Lawmakers are once again butting heads about raising the debt ceiling, a limit on the total amount of money that the federal government is authorized to borrow. This video looks at the potential economic consequences that could follow if legislators fail to reach an agreement and default on the nation’s debt. 

Questions:

1. How does debt help drive the U.S. economy?
2. Why are U.S. bonds traditionally seen as reliable investments? How could that change if the country defaults on its debt?

The Super Mario Brothers Movie has earned more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office so far, marking just the latest success for the entertainment juggernaut Nintendo. This video looks at how the Japanese company manages to stay on top of the volatile video game industry thanks to reliable hardware sales as well as classic characters like Mario, Luigi, Link, and many others.

Questions:

1. Why do Sony and Microsoft sell their consoles at a loss? How does Nintendo manage to make money from console sales?
2. Why does Nintendo release games from franchises like Mario and Zelda exclusively on their own consoles?

For a few months every year, legions of Girl Scouts across America set out on entrepreneurial adventures to sell classic cookies like Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs. This video looks at the $800 million Girl Scout cookie operation, which aims to teach kids valuable business lessons and people skills that remain for a lifetime.

Questions:

1. How do the Girl Scouts use scarcity to increase demand for cookies every year?
2. How has e-commerce changed the Girl Scout cookie selling experience?

Since launching its digital payment system in 2014, Apple has steadily increased its market share in a space traditionally dominated by big banks. This video looks at how Apple Pay has frightened Wall Street stalwarts like JPMorgan Chase and caused financial institutions to expand their own digital payment efforts in order to compete. 

Questions:

1. What advantages and disadvantages does Apple Pay have compared to traditional financial firms?
2. Do you prefer to pay with cards or digital platforms like Apple Pay?

In the last few months, we’ve posted videos focusing on small businesses that produce mouthwatering foods by hand, from tasty chocolates to delicious hand-rolled bagels. Today’s video looks at another sort of commercial kitchen, however, a facility owned by Delta Airlines that pumps out more than 3,000 meals daily by relying on robotic machines. 

Questions:

1. Why does Delta rely on automated cooking machines at its Atlanta facility?
2. Do you think small businesses producing food by hand could benefit from the robotic equipment used by Delta? Why or why not?

The video below takes a long look at Li-Lac Chocolate, the oldest chocolate house in New York that thrives by doing things the old fashioned way. Along with observing their unique production processes, this video examines how Li-Lac made it through the pandemic to continue its century-long tradition.

1. What value do the antique chocolate molds owned by Li-Lac Chocolates give to the company?
2. How did the pandemic affect business at Li-Lac Chocolate?

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) does not get much attention unless something goes drastically wrong in the financial world, such as the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). This video explains how the organization covers customers’ deposits in order to prevent bank runs, and how the fall of SVB presented the FDIC with some unique challenges.

Questions:

1. Why was the FDIC formed, and how does it protect customers’ deposits?
2. How did the FDIC’s handling of the SVB collapse differ from past bank failures?

The video below provides an in-depth look at Silicon Valley Bank’s downfall, from its heavy investments in bonds to the bank run that has sent shockwaves through the market. (For more information on investigations into potential misconduct at SVB, check out this video.)

Questions:

1. How did SVB’s substantial investments in bonds backfire on the bank?
2. Do you think federal regulators should place limits on how much money banks like SVB can invest? Why or why not?

Prices on everyday products like groceries and diapers have increased dramatically in the last couple of years, with inflation often being identified as the culprit. This video takes a close look at the potential causes of the post-pandemic trend of rising inflation, examining why supply chain issues and plain old markups could be responsible for ever-increasing prices. 

Questions:

1. What are the potential causes of inflation outlined in this video? Which factor do you think is the most likely cause of rising prices, or do you think it results from a combination of reasons?
2. Do you think government regulators should investigate if companies have raised prices to unsustainable rates? Why or why not?

Florida’s orange crop is shrinking year after year, sending commodity prices skyrocketing for orange juice concentrate. This video examines the intricacies of commodity markets through the lens of concentrated OJ, looking at concepts like futures contracts and how they affect both farmers and retailers.

Questions:

1. Why has Florida’s plummeting orange production caused juice prices to increase significantly? 
2. What are the benefits of futures contracts for farmers and manufacturers?

While last week we looked at how Domino’s relies on automation to mass produce its pizza dough, today’s video examines the operations at a company that takes the opposite approach. At Utopia Bagels in New York City, a well-trained staff of specialists make thousands of bagels by hand every day, all driven by a passionate owner whose love for his craft comes through in this video.

Questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of making bagels entirely by hand?
2. What do you think are some challenges of training specialized workers like bagel rollers?

With thousands of locations across more than 90 international markets, Domino’s has become a global powerhouse thanks largely to its innovative production and distribution methods. This video takes an extensive look at how Domino’s makes pizza, focusing especially on a dough-making facility that relies heavily on automation to succeed.

Questions:

1. Why did Domino’s install automated systems in its Indiana dough-making facility?
2. Do you think more food companies should rely on automation like Domino’s? Why or why not?

In 1989, Anheuser-Busch signed an agreement with the NFL giving the brewer exclusive rights to advertise alcohol nationally during the Super Bowl. After 33 years of having a monopoly over big game beer ads, however, AB InBev decided not to renew their license this year. And as the video below shows, the field is now wide open for companies like MillerCoors to reach a big national audience that has previously been unavailable to them.

Questions:

1. Do you think it was wise for AB InBev not to renew their exclusive rights to advertise alcohol during the Super Bowl? Why or why not?
2. How did companies like MillerCoors get around AB InBev’s exclusive rights to advertise during the Super Bowl in previous years?

