This Week in Local
By Localogy
Mike and Charlie interview the power players in media, brand, agency, and SaaS who are calling the shots in modern commerce.
Follow This Week in Local for a dose of tech news and analysis from Localogy's analyst team. Each episode shares knowledge to help you win the next deal, the next role, and maybe even the next bet.
This Week in LocalMay 09, 2024
72: Hanging by a Threads
In E72, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin discuss the state of Threads. This is the Meta app (joined at the hip with Instagram) that emerged last year as a text-based social network. And as an alternative for those who could not abide Elon Musk’s stewardship of X (nee Twitter).
The hook for this discussion was a recent Meta initiative to entice Instagram creators to create on Threads. It’s a move the analysts understand. Platforms like Threads need content that attracts users. And lots of it.
But they also felt this move has distinct Groupon or “Happy Hour vibes.” In other words, a whiff of desperation.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E71: A New Normal for Startups
For E71, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin discuss the emerging new normal of how tech startups are being organized.
This new normal involves a hyper-lean mindset among founders who now build with much smaller teams, outsource a lot more, are far more stingy with equity, and automate as much as they can using AI.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation with us at podcast@localogy.com.
E70: The Roam UX – Function Fights Back
In E70, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin discuss one of the most talked about startups in the Localogy-verse – Howard Lerman’s Ro.am.
Specifically, co-host Mike Boland gives a download on his test drive of the Roam UX. And given Mike’s expertise in AR/VR, Roam’s spatial orientation is right up Mike’s alley.
Mike’s key point is that Roam’s mission is to break out of the “form over function” trap that so much of what we build falls into.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation with us at podcast@localogy.com.
E69: Highlights from L24
For E69, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin shared highlights and insights from the recently completed L24 event in Arlington, Texas.
L24 wasn't 100% AI-focused. Yet it was a key theme. Mike noted how practical the conversation around AI was at L24.
Charles pointed out that it was a relief that there wasn’t a lot of AI “doomer” talk at L24. Yet he felt some tough conversations were being avoided.
For example, what’s really behind the talk about how AI is “democratizing” this or that?
The analysts also discussed TikTok’s U.S. future. This surfaced throughout the event, which was before legislation was passed requiring TikTok’s owner Bytedance to divest its U.S. holdings.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E68: Will AI Displace Wannabe Influencers?
In E68, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin talk about how AI may disrupt yet another career ambition – becoming a professional influencer.
The analysts cite data showing that about half of GenZ’s say they would enjoy a career sunning poolside for brand deals. They then pierce this bubble by citing brands' likely temptation to build their own influencers with AI tools like Sora and Midjourney.
While this trend may not bode well for aspiring young influencers, the analysts agreed that some flavors of influencer marketing may enjoy at least some AI immunity. This includes the emerging category of local influencers, exemplified by companies like Hummingbirds.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E67: TikTok Fights for Survival
In E67, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin Talk about TikTok’s effort to stave off elimination in the U.S. by citing its formidable economic impact, particularly among small businesses.
The U.S. House has already passed a TikTok ban. And the measure awaits Senate approval. The main driver of the movement to ban the popular platform is national security concerns stemming from TikTok’s ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese company.
In the meantime, TikTok’s lobbying efforts are focused on something the analysts describe as “Apple Pie” to dissuade American lawmakers from following through on the ban effort. That is the fortunes of American small businesses. According to TikTok’s “Economic Impact Report 2024”, the video platform drove about $15 billion in revenue for U.S. SMBs in 2023.
The analysts debate whether this tack will work for TikTok.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E66: What Does Read.ai’s Series A Tell Us?
In this Episode of Localogy’s This Week in Local, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin unpack what we learned from Read.ai’s recent $21 million Series A funding round.
The analysts agreed that the round is a good sign that VCs are out there for companies with proven founders and a good story. Although, it is not enough to declare the VC winter is thawing because a respected serial founder with “AI” in his company's name was able to raise a round.
