Follow along & see what’s new in Consumer, Creators & Community.

Learn AI in 5 minutes a day

What’s the secret to staying ahead of the curve in the world of AI? Information. Luckily, you can join 1,000,000+ early adopters reading The Rundown AI — the free newsletter that makes you smarter on AI with just a 5-minute read per day.

Sign up to start learning.

🔮Consumer: “The Dopamine Wild West”

• The Wild West: Consumer apps remain widely unchecked because innovation is outpacing regulation, and aging lawmakers lack the digital fluency or political will/incentive to rein in addictive design before it scales. Unlike cigarettes.

  • Insight to watch: “Children given daily time limit on Douyin - its version of TikTok” Unlike in the U.S, they cannot scroll hours on end.

  • Startup to watch: Before being acquired in 2019 Dopamine Labs was a team of neuroscientists engineering addiction for their startup clients.

  • Fund to watch: Vice Ventures - Nontraditional, early stage with a focus on verticals including alcohol, skill-based betting, etc

• What Change looks like: Thoughtful regulation can pave the way for a healthier digital future, curbing the effects of dopamine-driven design.

  • Insight to watch: As of three days ago Texas moves forward with expansive social media ban barring anyone under 18 years old.

  • Startup to watch: EndeavorRx (Over $300M raised to date) first FDA-approved video game treatment for children aged 8–12 with ADHD.

  • Fund to watch: What if Ventures ($100M) invests in health & freedom specifically mental health & addiction focused startups.

Synthesis: “It will require government intervention”

🤳🏼Creators: Owning vs Outsourcing Distribution

• Owning distribution: Building your own personal brand is essential for long-term success, as it grants you compounding control over your narrative and ensures resilience against the volatility of relying solely on external influencers.

  • Insight to watch: Launched in 2021 Happy dad has since reached $120M in revenue, built upon the existing media empire full send.

  • Startup to watch: Overlap - unbiased platform to participate in the democratic process. Launches on IG & Tiktok first, goes viral.

  • Creator to watch: Nadya Okamoto at August: Period Care

• Outsourcing distribution: Even the best ideas die in silence, distribution is everything, outsource it if need be. Obscurity is a bigger risk than imperfection.

  • Insight to watch: By every metric a “legacy” brand Unilever has decided to “scaling back traditional ad spending in favour of a twenty-fold increase in the budget for influencers.” Having seen their efficacy.

  • Startup to watch: Without a “face of the brand” Graza made $48M last year by leveraging creators using their product in cooking content.

  • Creator to watch: Kim Kardashian after building nearly half a billion follower count became the face for NikeSKIMS collection leveraging her distribution. Both nike & private equity realized the power of her reach.

Synthesis: “Personal brand compounds, start yesterday”

🗓️ Community: IRL [5.27-6.1] x NYC Tech Week

Insight to watch: With only one week left to NYC Tech week the list is stacked.

🖼️Art Piece of the Week: Memorial Day Edition

Let’s meet IRL?

Gratefully,

G.C