Lego grew to be the world’s largest toymaker by appealing to many different kinds of customers, from kids and collectors to corporations looking for fun team-building activities. The Danish company manages to reach lots of people by licensing popular properties like Stars Wars and Marvel for a range of content like movies, TV shows, and video games. This video looks at how Lego drives toy sales by branching out into entertainment that reinforces its brand and grows its customer base. 

Questions:

1. How does Lego benefit its toy business by producing movies, TV shows, and video games?
2. What role does licensing play in Lego’s business strategy? Do you think the company would be as successful as it is today if not for the popularity of properties like Star Wars and Marvel?

This video dives deep into the story of M&S Schmalberg, the last artificial flower factory in the U.S. that crafts beautiful blossoms by hand. Located in the heart of Manhattan, this family-owned business serves everyone from top fashion designers and celebrities to individual clients with personal projects in mind. The video below delves into the history of M&S Schmalberg and its artisanal production methods while also examining the rise and fall of the American artificial flower industry over the span of a century.

Questions:

1. What effect did competition from overseas manufacturers have on the artificial flower industry in the U.S.? How has M&S Shmalberg managed to stay afloat through the years?
2. Why is it important for M&S Shmalberg to hire and train new employees to replace their talented but aging staff? 

As the post-pandemic economic recovery slows down, many companies are looking to trim their bottom lines through restructuring and layoffs. Unlike in previous downturns, however, professional employees have largely been on the receiving end of these job cuts. The video below examines why white collar workers are more likely to receive a pink slip than their blue collar brethren.

Questions:

1. Why are white collar workers facing a disproportionate amount of layoffs as the economy slows down?
2. How can the strong job market potentially benefit professionals like tech workers who have recently been laid off?

The members of the K-pop group BTS are more than just entertainers: they’re financial juggernauts who have contributed billions of dollars to the South Korean economy. The video below looks at how BTS leverages their massive global audience to develop lucrative brand partnerships with everyone from McDonald’s to Louis Vuitton. This bonanza of cash might not go on forever, though, with the group announcing they were taking a brief hiatus that could potentially blunt their branding power. 

Questions:

1. What unique value does BTS bring to brands like McDonald’s and Louis Vuitton?
2. Do you think BTS will continue to be a global financial juggernaut after going on hiatus? Why or why not?

The National Retail Federation says that customer returns are increasing across the industry, driven primarily by online returns that have more than doubled in the last few years. Contrary to what many consumers may think, these products don’t simply boomerang back onto store shelves. As the video below shows, returned items take a complicated journey from warehouse to warehouse that frequently ends either at a secondary resale center or a landfill.

Questions:

1. Why do many returned products end up in secondary resale centers or landfills? 
2. Do you think consumers would be less willing to frequently return online items if they knew about the complicated process behind returns? Why or why not?

The New York bakery Junior’s has been selling enormous cheesecakes to customers since 1950, but 2022 has probably been the toughest year for the company since its founding. Along with examining how a cream cheese shortage and skyrocketing ingredient prices have threatened Junior’s bottom line, this video also examines the company’s history and the intricate production processes for its many baked goods. 

Questions:

1. How have rising ingredient costs affected Junior’s business? 
2. What role does automation play at Junior’s New Jersey factory? Do you think adding more robots to the assembly line could lower costs for the company?

The Mississippi River serves as one of the nation’s most vital supply routes, with slow-moving barges carrying everything from agricultural products to oil and building materials. Due to a drastically dry spring and summer, however, the river is running too low at some points to allow vessels to pass through. This video looks at how plummeting water levels on the Mississippi are disrupting the plans of farmers and manufacturers who rely on the river to get their goods to market.  

Questions:

1. Why is the Mississippi River such an important shipping route in the U.S.? 
2. How have farmers been affected by the Mississippi River’s low water levels as they attempt to ship recently harvested crops?

On a stretch of highway near Phoenix, property developers have constructed dozens of industrial warehouses with millions of square feet in storage. These enormous Arizona facilities are attracting big companies like Amazon, UPS, Walmart, and many more tenants that are looking to avoid California supply chain bottlenecks. This video looks at the reasons why some businesses are starting to center their logistical operations in the American Southwest.

Questions:

1. What are the benefits and drawbacks for companies that use storage facilities located in Arizona rather than California?
2. Do you think companies should place their warehouses closer to ports or closer to consumers? Which option has more potential advantages?

This fascinating video takes a close look at the painstaking process for making oboes, a woodwind that stands out as one of the most expensive instruments in any orchestra. The artisans depicted below must contend with costly and dwindling supplies as well as limited demand from a small and selective market, factors that make this specialty business even more complicated.

Questions:

1. Why are the material costs for oboes so high compared to other instruments like flutes and clarinets?
2. How does demand from a small and specialty market drive production decisions for oboe makers like Howarth?

In recent months, CEOs at leading corporations have been talking a lot about “elasticity” with their shareholders. As Americans contend with rising prices due to inflation, companies are concerned with just how elastic their pricing practices can be. This video examines the concept of elasticity and the role it plays in determining how companies price products. 

Questions:

1. What is price elasticity, and how is it affected by inflation?
2. What are some ways that companies like Procter & Gamble try to maintain market share as their products become more elastic?

Every month, more than one billion people use Google Maps to find their way around the world. The video below looks at the history of this revolutionary app since its launch 17 years ago as well as the ethical issues that come with gathering location data from millions of unknowing users.

Questions:

1. How do businesses use Google Maps as a promotional tool?
2. Do you think Google’s system of “differential privacy” provides enough protection for users’ location data? Why or why not?

