In today’s issue we discuss Brad Pitt’s real estate, bricklaying robots, credit score dating apps, Walmart buying Vizio, and Jay-Z partnering with Versace.

YouTube

Would You Get A Spotify Tattoo?

Business

Why is Walmart buying TV maker Vizio for $2.3 billion, when they already own a TV manufacturer? Walmart already sells their own in-house cheap TVs and streaming box through their brand named Onn.

On the face of it this deal doesn’t make sense, but if we dig into a bit Walmart’s intentions are perfectly clear.

First, like I mentioned Walmart already has their own brand of TVs called Onn (horrible name I agree, and I’ve literally never heard of or seen them in their stores or Sam’s Club. They are marketed as super cheap no-thrills TVs, so that could help explain why they’d want to buy a bigger, better known brand.

Second, advertising. That’s what this is all about. Vizio has their own streaming service called  Vizio’s SmartCast Operating System, and it allows customers to stream free ad-supported content on Vizio TVs.

Sure, Walmart has their own media streaming service called Walmart Connect, but they must have done the math and determined the best way to grow was through acquisition.

Advertising sales has a much higher profit margin than selling groceries or clothing. Walmart’s advertising sales grew 22% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Like everyone else it seems, Walmart is trying to compete with Amazon’s growing ad segment. Vizio’s SmartCast system has 18 million active accounts, so that’s a lot of eyeballs Walmart can monetize via ad sales.

I’m reminded of something the famous cryptographer and cyber security expert Bruce Schneier once said, “If something is free, you're not the customer; you're the product”.

He had no idea how right he was.

Walmart to buy TV maker Vizio for $2.3 billion in move to grow its ad business

Tech

I know there are niche dating apps, but a dating app for people with great credit? That's niche!

If I wasn’t already happily married I could be interested. I mean, what’s more sexy than a good credit score?

No, I’m being serious. Think about it.

Our credit scores tell a lot about us, and can open just as many doors as a bad credit score can close.

I say this all the time. Good fiscal management is key to not only building wealth, but ensuring you’re happy and having a good time along the way. Ok, I don’t say that out loud too much, but my mates know I do live by those words.

Now there’s a new dating app called Score for people with good credit.

How do you qualify to use the Score dating app, you might be wondering?

Well it’s simple - have a good credit score! Interested users sign up for the app, and the company does a “soft credit” check, which means that the query won’t impact their credit reports, but your credit score is never displayed in the app. To get in you have to have at least a 675 credit score to use it. The app works like most other dating apps; it matches you up with similar matches, and users swipe left or right as usual.

If you get denied it’s not the end of the road. I mean, you won’t be able to use the Score app, but it could be the beginning of your financial literacy journey by reading up on the ways to improve your credit score and get your financial house in order, which everyone can agree we all need a little educating along the way.

Score is a new dating app for people with good to excellent credit

Robots

I know it’s popular to theorize that robots are taking over everyone’s jobs, but what if they could take over tough and remedial jobs like laying bricks to build new low-cost homes for people.

Wouldn’t that be a good thing?

Let’s get the obvious out of the way. Working with bricks is hard work. Anyone who’s ever tried to build a wall, or mix concrete, knows it is tough work. The construction industry is having a hard time finding skilled laborers, with an emphasis on the word skilled.

And the construction industry isn’t this small market that we should just overlook. I mean, in the U.S. alone it’s a $2 trillion a year industry.

So a Dutch startup named Monumental is attempting to enter the construction industry one brick at a time (sorry for the pun, I couldn’t help it).

Monumental recently emerged from stealth with a $25 million dollar investment from the VC firms Plural and Hummingbird, with participation from Northzone, Foundamental and NP-Hard Ventures. They plan to use the funding for “hiring, scaling manufacturing and diversifying the manner of bricks/blocks its robots are capable of handling.” according to an article on TechCrunch.

Dutch startup Monumental is using robots to lay bricks

Real Estate

Brad Pitt just pimped out the newest crib in his growing real estate empire.

In April of 2023 Brad Pill sold the home he used to share with Angelina Jolie and his kids, to oil heiress Aileen Getty for $33 million dollars, then he bought her $8.3 million dollar home.

See, celebrities are people just like you and me.

This isn’t exactly my definition of “downsizing”, but you do you Brad Pitt.

Once the luxury home swap was done, Brad Pitt got to redecorating and interior designing the estate into more of a bachelor pad that he could entertain in.

He’s adding more seating around the pool for entertaining, added a sculpture overlooking the pool (no doubt from one of his 3 art galleries he purchased in LA a few months ago), and he’s making the home more environmentally friendly by covering nearly the entire roof with solar panels.

This isn’t even Brad Pitt’s only home in LA. In 2022 he bought author D.L James' former home 'Seaward' in Carmel, California. Brad Pitt is such a baller he didn’t even take out a mortgage; dude threw down $40 million dollars in an all-cash offer.

I know this is like my 3rd article I’ve written about Brad Pitt in the last few months, but I can’t help my man-crush on the actor. Someone tell me I’m not the only one. Anyone? Please!

Brad Pitt decks out his luxury $8.3million mansion with a sauna hut, massage table, plenty of seating for outdoor entertainment and solar panels on the roof of his Los Feliz pad

Fashion

Jay-Z isn’t done making moves in the fashion industry. Jay-Z’s company Roc Nation just formed a partnership with Versace.

Yes, that Versace - the Italian luxury fashion label made famous by "King of Fashion" Gianni Versace, and his sister Donatella Versace.

In a statement about the deal Versace said the deal is a “transformative multi-year partnership” that will “range from the support of cause-focused initiatives to the sponsorship of high-profile events.” The first event they spoke of was a party at this year’s Super Bowl, which Roc Nation Sports produces the Halftime show for.

In a press release from Roc Nation, they said “Central to both Versace and Roc Nation is human capital and a commitment to creative empowerment, celebrating individuality and fueling positive change. Championing artists across music, entertainment, and broader cultural landscapes will be underscored through the partnership.”

The whole point of this partnership is to support the next generation of talent, and will include sponsoring scholarships for the Roc Nation School of Music, Sport and Entertainment at Long Island University, who’s program focuses on entrepreneurship along with music and sports management.

Could a fashion matchup between Jay-Z’s Roc Nation and Versace be in the offerings also? It’s probably too soon to tell, but if Jay-Z’s Roc Nation collaboration with Moncler is any indicator Jay-Z is eager to do a little more than dip his toe in the fashion industry.

JAY-Z's Roc Nation Strikes Partnership With Versace

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So much news, so little time. Until tomorrow we’re signing out.

— Chris