Kenneth Phair Studio LLC

Hey team! ?? We’re diving into the essentials of leadership with the “7 Ps of Leadership”! Whether you’re leading a team or just looking to inspire yourself, these principles are key to driving success. ?? Ready to unlock your potential? Let’s discuss how passion, purpose, and perseverance can transform our approach to leadership! Drop a comment with your go-to leadership tip! ?? #LeadershipGoals #7Ps #Inspiration

Hey there! Just a heads-up, it’s Verizon on the line, and let’s just say, we’re taking the lead in the game, and you're just along for the ride. So, here’s the scoop: Verizon's dropping some serious cash—$9.6 billion, all in—on Frontier, which is the biggest fiber internet provider in the states. The total deal is worth around $20 billion, and they’re expecting to wrap things up in about a year and a half. What does that mean for you? Well, all of Frontier’s 2.2 million internet users across 25 states will now be Verizon customers, which adds to their existing 7.4 million Fios connections. For Frontier investors, the deal breaks down to about $38.50 per share. Verizon's CEO, Hans Vestberg, is all about the strategy with this one, saying it helps them gear up to be more competitive in various areas. Translation: Better watch out, AT&T! But why should you care? Fiber-optic internet is like the supercharged version of internet connections, zipping data around way faster than cable. Mergers and acquisitions in the fiber world are heating up as companies race to grab the last few neighborhoods that don’t have high-speed internet yet. Verizon mentioned that Frontier has dumped $4.1 billion into upgrading its fiber network, with half of their revenue coming from fiber services. Funny enough, Verizon is actually reclaiming some of the network it sold to Frontier back in 2016 for $10.5 billion. Now that same infrastructure in places like California, Texas, and Florida is key to where Verizon wants to spread its wings. So, what does this mean for investors? While this move will definitely grow Verizon’s customer roster and boost its competitive stance, it also means they're sinking deeper into their hefty $120 billion debt.

As we reach the midweek milestone, it’s the perfect moment to recalibrate our goals and reignite our passion. Whether it’s a project that needs your attention, a conversation you’ve been putting off, or simply a step toward your next big achievement—today is your day to take action. Embrace this sweet spot in the week to make progress and inspire others around you. Let’s turn aspirations into accomplishments together! What’s your focus for the rest of the week?

Subject: Exciting Developments at Monogram Dear Colleagues, I would like to bring your attention to Monogram (Nasdaq: MGRM), a pioneering company in the field of autonomous surgical robotics. Last year, they successfully executed a crowdfunded public offering and secured a listing on Nasdaq. Currently, Monogram has submitted a request for FDA approval to commercialize their innovative technology. They are now offering preferred stock with an attractive 8% dividend, payable in either cash or stock, priced at $2.25 per share. Additionally, their common shares have recently peaked at $3.44. Please note that the Series D Preferred offering is expected to conclude by September 12, 2024. Best regards, The Morning Brew Team

?? Embrace the Challenge This Rebellious Tuesday! ?? As we navigate through the evolving landscape of our industry, today is the perfect day to challenge the status quo. Whether it's proposing a bold idea at the next team meeting or reimagining your approach to a long-standing project, now is the time to take action! Let’s harness this spirit of rebellion to drive innovation and foster growth in our teams and businesses. Embrace each moment and transform challenges into opportunities. ??? What rebellious idea will you bring to the table today? Share your thoughts below! ?? #RebelliousTuesday #Innovation #Leadership

The ongoing situation between Disney and DirecTV underscores the significant shifts occurring within the entertainment industry at this time. Media organizations are increasingly transitioning to streaming platforms, moving away from traditional cable services, while major stakeholders are actively engaged in the consolidation of streaming offerings. The challenges faced by distributors are evident, as DirecTV and other pay-TV providers experienced a notable loss of 1.6 million subscribers in the second quarter of 2024, a figure that, surprisingly, does not represent their worst performance to date. Last year, Disney successfully negotiated a significant agreement with Charter. If they can replicate a similar deal with DirecTV, it could yield substantial benefits for both the company and its investors. Following the Charter agreement in September, Disney’s stock experienced a considerable increase of approximately 2%. Current analyses reflect a positive outlook for Disney's stock, with an average price target set at $110.87, indicating a potential rise of around 25% from its existing market value. Although DirecTV is not publicly traded, traditional cable providers are likely to continue facing pressure from the leading media corporations. It remains premature to determine the eventual victor in this evolving landscape once market dynamics stabilize. We extend our appreciation to Morning Brew for providing this insightful update.