Global supply chains have been all out of sorts since the start of the pandemic, but for the most part traffic and delays have been isolated to ports on the Pacific. As the video below explains, though, bottlenecks have now moved to East and Gulf Coast ports that are unprepared for this influx of ships and container boxes. 

Questions:

1. What are some reasons why shipping traffic and delays have moved from Pacific ports to East and Gulf Coast ports?
2. Why do some experts predict that traffic at East and Gulf Coast ports could start to slow down in the coming months?

Thousands of workers at Amazon warehouses and Starbucks stores across the country have voted to unionize in recent months, potentially reversing decades of declining union membership in the U.S. This video takes a close look at the history of unions in postwar America, examining the reasons why service industries largely stayed unorganized and how that could change in the coming years. 

Questions:

1. Why did union membership start to decline in the 1970s and 1980s?
2. Do you think U.S. legislators should make it easier for Americans to unionize their workplace? Why or why not?

Consumer confidence in the economy has taken a nosedive as prices climb higher due to rising inflation, potentially indicating that the U.S. is on the road to a recession. This video looks at how the government collects data on consumer confidence while also examining the ways that low economic expectations can further fuel inflation.

Questions:

1. Why does the government collect data on consumer confidence? What sort of questions do they ask participants?
2. How can declining consumer confidence potentially drive inflation even higher?

Although the pandemic ushered in a new era of working from home, many companies still want employees to come into the office. This video looks at how the social network LinkedIn redesigned its workplace to include more than 75 different types of seating, combining the comforts of home with the collaborative nature of the office environment. 

Questions:

1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of LinkedIn’s new hybrid office plan?
2. Do you think more companies should follow LinkedIn’s lead and develop hybrid offices with many types of seating? Why or why not?

Last week, we looked at how declining stock prices are signaling to analysts that an economic recession could be on the horizon. This video looks at how the recent downturn has been especially grim for tech companies, whose shares are down significantly due to rising interest rates and global instability. 

Questions:

1. What are some factors that have caused tech stocks to fall sharply in recent months?
2. How have hiring decisions by companies like Facebook contributed to the tech stock downturn

Over the last year, Americans have seen prices skyrocket for everything from food to fuel, leading to higher bills and strained budgets. This video looks at how inflation has played out across the economy, from increased costs for consumer staples like meat and eggs to rising rents that are a result of low housing supplies.

Questions:

1. What long term economic factors have led to increased meat prices in recent months?
2. How has a lack of housing construction since the 2008 financial crisis contributed to rising rents in 2022?

Although the sunny state of Florida is famous for its acres of orange groves, the last few years have been stormy for citrus growers as they fight against a tree disease that damages their crops. This extensive video looks at how “citrus greening” brought on by an invasive insect has put many Florida growers out of business while others struggle to adapt to this new agricultural reality. 

Questions:

1. How has citrus greening impacted the Florida orange industry?
2. What are orange farmers doing to combat citrus greening? Do you think their efforts will be successful?

Although electricity prices usually tend to increase alongside the temperature, this summer Americans could see their utility bills rise to record levels. The video below explains how climbing natural gas costs have made air conditioning more expensive than ever, a situation made worse by tangled supply chains and the war in Ukraine. 

Questions:

1. How do rising natural gas prices impact utility costs for consumers?
2. Do you think utility providers should invest more in renewable energy sources to reduce their dependence on natural gas? Why or why not?

While Crocs have had their fans since launching in 2002, the clog brand really took off during the pandemic as housebound Americans searched for comfortable indoor shoes. This video looks at how Crocs won over a doubting public thanks to its unique design, customization, and exclusive partnerships with brands and celebrities. 

Questions:

1. Why did Crocs close its retail stores and move to a distribution model that focused on online sales? How did it benefit from this switch? 
2. How does customization help make a product like Crocs stand out in a crowded marketplace?

As businesses across the globe contend with rising inflation, many companies are cutting costs by reducing the size of consumer goods and hoping buyers don’t notice. This video looks at this growing trend of “shrinkflation” and the risks that companies take when they downsize snacks. 

Questions:

1. Why are many companies responding to rising costs with “shrinkflation?” 
2. What risks do companies take when they alter the packaging or size of consumer goods like snacks?

Sales of houseplants skyrocketed during the onset of the pandemic, and ever since growers around the world have struggled to keep up with ever-increasing demand. Not only are they reaching production capacity, but growers are also in a race against time to get their plants to market before they die on store shelves. This video takes a detailed look at the advanced growing techniques used on modern houseplant farms as well as the flood of TikTok-driven demand that growers must contend with. 

Questions:

1. What are some production challenges that houseplant farmers face, and how do they deal with these issues?
2. How do social media platforms like TikTok drive demand for houseplants?

With inflation rising to its highest levels in 40 years, the Federal Reserve plans to take action by raising interest rates in an effort to get the money supply under control. This video looks at the ways the Fed guides the economy by influencing the federal funds rate, which then affects everything from banking policies to the housing market. 

Questions:

1. Why is the Fed planning to raise the federal funds rate?
2. How does the federal funds rate eventually affect consumer demand for services like home loans or credit cards?

For years the home workout company Peloton promised customers that it provided more than just a stationary bicycle–it was a way of life. But while Peloton thrived during the height of the pandemic as people stayed indoors, the video below shows how this once promising brand collapsed due to falling demand and mismanagement. 

Questions:

1. What sort of customers did Peloton initially market its product to? How did this change over time?
2. How did the pandemic benefit Peloton, and why did the company collapse after many businesses reopened?

