business marketing major salary

Twitter will kick nonpaying users out of its main feed

Twitter will soon display only tweets from Twitter Blue members in the algorithmically curated “For You” feed that users see by default, CEO Elon Musk has announced. The change will take effect from April 15—two weeks after Twitter is due to start removing the “legacy” blue checks from users who are merely notable and haven’t agreed to pony up $8 a month for Twitter Blue.

In other words, the next few weeks will see Twitter become a much more stratified service. It was already the case that Twitter Blue subscribers could post longer tweets than regular users, but now they will also have exclusive access to the platform’s primary amplification system. (Disclosures: Like many journalists, I have for many years been granted a blue tick to verify the authenticity of my account; and as I won’t pay for the new kind of blue tick, I will rejoin the unwashed masses come Saturday. Life is hard.)

There’s a rich irony in Musk’s Twitter planning to algorithmically suppress the output of certain kinds of accounts—in this case, those belonging to people who cannot or will not pay. In the parlance popularized by people like Elon Musk, this is what is known as “shadowbanning.” It was apparently a very bad thing to do—until it wasn’t.

Musk’s justification for making the change—that it’s “the only realistic way to address advanced AI bot swarms taking over”—is also highly debatable. There’s already evidence to suggest that Twitter’s shift to paid verification has helped pro-Russian accounts circulate disinformation, and that the company has approved dodgy bots as Twitter Blue subscribers.

That said, bots are a real problem, and the explosion in easily accessible AI capabilities will quickly make them harder to spot and therefore more dangerous. All social platforms have a major AI bot challenge on their plate, so Twitter’s success or failure in tackling the issue through paid verification will prove instructive, one way or the other.

Similarly, we are about to learn the true value of the Twitter Blue tick. If it turns out that the masses love seeing a stream of tweets from people who have paid to promote their thoughts, then everyone’s a winner. Alternatively, it may turn out that those with deeper pockets don’t necessarily produce the most scintillating content, in which case people will either switch to the Following feed—embarrassing for Musk and for Twitter Blue subscribers, as it takes a lot to make most people shun defaults—or just stop using Twitter so much, which would make the service less attractive to advertisers. Either way, there will be implications for Twitter’s revenue streams.

I’m keen to know your thoughts on this one—personally I wouldn’t be caught dead paying to amplify my tweets, but then again I’m a late Generation Xer who still sees “selling out” as a bad thing—so drop me an e-mail or a tweets on the subject, if you feel so inclined.

David Mayer

Data Sheet’s daily news section was written and curated by Andrea Guzman.

NEWSWORTHY

A TikTok ban would leave a hole in businesses’ marketing strategies. TikTok has helped companies discover what’s trending and use it to inform strategy. But a TikTok ban would cause the reach and revenue of small-business owners to take a hit. For Melissa Chapman, CEO of production company Jungle Creations, the app is a powerful way to boost the cultural relevance of brands. “No other platform does this as successfully,” Chapman said.

Alibaba’s restructuring. China’s online commerce leader Alibaba has announced plans to transform into six business units, splitting up the $250 billion empire cofounded by Jack Ma 24 years ago. The move will separate businesses like Alibaba’s cloud business and its digital media group, and analysts told Bloomberg that the breakup could result in several initial public offerings. In early New York trading Tuesday, its US-listed shares jumped 12%.

Changing of the guard at Lyft. The trend of tech founders stepping back from the CEO role at their companies, which has included Netflix’s Reed Hastings and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, continued on Monday when Lyft CEO Logan Green announced that he and cofounder John Zimmer were moving into non-executive roles on the board of directors. The duo will be replaced by David Risher, a former Amazon executive, in the CEO role. The leadership change comes as Lyft has seen its ride-hailing business rival Uber continue to steal market share in the US and as the company continues to lose money.

ON OUR FEED

“We have not yet seen a lot of evidence that our constituents should be putting their money in these speculative tokens unless they are prepared to lose all their money.”

