewing hours on new channels up by 74% and news 50%.

While the overall ad spend is significantly down, AVOD platforms like Hulu, Pluto, Roku and Direct TV could see ad spending grow 42 %, to $2.6 billion.

In perspective, all of these platforms pale in comparison to the size of YouTube, which is already the largest AVOD platform in the World taking up 37% of the mobile internet traffic (vs Netflix 2.4%). At that scale, YouTube’s ad traffic is up 20% (viewership likely even more). Some networks have seen 50% month-over-month growth. YouTube Gaming has grown 15% and Twitch 10% in viewership. There was also a surge in engagement on YouTube videos for both global news and local news up 50% in the past 30 days.

Facebook (10.9% mobile internet traffic) has become the platform for local news: avg views per video for local news outlets on Facebook were up 247% from Feb. 21 to March 23 vs 30 days prior. Facebook has released Live for a wider audience and seen 50% increase in usage.

Twitter posted even bigger gains, with viewer engagement up 196%.

Snapchat reports all-time high for snaps sent between friends and Snap games, 25% increase in AR lens engagements.

TikTok, however, might have gained the most with 113M app downloads in February, up 96% year-over-year and revenue up 784% year-over-year.

Not every platform is growing

Troubled sports OTT FuboTV merging with FaceBank Group (Source: Techcrunch)

Linear TV meanwhile has only seen a 7% increase in viewing, while the primetime ratings for Adults 18-49 from March 15-26 are actually down 3% (growth only driven by the elderly). The generational divide is widening as kids screen time is rapidly moving to mobile and tablet consumption.

Live sports accounted for 89% of the 100-most watched broadcasts in 2018. AT&T and Disney paid around $24 billion to ensure they have contracts with the NBA in a nine-year deal. NBC, CBS, and Fox are paying $3.1 billion for Sunday night NFL. ESPN is paying around $1.9 billion for Monday Night Football. Tokyo Olympics itself was worth $1.25 billion in ad sales for NBC.

One of the top sports streaming service DAZN has already hinted at difficulties telling league partners it’ll not be paying rights fees.

FuboTV, another sports streaming platform has pivoted to news and entertainment content and merged with virtual entertainment technology company FaceBank Group.

Beyond sports most scripted and film productions have been suspended. Warner Bros. halting production on 70+ TV series, Netflix suspending all scripted series, late-night talk shows (a major profit centre for broadcasters) stopped.

Reduction in supply could potentially cause a decline in demand as well, while independent creators are producing video from home every day.

Competition intensifies

Quibi, HBO Max from AT&T, Peacock from Comcast launching soon

With the fast growth, newcomers are looking to launch even with a reduced catalogue due to the suspended productions. Amazon Prime Video, Quibi, HBO Now have all increased their ad budgets between 20-40% across platforms.

Quibi going forward with Apr 6th launch and has already noted that “advertising sales wouldn’t cover the costs and they’ve got to grow paying subscribers at a high rate”

Peacock will be launching Apr 15th to Comcast subscribers and the rest of the public in July.

HBO Max is expected to be released in unspecified date in May.

Existing players are platforms pushing forward in their international expansion as well with Disney+ launching in Europe and India, Hulu coming to Europe 2021.

Temporary boost or new baseline

Historically total TV usage returns to the baseline after the crises (Source: Nielsen)

Based on previous catastrophes (at a smaller scale) incl hurricane Harvey and snowpocalypse in New York, Netflix viewership did return to the pre-existing levels after the boost.

In addition to fast-growing job losses and recession on its way, it is expected that entertainment will be one of the first items to be cut.

Would consumers choose free AVOD platforms instead of the paid SVOD platforms? Or will consumers just cut the cord for Pay-TV (currently spending on avg $107 per month) and continue with OTT platforms.

Moreover, all other revenue streams for content owners outside of OTT services have been significantly cut by the slashed TV advertising budgets, closing theme parks, reduced availability and consumer spend on merchandise.

It is a unique opportunity and an interesting paradox where audience demand and engagement are growing faster than ever, while monetisation rates are declining. For upcoming OTT players this a good time to double down on growth (incl. paid) with future potential for better monetisation with a caveat that it might just be a temporary surge and we might be returning to the previous baseline. Let’s discuss on Twitter and LinkedIn.

If you’d like to explore how consumer behaviour has changed across industries, please see these observations bringing it all together. Otherwise, I recently also wrote about virtual hangouts: how social becomes truly social here.