Chowing down on a big bowl of crickets probably doesn’t sound very appetizing, does it? According to a range of experts interviewed in the video below, though, our disgust at the thought of eating insects might just be a matter of perception. This extensive report from the New York Times shows how lobsters went from disgusting to delicious in the eyes of American eaters, a branding journey that bugs might also take in the near future.

Questions:

1. What are some of the factors that contributed to lobster’s transformation into a delicacy?
2. Do you think American consumers can be convinced to include insects in their diets? Why or why not?

With the 2022 Winter Olympics in full swing, this video looks at how the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earns billions of dollars through brand partnerships. Along with providing benefits for both major companies and the IOC, these big-time deals have also led to some challenges during this current edition of the games. 

Questions:

1. Do you think it is worth it for companies to spend billions of dollars on brand partnerships at the Olympics? Why or why not?
2. Why are some brands choosing to distance themselves from this edition of the Olympic Games?

While iPhones and various Android smartphones dominate the current mobile market, in the early days of these devices no brand was bigger than BlackBerry. This video looks at the history of this once ubiquitous gadget that captured early market share but failed to keep pace with its high tech competitors. 

Questions:

1. What features made BlackBerry so appealing to businesspeople when it first hit the market?
2. How did BlackBerry’s resistance to change lead to the downfall of its mobile business?

This video takes an extensive look at Noble & Cooley, an American drum company founded in 1854 that has been going strong for more than 160 years. What began as a toy drum seller evolved over the years into an artisanal manufacturer of high-quality instruments that are sought after by professional musicians around the world. Business Insider examines this progression as well as Noble & Cooley’s commitment to quality that has set it apart from the competition for decades. 

Questions:

1. What role has Noble & Cooley’s commitment to quality played in its success over the last century and a half? 
2. What is the purpose of Noble & Cooley’s rule about not drilling holes into drums on Fridays?

The 2020 edition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was unlike any in the event’s 97-year history: limited to just one block, no marching bands, and no crowds of cheering spectators. This Thursday, though, the big balloons and bands will largely be back as Macy’s continues one of the longest running promotional efforts in business. The brief video below from 2019 looks at the history of the parade and the various ways it has both evolved and stayed the same over the years. 

Questions:

1. Do you think it is worth it for Macy’s to spend as much as $13 million on the Thanksgiving Day Parade every year? Why or why not?
2. How do other brands besides Macy’s benefit from events like the Thanksgiving Day Parade?

The pandemic completely upended the concept of work in the U.S., resulting first in mass layoffs as companies closed down followed by mass resignations when businesses returned. This video looks at how the first problem may have led to the “Great Resignation” as workers continue to leave their jobs and companies struggle to attract talent.

Questions:

1. Why have employment rates in travel and hospitality struggled to return to pre-pandemic levels?
2. What are some of the causes of the Great Resignation? Are people necessarily exiting the workforce entirely?

As debates in Washington about raising the debt ceiling once again make the news, this video provides a comprehensive and straightforward explanation of the U.S. national debt. Along with examining the sale of government bonds, the video also considers whether or not the country should retain the debt limit. 

Questions:

1. How does the sale of bonds benefit both investors and the government? 
2. Do you think the U.S. should continue to maintain a debt limit? Why or why not?

With supply chains snarled across the globe, food prices are on the rise as businesses contend with interminable shipping delays. Unlike many other items at the supermarket, though, cheese prices have remained relatively stable thanks to a number of factors discussed in the video below. 

Questions:

1. Why does cheese maintain a relatively stable price compared to other staple foods like ground beef and apples?
2. What is “price smoothing” and how does it keep prices stable at supermarkets for consumers?

For weeks, stock markets across the globe have become increasingly volatile as investors await the fate of Evergrande, an enormous Chinese real estate company with more than $300 billion in debt. Analysts predict that the property developer will not be able to pay back what it owes, which would likely have damaging ripple effects across the global economy. The video below looks at Evergrande’s current debt debacle and the possible ways that this situation could be resolved.

Questions:

1. Why are investors across the globe concerned about Evergrande’s mounting debt crisis?
2. How did Evergrande’s practice of pre-selling apartments lead to its current crisis?

Over the course of the pandemic, sports card trading has transformed from a niche hobby to a booming market as people started turning old collections into big money. This video looks at how appraisal companies and online trading platforms have changed collecting forever while attracting the interest of Wall Street investors in the process.

Questions:

1. How did sports card collecting transform from a fading hobby into a lucrative and vibrant market? 
2. Do you think the market for cards will continue to grow in the coming years? Why or why not?

Although demand for wine from California’s Napa Valley has never been higher, supply is low across the region after years of drought, wildfires, and then the pandemic disrupted production. This video looks at the inflationary pressures currently weighing on winemakers as they consider whether or not to raise prices on the latest vintages.

Questions:

1. What inflationary factors are driving winemakers to raise prices on their products?
2. What are the potential advantages and disadvantages for businesses when they raise prices?

Across the country housing prices are skyrocketing to record highs, effectively pricing millions of people out of buying their first homes. This video looks at how this lack of supply in the face of soaring demand can be attributed partly to American zoning laws, which can have the cumulative effect of raising housing costs for everybody. 

Questions:

1. How have American zoning laws contributed to the current lack of affordable starter homes?
2. Do you think zoning laws against multi-family housing should be relaxed in some areas of the country? Why or why not?

Most people probably don’t think about how bunches of bananas make it from farms in Central America to store shelves in the U.S. That’s certainly not the case at Top Banana, a company that handles more than one million pounds of fruit every week. This long but fascinating video takes a look at how Top Banana ripens and ships an enormous amount of bananas through sophisticated logistical processes. 