—Harriett Baldwin, chair of the UK’s Treasury Select Committee, on the government’s announcement that it is no longer producing a non-fungible token for sale through the Royal Mint

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Elon Musk takes a shot at Bill Gates in ongoing feud, saying the Microsoft founder’s understanding of AI is ‘limited,’ by Eleanor Pringle

The crypto industry enlisted an unlikely champion in its crusade against the SEC: An ex-Coinbase manager convicted of insider tradingby Leo Schwartz

Uber Eats pares its menu and removes thousands of virtual brandsby Chris Morris

SVB staff claim they got up to 50% of their salaries in company equity—now some may have have lost millions in its collapseby Eleanor Pringle

Sam Bankman-Fried bribed Chinese officials to the tune of $40 million as he got desperate about frozen Alameda funds, new DOJ charge claimsby Leo Schwartz

BEFORE YOU GO

Amazon Sidewalk is here. Amazon is now shipping kits for Sidewalk, its long-range wireless network that connects Internet of Things devices. Accessible to 90% of the US population, Amazon says that a mobile software development kit for iOS and Android devices will speed up integration of Sidewalk technology into developers’ mobile apps, and a separate tools app will help users debug and troubleshoot in the field. Dave Limp, senior vice president of Amazon Devices and Services, said the team has rapidly built out the network since it was announced in 2019. “Many types of connected devices have been limited by the range of Wi-Fi and the cost of cellular technology, which has hindered the ability to connect devices such as environmental sensors, leak detectors, and smart locks,” Limp said. “Sidewalk is designed to provide a secure, low-cost way to invent and connect a whole new range of devices, and we can’t wait to see what the developers build.”

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2023 Deloitte Global Marketing Trends Report Outlines Opportunities in Uncertain Times

Amid economic uncertainties, Deloitte forecasts marketers will experience breakthroughs in tech, increased consumer focus on sustainability and more in 2023 according to annual report

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ —

Deloitte's 2023 Global Marketing Trends Report Outlines Opportunities in Uncertain Times. — Deloitte’s 2023 Global Marketing Trends Report Outlines Opportunities in Uncertain Times.

Amid economic uncertainties, Deloitte forecasts marketers will experience breakthroughs in tech, increased consumer focus on sustainability and more in 2023 according to annual report.

With a new year comes new challenges, but also opportunities as business leaders and marketers set their sights on embracing trends and solutions that can set them up for success. Curated through surveys and in-depth conversations with more than 1,000 C-suite executives, Deloitte’s “2023 Global Marketing Trends” report offers guidance through uncertainties that business leaders may face, while presenting meaningful approaches to consider which may help propel businesses forward. The report focuses on four topics: financial uncertainty, sustainability, creativity and tech trends to watch. Listed are a few key recommendations marketers can consider going into 2023:

invest in digital technologies, platforms, new markets and customer personalization.
Iimprove sustainability efforts within internal marketing practices and establish long-term commitments.
Make more room for creativity by bringing the rest of the organization along for the ride.
Consider laying the foundation for metaverse or blockchain adoption.

Why this matters
Amid fluctuating and uncertain economic indicators of 2023, marketers are focusing on investments that can help their organizations be resilient in the face of rapid change. As new platforms disrupt existing digital marketing models and slipping consumer confidence requires focused attention on customer loyalty and innovating new growth opportunities, the “2023 Global Marketing Trends” report offers inspiration and motivation to help bring considerable, creative and lasting impact. Marketers, business leaders and C-suite executives can glean insights from the report as they set their sights on what 2023 holds for the business. The report outlines solutions curated directly from leaders and CMOs alike who have ushered in their thoughts, predictions and guidance to help drive brands forward in an ever-changing world.

Key takeaways

Brands answer economic instability through investment: Brands surveyed continue to reiterate economic instability and inflation as a top concern as in 2023. But, instead of hedging their bets and cutting costs, brands are well-prepared to answer this instability and uncertainty with an investment mindset that grows their organization’s capabilities and capacity to be resilient in the face of rapidly changing economic conditions

Through interviewing, CMOs identified their top-three priorities in the face of a potential economic downturn:

Accelerating the move to new digital technologies or platforms (Metaverse, AI, social platforms, AR and digital currencies).
Expanding into new markets, segments, or geographies.
Implementing systems or algorithms to enhance customer personalization.

CMOs drive growth through internal sustainability efforts: As consumer concerns around sustainability issues grow, surveyed brands are now concentrating their efforts on shoring up their own internal sustainability practices. This inward focus is a strong sign that brands are looking to make a more authentic impact over the longer term in order to build trust with consumers.

Brands reported that their top-three priorities for sustainability efforts this year include:

Improving sustainability of internal marketing practices (51%).
Promoting more sustainable product and service offerings (47%).
Establishing long-term sustainability commitments (eg, “… by 2030, our organization will …”) (45%).

