Spotify and Uber Partnership

While this is not a recent thing, it is something that I just found out about. I was recently in a cab in Savannah where the driver was expressing her concern to me about Uber coming to town. I have used Uber a few times and it has always been a good experience. It is usually cheaper than a cab, and much more comfortable. With this partnership, I think that Uber is once again taking a big leap in front of the average taxicab business.

Not only is the transportation industry changing, but the way people listen to music is changing as well. Itunes used to dominate the market, but now Spotify is a major player in the market. People select their songs and put them in playlists. They pay a monthly fee if they want add free streaming, and if not they hear an advertisement every couple of songs. That is much easier than paying for every song like the case is for Itunes. That is why Spotify has been so popular.

One of the things that I enjoy most about my car rides is the ability to control the type of music I listen to. In a cab or taxi that is not an option. This partnership adds the luxury of a more comfortable car, along with the ability to select your own music. That combination could spell trouble for the taxicabs. In this new partnerships launch they opened in 10 cities across the globe. By today's date I am sure that they have put this as a possibility in many more cities. I think that it is the innovation and creative thinking that is keeping both Uber and Spotify at the front of their respective industries. I will be monitoring this deal and am interested to see how it progresses and if this partnership will lead to a significant increase in each companies revenue streams.

March Madness is here

It is finally time for March madness. After the NFL ends, and before baseball begins there is a lull in the sports world. There seems to be nothing interesting on at all. Especially in Atlanta where there is no longer a hockey franchise. We had the Hawks and their streak kept things interesting for us at least. As a nation as a whole however it is a tough few months. Then March comes along. The NBA nears the playoffs and the intensity picks up. Spring training starts for baseball as teams begin to scrimmage. Also the NHL season is nearing an end and the playoffs are almost upon us. While all of those things are notable to call march "March Madness", the one true meaning for "March Madness" is the NCAA basketball tournament.

I get excited for this every year. In most sports the playoffs are fairly predicatable. There are always great games and a few surprises, but none of them compare to the intense 64 team playoff that is the NCAA mens basketball final tournament. That is what March Madness is truly about. With the greatness of this tournament there are always ups and downs. There are cinderella teams that shock the world. There are players that become legends. There are teams that become historic. That is what this years Kentucky team could be. If they win the tournament (which they are favored to do) then they will be 40-0 this year. That is a feat that has never been accomplished and will be fascinating to watch.

While the basketball is interesting, so is how the world of social media transforms during this time. The people of this nation frantically fill out their brackets in order to try and pick the winner. Whether it is to try and win a company pool, or just for yourself, or a bet with some friends, millions of people fill out a bracket each year. Last year Warren Buffet offered 1 billion dollars to anyone who filled out a perfect bracket. Like always, that didn't happen. You cannot go on any social media outlet without seeing information about "bracketology" and links to fill out your bracket. Like always this year, March will surely be mad.