Add new information, insight, and question to the topic below (8-12 sent.)

ONE.

Cryptocurrency - WHY is it interesting to me? It's such a risk. Seems like a great way to lose money. It's fascinating to me that people with money to play with put it in things like bitcoin and try to get a bunch of other people to participate. Isn't that a pyramid scheme? The May 2022 crypto crash did not surprise me in any way. I was waiting for that shoe to drop. But according to bloggers and the Internet in general, crypto will be making a comeback in 2023. For real. And there are a lot more coins to choose from beside bitcoin. Yikes!

Cited: "What Is the Next Cryptocurrency to Explode in 2023? Check out all the dark horse cryptocurrencies that could be set for big gains this year." By Lyle Daly - Updated Jan 6, 2023 at 11:46AM

https://www.fool.com/investing/stock-market/market-sectors/financials/cryptocurrency-stocks/next-crypto-to-explode/

TWO.

Paramount Global

Strategic problem, Paramount Global shares are down 47% as of January 2023. Though they are a major player their streaming services are not producing the revenue potential.

Proposed solution: Offensive / Expansion strategy. "At the Launch of Paramount+ in the UK and Ireland,Paramount brought Hollywood to London. The company held a blue carpet event with many Paramount stars, including Kevin Costner, Viola Davis, and Sylvester Stallone.

The launch is an important step for Paramount+. It's the start of its expansion into Europe, and the chance to bring Paramount Global's portfolio of iconic TV shows and blockbuster movies to a new audience. It's also a chance to showcase the momentum in its global content development and the power of its differentiated distribution strategy.

The service has expanded rapidly sinceits US launch. In 2021, Paramount+ launched in Australia, Canada, Latin America including Brazil, and the Nordics. Itdebuted in South Koreaearlier this month, its first foray into Asia. Up next: Italy in September, then France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria in December. The service will go live in India in 2023."

Cited: https://www.paramount.com/news/global-content-capabilities/paramounts-global-expansion-strategy

Strategic problem, Paramount Global has been overspending. Paramount global had a profitable 2021 via growth of subscription base on its available platforms . But things slowed down in 2022 and new subscribers didn't appear as planned. Spending was and is still happening. Getting new subscribers takes effort.

Proposed solution: Mergers and acquisition/ Strategic alliances/ Horizontal mergers. "A Differentiated Distribution Strategy. To reach new audiences in new markets economically and efficiently, Paramount is tailoring its distribution strategy for each market. It offers consumers access through hard bundles, direct-to-consumer, and channel stores.

Thanks to a partnership agreement with Sky, Paramount+ is available to Sky Cinema subscribers at no additional cost, and other Sky customers can subscribe to the service as an add-on. Paramount+ is also available direct-to-consumer through the Paramount+ app for iOS and Android and across supported connected TV devices and OTT platforms. The streaming service's debut later this year in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria will follow the same model. It will debut in France through a partnership with CANAL+.

"We want to invest in customer choice, so people can access our service on the devices or platforms that they're already using," says Executive Vice President and International General Manager of Paramount+, Marco Nobili.

In South Korea, Paramount+ is available on the TV platform, which is part of a partnership with CJ ENM.

Paramount's owned platforms in each region also serve as a marketing and content distribution engine. In the UK, the broadcast network Channel 5, linear networks MTV and Nickelodeon, and free streamer Pluto TV supported the Paramount+ launch. For example, as part of the cross-company campaign, Channel 5 is airing the first episode of HALO to encourage viewers to watch the rest of the series on Paramount+."

Cited: https://www.paramount.com/news/global-content-capabilities/paramounts-global-expansion-strategy

Strategic problem, Content control. More content offerings to more customer segments.

Proposed solution: Vertical integration. "Paramount executives commit the company to a direct-to-consumer, streaming future that bends every corner of the operation to its success. The new commitment comes at a crucial new stage of the streaming wars. It's streaming future outstrips all its Hollywood competitors. On Paramount+, we have something for everyone. We are taking our broad content offering and deepening it with more content in key categories, building on our treasure trove of IP to create lasting, hit franchises."

Cited: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dbloom/2022/02/16/rebranded-paramount-global-focuses-on-streaming-future-with-huge-array-of-announcements/?sh=4ed05c41203e