Creativity as a force for growth: As noted in the 2022 “Creative Business Transformation” study, developed in partnership with Deloitte Digital and Cannes LIONS, there is a growing creativity gap through diminishing creative leadership in the C-suite and declining creativity skills among CMOs and their marketing talent. 2023 may present an opportunity for individual brands to rise above the competition by making more room for creativity. Research shows that high-growth brands (defined as those with annual revenue growth of 10% or more) are more likely than their negative-growth peers to have the mindset and processes in place that allow creativity to flourish.

CMOs might consider the following strategies to be the creative leader in their own organization:

Redefine what creativity can offer.
Bring the rest of the organization along for the ride.
Inspire the organization to think differently.

Rising technologies to watch: Marketers are now faced with big decisions about when and how to invest in adopting cutting-edge marketing practices as new technologies take center stage as top trends for marketers to watch.

Marketers cited 2023 top trends by the numbers:

Metaverse: About 80% of marketing executives surveyed across the energy, resources, and industrials (ER&I) and life sciences and health care (LS&HC) industries are gravitating toward the metaverse within the next two years.
Digital Currencies: 41% of CMOs surveyed plan to support their advertising strategy with blockchain in the next 12 months.

Key quotes
“2023 is set to be a year of disruption resulting in both obstacles and business opportunities being able to use to identify new levers for growth. Given the current economic pressures, CMOs will be asked to do more with less. The challenge is to remain squarely on the path to optimization and outcomes. Deloitte’s ‘2023 Global Marketing Trends’ report presents a comprehensive guide to help position businesses for success in this dynamic year and beyond, informed by strategic insights from business leaders and marketers alike.”
— Suzanne Kounkelchief marketing officer, Deloitte US

“Brands that want to survive and thrive in 2023 will make purposeful investments to connect creativity to brands and marketing performance. We anticipate those that continue to invest in marketing activities and creativity both within and outside of the marketing organization will capitalize on opportunities. Others that vacate the space will likely have to catch up tenfold to get back to where they were before, much less be on the same level as those that nurtured and invested in creativity from the outset.”
— Mark SingerUS chief marketing officer, Deloitte Digital

“In 2023 focus and integrity are key. Consumers can see through unauthentic brands and are compelling brands to live their purpose. As a result, this year, marketers are focused on internal sustainability and inclusion of actions that render tangible impact. Investing in their organization and ensuring the integrity of who they are, what they say and what they do is good for business, good for our communities and good for our planet.”
— Stacy Kempprincipal, Deloitte Consulting LLPhead of Ethos and executive lead of Deloitte’s CMO Program

Methodology
To ensure a globally relevant, cross-topic understanding of marketing and the customer experience, Deloitte conducted two global surveys and 23 in-depth interviews with global executives.

The “2023 Global Marketing Trends” executive survey polled 1,015 C-suite executives from global companies located in the United States (50%), United Kingdom (10%), Switzerland (10%), Japan (10%), the Middle East (10%) and Australia (10%)i in July 2022. The survey respondents included marketing executives holding roles such as chief marketing officer, chief customer officer, chief revenue officer, chief digital officer, chief growth officer, and other related titles and were sampled across a wide range of industries. Each respondent offered their perspective on a variety of topics related to the future of marketing in the coming one to two years.

Separately, 23 executive interviews were conducted during September and October of 2022. These executives are currently serving in marketing executive roles and their insights were a key part of shaping this report.

For more information about Global Marketing Trends, please visit www.deloitte.com/globalmarketingtrends.

Deloitte Digital helps companies create new growth by elevating the human experience — with connected ideas, technology and talent. Our ambition is to make the best customer-oriented organizations in the world. Alongside all of Deloitte, we foster the connections necessary to shape a better future for our clients, our culture, our society and our planet. visit www.deloittedigital.com or follow Deloitte Digital on LinkedIn or Twitter to learn more.

About Deloitte
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 7,000 private companies. Our people come together for the greater good and work across the industry sectors that drive and shape today’s marketplace — delivering measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in our capital markets, inspire clients to see challenges as opportunities to transform and thrive, and help lead the way toward a stronger economy and a healthier society. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Building on more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s more than 415,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) does not provide services to clients. in the United StatesDeloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the “Deloitte” name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

SOURCE Deloitte

Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps – Eat Yourself Skinny

Inspired by PF Changs’ famous recipe, these Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps are quick, easy to make and are full of so much flavor! Perfect as an appetizer, side or even main dish for a healthy meal the whole family will love!

