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ABC News has taken all FiveThirtyEight articles offline

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Re: ABC News has taken all FiveThirtyEight articles offline

#41

Post by forlorn_mammoth »

keeganpoppen wrote: post #30
rurp wrote: post #24

It's wild to me how often I see corporate America both: 1. Spend immense amounts trying to build and improve a brand. 2. Toss well known brands aside as if they are useless. Not that it's always the same company doing both at the same time, but it's crazy 538 was just left to die. It was a very recognizable brand among wonky professionals, a very desirable customer base. It's not as if politics and sports have gotten…

this is what the salesforces of the world do to startups every day. it is so painful to watch. billions upon billions wasted for just the stupidest possible reasons.

at least they aren't inefficient, like governments are. Because as you can clearly see market forces always lead to optimal resource allocations.

Re: ABC News has taken all FiveThirtyEight articles offline

#42

Post by SoftTalker »

brookst wrote: post #28
rurp wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow. I have a low opinion of ABC as I said in another post, but this level of pettiness is still surprising to me.

It’s basically a fuck you to the shareholders. Hey we’ve got this dead asset someone will pay for but we won’t sell because they were mean to us. Any exec who operates that way should be shown the door ASAP as they are likely doing similar emotional management of other aspects of the business.

If they feel it's damaging to have it public, then it could be argued that selling it would be irresponsible. I'm not arguing it is or it isn't, but reputation has value and management of it is part of what shareholders expect.

Re: ABC News has taken all FiveThirtyEight articles offline

#43

Post by tptacek »

eugenekolo wrote: post #32
applfanboysbgon wrote: post #22

> BTW, I approached ABC about buying back the former FiveThirtyEight IP*, and they said they wouldn't sell at any price because I'd criticized their management of the brand. --Nate Silver (538 founder) ABC seem pretty petty here.

WOuldn't proof of that be some grounds for breach of fiduciary duty?

No. People have weird beliefs about what fiduciary duty means. It does not mean that companies are required at all intervals to maximize revenue or profit.

Re: ABC News has taken all FiveThirtyEight articles offline

#46

Post by jfengel »

brookst wrote: post #28
rurp wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow. I have a low opinion of ABC as I said in another post, but this level of pettiness is still surprising to me.

It’s basically a fuck you to the shareholders. Hey we’ve got this dead asset someone will pay for but we won’t sell because they were mean to us. Any exec who operates that way should be shown the door ASAP as they are likely doing similar emotional management of other aspects of the business.

ABC's shareholders are Disney. Whatever Nate offered them isn't even a rounding error in Disney's $36 billion dollars in profits last year. The shareholders aren't going to care.

Re: ABC News has taken all FiveThirtyEight articles offline

#48

Post by msie »

forlorn_mammoth wrote: post #41
keeganpoppen wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

this is what the salesforces of the world do to startups every day. it is so painful to watch. billions upon billions wasted for just the stupidest possible reasons.

at least they aren't inefficient, like governments are. Because as you can clearly see market forces always lead to optimal resource allocations.

Like the billions invested in AI???

Re: ABC News has taken all FiveThirtyEight articles offline

#49

Post by herpdyderp »

keeganpoppen wrote: post #30
rurp wrote: post #24

It's wild to me how often I see corporate America both: 1. Spend immense amounts trying to build and improve a brand. 2. Toss well known brands aside as if they are useless. Not that it's always the same company doing both at the same time, but it's crazy 538 was just left to die. It was a very recognizable brand among wonky professionals, a very desirable customer base. It's not as if politics and sports have gotten…

this is what the salesforces of the world do to startups every day. it is so painful to watch. billions upon billions wasted for just the stupidest possible reasons.

On the other hand, it's nice for the people receiving those paychecks (at least while they're still receiving them).
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