This morning's insights are sourced from our esteemed colleagues at the Morning Brew. Engaging with a customer service representative can often resemble interacting with a subdued automaton. However, if Klarna’s initial public offering (IPO) unfolds as anticipated, this could soon be a reality. The prominent Swedish buy-now-pay-later firm is strategically aiming to decrease its workforce by 50% by leveraging artificial intelligence, as it seeks to enhance profitability in preparation for its forthcoming IPO, according to the Financial Times. As the company positions itself to enter the public market next year, it has embraced generative machine learning for marketing and customer service, asserting that this technology currently fulfills the roles of 700 employees. "By refraining from hiring—an approach we have maintained since September— the company is gradually becoming more streamlined," stated CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski in an interview with Reuters. Siemiatkowski disclosed that Klarna’s workforce has already contracted from 5,000 to 3,800, with projections indicating a potential reduction to 2,000 over the subsequent years, primarily attributed to advancements in AI. Klarna reported a remarkable 73% year-over-year increase in average revenue per employee. The company's strategy to minimize labor expenses coincides with a remarkable surge in profits during the first half of the year. Klarna disclosed an adjusted operating profit of $66.1 million for the first half of 2024, a substantial recovery from the $44.8 million loss recorded in the same timeframe last year. Year-over-year revenue also rose by 27%, reaching an impressive $1.31 billion. Reviving the IPO landscape Klarna, which secured $800 million at a $6.7 billion valuation in July 2022, stands as one of a select group of established tech startups poised to enter public markets while favorable conditions persist. The organization is consulting with financial advisors, potentially including Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs, according to the Financial Times. In light of the rising interest rates and a volatile stock market throughout 2022 and 2023, the IPO pipeline has experienced a notable slowdown. However, with the S&P 500 up 19% thus far this year, private companies may be considering the opportunity to capitalize on the IPO market sooner rather than later. Many are eyeing the popular window between Labor Day and early November but are faced with a dilemma: move quickly to take advantage of the current bullish market or wait until next year when interest rates may be more favorable. —LB

Hey everyone! Just want to give a shoutout to @kennethphairstudio for sharing this awesome piece of art and banner created by @premade_pixels. We’re pumped to use it for our events, shows, and comic cons! Seriously, @premade_pixels is the go-to for cover art, which is why we stick with them for everything—albums, events, books, podcasts, you name it! If you haven’t checked them out yet, hit the link in our bio! #coverart #artwork #design #artist #creatives #graphicdesign

Hey everyone! It's @kennethphairstudio, and this week we're shining a light on some cool gear! We’re kicking off a series of posts showcasing all the new equipment we're bringing in to help us out with a behind-the-scenes video project alongside our pals at @edison_recording_studio. We’re diving into audio engineering and recording, and we’ll be sharing everything on our channel! You’ll even get to catch live sessions for music, voiceovers, and more! Our buddy Brady Hoggard from @edison_recording_studio is also pitching in to set up a series based on his real-life workshops—how awesome is that? We're still brainstorming names for the series, but we’ve got some fun ideas in mind. Can’t wait to partner up with the amazing team at @edison_recording_studio for this venture! By the way, the piece we’re showcasing today is the Lightdow Camera Cage paired with a Matte Box. The Link for this in in the bio. Super excited about it! #filmequipment

Good morning and happy Sunday. As we prepare to embrace the upcoming week, let us take a moment to pause, reflect, and establish our objectives moving forward. Please consider sharing one aspect for which you are appreciative this week in the comments section, as we strive to motivate one another.