Perspectives on the digital realm

2024

COVID winners, revisited two years later

November 20 — How have Amazon, Disney, Netflix, and more fared since the end of COVID?  In my last column, I looked at how the companies that came out of COVID as losers have fared in the two years since our first COVID Reset Project report.   (more)

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Two years later: COVID’s big losers revisited

November 8Despite the devastating loss of life (more than one million) and the toll of COVID on the nation’s mental health (especially on those under 25), there were big winners coming out of the pandemic.   (more)

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The changing economics of consumer spending

October 25 — The recent wave of inflation has been the most painful since the late 1970s. Rising costs leave many of us looking at our monthly bills for expenses that can be reduced or even eliminated.  (more)

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Lessons from last summer’s movie hits and bombs

October 11 — It started as a joke and turned into one of the most successful marketing moves in the history of the entertainment industry—or any industry for that matter. There was no mastermind behind the nonsensical pairing of Greta Gerwig…  (more)

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This year’s movies are longer than ever

July 19 — Let’s start with Martin Scorsese.  There isn’t a more talented or respected film maker. He started directing films in the late 1960s. At 80, he is as productive as ever.  As Scorsese built his reputation, his films got longer.  (more)

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How long is too long for a movie?

July 12 — There have always been long movies in Hollywood. But, all of a sudden many more are getting even longer.  How do you know when a movie is too long?  Harry Cohn knew.  The legendary and much-feared head of Columbia Pictures in the 30s and 40s shared his secret:   (more)

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Movie theaters are back! 

April 19 — Movies theaters won.  If ever they were going to disappear, it was during COVID when all the theaters shut down, one major chain declared bankruptcy, we got out of the habit of leaving the home to see films, and even our grandparents learned how to stream.  (more)

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