Industry Consolidation is NOT Like the Borg Collective... Or Is It?

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In This Issue

• Wartime Consigliere

• Thoughts About Consolidation

• More Goodies

Wartime Consigliere

I know you’ve all been paying attention to the news. It’s hard not to. It’s even more difficult to ignore because so much news is happening. That autogolpe attempt in South Korea was just 14 days ago, but it feels like it was several years ago!

As we head into the Trump Administration, things are likely going to get weird when it comes to covering the news, even in automotive. To what extent becomes is yet to be seen, but I have to admit I’m not thrilled with Trump suing the Des Moines Register for publishing polling data. The case likely will be — and should be — tossed but frivolous lawsuits end up costing money, and that creates a chilling effect amongst media who can’t afford to be sued by a billionaire who also happens to be President of the United States.

That being said, automotive will likely become a target of ire at some point over the next 4+ years, especially with Elon Musk right beside the next president everywhere he goes.

It’s important now, more than ever, that credible journalists in all industries prepare for what is coming and understand that speaking truth to power, the shining sunshine on the dark areas, is what’s important to avoid increased authoritarian rule.

I’ll try to do what I can in my little quarter of the internet. I know that some of you believe the status quo we have now will continue — and it very well might. Some of you probably also welcome increased media scrutiny — which is important. If you voted for Trump you’re probably not going to like my newsletter, and while I don’t agree with your reasoning I can understand that people are frustrated.

My goal, though, is to keep providing the expert analysis that you’ve come to expect, grow out my podcast audience, and provide an outlet for the reasonably sane to help get us through whatever it is that comes; good or bad.

Or at least until I end up in a camp.

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Thoughts About Consolidation

Last week, I broke the news that Hearst was buying MotorTrend, and the result of that acquisition is that one company owns the biggest automotive buff books in the industry. There were some initial layoffs — I’m still trying to figure out everyone out of a job but know a few — but it appears to be mostly business as usual.

However, I’m not a believer that this consolidation is a good thing. First off, let’s talk about awards. Many publications hand out awards, and some of those publications charge a fee to license that award for use.