What the analysts found even more interesting was the product expansion that accompanied Read.ai’s funding round. This led to an interesting discussion on the episode of new ways organizations may (perhaps inevitably) apply this data.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E65: Retail Media for SMBs
This Episode of Localogy’s This Week in Local features a rundown on an interesting new move in retail media, one of the current hottest trends in local.
Co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin kick around the significance of retail giant Walmart’s recent decision to expand access to its retail media network to what it calls “non-endemic brands.”
Or as Mike puts it, Walmart has “opened the floodgates to let local SMBs into the mix.”
What does this mean for retail media broadly? To date, this has largely been a game for brands.
Will other retail media networks follow suit and open their floodgates to let SMBs in? Listen to the analysts talk it out to learn more.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E64: Is a Regulation Reckoning Coming?
In E64, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin dive into the European Union’s Digital Marketing Act and what it could mean for Apple, Alphabet (e.g., Google), and Meta (e.g., Facebook, Instagram).
The Act “requires companies to give users and rivals more choices to ensure a level playing field.”
What does a hefty fine mean to companies that could afford to colonize Mars?
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E63: Uberall Executive Moves
In E63, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin discuss the recent news from Uberall.
Uberall co-founder and CEO Florian Hübner will pass the CEO baton and take over as President. It's all about strategic positioning.
In some cases, the founder’s greatest value – including technical backgrounds – may lie closer to the product level or business development.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E62: Bluehost Steps into Cloud Hosting
In E62, host Mike Boland sits with Bluehost's Senior Director of Product Management, Chris Vanover
Earlier this month Bluehost launched Bluehost Cloud, bringing its customers into the world of cloud hosting – an advanced form of web hosting that utilizes distributed servers for security, performance, and load balancing.
Listen to dive into these dynamics.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E61: AI Enters Reputation Management
In E61, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin discuss Chatmeter’s latest innovation: Risk Monitoring.
This groundbreaking AI technology scans reviews and social media to pinpoint potential crises before they escalate.
Chatmeter's Risk Monitoring has transformed their approach to risk mitigation in the hyper-digital era, reshaping the future of reputation management and helping businesses navigate the complexities of online presence with confidence
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E60: Testing Products in the Wild
In E60, co-hosts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin debate the merits of a new experiment from Google that applied AI to a common pain point.
Mke describes how Google has rolled out “Talk to a Live Rep” which uses AI to address a common consumer pain point, waiting on hold to talk to a live agent.
Mike sees this innovation within the broader context of Google’s AI strategy. In essence, Google is pursuing Talk to a Live Rep in the same manner as it has rolled out all of its famous consumer products.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E59: Key Trends in Privacy, Location and Retail Media
In E59 of This Week in Local, Mike Boland welcomes Dan Hight to do a deep but efficient dive into all things location and location intelligence.
Not to mention adjacent and highly consequential issues like privacy, digital out of home, and retail media.
Dan will lead several sessions on these very issues at Localogy’s upcoming L24 conference. Luckily for Dallas-based Dan, this event will be a home game for him.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com. ##
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E58: TikTok’s Vision & AI IPO Flexes
In E58, Localogy senior analysts look at developments of interest to those following big tech, spatial computing, and finance.
Mike begins by sharing his take on what it means for TikTok to develop an app native to the new Apple Vision Pro.
Charles then talks about how the fintech company Klarna has turned an AI bot designed as a shopping assistant into a customer service agent that is driving millions in cost savings.
As we often do, we wrap up this episode with each host’s nomination for “Who Won the Week”.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com. ##
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E57: Free Content & Lonely Unicorns
In E57, Localogy analysts look at platform paywall abandonment and one-person unicorns.
We begin with Mike sharing a brewing trend of content platforms abandoning paywalls as consumers appear to signal a willingness to view ads in exchange for free content.
Charles then raises the prospect, citing comments by OpenAI’s Sam Altman, that we may not be far away from a one-person startup (leveraging AI) reaching unicorn status before taking on any employees.
