How Facebook stumbled in its biggest market...
October 25, 2021 [View Online]( | [Sign Up]( [Morning Brew]( TOGETHER WITH [HelloFresh]( Good morning. It truly is a Happy Monday, because today you can get your hands on never-before-seen Brew swag. [A GIF showing various Brew merch from our online store] Arenât they Brewtiful? Today, weâre launching an [all-new store]( filled with more epic merch than your closet can possibly hold. Everything from t-shirts and hoodies to notebooks and totes is availableâwe hear there may also be a mug or two. Itâs never been easier to rep your favorite morning newsletter and look great while doing it. [Shop the store now]( âNeal Freyman MARKETS: YEAR-TO-DATE Nasdaq 15,090.20 +17.08% S&P 4,544.90 +21.00% Dow 35,677.02 +16.57% 10-Year 1.649% +73.0 bps Bitcoin $60,884.99 +109.94% Amazon $3,335.55 +2.41% *Stock data as of market close, cryptocurrency data as of 8:00pm ET. [Here's what these numbers mean](. - Markets: The major US stock indexes are riding at or close to [record highs]( as investors face a torrent of Big Tech earnings this week. Itâll be a crucial test for companies like Amazon, which started the pandemic hot but have failed to keep up that momentum.
- Economy: President Biden invited two key senatorsâChuck Schumer and Joe Manchinâto his Delaware home over the weekend to [hammer out]( the final details of a social spending plan. Democrats are attempting to compromise on a slimmed-down framework of that bill so it and the bipartisan infrastructure bill can move forward before Biden jets off to Europe later this week for two summits. TECH [How Facebook Stumbled In Its Biggest Market](
[Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg shake hands]( Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg shake hands (SUSANA BATES/AFP via Getty Images More people use Facebookâs platforms in India than in any other countryâover 340 million are on Facebook and almost 400 million use its messaging service, WhatsApp. Leaked [internal research]( shows that the company has struggled to root out misinformation and abusive content in the country, fueling violent ethnic conflicts. One example: In 2019, FB employees set up a dummy account to explore how a new user in India experiences Facebook. - When violence erupted in the disputed region of Kashmir, leading to the death of more than 40 Indian soldiers, the accountâs feed was flooded with a ânear constant barrage of polarizing nationalist content, misinformation, and violence and gore,â one employee wrote.
- âIâve seen more images of dead people in the past three weeks than Iâve seen in my entire life total,â a researcher said of the experiment. This episode and others like it reveal that for all the criticism directed at Facebook for fomenting polarization in the US...its effects on the political climate in lower-income countries, such as India, is [far worse](, the WaPo writes. One challenge for moderating content in India is the sheer number of languages used there. The country has 22 officially recognized languages, but Facebookâs AI systems are trained on just five, which makes flagging harmful content much more difficult. Facebook told the WaPo itâs increased its investment in moderation over the past two years in countries most vulnerable to conflict and violence. For Facebook, winter is coming If you opened up a newspaper over the weekend, then you probably saw a barrage of stories bashing Facebook. Roughly [two dozen outlets]( have publishedâor plan to publishâa batch of reports based on documents leaked by whistleblower Frances Haugen. And as it gears up to report its Q3 earnings today, the company is prepping for more blowback. âWe need to steel ourselves for more bad headlines in the coming days, Iâm afraid,â Facebook VP of Global Affairs Nick Clegg wrote in a Saturday post to staffers obtained by Axios. + For more: [Inside the big Facebook leak](. Â Â Â mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Morning%20Brew%21&body=How%20Facebook%20Stumbled%20In%20Its%20Biggest%20Market%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.morningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fstories%2F2021%2F10%2F24%2Fhow-facebook-stumbled-in-india-its-largest-market%0A%0AWant%20more%20great%20content%3F%20Subscribe%20to%20Daily%20Brew%20%E2%80%94%20Delivering%20the%20latest%20business%20news%20from%20Wall%20St.%20to%20Silicon%20Valley%2C%20daily.%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.morningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fr%2F%3Fkid%3Da905682a%26utm_source%3Demail_share%0A RETAIL [Clear Eyes, Full Wallets, Can't Lose]( You may be grumbling to your friends about inflation, but higher prices havenât stopped you from shelling out $11 for a burrito, [reports the WSJ](. Recent statements from companies that have hiked prices show that even in this inflationary environment, many consumers are in a cushy enough position to grin and bear it. A few examples: - The allure of a Chiptole burrito, even if a few nickels more expensive, has never been stronger. Higher menu prices helped the restaurant chain more than double its net income last quarter from a year ago.
