Hot Ones, the wildly popular YouTube interview show where celebrities tackle spicy chicken wings, has a new home. BuzzFeed recently sold the production company behind the hit series, First We Feast, to a group of investors led by an affiliate of George Soros’s fund.

Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega examine the financial pressures that led BuzzFeed to sell Hot Ones. They explore BuzzFeed’s rise as a digital media pioneer, its decision to go public through a SPAC, and the acquisition of Complex Networks in 2021. They also explain how these moves impacted BuzzFeed’s finances and led to the eventual sale of First We Feast.

Their conversation is a great learning resource if you want to build your English listening comprehension skills and expand your business vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include:

1. Learn the differences between a SPAC and an IPO, and why BuzzFeed opted for a SPAC in 2021.
2. A breakdown of BuzzFeed’s $300 million purchase of Complex Networks.
3. How selling Hot Ones has helped BuzzFeed reduce its debt and pivot toward new revenue streams.

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Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at

downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

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The coffee industry is brewing big changes as Starbucks navigates high CEO turnover and faces a new challenge from Luckin Coffee, China’s largest coffee chain. These developments signal a potential shake-up in the competitive landscape of the global coffee market.

Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan report on two major developments in the coffee world. First, Skip examines Starbucks’ history of leadership changes, highlighting its recent struggles with CEO turnover and the challenges of balancing innovation with operational efficiency. Dez then explores Luckin Coffee’s rise to dominance in China and its ambitious plans for international expansion, including breaking into the US market in 2025.

Their conversation is a great learning resource if you want to build your English listening comprehension skills and expand your business vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include:

1. A timeline of leadership changes at Starbucks.
2. The unintended consequences of Starbucks’ mobile app.
3. Luckin’s plans to challenge Starbucks in the US market.

Become a D2B Member today for to access to our -- NEW!!!-- interactive audio scripts, PDF Audio Script Library, Bonus Vocabulary episodes, and D2B Member-only episodes.

Visit d2benglish.com/membership for more information.

Follow Down to Business English on Apple podcasts, rate the show, and leave a comment.

Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at

downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

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Skip Montreux on Linkedin

Skip Montreux on Facebook

Dez Morgan on Twitter

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The BRICS nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa— are taking steps to challenge the influence of the G7 by promoting economic cooperation, reducing reliance on the US dollar, and creating opportunities for the Global South.

Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan explore the origins and evolution of BRICS, from its beginnings as a term coined by a Goldman Sachs economist to its expansion as a formal organization. They discuss the group's goals, including fostering economic collaboration among member nations, reducing dependence on Western-dominated systems like SWIFT, and advocating for a multipolar world order. Skip and Dez talk about how BRICS’ growing membership positions it as a potential counterweight to the G7.

Their conversation is a great learning resource if you want to build your English listening comprehension skills and expand your business vocabulary. Key points of their discussion include:

1. BRICS: Initially a term coined in 2001 to describe emerging economies.
2. Goals: Economic cooperation, equitable global governance, and greater representation for developing economies.
3. Expansion: Recent additions include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, creating "BRICS+," with other nations cooperating as partners.
4. BRICS+ represents 33% of global GDP and 3.5 billion people, surpassing the G7 in population and rivaling its economic influence.

Become a D2B Member today for to access to our -- NEW!!!-- interactive audio scripts, PDF Audio Script Library, Bonus Vocabulary episodes, and D2B Member-only episodes.

Visit d2benglish.com/membership for more information.

Follow Down to Business English on Apple podcasts, rate the show, and leave a comment.

Contact Skip, Dez, and Samantha at

downtobusinessenglish@gmail.com

Follow Skip & Dez

Skip Montreux on Linkedin

Skip Montreux on Facebook

Dez Morgan on Twitter

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