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This Week in Local

This Week in Local

By Localogy

Accelerate your SaaS Smarts. Each Monday Localogy’s Mike Boland and Charlie Laughlin drill down into the stories from the forefront of localization and the local commerce ecosystem.

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.
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72: Hanging by a Threads

This Week in LocalMay 09, 2024

00:00
14:42
72: Hanging by a Threads
May 09, 202414:42
E71: A New Normal for Startups
May 07, 202409:11
E70: The Roam UX – Function Fights Back

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.

May 03, 202414:53
E69: Highlights from L24
Apr 30, 202414:25
E68: Will AI Displace Wannabe Influencers?
Apr 18, 202412:52
E67: TikTok Fights for Survival
Apr 16, 202415:51
E66: What Does Read.ai’s Series A Tell Us?
Apr 11, 202412:21
E65: Retail Media for SMBs
Apr 09, 202412:04
E64: Is a Regulation Reckoning Coming?
Apr 04, 202413:52
E63: Uberall Executive Moves
Apr 02, 202410:10
E62: Bluehost Steps into Cloud Hosting
Mar 25, 202423:49
E61: AI Enters Reputation Management
Mar 21, 202410:48
E60: Testing Products in the Wild

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.

Mar 19, 202411:00
E59: Key Trends in Privacy, Location and Retail Media
Mar 11, 202427:47
E58: TikTok’s Vision & AI IPO Flexes
Mar 04, 202423:16
E57: Free Content & Lonely Unicorns

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”


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.

Feb 19, 202422:26
E56: Vision Pro and Fancy Feet
Feb 12, 202430:05
E55: Small Margins and Big IPOs

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.

Feb 05, 202423:36
E54: FDX and the Drizly’s Demise

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.

Jan 29, 202423:51
E53: Google My Car and AI My SMB
Jan 15, 202424:37
E52: AI Co-Pilots and the 2023 Butcher’s Bill

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.

Jan 08, 202424:06
E51: David Shim, CEO Read AI: Making Work Work Better

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.

Jan 02, 202432:42
E50: Matthew Marx, Evocalize: Closing the Lead-Generation Loophole
Dec 18, 202321:31
E49: Josh Scherman, B2B Software Advisors: The Power of BD-led M&A
Dec 11, 202331:04
E48: David Arslanian: Practical Takeaways from the OpenAI Fiasco
Dec 04, 202328:33
E47: AI Product Pages and the End of Early Stage VC

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.

Nov 20, 202316:58
E46: Place 2023 Highlights

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.

Nov 13, 202319:29
E45: Amazon Ads and AI Meeting Bots
Nov 06, 202324:19
E44: Brandon Grosvenor, CRO, Torstar Corp.: Dollars Not Data
Oct 31, 202328:56
E43: Emily Steele, CEO, Hummingbirds: People Powered Marketing
Oct 23, 202328:43
E42: Dog Cookies and Blue Checks for SMB
Oct 17, 202326:25
E41: The AI Arms Race & Dumb Diversification
Oct 09, 202326:50
E40: Amazon's RaaS Vision and PE's HVAC Obsession
Oct 02, 202329:01
E39: Itzik Levy, CEO, vcita: All in One and One for All
Sep 25, 202328:37
E38: The A.I Al Dente Test and Taking PR to the Max
Sep 18, 202323:47
E37: Jason Barnard, Kalicube: Tossing a Rock in Google’s Placid Pond
Sep 04, 202328:10
E36: TikTok Search Ads & Startups Round Down
Aug 28, 202324:02
E35: Matthew Marx, CEO Evocalize: Automation is the Answer
Aug 21, 202331:35
E34: David Arslanian, Progress Partners:‘Siri, I’d Like to Make a Deposit’
Aug 14, 202326:56
E33: Jason Cross, Newfold Digital: The Great AI Writer and Assistant Uprising
Aug 07, 202324:29
E32: Apple GPT and X Marks the Super App
Jul 31, 202326:34
E31: Google, Shopify Make Calendars Great Again
Jul 24, 202318:19
E30: Michael Hershfield, Founder Accrue Savings: Unlocking Savings Culture

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.

Jul 17, 202331:49
E29: Amazon’s Last Mile + KKR-BNPL Selloffs
Jul 10, 202318:34
E28: Drone Deliveries and SMB Automation
Jul 03, 202322:49
E27: Sharon Rowlands, CEO Newfold Digital: Mapping the Intersection of AI & Websites
Jun 26, 202327:21
E26: Howard Lerman, CEO ROAM: Remote Offices and More
Jun 19, 202327:47
E25: Christian Ward, CDO Yext: Computer-Savvy Humans Meet Human-Savvy Computers
Jun 12, 202331:27
E24: Microsoft's AI Blitz and Regulating BNPL
Jun 05, 202318:16
E23: Generative Search and WeWork Finds Itself
May 29, 202324:04