If you are a fan of PF Changs’ lettuce wraps like us are then you will seriously LOVE these. Not only are the flavors in this dish insane, but the entire recipe literally only takes about 15 minutes from start to finish. These lettuce wraps are perfect for an easy weeknight meal, but they also make a delicious appetizer when having friends over. In fact, they’re so highly requested that I have passed this recipe out more times than I can count to friends and family would want to make them which is why I wanted to re-new this recipe for you all! So. much. FLAVORS

Ingredients You’ll Need

ground turkey – I use lean ground turkey for the filling in these wraps because of the lower fat content while being a great source of protein, but you could also make these using ground chicken, ground beef or ground pork (we LOVE chicken lettuce wraps too!)
soy sauce – I always use low-sodium soy sauce as I find that regular soy sauce can make dishes too salty. You could also swap the soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make these gluten-free
Hoisin sauce – sticky sweet boost of flavor!
Rice Vinegar – adds a touch of acidity that helps balance all these flavors, but if you don’t have rice vinegar, feel free to substitute with white vinegar, apple cider vinegar or even a little lime juice
Roasted red chili paste – adds a little heat along with a boost of flavor, you can also add some red chili flakes or sriracha if you want even more spice
Garlic + ginger – fresh garlic and ginger are definitely the best in this dish,
Water chestnuts – add a nice crunch to these wraps, you could also add in shredded carrots and chopped mushrooms for some added nutrition
green onions – adds flavor and a pop of color
Red pepper flakes – this is optional, but adds a nice kick of spice to these wraps
Bibb lettuce – also known as butter lettuce, this is my favorite lettuce for wraps because of their perfect cup shape and how soft and buttery they are. Other great options include romaine lettuce leaves or iceberg lettuce

How to Make Healthy Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Brown the ground turkey. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add turkey, garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for about 6 minutes or until turkey is browned. Stir to crumble.
Make the sauce. While the turkey is cooking, whisk together hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar and roasted red chili paste in a small bowl.
Mix together. Once the ground turkey is cooked through, turn the heat off and add in the chopped green onions and water chestnuts. Drizzle with sauce and stir well until completely coated.
Assemble lettuce wraps. Spoon about a ¼ cup of the turkey mixture onto each lettuce leaf, serve and enjoy!

Prepping and Storage

To-Store: The delicious filling for these Asian lettuce wraps will last up to 4 to 5 days in the fridge stored in a sealed, airtight container. Trust me when I say, this meal tastes even better the next day! Make sure you don’t store the wraps already assembled as the turkey filling will wilt the leaves.

To Freeze: Let the turkey mixture cool completely and store in a sealed, airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Let the filling thaw completely in the refrigerator before reheating in a skillet or microwave.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Hope you all enjoy these Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps and if you love this recipe as much as we do, please leave me a five-star rating below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I love seeing all your delicious recreations!

Prep Time: 5mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15mins

Ingredients

1¼ lb. lean ground turkey (or ground chicken)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1 (8 oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons roasted red chili paste
Pinch of salt
12 Bibb/Butter lettuce leaves

Instructions

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add turkey, garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for about 6 minutes or until turkey is browned. Stir to crumble.
Combine turkey mixture, onions and chopped water chestnuts in a large bowl, stirring well and set aside.
Meanwhile in a small bowl, whisk together hoisin, soy sauce, rice vinegar and roasted red chili paste and drizzle over the turkey mixture. Toss to coat completely.
Add about ¼ cup turkey mixture to each lettuce leaf, serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts:

Serving Size: 2 lettuce cups
Calories: 162
Sugar: 3.4 g
Sodium: 441.5 mg
Fats: 4.3 g
Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
Carbohydrates: 7.8 g
Fibers: 0.9 g
Proteins: 23.5 g

* Please note that all nutrition information is just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.

Sugar And Its Natural Substitutes

Added sugar has been linked to many serious diseases, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Fortunately, there are many ways to sweeten foods without adding sugar. There are many natural sweeteners that people often use instead of sugar. These include coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup and molasses. While these natural sweeteners may contain more nutrients than regular sugar, your body still metabolizes them in the same way.