And finally we wrap up the podcast with each host’s nomination for “Who Won the Week”
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Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E56: Vision Pro and Fancy Feet
In E56 of Localogy’s This Week in Local podcast features Localogy senior analysts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin look at business trends impacting the Localogy ecosystem.
First Mike shares his insights on the rollout of Apple Vision Pro.
Then Charles looks at how location intelligence firm Placer.ai is expanding the use cases for foot traffic data through a string of recent partnerships.
And finally we wrap up the podcast with each host’s nomination for “Who Won the Week”
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com. ##
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E55: Small Margins and Big IPOs
E55 features Localogy senior analysts looking at business trends that demonstrate how fragmented the SMB market is and recent efforts from Klarna.
Mike shares the results of an exercise he conducted looking at average net profit margins for various small business categories.
Charles brings up recent efforts by buy now, pay later platform Klarna to achieve revenue diversification in advance of its expected IPO this year. The company appears eager to prove it is not a one-trick pony.
And finally, we wrap up the podcast with each host’s nomination for “Who Won the Week”.
This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com. ##
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E54: FDX and the Drizly’s Demise
E54 of This Week in Local features Localogy analysts unpacking recent news from FedEx and Uber.
FedX’s foray into eCommerce-as-a-Service via its FDX end-to-end eCommerce solution for businesses, comparing with recent Amazon efforts like Buy with Prime.
Uber’s decision to shut down booze-delivery app Drizly, which it acquired in 2021 for $1.1 billion. The analysts agree this deal has earned a spot in the pantheon of disastrous tech acquisitions.
And finally, we wrap up the podcast with each hosts’ nomination for “Who Won the Week”.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E53: Google My Car and AI My SMB
In Episode 53 of Localogy's This Week in Local podcast, our analysts explore a pair of tech topics that have captured their fascination in the recent week.
Mike focuses on summarizing the significant takeaways from the recent Consumer Electronics Show, particularly highlighting Google Auto's entry into the electric vehicle space.
Charles, on the other hand, speculates about the potential adoption pattern of AI tools among small businesses, drawing insights from two research projects suggesting a significant uptick in small business AI adoption in 2024.
We encourage you to stay tuned until the very end, where each host reveals their nomination for "Who Won the Week."
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation at podcast@localogy.com.
E52: AI Co-Pilots and the 2023 Butcher’s Bill
In Episode 52 of Localogy's This Week in Local, our analysts usher in the new year by sharing insights and discussions on topics they've been covering in Localogy Insider.
The introduction of Co-Pilot, formerly known as Bing Chat, as a standalone app by Microsoft prompts the question: Will this strategy contribute to the already rapid adoption of ChatGPT?
Taking stock of the 2023 startup landscape reveals a somber record, marked by a tally of both outright failures and down rounds (fundraising at diminished valuations). This grim assessment is colloquially termed the "butcher's bill," and in 2023, it saw a substantial toll, with significant losses and financial setbacks.
Each host offers one prediction for the new year.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Drop us a line at podcast@localogy.com.
E51: David Shim, CEO Read AI: Making Work Work Better
In Episode 51 of This Week in Local, Localogy Senior Analyst Charles Laughlin chats with a local legend, Read AI CEO & Co-founder David Shim.
As founder of Read AI, David is right in the thick of the emerging “remote tech” space that we follow closely at Localogy.
Tune in for how AI is reshaping the way we work and David’s broader views on the pros and cons of AI.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
If you would like to recommend a guest, ask us a question, or promote your brand to our powerful and engaged audience, please write to us at podcast@localogy.com.
E50: Matthew Marx, Evocalize: Closing the Lead-Generation Loophole
In Episode 50 of This Week in Local, Localogy Senior Analyst Charles Laughlin gets the lowdown on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s decision last week to close the “Lead Generation Loophole” from Matthew Marx, CEO of the Seattle-based digital marketing platform Evocalize.
