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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.