Questions:

1. Why does Top Banana constantly check to ensure that its fruit is the right temperature, color, and consistency?
2. Why is it important for companies like Top Banana to have well-designed logistical plans in place?

Over the last month, communities across the Western United States have imposed restrictions on water use as a major drought wreaks havoc on the region. This video looks at how the drop in the supply of surface water has hurt California farmers and why their pain could soon ripple out across the country.

Questions:

1. How has the drought in the Western U.S. affected farmers in the region? 
2. Do you think regulators should place restrictions on the use of groundwater by farmers? Why or why not?

Last month, we looked at how the global shortage of microchips has severely restricted production of everything from video game consoles to dog washing stations. This video examines the manufacturing process for these precious components and explains why semiconductor production cannot be easily increased. 

Questions:

1. Why is it difficult for manufacturers to speed up production on microchips and semiconductors?
2. What are some possible solutions for increasing global microchip production?

The Swedish company IKEA is famous across the globe for its meatballs and its wide array of furniture that customers must assemble at home. This video looks at how the retailer encourages sales by creating the “IKEA effect” with its winding floor plan that causes customers to snake through a series of product showrooms. 

Questions:

1. What sort of strategies does IKEA use to keep costs low?
2. How does the “IKEA effect” encourage customers to purchase furniture and home goods?

As the pandemic forced millions of people to stay indoors, virtual worlds like Roblox boomed in popularity with gamers as well as investors. This video looks at how the platform appeals to more than 30 million active monthly users, including independent creators who can earn big bucks by building games within Roblox. 

Questions:

1. Why did games like Roblox explode in popularity last year?
2. What sort of challenges does Roblox face as it looks to expand its user base?

The current vaccine rollout that is going strong throughout the country is largely the result of multi-billion dollar deals struck between economic powers like the U.S. and U.K. with pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer and Moderna. But while bilateral trade agreements across the globe allowed for the largest vaccine rollout in history, this video looks at why these deals are also delaying the vaccination process in struggling countries like Brazil and India.

Questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of bilateral trade agreements when it comes to developing vital goods such as vaccines?
2. How are organizations like Covax working to fix the global disparity in vaccine distribution?

On any given day since mid-2020, the Port of Los Angeles has had as many as 30 container ships anchored outside and waiting to eventually dock. This video looks at how the pandemic inspired a boom in online purchases while also causing a shortage of shipping workers, leading to the transportation crisis currently taking place at ports across the world. 

Questions:

1. How did the pandemic lead to supply chain problems that caused traffic jams at major ports around the world?
2. How could rising global shipping costs potentially affect prices for businesses and consumers?

Last month, we looked at how NBA Top Shot sells digital basketball cards for thousands of dollars through its online marketplace. Since then, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) like Top Shot cards have skyrocketed in value, with one viral gif selling for $600,000 while a NFT artwork was sold through Christie’s auction house for tens of millions. This video explains how NFTs operate along with their possible drawbacks. 

Questions:

1. How did some NFTs come to be worth thousands or even millions of dollars? Where does their value come from?
2. What are some possible drawbacks of NFTs?

Last week, GameStop stock shot through the roof as users on forums like Reddit bought up shares in droves after some hedge funds shorted the stock by as much as 240 percent. This video takes a look at how both professional and at-home options traders upended expectations for many market observers. 

Questions:

1. Why did GameStop’s stock price skyrocket last week?
2. Do you think stock trading apps like RobinHood should have restricted users from buying shares in GameStop? Why or why not?

Even during the pandemic, the nation’s airports still manage to move tons of cargo across the country every day. This video takes a close look at how Dallas Fort Worth International Airport transports everything from live animals to human remains in this challenging, fast-paced environment. 

Questions:

1. How has the pandemic changed transportation and cargo procedures at American Airlines?
2. Do you think cargo-only flights will continue after the pandemic? Why or why not?

Sony’s PlayStation 5 launched earlier this month and is expected to be one of the blockbuster products of the holiday season. This video looks at the evolution of the console throughout the years and how it became a central focus of Sony’s business.

Questions:

1. How did the PlayStation help Sony transition from a consumer electronics manufacturer into a gaming company?
2. Why did Sony decide to focus closely on the gamer market for future generations of the PlayStation, and how did they accomplish this task?

Jingles were once a regular feature of television and radio advertising, but these catchy tunes are no longer as popular with admakers as they used to be. This video looks at the history of jingles in commercials and why they have slowly disappeared in the age of digital advertising. 

Questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using jingles in modern advertising? 
2. How did the use of music in commercials evolve over the course of the 20th century?

On the surface, food advertisements don’t seem to be overly complicated. As this detailed video shows, though, filming the average food commercial often requires scientific precision as well as robotic assistance. 

Questions:

1. Why is it important for ad makers to stick closely to what their clients want to see in a commercial? 
2. Do you think it is worth the expense for companies to use robots and other complicated and expensive filming techniques in their ads? Why or why not?

In order to assess the state of the economy, analysts often examine how many long-lasting goods are being ordered by retailers and manufacturers. The idea is that companies who are confident enough to stock up on durable goods like appliances and cars are anticipating a consumer base that’s eager to purchase them. This video looks at the durable goods indicator and explains how investors often look beyond it to get a better sense of where the economy is headed.

Questions:

1. What is the durable goods indicator, and why do financial analysts keep a close watch on it?
2. Why do some analysts exclude items like aircraft when examining the durable goods indicator?

The video sharing app TikTok has become a big hit with millions of Americans over the last few years. According to the federal government, however, the Chinese-owned company presents national security risks that could lead to a ban on the app in the U.S. This video looks at the controversy surrounding TikTok’s American operations as well as the larger dangers of a fractured global Internet. 