Essentially the FCC upped the ante on the consent required for a lead in order to spare consumers the robo calls and texts that so often flood in after posting an inquiry on a comparison shopping website, for example.
Essentially this ruling makes it hard for lead generators to collect a lead once and sell it multiple times.
While Matt acknowledges the consumer benefit, he wonders how the ruling will impact businesses that rely on lead generators for new business. He singles out mortgages, real estate, insurance, travel as being most impacted by the ruling.
Longer term, he thinks the ruling may be better lead generation and nurturing practice.
Tune in for a primer on a regulatory decision likely to reverberate throughout the local digital ecosystem once it kicks in next year.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
If you would like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode, please write to us at podcast@localogy.com.
E49: Josh Scherman, B2B Software Advisors: The Power of BD-led M&A
In Episode 49 of This Week in Local, Localogy Senior Analyst Charles Laughlin facilitates a mini-masterclass on “BD-led M&A” with Josh Scherman of B2B Software Advisors.
Josh is a small business SaaS veteran (ex of ConstantContact and SurePath Capital Partners) who now advises SMB software companies on growth and setting themselves up for successful exits.
In brief, “BD-led M&A” is something we see every day when we read about this or that software company being gobbled up by a bigger fish.
Often the companies involved knew each other long before one purchased the other. And these relationships often begin with partnerships struck by biz dev pros traveling from one industry conference to another forging integration partnerships, reseller relationships, and so on.
These relationships often mark the beginnings of courtships leading to rich exits.
On the episode, Josh cites a number of famous examples of BD-led exits, including Endurance International and ConstantContact. And more recently, Atlasian’s acquisition of Loom.
In fact, Josh says this LinkedIn Post from Loom Co-founder Vinay Hiremath reads like an advertisement for BD-led M&A.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
If you would like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode, please write to us at podcast@localogy.com.
E48: David Arslanian: Practical Takeaways from the OpenAI Fiasco
In Episode 48 of This Week in Local, Localogy’s Mike Boland sits down with Progress Partners Managing Director David Arslanian to unpack key takeaways from the OpenAI fiasco, now that the smoke has cleared.
As Mike puts it, David is the podcast’s “resident expert on all things finance and corporate doings.”
Mike and David devote the episode to understanding what the Open AI board/Sam Altman imbroglio really means. Open AI’s board abruptly fired Co-founder Altman and later bowed to pressure to reinstate him.
First, Mike and David briefly unpack what happened. Then they offer some lessons from the bizarre turn of events at the organization at the heart of AI’s rapid evolution from something running in the background to something poised to run every aspect of our lives.
Ultimately, a lot of what happened came down to money vs. mission. And money always wins that fight.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
If you would like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode, please write to us at podcast@localogy.com.
E47: AI Product Pages and the End of Early Stage VC
In E47 of Localogy’s This Week in Local podcast, senior analysts Charles Laughlin and Mike Boland find new angles on the ongoing saga of how AI is changing everything.
Mike starts with a review of how Amazon and Google are making it easy to use generative AI to create product descriptions for Google product listings or Amazon product pages. Mike sees these moves in the context of how AI is working its way through the marketing stack, from stock images to copywriting to now the creation of product images.
Charles takes this in a different direction and talks about recent comments from investor and All-In Podcast bro Chamath Palihapitiya that it is easier than it has ever been to launch a software company with just a couple of people. How? Well, just automate most tasks, from product development to marketing, using AI. In this scenario, Chamath doesn’t see an outsize role for VCs.
Catch the hosts' selections for “Who Won the Week”. Perhaps Mike or Charles will mention you or your company!
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Drop us a line at podcast@localogy.com.
E46: Place 2023 Highlights
In E46 of Localogy’s This Week in Local podcast, senior analysts Mike Boland is joined by guest co-host Dan Hight to share their key takeaways from Localogy’s Place 2023 conference in New York on November 7th, which the two hosts co-moderated.
