Playing around with Google Maps tonight I noticed by searching for two of the world’s most popular brands, Whole Foods and Walmart and comparing it to home prices, it paints a very clear picture of who the brands customers are.
The darker the colors on the map below the higher the house prices.
I have a feeling we’d fine this same scenario in many other cities across the US.
Yesterday morning Trump Plaza closed its doors for the last time.  Trump was already planning to close the Trump Plaza next week, but now the Taj Mahal is at risk of closing in November.  This news in conjunction with the Revel closing earlier this month preceded by the Showboat casino closing leaves 7 casinos left open, if Taj Mahal closes in November.
I wrote a few years ago about the blight of Atlantic City and how surrounding states like Pennsylvania, Maryland and New York have reduce the amount of day trippers going to AC. Â Hurricane Sandy in 2012 did the Jersey Shore no favors and so here we are today. Â Seven casinos left without much hope, except…
Enter sports gambling! Â This is the last best hope for New Jersey gambling revenues and it is the bet (pardon the pun) that Governor Chris Christie is making. Â This was put to a vote a couple of years ago, and it passed. Â The federal government has blocked New Jersey’s efforts and the NCAA and professional sports leagues have joined in.
Governor Christie has had enough, the casinos are closing and consumer behavior is forcing his hand to ignore the federal government and allow race tracks and casinos to start taking sports bets immediately. Â Putting aside the legal issues, let’s assume this starts. Â Here is how New Jersey benefits:
Christie’s bet is a winner not just for the casinos but also for the bettors themselves. Â Instead of betting off shore with the fear that their money will be stuck overseas, Americans can now cash their tickets and pocket the money.
I’ve been going to Vegas for 15 years for the March Madness tournament and would love to give AC a try as soon as the books are open there.
This week Southwest Airlines rolled out new colors and paint jobs on their airplanes, but after taking a 40 minute survey it appears they are testing the waters on a modified first class as well or deciding what to do with the AirTran business class seats.
Most of the questions involved whether I was interested in having reserved seats with extra leg room or reserved seats with the seat next to me blocked. Â The latter reminds me of the type of business class found in Europe.
The survey also asked questions about inclusive pricing versus a la cart. Â At least none of the questions were about charging for carry on bags.
Southwest is no longer a low cost carrier. Â It is flying to major metropolitan airports, flying internationally, and appealing to business travelers with A-List and Rapid Rewards.
Grantland.com posted the new look Washington Wizards home court yesterday. Â The redesign of the court prominently pays homage to Washington DC over the old design of Wizards scrolled on center court.
While the court ranked 20th out of 30 teams, it definitely beats the old court. Â Nice job Ted.
I recently gave a talk at Syracuse University’s Greenberg House in DC about the future of social media. Â Part of the discussion touched on how devices like the iPhone and iPad changed forever the way we engage with each other.
The iPhone was a tipping point in the smart phone market. Â While Blackberry was first, it was Apple that changed how we use our phones for browsing, music, video, and of course interaction with each other. Â It has opened up amazing business opportunities thanks to the application marketplace and in extreme situations a $19B acquisition.
Today, Apple is going to try to change the world again with the iWatch. Â Whether this device has transdermal health technology or is just a fancier version of a Nike Fuel Band, doesn’t matter, it will definitely be a hit. Â Why will the iWatch succeed while the Samsung Galaxy Gear and LG’s G Watch struggle?
1) Apple has perfected the introduction of products. Â While the leaks have grown since the early days of the iPhone, I have to believe some of them are purposeful to generate excitement.
2) Apple makes it easy for all buyers. Â Early adopters pre-order on the website, but it is the store that gets people the mainstream buyers. Â Mainstream buyers need to feel the product and test it. Â Early adopters, aka, Fanboys, are going to buy no matter what Apple releases.
3) Apple has a knack for holding back features from their products creating a fervor for the next version of their products. Â Near Field Communications is something that was rumored to exist in the iPhone since 2010, but only today do we get it.
The iWatch is going to be a game changer and thanks to this build up of news and leaks combined with the store and “new” features that have been perfected over time, the iWatch and iPhone 6 are going to be a huge hit.