Brigadoon Daily | Feb. 11

TOP FIVE:

1. WP: Paris and Brussels to ban ‘Freedom Convoy’ inspired by Canadian protest

2. The DOJ’s $3.6B bitcoin seizure shows how hard it is to launder crypto: Wired reports a couple allegedly used a “laundry list” of technical measures to cover their tracks. They didn’t work.

3. Silicon Valley’s tech monopoly is over. Is the future in Austin, Texas? LAT reports the Bay Area’s hold on venture capital remains solid, but the loss of Tesla and other companies could threaten California’s economic future.

4. The Snoop Dogg has bought control of Death Row Records, the label where he began his career, from a group owned by Blackstone.

5. 100 million Americans can legally bet on the Super Bowl. Sports will never be the same: Bloomberg reports the first Super Bowl of the online betting era is upon us, and it’s going to be wild.

Brigadoon Daily | Feb. 10

TOP FIVE:

1. Vladimir Putin is a product of modernity: Tom McTague writes why the tension in Ukraine may feel deceptively regressive.

2. European scientists set nuclear-fusion energy world record: WSJ reports the findings suggest this approach can be scaled-up for use in power plants.

3. In praise of unglamorous American invention: Virginia Heffernan writes forget Blue Origin, Silicon Valley, and unicorns—small but mighty innovations are the true breakthroughs of human ingenuity.

4. Can old sneakers really be a legitimate investment? DW reports many online resellers and even one of the oldest and biggest auctions houses in the world think so. Recent astronomical prices may prove them right.

5. Esports to be included as pilot event at Commonwealth Games: BBC reports the inaugural Commonwealth Esports Championships will have separate branding, medals and organization. But there is hope within the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) that esports could become a part of the full program by the 2026 Games. Hamilton in Canada, frontrunners for the 2030 event, are also understood to be keen on esports being included.

Brigadoon Daily | Feb. 9

TOP FIVE:

1. Europe needs 65 million electric vehicle chargers by 2035: Bloomberg reports a report from EY and Eurelectric calls for $134 billion in infrastructure investment.

2. Forget T-shirts and tote bags. NFTs are the hot new campaign swag. Politico reports consultants are launching NFT platforms to help clients cash in on the boom and engage with voters after the technology exploded in popularity last year.

3. Hedonism is overrated – to make the best of life there must be pain says this Yale professor: The Guardian reports the most satisfying lives are those which involve challenge, fear, and struggle, says psychologist Paul Bloom.

4. OK, WTF are wordcels and shape rotators? Matthew Gault writes knowing what shape rotators and wordcels are will make you significantly dumber.

5. How Olympians embraced mental health after Biles showed the way: NYT reports Simone Biles’s public struggles gave other Olympians tacit permission to share their vulnerabilities. Some of them have.

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SOTU | Tuesday, March 1 | Branded content opportunity

The 2022 State of the Union Address is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1.

Are you looking to amplify your public policy messaging?

If yes, let's press on.

Brigadoon is seeking branded content partners for a three-part 2022 SOTU audio+video broadcast.

Part one: Curtain Raiser: Interviews with those who have written the address and secured the event - think behind-the-scenes history.

Part Two: Live Commentary: Policy and political pros provide their spin, analysis, and commentary on the address live - think Manning Cast but for professional politics.

Part Three: Recap + Response: Highlights and clips from the address, GOP response, and top talking points from policy and political pros - think Meet the Press but smartphone friendly.

Interested?

Branded content partnerships start @ $7,500.

Part One commitment is required by Tuesday, February 15.

Part Two commitment is required by Tuesday, February 22.

This will be fun.

Plus, good guy to know Brendan Kownacki is handling production.

Let's have a chat.

Contact me here.

-Marc