The event covered the local intersection of the physical and the digital. And the two analysts highlighted the lessons they took away from a high-powered group of speakers from companies that included Google, Yext, Foursquare, BrandMuscle, and many others.
Some of the issues the analyst highlighted were the new normal in local advertising now that 3rd party cookies restrictions are in place. And of course, how AI is changing everything.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com. ##
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Drop us a line at podcast@localogy.com.
E45: Amazon Ads and AI Meeting Bots
In E45 of Localogy’s This Week in Local podcast, senior analysts Charles Laughlin and Mike Boland sound off on Amazon ads to AI-enhanced meetings.
First Mike talks about a new option for SMB-facing agencies and publishers to sell inventory from a major advertising platform. In this case the ads are from Amazon, and hibu is the guinea pig for this partnership model.
Charles then trots out one of his favorite hobby horses – the future of work. In this instance he asks if the pivots and now rebranding of what was once Waitroom (now Rumi.ai) signal trouble in the fledgling “remote tech” space, or is Rumi just being opportunistic and poivoting to positioning itself clearly as an AI-enhanced meetings play and not as an alternative to Zoom.
And please remember to listen to the very end to catch the hosts' nominations for “Who Won the Week”. Perhaps Mike or Charles will mention you or your company.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com. ##
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Drop us a line at podcast@localogy.com.
E44: Brandon Grosvenor, CRO, Torstar Corp.: Dollars Not Data
In E44, Localogy senior analyst Mike Boland talks about the evolution of a major newspaper company in the digital media age with Brandon Grosvenor, Chief Revenue Officer of Torstar Corporation, the parent company of the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest daily paid newspaper, as well as multiple digital properties including Homefinder.ca and Save.ca.
The conversation covers a lot of ground, from the arc of transformation in Yellow Pages (Brandon is a former Yellow Pages national sales exec) to the ability for a company with traditional media roots to thrive in a Google and Meta-driven world.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com. Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Write to us at podcast@localogy.com.
E43: Emily Steele, CEO, Hummingbirds: People Powered Marketing
In E43, Localogy senior analyst Charles Laughlin talks about the unique power of local influencers with Emily Steele, the CEO & Co-founder of Hummingbirds.
Hummingbirds is the antithesis of Khardashian level influencer marketing, where celebrities will millions of Instagram followers hawk luxury goods. Rather, it’s about that friend in your community with perhaps hundreds of followers who convinced you to try out that new cocktail bar or yoga studio.
Ultimately Hummingbirds sees itself as an innovative way for brands to break through to Millennial consumers who are “spending money on Spotify to avoid ads.”
Des Moines, Iowa-based Hummingbirds began in 2019 to “help place-based brand find and work with hyper-local content creators to drive awareness and sales.” Steele says that brick and mortar retail and personal services businesses seem to resonate most with local influencer marketing.
The company raised a $1 million seed round late in 2022.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com. Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Write to us at podcast@localogy.com.
E42: Dog Cookies and Blue Checks for SMB
In E42, Localogy senior analysts Charles Laughlin and Mike Boland sound off on two topics that involve protecting the little guy.
First Mike talks about how big tech platforms like Meta and Airbnb are applying user verification to small businesses.
Charles then asks out loud if crowdfunding platforms will become a go-to resource for tech startups running out of runway during the long VC winter.
And always remember to listen to the very end to catch the hosts' nominations for “Who Won the Week”. Maybe they will mention you or your company.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com. ##
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Write to us at podcast@localogy.com.
E41: The AI Arms Race & Dumb Diversification
In E41, Localogy senior analysts Charles Laughlin and Mike Boland return to explore two top of mind topics.
Mike begins with a look at the recent “Made by Google”event, which ostensibly was to roll out the new Pixel 8 phone but felt more like an AI product rollout.
Charles then talks about how an increasingly commoditized buy now pay later industry is seeking diversification in some familiar ways, including subscription products and retail media networks.