- P&G, the maker of Tide and Old Spice, will launch its third round of price increases over the next few months...and expects profitably to increase. Perhaps this statement from the CFO of supermarket giant Kroger sums it up best: âWeâve been very comfortable with our ability to pass on the increases that weâve seen at this point.â Big picture: The resilience of the American consumer has been one of the most surprising outcomes of the pandemic, and its imbalance with available inventory is a primary driver of supply chain bottlenecks. Americans just [wonât stop buying stuff](. Â Â Â mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Morning%20Brew%21&body=Clear%20Eyes%2C%20Full%20Wallets%2C%20Can%27t%20Lose%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.morningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fstories%2F2021%2F10%2F24%2Fdespite-inflation-consumers-keep-spending%0A%0AWant%20more%20great%20content%3F%20Subscribe%20to%20Daily%20Brew%20%E2%80%94%20Delivering%20the%20latest%20business%20news%20from%20Wall%20St.%20to%20Silicon%20Valley%2C%20daily.%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.morningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fr%2F%3Fkid%3Da905682a%26utm_source%3Demail_share%0A SOCIAL MEDIA [Trump's Media Company Is the Latest Meme Stock](
[Former President Trump waving at a rally]( Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images Former President Trump announced he was creating a [new media venture]( last Wednesday and since then, the share price of a company thatâs taking it public has been on a ride reminiscent of GameStop and AMC in the early days of 2021. Digital World Acquisition Corp., which is a SPAC (special purpose acquisition company), soared from $9.96/share before the announcement to $94.20âa jump of 846%. Even in the wild world of SPACs, thatâs an unhinged rally, and it reflects heightened interest among retail traders looking to make a quick buck. - The implied value of the new company is now [more than $8.2 billion](. Since Trump appears to own more than 50% of the enterprise, according to SEC docs, it would make him the richest heâs ever been. Quick reminder: A SPAC is a shell company thatâs formed with the goal of acquiring other companies and taking them public. Itâs been an increasingly popular way for companies to list their shares on the public marketâWeWork just went public via SPAC last week. What is Trumpâs new company? Itâs a social media platform called âTruth Socialâ and...[thatâs about all we know](. No CEO was mentioned, and neither were any financial metrics. A press release said the company is planning a launch early next year. âThis appears to be a shell company buying a shell company,â Axiosâs dealmaking reporter Dan Primack wrote. Â Â Â mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Morning%20Brew%21&body=Trump%27s%20Media%20Company%20Is%20the%20Latest%20Meme%20Stock%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.morningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fstories%2F2021%2F10%2F24%2Ftrump-s-new-media-venture-is-the-newest-meme-stock%0A%0AWant%20more%20great%20content%3F%20Subscribe%20to%20Daily%20Brew%20%E2%80%94%20Delivering%20the%20latest%20business%20news%20from%20Wall%20St.%20to%20Silicon%20Valley%2C%20daily.%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.morningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fr%2F%3Fkid%3Da905682a%26utm_source%3Demail_share%0A TOGETHER WITH HELLOFRESH [Solved: All Your Nosh Needs](#)
[HelloFresh]( Throughout history, humans have pondered lifeâs greatest questions. From the obvious, âIs time travel possible?â and âCan fish blink?â to the deeper mysteries like, âWhatâs for dinner??â and âDo we have any snacks?!â Well, readers. [HelloFresh has answers](. HelloFresh is known for being Americaâs #1 meal kit service, solving your âWhatâs for dinner?â conundrum with Quick & Easy meals and Gourmet recipes. But they didnât stop thereâoh no. The solution for always having snacks and other essentials on hand was so close they could taste it. Feast your eyes on [HelloFresh Market](, the one-stop shop where you can add anything from snacks to spice blends, desserts, and quick breakfasts to your orders. With 50 weekly menu and market items to choose from every week, HelloFresh has solutions for every meal occasion. Your nosh needs are solved, and then some. Get 14 free meals (plus free shipping) when you [sign up today](. GRAB BAG [Key Performance Indicators](
[A sign in California reads "standing water, reduce speed" amid deluge]( Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Stat: Last week, Sacramento, CA, recorded its [first 0.01 inches of rain]( since March 19âa record 222 days without precipitation. That changed in a big way yesterday, when a potentially historic âatmospheric riverâ began to pummel Northern California with rain and snow. Quote: âHyperinflation is going to change everything. Itâs happening.â Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter and Square, tweeted this [semi-apocalyptic take]( around higher prices. Many economists replied that even though prices are rising faster than expected, hyperinflationâwhich has only occurred dozens of times throughout history and destroys economiesâis not happening in the US. Quick read: Four theories of why Hollywood started making sequels in 1999. ([Derek Thompson]() Â Â Â mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Morning%20Brew%21&body=Key%20Performance%20Indicators%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.morningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fstories%2F2021%2F10%2F24%2Fkey-performance-indicators-october-25%0A%0AWant%20more%20great%20content%3F%20Subscribe%20to%20Daily%20Brew%20%E2%80%94%20Delivering%20the%20latest%20business%20news%20from%20Wall%20St.%20to%20Silicon%20Valley%2C%20daily.%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.morningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fr%2F%3Fkid%3Da905682a%26utm_source%3Demail_share%0A CALENDAR [The Week Ahead](
[Artists paint a mural ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow ]( Artists paint a mural ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) Climate summit: The COP26 climate summit hosted by the UN will kick off in Glasgow, Scotland, on Sunday. COP26âs president, Alok Sharma, has called it a âmake or breakâ moment in the battle to confront climate change. Earnings: The motherload of earnings reports is dropping this weekâ30% of all S&P 500 companies will tell investors how they fared in Q3, including Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, Apple, Coca-Cola, Boeing, McDonaldâs, and many more. Analysts expect these reports to test the stock marketâs latest rally. Vaccines, but rated G: An FDA panel will debate on Tuesday whether to recommend authorizing Pfizerâs vaccine for kids age 5â11. Kids could start receiving shots in the first two weeks of November, Dr. Fauci said. Everything else⦠- Speaking of Halloween, itâs happening on Sunday.