Questions:

1. Why is the federal government considering a ban on TikTok? 
2. Do you think the federal government should ban TikTok if it does not sell to an American company? Why or why not?

As companies across all industries look for ways to reduce contact between employees during the pandemic, many are turning to automated labor as a way both to stay safe and trim costs. This video looks at how advanced robotic technology could change workplaces in the long term while also examining the potential limitations of automation. 

Questions:

1. Why are many companies investing in automated labor during the pandemic?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of automation?

Since thousands of concert venues around the world remain closed due to coronavirus, many artists have taken to social media to stream live performances. These innovative concerts draw in huge online audiences but are no replacement for the revenue generated by live shows. This video looks at how the music industry is hoping to earn cash from unorthodox venues, such as drive-in concerts and video game tie-ins. 

Questions:

1. Do you think virtual events in video games like Fortnite could be major revenue generators for music companies and artists? Why or why not?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of drive-in concert venues?

Retail sales plummeted during the coronavirus lockdown, which is bad news for more people than just business owners. This video shows how retailers drive economic growth by creating a ripple effect of sales across many different sectors.

Questions:

1. How do retail sales help drive economic growth?
2. Why have online retailers seen sales skyrocket during the pandemic?

Although many companies remain closed during the ongoing pandemic, some businesses have been able to alter their operations to produce increasingly vital supplies. This video looks at how Dogfish Head Brewery managed to keep its employees on the payroll while also supplying local hospitals with hand sanitizer.

Questions:

1. How did Dogfish Head Brewery change its operations to make hand sanitizer?
2. What is the three-step process that Dogfish Head Brewery used to engage with their community during the coronavirus crisis?

With millions of cars off the road and thousands of airplanes sitting idle on tarmacs, oil consumption has plummeted since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. This has led to a drastic drop in petroleum prices that could have an enormous impact on the global economy in the months to come. This video looks at how trade tensions caused prices to fall before the Covid-19 crisis and how oil producing nations are now rethinking their priorities. 

Questions:

1. How has the coronavirus pandemic affected the oil industry?
2. Do you think oil producing nations will continue to work together after the pandemic is over? Why or why not?

After a long debate, last week legislators finally approved and signed into law a $2 trillion stimulus package that provides much needed economic relief during this unprecedented health crisis. The video below looks at how the money will be allocated to companies and the logistics behind expanded unemployment benefits as well as a $1,200 stimulus payment to American adults. 

Questions:

1. What sort of restrictions does the stimulus package place upon companies that accept government relief?
2. Do you think this stimulus package will provide enough relief for the millions of Americans who have recently been laid off? Why or why not?

With many businesses altering their day-to-day operations, millions of Americans working in restaurants, bars, hotels, or for gig companies like Uber have seen their hours and pay cut drastically. This video looks at how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting regular people working in the San Francisco Bay Area and the solutions that they are asking for to relieve this crisis. 

Questions:

1. Why do small businesses like restaurants and bars face so much uncertainty during the current coronavirus pandemic?
2. Do you think government regulators should provide some kind of financial relief to struggling workers?

Last year, we looked at how open office plans can discourage communication between employees despite claims about their supposed collaborative benefits. This video explains the history of open offices and how modern workplaces often fail to live up to the standards of the past due to concerns about cost. 

Questions:

1. How do modern open office plans tend to discourage communication and collaboration between employees? 
2. Do you think more companies should create open office plans based on the principles of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright and other visionaries of the past? Why or why not?

For much of the 19th and early 20th centuries, train travel was the primary mode of transportation for millions of Americans. Once cars and air travel rose to prominence, however, trains fell out of use in the U.S. while other European and Asian nations greatly expanded their railway capabilities. Along with looking at the history of American train travel, this in-depth video examines a modern company that wants to connect the nation with high-speed trains like so many other countries do. 

Questions:

1. Why has American train travel fallen behind compared to railway operations in many European and Asian nations? Do you think the U.S. can catch up?
2. How does Brightline (soon to be Virgin Trains USA) plan to earn money on through its Florida railway?

Targeted advertising has become the economic engine of the Internet for big companies like Facebook and Google that collect all sorts of data about their users. This video details how tech giants track people online in order to gather information for advertisers, a widespread practice that is nevertheless hugely controversial. 

Questions:

1. How has the use of cookies changed from the early days of the Internet to today?
2. Do you think legislators should regulate how companies track people online for targeted advertising? Why or why not?

In recent years, many Silicon Valley tech firms have pledged to make sustainability a top priority. But as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft develop environmentally friendly operations, oil companies are also using their technology to extract more petrochemicals from the earth. The video below takes an in-depth look at the history of oil extraction and how modern tech companies are risking their reputations by getting involved with the fossil fuel industry. 

Questions:

1. How does machine learning help tech companies become more sustainable? How does it also help fossil fuel companies become more efficient?
2. Do you think public opinion could turn against tech companies if they continue to work with the fossil fuel industry? Why or why not?

Although only 6 percent of the U.S. identifies as vegan, animal-free foods like meatless burgers and veggie-based snacks have exploded in popularity recently. This video looks at why the animal alternative market could grow into a $140 billion industry as consumers include more vegan foods in their diets. 

Questions:

1. Why are more American consumers starting to supplement their regular diets with vegan foods?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of synthetic meat like the Impossible Burger?

Analysts estimate that last year consumers spent more than $50 billion on virtual items in video games like Counter-Strike and World of Warcraft. This lengthy but highly informative video explains why the market for virtual items has grown bigger than global box office returns for the movie industry. 