Please be sure to listen to the full episode to catch the hosts' nominations for “Who Won the Week”. This week’s entries touch on both the digital and physical worlds.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com. ##
Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Write to us at podcast@localogy.com.
E40: Amazon's RaaS Vision and PE's HVAC Obsession
In E40, Localogy senior analysts Charles Laughlin and Mike Boland return to explore two rather divergent topics.
Mike starts the show off with an update on Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, which makes it possible to fill a basket in a store, and just walk out with the goods, and pay for them electronically. The analysts kick around why this hasn’t yet revolutionized retail.
Charles then shared details of a story he is working on about a private equity group rolling out local home services companies, offering a viable exit opportunity for local plumbers nearing retirement age.
Please be sure to listen to the full episode to catch the hosts sharing their choices for “Who Won the Week”. This week’s WWTW entries touch on some big tech milestones.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
E39: Itzik Levy, CEO, vcita: All in One and One for All
In E39, Localogy senior analyst Charles Laughlin talks SMB SaaS with vcita CEO & Founder CEO Itzik Levy.
Itzik falls firmly on the side of all-in-one in the longstanding all-in-one vs. point solutions debate that has raged on and off for years in the small-business SaaS industry. Itzik says that the company was not founded on this principle. It got there gradually by listening to its customers.
Tune in for an engaging dialogue with a veteran SaaS founder. Itzik has plenty of advice on how to service the SMB market with software. In particular, Itzik offers tips on driving engagement among SMBs, long one of the biggest challenges in the small business software industry.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
E38: The A.I Al Dente Test and Taking PR to the Max
In E38, Localogy senior analysts Charles Laughlin and Mike Boland return to bat around two top of mind AI topics.
Mike begins by musing on which uses of AI are good applications and which are really just AI solutions in search of problems. Mike offers examples of both, noting that we are in the phase where a lot of spaghetti is being thrown against the AI wall in the hope that something will stick.
Charles then raised a question that touches on AI but was spurred by a development he observed in the payments space. When a tech exec says they welcome regulation, do they really mean it?
Please be sure to listen to the full episode to catch the hosts sharing their choices for “Who Won the Week”. This week’s WWTW entries range from advances in personal technology to what is the best job in sports.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
E37: Jason Barnard, Kalicube: Tossing a Rock in Google’s Placid Pond
Jason begins by musing on how generative AI’s application to search is leading SEOs and other search professionals to pivot back from being digital marketers to just marketers.
Charles then offers a mini-rant on the ham-handedness (his words) of many back to office efforts, notably Meta’s recent commandment that workers head back to their cubicles three days a week.
Please be sure to listen to the full episode to catch the hosts sharing their choices for “Who Won the Week”. This week’s WWTW entries straddle both the real and virtual worlds.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
E36: TikTok Search Ads & Startups Round Down
In E36, Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin banter about two issues that were on their collective minds over the past week.
First, Mike talks about a potential new threat to Google’s search advertising dominance. And that is TikTok’s moves into search marketing via its new and oddly named Search Ads Toggle.
Then Charlie raised an unrelated topic. Are down rounds becoming normal? And are they a harbinger of the end of the VC winter? This thread was promoted by the fintech Ramp raising an impressive $300 million, but at a significantly reduced valuation.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
E35: Matthew Marx, CEO Evocalize: Automation is the Answer
In E35, Charles Laughlin explores the fast-changing world of digital marketing with special guest Matthew Marx, CEO of Evocalize.
Our conversation with Matt covers a wide range – from how AI is changing the way local businesses create content (and its limitations) to the true meaning of automation to common misconceptions about the current funding environment for B2B SaaS businesses.
Evocalize was recently landed on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing U.S. companies, helps franchise businesses in several verticals, notably real estate and restaurants, automate digital marketing.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
E34: David Arslanian, Progress Partners:‘Siri, I’d Like to Make a Deposit’
In E34, guest Co-host David Arslanian, Managing Director of investment bank Progress Partners, joins Mike Boland to explore the intersection of big tech and banking.