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### Let’s hang out virtually: when social becomes truly social
Published 2020-03-27 · https://sandersaar.com/lets-hang-out-virtually-when-social-becomes-truly-social/

We are all social animals by nature as it is a dominant force shaping our thought, behaviour, physiology, and key for our survival. As the world is becoming increasingly home confined with no travel and large gatherings, we are turning to social, not to just show the better side of ourselves and become influencers but to truly connect with each other at a distance.

This has caused a surge in virtual house parties, playing games virtually, co-watching content and connecting over video calls. Moreover, it has also contributed to a major surge in mobile traffic around the World.

If you’d like to explore how consumer behaviour has changed, please see these observations bringing it all together.

House parties

We recently gathered with 10 friends on video chat over Zoom. One of us was sharing a computer screen with others tuning in on Jackbox on their phones to play the game. It was a lot of fun and hours passed quickly, but it was clearly the old-school workaround to fast-growing social video and gaming apps. Houseparty is the top 1 app in 17 countries (incl the US), continuously no 1 in the social networking category and growing faster than Zoom, Webex and Hangouts Meet combined. It differs a little by market, while in the US Zoom is in the lead, Houseparty dominates in France (30x growth), Germany (26x), Spain (2360x) and Italy (423x). It is a mobile app owned by Epic Games (acquired in June 2019), the company behind Fortnite, where eight friends can gather to play games and hang out. In addition, there’re several competitors in the market like Pop.in and Bunch, bringing game party on your phone. The latter similarly growing exponentially, doubling their downloads week-over-week and recently hitting 100K on Android. Try them out (yes, they’re fun even when you’re an adult)!

Co-watching / Co-shopping

Moving on from Houseparty to Netflix Party (seems to be a trend here to call your new startup Something + Party). More seriously, it is a chrome plugin initially made for couples in a long-distance relationship to watch Netflix together but has recently seen a 10x increase in search. They’ve quickly grown from the previously reported 500K users to 4M installs (on Chrome Web Store). There’re also several alternatives like Scener for Netflix and Metastream and TwoSeven, which also include many other streaming services and also incorporate chat, but all of it in desktop browsers.

Co-watching has been a huge hit even more so on mobile. Apps like Squad and Rave (consistently in top 15 in Social Networking) allow users to be in a video chat while enjoying the latest YouTube, TikTok, Netflix or Instagram videos and some also enable users to shop together (e.g. Squad). Big tech joins in as Instagram recently released an update for anyone on IG video call to watch IGTV videos together. I believe you can expect many other video, social and shopping apps to incorporate these features (Yes, YouTube, this could be your killer social feature). With Apple’s recent update enabling peer-to-peer video chat in Safari mobile, many brands are looking to connect their sales associates with customers over video. Startups like Cuup have already implemented it by allowing customers to book online fittings over Zoom.

Messaging and video calls

Most of the top utility and entertainment apps in the App Store have been replaced by video and messaging apps. “We’re just trying to keep the lights on over here,” said Mark Zuckerberg in a recent interview as the messaging and video call traffic surge puts pressure on large platforms. In many countries, messaging on Instagram and Facebook grew by over 50%, while group calls in Italy jumped by more than 1,000%. WhatsApp usage is also up across the globe, but voice and video calling are growing even faster, putting a real strain on the infrastructure. The messaging userbase is also widening. As most kids are home from school, Messenger Kids has risen to no 5 in Social Networking rank. Microsoft Teams has experienced a 775% growth in voice and video calls in Italy. In addition to many others including Duo (no 2), Hangouts (no 3), Skype (no 10), Signal, Discord (no 9) etc. Vodafone, a mobile carrier is reporting 50% increase in data usage in some Europen countries and Comcast reported 212% increase in voice and video calls over the internet with total usage increase of 32% (highest 60% in San Francisco).

Bonus: VR headsets sold out

This is supposed to be the moment for VR and it seems to be. Oculus Quest is the first truly mobile VR headset offering 360 degrees of freedom with inside-out tracking and costs under $400. This is clearly an appealing offer and even if you wanted to get one for yourself or family, they’re sold out. This is great, but also not great for VR growth as now truly seems to be the time to showcase social VR at it’s best for gaming, co-viewing, hangouts: potentially the most social thing we can do remotely. Hope they’ll be back soon.

What does it mean for your business?

While many of these products have been around for a while, they’re definitely getting a major boost from helping us to stay connected at a distance. Regardless if you live on the same street or on another continent, all friends can be united now in one place, no one being left out or feeling far away. Many activities we used to do exclusively in person, will soon have a strong (if not better) alternative, even when we get back to normal.

If you’re a brand owner, is your shopping experience ready for co-shopping apps? Could you make your own digital experience more social? Are your sales associates ready to join customers over video? Could you make your social games and content available on Houseparty?