Questions:

1. How are in-game economies similar to real-world economic systems?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of online marketplaces that sell virtual goods?

In 2017 Toys ‘R’ Us filed for bankruptcy under the weight of billions of dollars in debt. Six months later all of the retailer’s stores had closed with their stock liquidated and staff let go without severance. This in-depth video chronicles the rise and fall of this former “category killer,” detailing how the retailer’s bankruptcy changed the toy industry as well as the lives of its former workers. 

Questions:

1. How did the bankruptcy of Toys ‘R’ Us affect its workforce of more than 33,000 people? 
2. Do you think Toys ‘R’ Us will make a comeback as a brand under its new ownership group? Why or why not?

This in-depth video explains how stock buybacks work and why they have possibly contributed to rising income inequality over the years. Along with providing a detailed history of this controversial practice, the video also takes a close look at the closing of GM’s factory in Lordstown, Ohio. 

Questions:

1. Do you think lawmakers should pass regulations against corporate stock buybacks? Why or why not?
2. How did the closing of GM’s Lordstown factory affect the community as a whole?

From music and movies to everyday items like clothes and toilet paper, today’s consumers can order all sorts of products through monthly subscription services. But as more companies adopt this sales strategy, it’s possible that consumers could get tired of subscriptions once all the monthly fees start stacking up. This video looks at why these services have become so widespread and offers advice for consumers who feel they’ve taken on too many subscriptions.

Questions:

1. Why are more companies starting to offer subscriptions rather than charging flat fees for their goods and services?
2. What is the three-step process that can help you keep track of your monthly subscriptions?

Whether you realize it or not, companies and organizations across the country are employing facial recognition technology for all sorts of purposes. The video below looks at the various uses for this controversial new tech and why many people are wary about its quick expansion into everyday life.

Questions:

1. What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of using facial recognition technology in everyday life?
2. Do you think Microsoft and Amazon should sign the Safe Face Pledge? Why or why not?

Although some brick and mortar retailers are managing to thrive in the age of e-commerce, many others haven’t been able to compete against rivals like Amazon. This includes a good portion of America’s once mighty malls that now either struggle to keep tenants or have shuttered completely. In an ironic twist, however, abandoned malls are currently being purchased by Amazon and other companies to serve as product distribution centers. This video details why the location and size of these former malls are often perfect for today’s online retailers.

Questions:

1. How do the large floor plans of former malls benefit e-commerce companies like Amazon?
2. What sort of location advantages do former malls offer to online retailers?

In 2018 Americans received as many as 48 billion unwanted robocalls from telemarketers and scammers. Although legislators have tried to put a stop to these irritating interruptions, completely stamping out unwanted or fraudulent robocalls appears to be a nearly impossible task. This video shows how the power of the Internet as well as regulatory loopholes allow robocallers to operate without much interference.

Questions:

1. Why is it often difficult for regulators to collect penalties issued against robocall companies?
2. Why can’t regulators simply place a total ban on all robocalls?

Although Americans have become enthusiastic recyclers in recent years, many people still have trouble telling the difference between what’s recyclable and what isn’t. In fact, approximately 25 percent of the material that U.S. citizens toss in their recycling bins can’t actually be recycled. This video takes a look at the possible causes of this trend and provides viewers with some simple waste-sorting advice: “when in doubt, throw it out.”

Questions:

1. How does single-stream recycling contribute to the high rate of recycling contamination in the U.S.?
2. Do you think more communities should require residents to pre-sort their recyclables rather than rely on single-stream systems? Why or why not?

China’s population is aging on a massive scale. Within 30 years, experts estimate that the country will be home to more than 500 million citizens over 60. As a result, China’s economy and society could face majors changes as it strives to meet the needs of seniors. This video takes a look at the massive purchasing power that the nation’s seniors will soon wield and how businesses are responding to shifting demographics.

Questions:

1. How does Granny Sunshine’s success in fashion serve as an example of the big changes that China will soon face?  
2. Do you think the Chinese government should reconsider its laws on mandatory retirement ages?

With stories about the Boeing 737 Max 8’s potentially fatal flaws dominating the news, some consumers may start to lose trust in the safety of air travel. As this video shows, that’s what happened in the 1930s when the Hindenburg airship plummeted in flames on a journey from Germany to the U.S. Although it wasn’t the first nor the deadliest airship crash, footage of the burning Hindenburg shocked the public and destroyed almost all confidence in the budding airship industry.

Questions:

1. What role did news footage of the Hindenburg disaster play in destroying the public’s confidence in airships?
2. Do you think the issues surrounding the Boeing 737 Max 8 will cause many consumers to lose confidence in air travel? Why or why not?

Red Bull has grown into one of the world’s most powerful beverage brands thanks in no small part to its innovative approach to marketing. This video takes a close look at the Austrian company’s trailblazing sponsorship of extreme sports events and how the Red Bull brand is about a lot more than just selling energy drinks.

Questions:

1. Why did Red Bull choose to sponsor extreme sports events rather than well-known leagues like the NFL or NBA?  
2. How did Red Bull’s higher price initially set it apart from the competition? Why is the company now lowering prices?

There are few things more important to a product than a solid brand name. After all, the title on an item’s label will stick around long after the people who originally created it are gone. That’s why many major companies seek out the services of Lexicon Branding, a marketing firm that comes up with product names. This video looks at the company’s process and how it developed recognizable brand names like Swiffer, Febreeze, and Blackberry.

Questions:

1. Do you think it’s worth the money for companies to pay Lexicon Branding as much as $250,000 for a product name? Why or why not?
2. Why is Lexicon Branding’s job more difficult now than it was in the past?