David shares why this is a perilous time for smaller regional banks and a golden time for online-only neobanks.
Then transitions into a discussion of what exactly Apple is up to in the financial services sector. Hint: it’s a lot.
Listen to catch the hosts share their choices for “Who Won the Week”. Which straddle popular culture and local-digital.
At several points the hosts refer to conversations on previous episodes:
Ep. 14 Examines the Collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB)
Ep. 16 Explores Adobe’s AI Moves and Apple Pay LaterEp. 32 Asks Will Apple GPT Kill Siri & Does “X” Mark the Super App?
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com. ##
E33: Jason Cross, Newfold Digital: The Great AI Writer and Assistant Uprising
In E33, Co-host Mike Boland is joined by guest Co-host Jason Cross, SVP Product at Newfold Digital to bat around two important topics in local.
First Mike and Jason talk about whether Google’s experiments with an AI-tool for writing news articles is a net plus for local journalism.
The two then pivot to discuss whether Google’s efforts to revamp its digital assistant with AI spells the beginning of the end for voice assistants like Google’s, plus Alexa and Siri.
The two also find time for some discussion of how AI is transforming the process of creating new businesses – from choosing a name to finding just the right domain.
Please be sure to listen to the full episode to catch the hosts sharing their choices for “Who Won the Week”. This week it’s all about cars and toys.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
E32: Apple GPT and X Marks the Super App
In E32, hosts Mike Boland and Charlie Laughlin break down recent developments from Apple and Twitter – Apple’s latest AI moves plus X’s (née Twitter) “everything app” ambitions.
Mike shares his thoughts on Apple’s foray into conversation AI via Apple GPT. We debate whether this may finally (and thankfully) spell the end of Siri.
Charlie argues that superapps fare much better in emerging markets, while consumers in North America do not seem to be clamoring for one app that does everything. While Mike points out that superapps offer value that explains why so many pursue this ambition. He calls it the “Three S’s” – scale, stickiness, and sustainability.
Please be sure to listen to the full episode to catch the analysts sharing their choices for “Who Won the Week”.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
E31: Google, Shopify Make Calendars Great Again
Episode 31 examines (with a dose of humor) the recent accelerated evolution of the boring old online calendar.
Mike lays out recent changes Google has made to its Calendar to make it more transactional (great for SMBs), more automated, and more location sensitive. As Mike notes, the calendar is not likely to lead off product demos at developer conferences. Still, perhaps some attention was overdue.
Cohost Charlie Laughlin ties this to Shopify’s recently rollout of a tool now embedded in each employee’s calendar that measures the actual cost of online meetings. If widely adopted this could significantly shake up corporate meeting culture.
So technology and both consumer and SMB expectations are catching up to the staid online calendar. This could make calendars more powerful tools yet with less power over our daily lives.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
E30: Michael Hershfield, Founder Accrue Savings: Unlocking Savings Culture
Episode 30 features Michael Hershfield, the Founder and CEO of Accrue Savings.
The conversation goes in depth on the payments landscape, savings culture, and how his company can win in an immediate gratification culture like the United States. Michael also offers his take on Jared Leto’s performance as Adam Neumann in WeCrashed.
Michael is a Canadian native who was a senior sales executive at WeWork before starting Accrue. He is also the veteran of several early stage startups. He says he founded Accrue in 2021 in dismay over the state of the payments landscape in his adopted country.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
E29: Amazon’s Last Mile + KKR-BNPL Selloffs
Episode 29 features Localogy analysts taking on Amazon's last-mile experiment and KKR's interest in BNPL.
Mike Boland brings up Amazon’s latest experimentation with last-mile delivery, this one involves having small businesses use remnant time and space in their cars and vans to deliver packages.