If you’re a video producer/creator, have you made your content available on co-viewing apps or offering that on your own platform with messaging and video chat?

I recently received a Zoom birthday party invite with live DJ, everybody enjoying their own drinks, but dancing to the same rhythm and having a good time. If you want to join the next dance party with the two-time Grammy-nominated choreographer Ryan Heffington, then he’s live Tue, Wed, Thu at 10am PST.

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### Consumer behaviour changes overnight: opportunities for growth
Published 2020-03-27 · https://sandersaar.com/consumer-behaviour-changes-overnight-opportunities-for-growth/

If you’re a brand marketer, strategist, advertiser, content creator: this is for you. I’ve been tracking COVID-19 changes and responses from the industry affecting many business strategies and growth. Not to mention the impact on people’s well-being, without which, all of the below would become irrelevant. Remember to always take care of each other first and foremost!

Shelter in place: What’s not growing?

Restaurant bookings gradually slowing to a halt on 3/21. Source: Opentable ‘State of the industry’

Cities have stopped moving with Citymapper mobility index down from 70-80% to 5-8% in most larger cities around the World. Uber rides are down by 60-70% in cities hit hardest. Check out your own city and country here indexed by Google Maps.

Offices close, businesses moving employees to work-from-home (if possible, according to Bureau of Labour Statistics only 29% can work remotely), while co-working spaces like WeWork remain open (only closed for cleaning after confirmed cases).

Restaurant bookings stop around the world (Opentable tracking bookings).

Retail stores closed, apart from essentials incl grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations. Cutting store hours and limiting the number of customers. Many sold out of essential supplies incl toilet paper, water, frozen foods.

Fitness clubs closed nation-wide.

Live events incl. conferences, concerts, music festivals cancelled, postponed at least until Aug/Sept 2020 (a good list by Aiste).

Sports leagues & tournaments suspended incl NBA, NHL, NFL, MLB, MLS, PGA, Premier League, UEFA 2020. Even Tokyo Olympics postponed till next year (NBC had sold record $1.25B in ads).

Theatres ordered to be closed all around by the government incl Cinemark, AMC and others.

Productions suspended and film releases delayed incl. Warner Bros. halting production on 70+ TV series, Netflix suspending all scripted series, late-night talk shows (a major profit centre for broadcasters) stopped.

Consumer spending is down amid fears of job loss (59% US jobs are paid hourly) and recession on its way (Goldman Sachs estimating biggest contraction on record, -24% economic output decline in Q2 2020). Many US states report staggering rise in jobless claims up 150% week-over-week.

Advertising budgets cut by -0.4pp according to eMarketer estimates (imho quite optimistic). Survey also found that in China 7% stopped advertising altogether and 14% moved budgets from offline to online.

Consumers adapting: What’s growing?

Gaming, education, entertainment app downloads growing fastest. Source: FT

Online ordering for delivery and pickup growing rapidly, accelerating the number of restaurants offering these options (previously 48.5% order were off-premise). Amazon looking to hire 100,000 and Walmart 150,000 workers to help with the demand and pay $550M in bonuses. Other delivery companies further accelerating gig-economy workers growth (+78% from 2017), Uber Eats recorded 10% increase in sales and 30% increase in rider signups. Instacart also sees 105% increase in week-ove-week downloads. While convenience online ordering is seeing a steep growth, fashion, luxury and others are down (Retail Pulse by Within).

Streaming platforms are growing faster than ever: SVOD platforms like Disney+ is growing 300% faster week-over-week, Netflix 47%, HBO Now 90% and Showtime 78% (by Forbes). New platforms expected to launch soon incl. AT&T’s HBO Max (April), NBCUniversal’s Peacock (May) and Quibi (April 6). AVOD platforms like Hulu, Pluto, Roku and Direct TV could see ad spending grow 42 %, to $2.6 billion (in China, 14% of advertisers moved advertising budgets from offline to online). Nielsen estimates total media consumption rise by 60% due to home confinement.

DTC content distribution, Disney releasing Frozen 2 three months early on Disney+, and Pixar’s Onward for digital purchase just weeks after theatrical release (on Disney+ in April). NBCU’s Universal breaking theatrical windows and making movies (The Hunt, The Invisible Man, Trolls World Tour) available same time as theatres for $19.99, NY Metropolitan Opera streaming shows for free.

Independent creators and home productions on the rise from self-producing mainstream celebrities e.g. Miley Cyrus Bright Minded Show, musicians e.g. Coldplay #togetherathome, late-night hosts Seth Meyers, athletes e.g. Trae Young #inhousechallenge to Instagram fitness trainers, reviewers and vloggers.

