Scaramucci Says He's 'Bullish' on Economic Recovery at Daylong 'Quarantine Conference'

Scaramucci Says He's 'Bullish' on Economic Recovery at Daylong 'Quarantine Conference'

The novel coronavirus has rattled businesses and closed conferences globally, from Austin's much-anticipated SXSW event to the recently rescheduled Milken Institute Global Conference. All this at a time when businesses leaders are disoriented and looking for guidance on how to navigate the crisis.

In order to fill that void, L.A. marketing agency Hawke Media gathered together a motley assortment of speakers Tuesday for a self-described "no-contact networking and idea exchange." We listened into the discussions:


Which businesses are benefiting from the coronavirus?

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Scott Taylor asked panelists on Hawke Media's Future of Marketing panel which industries are benefiting from the coronavirus, based on the data that they are seeing from inside their companies. Here's what they had to say.

Ashley Crowder, head of VNTANA, which provides software for creating 3D products, pointed to augmented reality, virtual reality, and digital content. "I met people in a virtual bar last week," she said. "It was very fun."

Jonathan Smalley, Chief Executive of Yagaura, an e-commerce data management firm, noted that he's seen sales numbers climb among verticals as disparate as bread-making, CBD and hemp, and home goods.

John Bree, of Supply Wisdom, touted his own firm's specialty, risk intelligence. "The whole world of crisis management is going to change," he observed. Bree also predicted that lawyers and doctors will do well as the coronavirus chaos levels off. "There'll be a lot more babies and a lot of divorces."

How is social distancing changing the ways we engage with music?

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At the start of this year, the live music industry was poised for success. Projections envisioned a 4% year-on-year incremental growth of $37 billion. Then the coronavirus spread from Asia to Europe and finally to America. By the end of March, explained music marketing expert Joe Belliotti, the industry was kaput.

To fill the gap, fans have gone online. Views on TikTok and YouTube have skyrocketed. And live streaming of music has exploded. Although some in the live events business have been clobbered, new opportunities have emerged that leverage the authenticity, excitement and social nature of live-streamed music. Innovative partnerships have sprung up, like that between BandsInTown and Twitch; a proliferation of fundraising events have bloomed; and brands have increasingly recognized the importance of bringing comfort to their audiences and not just enabling transactions.

Such brands, Belliotti suggested, have three clear opportunities in this new era. They can leverage new experiences: a furniture company could, for instance, partner with a musician streaming from her bedroom; or a travel company could sponsor concerts from artists collaborating from across the world. Brands can also cross-market, by reimagining how music is released and promoted: think virtual album release parties, or peeling back the curtain on the recording process. And brands can enhance the everyday moments -- waking up, getting coffee, taking an afternoon break -- that have taken on a new meaning in the time of coronavirus; afternoon dance party, anyone?

Scaramucci says he's 'wildly bullish' about economy

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Echoing the optimism of his former boss about the future of the economy, former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci said the U.S. economy will recover much fast than most people expect from the coronavirus pandemic.

"I'm wildly bullish," he said Tuesday. "All the gloom and doom that is out there I'm not a buyer of."

Scaramucci said that unlike the financial crisis, there is no underlying problem with the economy, which remains strong. And he says the overwhelming amount of government stimulus, which he pegs at $10.4 trillion, will more than make up for the financial hit of the virus, which he says is in the neighborhood of $3.7 trillion. He expects the government to launch an additional stimulus program aimed at "Main Street" that would be targeted at lower and middle income Americans.

"It will lower people's anxiety," he said.

Scaramucci, who is founder of the investment firm Skybridge, joined the webinar from his study and his kids could be heard playing in the other room. Scaramucci said he has been in quarantine for 25 days.

Using visualization and other techniques to cope with COVID-19's psychological toll

As we're cut off from family and friends, watching staggering layoffs unfold, considering an uncertain future and constantly hearing the pandemic's death toll, everyone is confronting new realities that are challenging us all. But founders and others in high-performing jobs can look for some coping mechanism to help them thrive in this new world said entrepreneur and former Navy Seal trainer Brandon Webb.