Charles Laughlin then wonders why digital payments giant PayPal, also a leading player in buy now, pay later, has sold off more than $40 billion in BNPL loans to private equity giant KKR. And what this move says about the state of BNPL.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
On this episode, the hosts refer to recent Localogy content. Here are links for easy reference:
Amazon Taps SMBs for Last-Mile Delivery Snapchat+ Reaches 4 Million Paid Subscribers
E28: Drone Deliveries and SMB Automation
In Episode 28, Localogy Analysts Mike Boland and Charles Laughlin, take on two topics at the leading edge of emerging technologies and local.
First they explore if recent website builders’ aggressive push into AI will end up being the tip of the spear for widespread SMB AI adoption.
They than raise the specter of robots and drones delivering packages to our homes in the near future.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
On this episode, the hosts referenced a few recent Localogy articles and podcast episodes. Here are the links for easy reference:
Episode 27 featuring Newfold Digital CEO Sharon Rowlands
Q&A: Wix Leans into AI for Website WorkflowsAre Autonomous Deliveries Making Progress?
E27: Sharon Rowlands, CEO Newfold Digital: Mapping the Intersection of AI & Websites
Episode 27 welcomes Sharon Rowlands, CEO of Newfold Digital.
Our discussion focuses on how the latest tech trends are impacting the Newfold business and the SMBs it serves. And of course, in the current conversation, that means how Newfold is using AI to serve SMBs.
Similar to other leaders in our space, Rowlands acknowledged the AI hype. She believes that AI “is definitely being oversold in some areas and undersold in others.”
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
E26: Howard Lerman, CEO ROAM: Remote Offices and More
Episode 26 welcomes Howard Lerman, Yext Co-founder and former CEO and current Roam CEO, to the show.
This conversation covers a lot of ground within the framework of the future of work. Everything from the thinking behind the name “Roam”, to why “hub” offices make little sense in today’s world, to what Howard believes is required for Roam to scale.
Fun fact about Howard. Many who have worked with and observed Howard in local over the years have likely assumed he was a Steve Jobs acolyte. In fact, Howard’s business hero is Walt Disney.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com. Early in our discussion, Howard mentions a key influence in the creation of Roam was the book Ready Player One, you can find it on Amazon here.
E25: Christian Ward, CDO Yext: Computer-Savvy Humans Meet Human-Savvy Computers
Christian Ward, Chief Data Officer of Yext, not only has his finger on the pulse of AI, but was talking about generative AI long before it became the latest tech topic du jour. Join the lively back & forth between Ward and host Mike Boland – two fast-talking tech geeks that speculate what’s around the corner for AI & search.
What sits at the intersection of AI and Search as Google, Microsoft and others race to integrate it? And as the search king, is Google saddled with a natural innovator’s dilemma when it comes to infusing AI. Spoiler alert: Ward wouldn’t bet against Google.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
Christian’s Reference to Marc Andreesen’s editorial “Why AI Will Save the World” can be seen here.
E24: Microsoft's AI Blitz and Regulating BNPL
Episode 24 shares two issues of interest to the local commerce ecosystem.
First, co-host Mike Boland summarizes some of the key outcomes fromMicrosoft’s recent Build conference. The event focused heavily on Microsoft’s recent AI-related product rollouts. These range from Bing to Microsoft's flagship Office products.
Then Co-host CharlesLaughlin raised one of his favorite topics, Buy Now, Pay Later. Specifically he raised how regulators in Australia have started regulating BNPL the same as any other credit provider, a move that could be repeated in the UK, US and elsewhere.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.
E23: Generative Search and WeWork Finds Itself
Episode 23 digs into Google’s recently announced AI-related search updates, which will further the automation of Google search ads and AI’s impact on the search experience. This includes a shift to what Mike calls “generative search results.”
Charles then raises the topic of the demise of the Neeva search engine. Neeve was an ad-free, subscription-based Google alternative that never really got off the ground.
Our analysts then discuss the [shrinking] co-working giant WeWork’s latest troubles, and what may be a bright opportunity for the company, illustrated by a new office deal with Amazon.
This Week in Local is brought to you by Localogy. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.