Virtual product releases. Sony held the Playstation 5 release online, Apple also cancelled their press event and released new MacBook Air and iPad Pro virtually.

Gaming is setting new records with Steam having more than 22 million players logging on (by Polygon).

Esports streaming viewership is up on Twitch 10% and YouTube Gaming 15%. Formula 1, Nascar, NBA, soccer players start competing virtually through live streams.

Online news have skyrocketed according to Parse.ly (measurement platform used by Bloomberg, WSJ, Sky, NBC) has seen almost 80% growth in page views and 51% increase daily news app downloads.

Home fitness on the rise with home gym equipment (Peloton) and fitness apps seeing rapid growth, Daily Burn has had as much as 268% year-over-year increase in membership signups. The Body Coach TV from the UK reached more than 954,000 concurrent live-stream viewers for his recent workout on YouTube. In addition to many other home workout programs.

Online education & conferences. For example, Boma is organising a virtual summit with Facebook and Zoom on COVID-19 with 20h live expert discussions and debate. Coursera offering free classes from top universities. Zoom is giving their video conferencing tools away for free to schools. Google launches Teach From Home toolkit for teachers, Learn@Home from YouTube and financial support for remote learners.

Remote tools for collaboration powering all of the above. For example, Microsoft Teams jumping from 32 to 44 million daily active users in one week, Slack adding 7,000 customers in one month.

Virtual hangouts with Netflix Party Chrome plugin to watch Netflix movies together with friends saw a 5x growth in searches, Instagram launching IGTV co-viewing during video chats, Squad an app to watch content together reaching 100K downloads on Android, Bunch blending group games with video chat and Houseparty hitting #1 in 17 countries on the App Store. Plus many others including Duo, Skype, Messenger, WhatsApp etc. Facebook and Instagram messaging seeing 50% month-over-month increase in usage and group calls in Italy increasing 1000%.

Mobile apps overall saw vast growth in China by installs jumping more than 40% compared to 2019 average

VR Oculus Quest headsets sold out on their website (as of March 23, 2020) and as a bonus check out this Corona-Beatsaber-Ninja experience.

Recalibrate and position for growth: what to do?

Grocery delivery up, e-com flat, others down. Source: SimilarWeb Categories by YoY growth

Many of the changes outlined are not necessarily new, but accelerated by the current situation and keep in mind that all changes bring new opportunities as the saying goes ‘Nature abhors a vacuum’. Hope this got your creative juices flowing to make your business more resilient and agile by refocusing and investing in areas of growth. This might just be what your business needs to survive and adjust to the changing reality. According to HBR, in China, companies being most agile to adjust their marketing and sales strategy saw a year of year growth of 200% during the pandemic. In addition, Nike in China reported more than a 30% year-over-year growth in online sales (through Feb 29), while the total sales in the country still declined by -5%. This is certainly not a time to capitalize, but an opportunity to recalibrate and reposition for growth.

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### My three steps to a happier life with less stuff
Published 2014-01-24 · https://sandersaar.com/my-three-steps-to-happier-life-with-less-stuff/

Over the past years I’ve lived in 6 different flats (+4 months in a car) and 4 different countries, which has led me to think really critically on everything I buy / sell in order to fit all my “life” into one suitcase + one box. Here are my top three rules to follow for happier life with less stuff:

1. Get rid of things you haven’t used at least once in the past 3 months.

I actually started off with 6 months, then 3 months and now 1 month. Look through all your wardrobe, living room, kitchen, bathroom, electronics and be ruthless. You can always rent them if you use them rarely. I do also have very few exception items, such as my black tie suit, but I can count them on one hand.

2. One in, one out.

Once you’ve cleared out the stuff you don’t use that often, then make sure you keep it that way. I’ve agreed with myself that whenever I buy something, something else has to go.

3. Know what to spend on.

This is a tricky one and I’ve still got a lot to learn from my girlfriend. She lists all her items in Google Docs spreadsheet with original pricing and counts each time she wears/uses something and therefor gets to the true cost, ie price per use. This helps us to understand what to spend on: is this one-off-used shirt / shoes really necessary or would you rather invest in a jacket for everyday wear?

Hope this helps you to live happier life with less stuff. Any critique and ideas are welcome.

By the way, for me getting rid of things does not mean throwing them away, but either giving to charity shops or selling on ebay depending if the item is still worth the sales effort.

Here’s also a video with more philosophical approach to support that it really makes you happier:

Watch: Less stuff, more happiness | Graham Hill