Chips w/ A Side of Auto, Under Armor Embraces Hospitality, Shopify Cans Meetings

The Automotive Troublemaker w/ Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier

Welcome to Wednesday as we talk about some new Automotive partnerships being announced at CES. We also talk about a surprise new CEO for Under Armor and how it applies to Auto. We also talk about a bold move from Shopify to stop wasting time.

Re-watch the Year End Extravaganza here: https://www.asotu.com/yee

Show Notes with links:

• As day one of CES heats up in LasVegas, gaming/chip maker/AI company Nvidia announced several partnerships as it deepens its connection with the Automotive Industry
  • Mercedes-Benz is using Nvidia's Omniverse platform to create a digital twin of its assembly plant in Rastatt, Germany, allowing the company to plan production changes and test them in a virtual environment before reorganizing the physical plant.
  • Foxconn will use Nvidia's technology in developing its own advanced vehicles and to supply automakers with electronic control units based on Nvidia's chips and sensors for highly automated driving.
  • Hyundai Motor Group, Polestar and BYD are planning to offer Nvidia's GeForce NOW cloud gaming service in vehicles. No specific models have been identified yet for in-car gaming, but the idea is to help entertain not only rear-seat passengers, but drivers who park to charge an electric vehicle, said Danny Shapiro, Nvidia's vice president for automotive.

• Surprising many in the athletic wear industry, Under Armor has named current president of Marriott International, Stephanie Linnartz, as its new CEO
  • Marriott has $20B in revenue vs the 5.9B of UA
  • Exec Chairman Mr. Plank told CNBC UA is seeking to be a bigger player in fashion and lifestyle apparel, areas where Nike and Adidas make a significant amount of their sales.
  • They have recently dropped out of the top 10 most popular brands for teens
  • One commenter noted "If the new CEO brings hospitality’s hyperfocus on the customer, then it’s going to be a win for Under Armour."
  • Linnartz has also been on Home Depot’s board since 2018 but doesn’t have direct retail or sports industry experience

• Ecommerce platform Shopify is kicking off the new year by kicking most meetings to the curb. the company has implemented a "calendar purge", which aims to cut down on the number of meetings held
  • All recurring meetings with more than two people will be removed "in perpetuity"
  • No meetings will be held on Wednesdays
  • Big meetings of more than 50 people will be restricted to six hours on Thursdays, with a limit of one a week
  • Employees will be encouraged to decline other meetings and leave large internal chat groups

Hosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier
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