- Facebook could announce its new name at its Connect Conference on Thursday.
- The World Series, pitting the Houston Astros against the Atlanta Braves, starts Tuesday. Â Â Â mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Morning%20Brew%21&body=The%20Week%20Ahead%3A%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.morningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fstories%2F2021%2F10%2F24%2Fthe-week-ahead%0A%0AWant%20more%20great%20content%3F%20Subscribe%20to%20Daily%20Brew%20%E2%80%94%20Delivering%20the%20latest%20business%20news%20from%20Wall%20St.%20to%20Silicon%20Valley%2C%20daily.%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.morningbrew.com%2Fdaily%2Fr%2F%3Fkid%3Da905682a%26utm_source%3Demail_share%0A WHAT ELSE IS BREWING - [Saudi Arabia]( pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, but made no plans to wind down fossil fuel production, which forms the backbone of its economy.
- [Colombia]( captured its most wanted drug trafficker, Dairo Antonio Ãsuga, in a jungle raid.
- [Evergrande](, the Chinese real estate giant thatâs saddled with more than $300 billion in debt, has restarted work on more than 10 projects in an attempt to shore up investor confidence.
- [Shiba Inu](, which has been called a âdecentralized meme tokenâ by its creator, has soared to become the 11th-biggest cryptocurrency by market value. BREW'S BETS A real joint venture. In this case, itâs you and Monogramâthe people combining robotics with patient optimized implants. With $26M raised and eight patents under their belt, Monogram is taking on the future of knee replacement (and a $19.6 billion market). [Invest today](.* A new era of pharma cannabusiness. [Flora Pharma]( finds the scientific gaps in the budding cannabis industry, then helps create pharmaceutical cannabis products which are actually backed by data. To learn about how Flora is bringing a scientific approach and diversity to the cannabis industry, [read more here](.* Nourish your brain: Farnam Streetâs Sunday Brain Food newsletter is exactly what it sounds likeâactionable ideas and insights to help you become the best version of yourself. [Check it out](. Dive back into the week: - Shallow dive: [Sheet pan chow mein](
- Medium dive: A thread of [simple habits]( that changed peopleâs lives
- Deep dive: An [analysis]( of James Bondâs exposure to infectious agents
- Cannonball: How hidden technology [transformed bowling](
- Bonus: Reminder that our HR Brew event all about the state of the workforce is happening tomorrow. [Register here](. *This is sponsored advertising content GAMES [The Puzzle Section](#) New game alert: You're gonna love this new puzzle, which asks you to pluck words from a jumble of letters. We're calling it...drumroll please...Turntable. [Play Turntable now](. Judge a Book by Its Cover Below is a set of famous book covers with the titles and authors removed. Can you identify them? [null] SHARE THE BREW [Weâre Giving Away Headphones and a Hilton Stay](#)
[An illustration of travel luggage to promote our giveaway]( Want a pair of Morning Brew headphones and the opp to win a 5-night stay at Hilton? It could be yours when you [share the Brew]( this week. Here are the deets: - The first 1,000 people to refer 5 friends to the newsletter will receive a limited edition pair of Morning Brew headphones.
- Of those referrers, one reader will be randomly selected to win a 5-night stay at a Hilton. Bottom line: Get going on referring your fave newsletter to your friends and family, and swag (and maybe a stay!) could be on its way. [Share to win]( *See terms and conditions [here]( ANSWER 1. Twilight
2. The Da Vinci Code 3. The Hunger Games 4. The Great Gatsby
5. A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning 6. Dune HOW WAS TODAY'S NEWSLETTER? [GREAT]( [GOOD]( [BAD](
Written by [Neal Freyman]( Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up [here](. WANT MORE BREW? Industry news, with a sense of humor â - [Emerging Tech Brew](: AI, crypto, space, autonomous vehicles, and more
- [Marketing Brew](: the buzziest happenings in marketing and advertising
- [Retail Brew](: retail trends from DTC to "buy now, pay later" Tips for smarter living â - [Money Scoop](: your personal finance upgrade
- [Sidekick](: lifestyle recs from every corner of the internet Podcasts â [Business Casual]( and [Founder's Journal]( Accelerate Your Career â - [MB/A](: virtual 8-week program designed to broaden your skill set [ADVERTISE]( // [CAREERS]( // [SHOP]( // [FAQ]( Update your email preferences or unsubscribe [here](.
View our privacy policy [here](. Copyright © 2021 Morning Brew. All rights reserved.
22 W 19th St, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10011