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Today's Cheddlines You Need2Know |
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Wear a mask! |
—Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor |
P.S. Fans are betting on a Travis Kelce / Taylor Swift proposal on the 'gram. |
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Quote of the Day |
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Should You Check Your 401(k) Today? |
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(nope) |
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Who Did You Want to Win the Super Bowl? |
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American importers have been stockpiling Prosecco as a hedge against the impact of possible European Union tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump. |
U.S. imports of Italian sparkling wine went up by 41% in November, far exceeding consumer demand as importers filled the pipeline for future sales, according to the Union of Italian Wines trade association. |
"It was quite natural at the end of the year to do extra shipments," the trade association president, Lamberto Frescobaldi, who probably has the most amazing life, as well as the most amazing name, told the AP. "Can we survive without a glass of wine? Yes," he said. "Wine is a pleasure.'' |
Seriously, I want to move to Rome and just hang out with this guy. Prosecco became the top-selling Italian wine in the United States last year, representing nearly 40% of all sales. I mean, sure, drinking it makes you basic. But what's wrong with being basic? Especially when you just lost your USAID job. Seriously, I was on a call yesterday with two people who "work" in "international development" and they were both, like, in need of a drink. |
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Thank goodness Disney is making billions more dollars than ever. The firm's recent earnings report saw significant growth, with profits rising over 40%, even though Disney stock is basically flat over the last year. That's because in America, the stock market is, one could say, totally irrational. Still, a key factor behind Disney's revenue growth is the performance of its streaming division. |
"Streaming is moving in the right direction," said Jamie Lumley, an analyst at Carbon Arc. "It wasn't too long ago that the streaming division alone lost over $1 billion in a quarter. And now not only is it profitable, but it continues to build on prior quarters to drive some ongoing strength."
The streaming landscape continues to evolve, with questions surrounding potential consolidation. While there have been discussions about which assets are core to Disney's business — like, should they sell ESPN? — divestments of legacy brands don't appear to be imminent. |
Disney's parks business has also experienced a resurgence, with strong growth in international markets. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, the parks have seen a return in demand. Disney's cruise business is another area of investment, with new ships coming online. |
Disney's box office performance in 2024 was exceptional, with hits like "Moana 2" "Inside Out 2," and "Deadpool & Wolverine." Lumley emphasized the importance of franchises for Disney's success and noted the challenge of replicating such strong results consistently. |
"One of the big things Bob Iger was brought back to do is to bring this consistency back, be very deliberate with how they're investing in their content structure, both for the box office, both through traditional linear distribution and streaming," Lumley said. |
Sounds like "Inside Out 33" will be coming soon! |
The question of Bob Iger's succession remains unanswered. Lumley suggests that leaders within the entertainment division, such as Dana Walden, could be potential candidates. However, given the diversity of Disney's businesses, it's difficult to predict who will ultimately take the helm. My money is on Bob Iger continuing in the role until he dies and then possibly afterwards, too.
Meanwhile, Netflix continues to dominate the streaming market, with over 300 million subscribers and double-digit revenue growth. "Netflix is in an envious position," Lumley said. "Obviously, you know, you have to defend it once you're up to a spot like that. They certainly do seem very well poised this year."
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I'm not saying the best way to get through the next four years is to get drunk. But the AA meeting across the street is always there, and lately, I've heard it calling my name almost as strongly as Lamberto Frescobaldi's siren song. |
Super Bowl Sunday is the single biggest day for pizza deliveries. This year it fell on National Pizza Day. The holiday gets capital letters because it's a Real Thing™ that was invented by the pizza industry to sell more pizzas. So the coincidence of the two days probably isn't just a question of good luck. |
Still. Domino's, the global giant in pizza delivery, has teamed with Yellow Tail to introduce a limited-edition wine designed specifically to "enhance" your favorite pizza. The collaboration has brought forth the "Limited Edition Yellow Tail Domino's Red Blend," which features "fruit-forward flavors" meticulously crafted to pair seamlessly not only with classic pizza varieties but with every topping in the Domino's menu. Yes, even pineapple. |
For those who aren't big fans of red wine but love the idea of pairing wine with their pizza, don't worry—Yellow Tail suggests its Pinot Grigio with Domino's Pacific Veggie pizza, where the citrus notes of the wine "beautifully complement the feta cheese." Excuse me, but I think I may need a moment to recover my composure. |
Better yet, you could try Yellow Tail's "robust Cabernet Sauvignon" with a cheesy Philly Cheesesteak pizza. Social media responds thusly: |
 | with_drama2.0 @with_drama_v2 |  |
| | Replying to@how_do_i_pdf | when they show up with yellow tail and dominos without texting first | |  | | | 6:27 PM • Dec 17, 2024 | | | | | | 5 Likes 0 Retweets | 0 Replies |
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By the time you read this, Taylor Swift's boyfriend's team will have won the Super Bowl. That is, if my bet365 app was accurate on Friday night when we put this 'sletter together. Of course, there's a small chance the odds weren't accurate, and the Philadelphia Eagles may have stolen things away with their NFL talons. Either way, I'm hopeful that was the biggest story to emerge from the first ever Super Bowl to be watched by a sitting president, not anything involving his security detail. |
Meanwhile, we sat down with Adweek chief content officer Zoe Ruderman to get her thoughts on this year's crop of Super Bowl ads. "It's the only moment in the entire year when people don't try to avoid the ads," Ruderman said. "They get excited for them." |
Evidently, she's not been reading this newsletter which, as we all know, is a great place not only to see the ads but also to (ahem) click on them. Ruderman says that nostalgia and humor are still big trends. |
"Nostalgia is that thing bringing people back to a happier time or a safer time," she said, explaining the meaning of the word for those in the back who have been drinking too much stockpiled Prosecco. "It gives them good feelings. It makes them associate the brand with something positive."
Ruderman loves the Hellmann's ad that reunites Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. "It gets back to brand safety," she says, evidently prepared to overlook the horrific effects of time and plastic surgery on the two stars. "We're living in a time where people are incredibly divided. It's hard to find something that will resonate with everyone across the country." |
And yet going to Katz's deli and faking an orgasm? That's always going to be bipartisan. |
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The largest U.S. government workers' union and an association of foreign service workers sued the Trump administration late last week in an effort to reverse its aggressive dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development. And a federal judge on Friday paused the administration's decision to put 2,200 (of the organization's 10,000 employees) on leave. |
The suit, filed in Washington, D.C., by the American Federation of Government Employees and the American Foreign Service Association, seeks an order blocking what it says are "unconstitutional and illegal actions" that have created a "global humanitarian crisis." |
The lawsuit alleges that dissolving USAID, which was established as an independent agency in a 1998 law passed by Congress, is beyond Trump's authority under the Constitution and violates his duty to faithfully execute the nation's laws. It seeks a temporary and eventually permanent order from the court restoring USAID's funding, reopening its offices and blocking further orders to dissolve it. |
"Not a single one of defendants' actions to dismantle USAID were taken pursuant to congressional authorization," the lawsuit said. "And pursuant to federal statute, Congress is the only entity that may lawfully dismantle the agency." |
I'm no judge, but that sounds persuasive. |
"The agency's collapse has had disastrous humanitarian consequences," the lawsuit said, including shutting down efforts to fight malaria and HIV. "Already, 300 babies that would not have had HIV, now do. Thousands of girls and women will die from pregnancy and childbirth." |
I'll take that Yellow Tail now… |
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