People don't understand LinkedIn (LNKD). In fact, there's a fundamental disconnect between the networking platform's objectives and consumer expectations. In a world of purely rational individuals, LinkedIn clearly provides its members maximum utility (i.e. job offers). And while these offers differ, I can't think of an online platform that yields a better ROI for time spent online.
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Yelp Needs Help
The Wall Street rumor mill has been working overtime during the past month. Just a week after shares of Salesforce (CRM) popped double-digits following a report that the company was preparing to sell itself for $55 billion, shares of Yelp (YELP) jumped nearly 30% for the same reason.
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Offensive Advertising Pays Dividends
A new marketing campaign by supplement retailer Protein World has people fuming over the company’s decision to use scantily clad fitness models to advertise weight loss products. Many people claim the main goal of the advertisements is to make people feel guilty about their bodies because they are not, as Protein World states, “beach body ready.” In response to Protein World’s promotion, over 70,000 people have signed a petition calling for an end to the offensive advertising campaign.
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That Tinder Hype
In September 2012, six developers pursued an idea for a location-based iOS dating application centered around college students. Not one year later, and Tinder has won TechCrunch’s Crunchie Award for “Best New Startup,” as it soon became a worldwide phenomenon. Even by Silicon Valley standards, such an ascension is seemingly rare.
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World Cup Fever
In what has been one of the most exciting sporting events in recent memory, the 2014 FIFA World Cup has captivated audiences around the world. Even in the United States, where soccer is vastly overshadowed by most other professional sports, the World Cup has become the second most-watched televised sporting event, behind only the Super Bowl.
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