One of the most important is goal-setting and visualization. Those tools can help individuals reframe their situation and help them achieve higher levels of performance. Another key tool is remaking your self image.

"If you think of yourself a certain way, or you have self-doubt, you have to identify that. It's okay. It exists in everybody. And then you have to fix it," he said. Part of that is through changing how you talk about and think about yourself.

Webb, the founder of Crateclub.com said he also doesn't tolerate negativity in the office and suggests others avoid airing co-workers faults openly.

Todd Herman, author of "The Alter Ego Effect" has another strategy. The business coach suggested individuals facing new and difficult tasks look to take on the characteristics of other people they admire as a way to escape the mire of emotion that may overwhelm them. He points to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., an intellectual giant who would use non-prescription glasses to write his empowering speeches.

This approach, he said, helps individuals unshackle themselves when they are having an emotional response that can lead to poor decision-making. "Most people don't think about creating a panel or trusted friend within the six inches of our own ears to help us navigate questions, to us think about something in a different way."

Hawke Media Ventures is an investor in dot.LA. You can see our other investors on our "About" page.

LA’s Upgrade in Travel and NBA Viewing
Image Source: Los Angeles World Airports

🔦 Spotlight

Exciting developments are underway for Los Angeles as the city prepares for major upgrades in both travel and entertainment. The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has approved an additional $400 million for the Automated People Mover (APM) at LAX, increasing its total budget to $3.34 billion. This boost ensures the elevated train’s completion by December 8, 2025, with service starting in January 2026. For Angelenos, this means a significant improvement in travel convenience. The APM will streamline connections between parking, rental car facilities, and the new Metro transit station, drastically cutting traffic congestion around the airport. Imagine a future without the dreaded 30-minute traffic delays at LAX! The APM will operate 24/7, reducing airport traffic by 42 million vehicle miles annually and carrying 30 million passengers each year, while also creating thousands of local jobs and supporting small businesses.

Meanwhile, the NBA is also making waves with its new broadcasting deals. The league has signed multi-year agreements with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, marking a notable shift in media partnerships. ESPN will maintain its long-standing role, NBC returns as a network broadcaster after years away, and Amazon Prime Video will provide NBA games through its streaming platform. Starting with the 2025-2026 season, these deals will enhance the league's reach and revenue, aligning with the NBA's goal to expand its audience and adapt to evolving viewing habits. Whether you're catching the action on TV or streaming online, these changes promise to elevate the fan experience and bring more basketball excitement to Los Angeles.


🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

  • Pearl, a startup that makes AI-powered software that assists dentists in identifying cavities, gum disease, and other dental conditions, raised a $58M Series B funding led by Left Lane Capital with Smash Capital, and others also participating. - learn more

LA Venture Funds

  • Fulcrum Venture Group participated in a prior $3.5M Pre-Seed Round for Code Metal, a developer tools startup. - learn more
  • B Capital co-led a $12.5M Seed Round for Star Catcher, a startup that aims to develop a space-based grid that captures solar energy in space and distributes it to satellites and other space assets. - learn more
  • Mantis VC and Amplify participated in a $140M Series C for Chainguard, an open source security startup. - learn more
  • Prominent LA venture capitalist, Carter Reum and wife, Paris Hilton, participated in a $14M Seed/Series A for W, the men’s personal care brand from Jake Paul. - learn more

LA Exits


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🤫 The Secret to Staying Fit at Your Desk: 6 Essential Under-Desk Exercise Machines

Health experts are sounding the alarm: our sedentary jobs are slowly killing us, yet we can't abandon our desks if we want to keep the lights on. It feels like we're caught between a rock and a hard place. Enter under-desk exercise machines – the overlooked heroes (albeit kind of goofy looking) of the modern workspace. These devices let tech professionals stay active, enhance their health, and increase their productivity, all without stepping away from their screens. Here are 6 fantastic options that will enhance the way you work and workout simultaneously.

DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser

This bike has nearly ten thousand five-star reviews on amazon. It works with nearly any desk/chair setup. It is quiet, sturdy and allows up to 40 pounds of resistance. If you are looking for an under-desk bike this is a fantastic option.

Type: Under-Desk Bike

Price: $180 - $200


Sunny Health & Fitness Dual Function Under Desk Pedal Exerciser

This under-desk bike is extremely quiet due to the magnetic resistance making it an ideal option if you work in a shared space. It doesn’t slip, has eight levels of resistance, and the option to work legs and arms. It’s about half the price of the DeskCycle bike making it a solid mid-range option for those looking to increase their daily activity.

Type: Under-Desk Bike

Price: $100 - $110


Sunny Health & Fitness Sitting Under Desk Elliptical

This under-desk elliptical comes in multiple colors if you really want to underscore that you are a quirky individual, in case an under-desk elliptical isn’t enough. This model is a bit heavy (very sturdy), has eight different resistance levels, and has more than nine thousand 5-star reviews.

Type: Under-Desk Elliptical

Price: $120 - $230


DeskCycle Ellipse Leg Exerciser

This under-desk elliptical is another great option. It is a bit pricey but it’s quiet, well-made and has eight resistance levels. It also syncs with your apple watch or fitbit which is a very large perk for those office-wide “step” challenges. Get ready to win.

Type: Under-Desk Elliptical

Price: $220 - $230


Daeyegim Quiet LED Remote Treadmill

If you have a standing desk and are looking to walk and work this is a fantastic option. This walking-only treadmill allows you to walk between 0.5 to 5 mph (or jog unless you have the stride length of an NBA forward). It is very quiet, which is perfect if you want to use it near others or during a meeting. You can’t change the incline or fold it in half but it is great for simply getting in some extra steps during the work day.

Type: Under-Desk Treadmill

Price: $220 - $230


Sunny Health & Fitness Foldable Manual Treadmill

This under-desk treadmill isn’t the most premium model but it is affordable and has an impressive array of features. It is a manual treadmill meaning it doesn’t need to be plugged in; it is foldable and offers an incline up to 13%. I personally can’t imagine working and walking up a 13% incline but if that sounds like your cup of tea, then I truly respect the hustle.

Type: Under-Desk Treadmill

Price: $150 - $200




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🤠Musk Picks Texas and 🔥Tinder AI Picks Your Profile Pictures

🔦 Spotlight

Tinder is altering dating profile creation with its new AI-powered Photo Selector feature, designed to help users choose their most appealing dating profile pictures. This innovative tool employs facial recognition technology to curate a set of up to 10 photos from the user's device, streamlining the often time-consuming process of profile setup. To use the feature, users simply take a selfie within the Tinder app and grant access to their camera roll. The AI then analyzes the photos based on factors like lighting and composition, drawing from Tinder's research on what makes an effective profile picture.

The selection process occurs entirely on the user's device, ensuring privacy and data security. Tinder doesn't collect or store any biometric data or photos beyond those chosen for the profile, and the facial recognition data is deleted once the user exits the feature. This new tool addresses a common pain point for users, as Tinder's research shows that young singles typically spend about 25 to 33 minutes selecting a profile picture. By automating this process, Tinder aims to reduce profile creation time and allow users to focus more on making meaningful connections.

In wholly unrelated news, Elon Musk has announced plans to relocate the headquarters of X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX from California to Texas. SpaceX will move from Hawthorne to Starbase, while X will shift from San Francisco to Austin. Musk cited concerns about aggressive drug users near X's current headquarters and a new California law regarding gender identity notification in schools as reasons for the move. This decision follows Musk's previous relocation of Tesla's headquarters to Texas in 2021.

🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

LA Venture Funds

LA Exits

  • Penguin Random House agreed to acquire comic book publisher Boom! Studios from backers like Walt Disney Co. - learn more

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