The natural sweeteners listed below are slightly ‘less bad’ than regular sugar. Nevertheless, they are still forms of sugar.

Why sugar is bad for you

Sugar interferes with your body’s hormones that regulate hunger and satiety. This can lead to increased calorie intake and weight gain. It also impairs your metabolism, which can lead to increased insulin and fat storage. In fact, many studies have found a strong link between sugar and obesity. Simply put, people who consume the most sugar are much more likely to become overweight or obese than those who consume the least. High sugar intake is also associated with some of the world’s deadliest diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Stevia

Stevia is a natural sweetener extracted from the leaves of a South American shrub scientifically known as Stevia rebaudiana. It contains zero calories and is not associated with weight gain. Several studies show that stevioside, which is one of the sweetening compounds of stevia, can reduce high blood pressure by 6-14%. It has also been shown to lower insulin and blood sugar levels, which can help fight diabetes.

It is worth noting that the two different sweetener compounds extracted from the stevia plant – stevioside and rebaudioside A – have slightly different tastes. Products labeled “stevia” may contain one or both of the above compounds in varying amounts. This is why some varieties taste better than others.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol, with a sweetness similar to sugar. It is extracted from corn or Finnish birch wood and is found in many fruits and vegetables. Xylitol contains 2.4 calories per gram, which has 40% fewer calories than sugar. It also does not increase sugar or insulin levels. Xylitol is generally tolerated, but its consumption can cause side effects in the digestive system such as bloating and diarrhea.

Erythritol

Like xylitol, erythritol is sugar alcohol, which contains even fewer calories. Erythritol contains 0.24 calories per gram and 6% of the calories of regular sugar. Your body does not have the enzymes to break down erythritol, so most of it is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and excreted unchanged in your urine. Therefore, it does not appear to have the harmful effects of regular sugar. In addition, erythritol does not increase blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Studies conducted show that its consumption is safe for the human body and has no side effects.

Coconut sugar

Coconut sugar comes from the sugary liquid that circulates in the coconut plant. It contains some nutrients, such as iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, as well as antioxidants. However, coconut sugar is still very high in calories and contains the same number of calories as regular sugar.

Honey

Honey contains trace elements of vitamins and minerals, as well as an abundance of beneficial antioxidants. Eating honey can help increase the levels of antioxidants in your blood. High levels of antioxidants in the blood are associated with a lower risk of disease. In fact, honey has been shown to improve several disease risk factors. One study found that consuming honey for eight weeks significantly reduced “bad” LDL cholesterol and blood triglycerides in people with diabetes. It also increased the ‘good’ HDL cholesterol.

However, in the same study, an indicator of blood sugar levels called HbA1c increased, which is not good. Another study found that consuming honey reduced levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a measure of inflammation. It also lowers homocysteine , another blood marker associated with the disease. In addition, both studies showed that honey has slightly less harmful effects on blood sugar levels and metabolism than regular sugar.

Maple syrup

Maple syrup is a thick, sugary liquid produced by cooking the sap of maple trees. It contains a good amount of minerals such as calcium, potassium, iron, zinc and manganese. It also contains at least 24 different types of antioxidants. Two test-tube studies have shown that maple syrup may also have anti-cancer benefits , but more research is needed to confirm. While maple syrup contains some beneficial nutrients and antioxidants, it is very high in sugars. It has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar, but still raises blood sugar levels. Like coconut sugar and honey, maple syrup is a slightly better option than regular sugar, but should be consumed in moderation.

Molasses

Molasses is a sweet, brown liquid, which has a thick syrup-like consistency. It is made from boiled sugar cane or sugar beet juice. It contains an increased amount of vitamins and minerals, as well as various antioxidants. In fact, molasses contains more antioxidants than honey and maple syrup. Additionally, its high potassium and calcium content may benefit bone and heart health.

Sugar substitutes to avoid

Agave Nectar

Agave nectar is produced by the agave plant. It’s often promoted as a healthy alternative, but it’s probably one of the unhealthiest sweeteners on the market. It consists of 85% fructose, which is higher than regular sugar. As previously mentioned, high amounts of fructose are closely linked to obesity and other serious diseases.

High fructose corn syrup

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a sweetener made from corn syrup. It is commonly used to sweeten processed foods and soft drinks. As its name suggests, it contains a lot of fructose. It can increase the risk of weight gain, obesity, diabetes and other serious diseases such as cancer. It is just as harmful as sugar and should be avoided at all costs.

