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Designer Face Shields and How To Get A Professional Blurred Background Effect | Non-Obvious Insights #215

Non-Obvious Insights #215 - This week's most underappreciated stories curated for you. |
Dear Newsletterest,

Right after SXSW was cancelled, I started collecting the best advice I could find about working remotely and presenting virtually. A week later I decided to write a book about everything I learned and I just published the digital version this week (print coming on May 26th). You can get a free copy for Kindle here for a limited time. Aside from the book, this week I have also been thinking a lot about the idea of what type of work is "essential" and what isn't. You'll see more on that idea in the stories below. As always, I'd love to hear any ideas they might spark for you - or just what you're thinking about these days. Let's talk! Just hit reply to this message to send me an email.
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What Retailers Can Learn From The Cannabis Industry 

The entire emerging industry of legalized cannabis sales has been a disruptive one. From highly regulated dispensaries to roving marijuana trucks selling product on the streets, it's an industry that doesn't have many conventions yet. As a result, some believe it may pioneer a new style of retail that others could copy. From a rapid shift to ecommerce to an industry-wide move away from inhalable forms to more edibles, oils and other products, the industry is offering a masterclass in what quick evolution looks like - and it's one that more retailers should be watching. 


 

AMC Theaters Declare War On Universal Over Trolls 

The story has already made entertainment history. After the pandemic cancelled all film openings, Universal decided to forego theaters and do a home release of Trolls World Tour. It has netted $77 million to date. So they announced they would do it for future films. And AMC got pissed and announced they would no longer show Universal movies in their theaters after they reopen. Industry expert and Box Office Guru Gitesh Pandya believes this will be a short-lived feud - but it raises a big question for the industry. Should theaters fight this future, or double down on showing those films that are best seen on the big screen? The summer's most entertaining drama might be how the entertainment industry struggles to answer this question.


 

Is Marketing "Essential" During a Pandemic?

Is what you do (or what you sell) really essential now? It's not a question most of us want to answer. It's a panic-inducing question in the marketing industry right now, fueled by the actions of huge brands like Pepsi who are pulling back on marketing spending. Yet at the same time, the brand is spending to support John Krasinski's Some Good News show and spending selectively in growing categories, like snack foods. So maybe a better way to think about this question of "essentialness" is in terms of priorities. Is what you do or sell a priority in this moment? Right now, the priority are products and services that are fundamental necessities or those that offer us physical or emotional comfort (which this fascinating retail report on what is selling during the pandemic shows). The data proves that right now we're mainly buying the stuff that makes us feel good, or that keeps us alive. And not much else.


 

Protective Fashion: Designer Face Shields Are Coming

Will masks and face shields be a normal part of our daily existence? Some designers are imagining the future of fashion in this world. As designer Joe Doucet asks, "how do we encourage mass adoption of an unwanted accessory?" His design combines a face shield with sunglasses and offers an early glimpse at how the future of fashion may include this sort of protective gear that is integrated into what we wear every day.


 

How To Get The Bokeh Effect (A Blurred Background)

Ever wonder how professionally shot videos get that blurred background? It's called the bokeh effect and you may think you can only do this through a super high end video camera. Actually, you can achieve the same effect by using a DSLR in place of your webcam. In the photo below, I'm using my Nikon D5500 with a fixed 35mm lens and a connection through the Elgato Cam Link. I've always been a photographer, so I had this camera at home, but you can get a decent DSLR for about $250 (slightly more than a high-end webcam). And if you already have a Canon camera, they actually just released a free web utility this week that allows you to use your camera as a webcam. For more tips on improving your virtual speaking, check out the blog post I wrote earlier this week on the lessons I learned from doing 15 virtual keynotes in 21 days. 


 

The NY Times Adds an At Home Section

I read the Travel section of the NY Times with a mixture of curiosity and sadness. Having a weekly reminder of how I can't travel just felt wrong. Apparently, the editors were feeling the same because they added a new At Home section. This weekend's inaugural edition featured articles on how to navigate loneliness, at home yoga routines and how to cut your own hair. I have to say, reading it did make me feel a bit better. The only thing worse than not being able to have fun is knowing everyone else is having fun without you. At least we're all grounded together.
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How are these stories selected every week?
Every week I go through hundreds of stories in order to curate this email. Your attention is important to me and I always do my best to share only "non-obvious" ideas with you to help you be more interesting. 

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