Many years ago, hundreds of delivery men used to criss-cross New York City transporting big bottles of seltzer water directly to customers. As soda and other pre-packaged drinks became popular, however, most of the city’s “seltzer men” began to disappear once demand for their product plummeted. But the old-school seltzer trade isn’t entirely dead in the Big Apple. The video below shows how Brooklyn Seltzer Boys carries on this legacy by combining traditional methods with a new marketing strategy.

Questions:

1. How did Adam Gomberg manage to revitalize his family’s seltzer water business?
2. What makes the bottles used by Brooklyn Seltzer Boys so special? What advantages does this give the company over their competitors?

For many shoppers, a “buy one, get one free” deal is often too good to pass up. As this video shows, though, “BOGO” promotions aren’t as special as many consumers perceive them to be.

Questions:

1. How do “buy one, get one free” deals sometimes deceive customers?
2. Why do retailers like Amazon show customers a product’s original list price along with the discounted price?

At the bottom of every product page on Amazon sits a collection of user reviews that serve as a resource for those who need a second opinion before making a purchase. And while regular customers write many of these reviews, there are also plenty of others who receive free products in exchange for their perspective. The following video shows the positives and negatives behind this system and how Amazon tries to filter out the worst offenders.

Questions:

1. Do you think it is ethical for companies to offer free products to consumers in exchange for Amazon reviews? Why or why not?
2. Why are “word-of-mouth” reviews on sites like Amazon so important to companies?

The video game industry has grown into a global juggernaut. Last year, consumers around the world spent more than $100 billion on games, more than double the amount spent on movies. As this in-depth video shows, however, some video game companies have started to earn all that money by operating like casinos. From examining the business model of “loot boxes” to the ways that video games track customer data, this long but fascinating video provides an excellent assessment of an industry that will only get bigger in the coming years.

Questions:

1. Why do companies like Yokozuna Data closely track how people play video games?  
2. Do you think the U.S. should follow the lead of other countries and regulate the use of “loot boxes” in video games? Why or why not?

In 2001, a company called Segway introduced a two-wheeled “personal transporter” that it claimed would revolutionize how people traveled in big cities. 17 years later, though, and the Segway is mainly a vehicle for security guards and tourists. Along with chronicling the ways that the company failed to live up to expectations, this video also looks at how Segway could still leave a big impact on the transportation industry.

Questions:

1. Why did Segway fail to connect with consumers in the early 2000s?
2. Do you think motorized scooters will become a popular mode of transportation in the coming years? Why or why not?

We’ve all been there before: you go to the store with a carefully prepared shopping list only to walk out with tons of stuff you had no previous intention to buy. These types of impulse purchases are such a vital source of revenue that some retailers design their store layouts to encourage as much emotion-driven buying as possible. This video looks at how IKEA depends on winding pathways and strategic lighting to do just that.

Questions:

1. How does IKEA’s store layout encourage customers to purchase products impulsively?
2. Why are impulse purchases so important to retailers like IKEA?

Last week representatives from the U.S., Mexico, and Canada reached an agreement to update NAFTA, the international trade deal that went into effect in 1994. Now known as the USMCA, this video looks at how the new deal could affect various industries throughout North America. Click here to watch it.

Questions:

1. Which industries will be most affected by the USMCA?
2. What is the purpose of international trade deals like NAFTA or the USMCA?

Photo by Nicoguaro.

Every day, Americans are bombarded with tons of advertisements coming out of their TVs, radios, and all sorts of other sources. While companies design many of these spots to be easily noticed by consumers, this video takes a look at one type of marketing that deliberately remains in the background. Known as “scent marketing,” companies use it to target the attention of a consumer’s nose rather than their eyes and ears.

Questions:

1. How does scent marketing differ from other forms of marketing? What are its advantages and disadvantages?
2. What role does scent marketing play at company like Abercrombie & Fitch?

While songwriters and filmmakers can protect their intellectual property through copyrights, many fashion designers can’t do the same when it comes to their creations. The video below shows why legislators consider clothing to be different from other forms of art and how that affects designers, especially those at the high-end of the market.

Questions:

1. Why have legislators been reluctant to grant clothing designs the same protection as movies or songs?
2. Do you think fashion designers should be able to copyright a piece of clothing like a musician would with a song? Why or why not?

Although many American advertisements suggest that Florida remains the orange juice capital of the world, the video below shows how that’s not quite the case. Due to the state’s extreme weather and a number of other factors, the South American nation of Brazil has long stood as the globe’s top producer of OJ.

Questions:

1. Why has the size of Florida’s orange crop fallen so much in recent years?
2. What are the benefits and drawbacks of Brazil’s dominance of the orange industry?

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s safe to eat eggs that have gone past their “sell-by date,” you are certainly not alone. This video looks at the confusing dates that companies place on food packaging and how they encourage consumers to throw out items that are still edible.

Questions:

1. Why do companies place sell-by dates on food packaging?
2. What can companies do to make food date labels more straightforward for consumers?

As far as Instagram influencers go, Lil Miquela might not seem all that unique at first glance. More than 1 million people follow the teenager’s feed as she regularly shares stories about her life and shows off her stylish wardrobe. Miquela isn’t real, though, and not just in the “nothing is real on Instagram” sense: she is a computer-generated creation made by a Los Angeles startup. While that might seem bizarre at first, CGI influencers like Miquela give us a glimpse into what the future of social media marketing could look like.

Questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a computer-generated avatar like Lil Miquela for social media marketing?
2. Do you think computer-generated influencers like Lil Miquela could be the future of social media marketing? Why or why not?