The Drums | Activision Blizzard’s Head Of Business Marketing’s Top 5 Predictions For 2023

As marketers wake up to the fact gaming isn’t to be ignored, Jonathan Stringfield outlines how the space will evolve this year and where attention needs to be directed.

Whereas 2022 signaled a partial return to social normalcy given waning concerns around the pandemic, we enter 2023 with economic abnormality looming. Soaring inflation, crashes in the technology industry and the threat of a more durable recession have caused the broader consumer, marketing and technology landscape to adopt a less optimistic outlook.

And yet, as was the case during the depths of the pandemic, an otherwise negative set of circumstances allows us to look at sectors such as gaming in a new light. The immense levels of attention directed towards gaming in recent years was a much-needed wake-up call for marketers who realized that gaming could not be ignored, the subsequent evolution over the coming year will demonstrate that it is not going anywhere.

1. Return to growth

Technology research firm NPD has continuously forecasted a decline in consumer spending around gaming hardware and accessories, which has been construed as an end to a pandemic-gaming boom. While it is certainly true that consumers spent more on gaming during the height of the pandemic, reductions in spend may stem from a number of factors: broader macroeconomic pressure from a potential recession, mixed availability of the latest generation of consoles and premium computers GPUsand a number of high-profile game releases facing delays due to development issues related to the pandemic.

Regardless of the cause, this slowdown is largely being viewed as a temporary correction and the gaming audience on the whole continues to grow. A number of highly anticipated titles and more general availability of gaming devices in 2023 will mark a turning point for the industry, putting it back on a consistent growth trajectory even while consumer spending may be otherwise strained. While gaming is not recession-proof, the deep levels of fandom within gaming allow the industry to be extremely recession-resilient.

2. Gaming goes Hollywood

The quantity and quality of TV or film adaptations have been increasing in recent years, with some 25 feature-length films and almost 30 TV adaptations announced or in some form of production. We may be on the cusp of a break-out year for video game adaptations, with two of the most anticipated projects scheduled for release in 2023: The Last of Us TV series on HBO Max (based on the game series of the same name) and The Super Mario Bros Movie in theaters April 2023. While such adaptations are becoming increasingly common, what has changed in recent years is the extent to which these projects now stay true to the source material, given that past reinterpretations for TV and movie audiences have led to some infamous flops (including the last time Super Mario Bros was on the silver screen).

With traditional media providers increasingly leveraging gaming IP or shoring up capabilities to make games themselves, such as Netflix establishing new gaming studios, the potential for transmedia (where a story is told across multiple forms of media) across gaming and traditional video becomes that much greater. Marketers who are intimately familiar with advertising on TV or movies may find themselves becoming acquainted with gaming whether they like it or not.

3. VR unready

Every year we’re made to feel like we’re on the precipice of VR becoming mainstream, and every year it simply… doesn’t.

The 2021 Holiday season featured great deals on VR headsets, stocking expectations for a breakout year in 2022, and yet the 2022 holiday season only has the same hardware to offer… but this time with some games packaged in. In many respects, packaging games with headsets is a much better way to drive consumer adoption than a temporary sale.

More powerful hardware and attractive price points will help, but all the metaverse hype in the world will not propel VR to critical mass with consumers. The potential for VR and the metaverse face the same roadblock: Without compelling content, even the best technology in the world will fail to attract meaningful attention.

Moreover, in both the case of VR and metaverse, gaming represents the best and most viable experiences within these respective technologies. The most meaningful advancements in emerging technologies such as VR or metaverse won’t come from those specific technology sectors, so much as the games industry.

4. Decrypt esports

The crypto world had a very, very bad 2022: The year began with historic scams in the NFT/web3 space and will be ending with a broader crash in cryptocurrencies due to a number of crypto exchanges failing. While more direct efforts such as blockchain-powered games will continue to soldier on in search of a hit, propped up by a massive influx of VC dollars amid broader industry turmoil, the more tangible effects of the long crypto winter in gaming will be more subtle .

A number of esports stakeholders have relied on sponsorship money from the cryptocurrencies industry, who were interested in esports for the same reason as any other marketer: The audience is largely young, technologically savvy men who are difficult to reach through more traditional media. Lacking the same revenue levers as traditional sports, esports has become particularly reliable on sponsorship dollars and the pullback of a major industry will continue to challenge monetization.

This short-term pain may develop into long-term strength in 2023, as the esports the industry is challenged with pushing innovation towards more revenue models, lacking funding from potentially unstable partnerships.

5. A new era

If 2022 began as a year where attention towards the gaming industry reached new heights, 2023 begins as a year where the biggest trends in gaming represent inflection points: new trajectories for industry growth, a potential diversification of revenue models in competitive gaming, and increasing visibility for gaming across a wide variety of media.

While the trends identified above are those which are most likely to have a more immediate impact on the industry in 2023, they are far from exhaustive. Longer-term shifts in gaming will continue throughout the year: the inevitability of cloud-based gaming where gaming content can be accessed on any device, multi-platform and mobile-exclusive releases of formerly PC or console-based IP, and the increased utility of gaming engines for world-building beyond making games.

Although marketers are largely in the early stages of engaging with gaming in a serious way, drawn by the potential to connect brands with a broad and deeply engaged audience, the savviest marketers will realize that understanding gaming provides a unique perspective on technological and business innovation.

Jonathan Stringfield is the vice-president of global business research and marketing at Activision Blizzard.

Zeon Corporation Acquires Edge Precision Manufacturing Inc (“Edge”), a leading manufacturer of micro featured thermoplastic devices for diagnostic, clinical,

Innovative Materials meets High Precision Micro-Manufacturing, Accelerating the Development of Healthcare and Life Sciences Business

TOKYO, Jan. 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Zeon Corporation (Zeon; head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kimiaki Tanaka), through its subsidiary Zeon Specialty Materials Inc. (California, USA; representatives: Hirokazu Matsumoto), has purchased 100% of the shares of Edge Precision Manufacturing, Inc. (Massachusetts, USA; representatives: Andrew Kamholz), a manufacturer of micro featured thermoplastic devices, from shareholders including venture capital funds managed by US investment company Anzu Partners, LLC, on December 28, 2022.

Zeon Corporation Acquires Edge Precision Manufacturing Inc (“Edge”), a leading manufacturer of micro featured thermoplastic devices for diagnostic, clinical,

“The combination of Edge and ZEON offers our customers unprecedented security with a simplified supply chain underpinned by the parent company’s long-term track record of growth and success”

“The combination of Edge and ZEON offers our customers unprecedented security with a simplified supply chain underpinned by the parent company’s long-term track record of growth and success,” said Edge’s CEO Andrew KamholzPh.D., “Edge can now further optimize both its proprietary thermal compression tooling and scale manufacturing technologies, offering the only product-quality process that requires no bridge tooling between prototyping and large-volume production.”

ZEON’s COPs (product names ZEONEX® and ZEONOR®), well known for their unique properties such as low autofluorescence, high light transmittance, low biomolecules adsorption, low impurities, and low melt viscosity, have been the leading material used for microscale and microfluidic and biochemical analysis applications

Through the acquisition of Edge, which uses many of ZEON’s materials, ZEON will strengthen COP’s use for microfluidic analytical devices while leveraging EDGE’s customer network, including that of Aurora Microplates for microplates, acquired in February 2022. This latest move by ZEON aims at developing new businesses for cyclo olefin polymers (COPs) while expanding their commitment to explore new businesses in healthcare and life sciences

Outline of Edge
Company Name: Edge Precision Manufacturing, Inc
Business: Manufacturer of custom micro-featured thermoplastic disposables for diagnostic, clinical, optical, and research applications featuring high definition and high aspect ratio based on proprietary compression molding technology
Representative: Andrew Kamholz-CEO
Address: 12 Dunham Rd Billerica Suite 4, Massachusetts 01821, USA
URL: www.edgeprecision.com

Outline of Anzu Partners
Company Name: Anzu Partners, LLC
Business: Investment firm specializing in investing in technologies with the potential to transform industries
Representative: David Seldin-Managing Partner
Address: 12610 Race Track Road, Tampa, FL 33626, USA
URL: www.anzupartners.com

Outline of Zeon Specialty Materials
Company Name: Zeon Specialty Materials Inc.
Business: Marketing and sales base for specialty materials established to provide a swift response to customer needs in North America
Representatives: Hirokazu Matsumoto-President
Address: 25 Metro Drive, Suite 238, San Jose, California 95110, USA
URL: www.zeonsmi.com

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SOURCE ZEON