Boardroom

Snack sales are taking a hit as Americans tighten their belts—literally and figuratively. With the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, people are curbing their cravings, leading to a noticeable dip in snack consumption. Big food companies are feeling the crunch as consumers prioritize health and mindful eating.⁠ ⁠ It’s not just about willpower; it’s about wallets too. Economic pressures are prompting shoppers to be more selective, often skipping the snack aisle to save money. The combination of health trends and financial caution is reshaping our snack habits.⁠ ⁠ The snack industry is at a crossroads, facing challenges from both health-conscious consumers and budget constraints. As tastes and priorities shift, companies will need to adapt to stay relevant in this changing landscape.⁠ ⁠ (via Nielsen, The Wall Street Journal)

From job creation to tourism boosts, F1 isn’t just racing—it’s reshaping Miami’s economy. In just 3 years, the Miami Grand Prix has driven over $1 billion in economic impact. 💰🏎️ Read more and subscribe to Boardroom’s Tech Talk with Michelai A. Graham for more. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/evFDgbCq

Sprite just pulled off a major upset in the soda wars—surpassing Pepsi in U.S. market share for the first time ever. Per 2024 data from Beverage Digest, Sprite now holds 8.03% of U.S. soft drink volume compared to Pepsi’s 7.97%, trailing only Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper. The surge stems from a strategic brand refresh that taps nostalgia and Gen Z appeal. Sprite brought back its iconic ‘Obey Your Thirst’ campaign with NBA star Anthony Edwards and Sha’Carri Richardson, while product innovations like Sprite Chill generated $100M in year-one sales. Despite spending less on ads, Sprite is winning with cultural relevance and flavor-led experiences. Pepsi has leaned into zero-sugar products to revive its momentum, but its core brand continues to slip. Meanwhile, Sprite is climbing—thanks to a youth-focused approach that blends sports, music, and bold taste into a lifestyle brand built for now.

The Miami Grand Prix hits the track this weekend, bringing the glitz, speed, and sprint-race chaos to South Florida as Round 6 of the 2025 Formula 1 season.⁠ ⁠ At the top of the money grid? Max Verstappen, still the sport’s top earner with a $65 million base salary—fueled by four straight world titles and jaw-dropping drives like his 16th-to-1st comeback in São Paulo. He’s the face of F1, and he’s getting paid like it.⁠ ⁠ But the money race is heating up. Lewis Hamilton is right behind at $60M as he bets big on a Ferrari run at title No. 8, while Lando Norris locked in $20M at McLaren—with smart exit clauses that could make him a key player in F1’s next power shuffle.⁠ ⁠ (via nbc6, racingnews365)

Pete Davidson on the state of the film and TV industry today. (🎥: IG/club30pod)

Acquired for $19 billion in 2014, WhatsApp remains free and ad-free, with its last major milestone—2 billion users—reached in 2020. ⁠Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg highlighted WhatsApp’s growing importance during the company’s Q1 earnings call, as the platform recently surpassed 3 billion monthly users. ⁠ ⁠ The app now plays a central role in Meta’s AI strategy. Executives confirmed that WhatsApp sees the highest engagement with Meta AI, especially in one-on-one chats. Still, Zuckerberg acknowledged that AI adoption in the U.S. is slower due to the dominance of native SMS apps, prompting Meta to double down on its standalone Meta AI product.⁠ ⁠ On the business side, WhatsApp Business is a key revenue driver, contributing to Meta’s $510 million in Q1 app revenue. The company is piloting AI tools that let businesses train Meta AI using their own content and deploy chatbots for customer service—part of a broader push to expand WhatsApp’s commercial capabilities.⁠ ⁠ (via TechCrunch)

Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is locked in 🔒🏀

Loewe has reclaimed the top spot on the Lyst hottest brands list for Q1 2025, surpassing Miu Miu with a 38% spike in searches. The surge followed media coverage surrounding the exit of creative director Jonathan Anderson, who is set to debut his first Dior Men’s collection at Paris Men’s Fashion Week on June 27.⁠ ⁠ The brand had previously reached No. 1 in spring 2024 during the release of ‘Challengers,’ which featured costumes by Anderson. The film’s press tour, led by Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor, brought significant visibility to the brand through red carpet appearances and media coverage.⁠ ⁠ Miu Miu, which led the ranking in Q4 2024, remained a strong presence. The brand also recently released a capsule collection with tennis star Coco Gauff, blending sporty and fashion-forward elements.

University of Connecticut Women's Basketball star Azzi Fudd launches the first edition of ‘Build Your Own Boardroom’—and she’s dropping some 🔥 picks.

Apple just reported better-than-expected second quarter earnings, with stronger-than-anticipated iPhone sales driving a beat on both revenue and profit. iPhone revenue hit $46.8 billion, topping expectations of $45.6 billion and exceeding last year’s Q2 total of $45.9 billion. Mac and iPad sales also outperformed estimates, bringing in $7.9 billion and $6.4 billion respectively. Services revenue came in just under forecasts at $26.6 billion.⁠ ⁠ Despite broader pressure from Trump’s 145% tariff on Chinese goods, Apple’s core products—including iPhones, iPads, and computers—are exempt, offering the company some insulation. Still, Apple generated $16 billion in Greater China revenue, slightly below the $16.8 billion analysts expected.⁠ ⁠ In addition to earnings, Apple announced a massive $100 billion stock buyback authorization. Yet despite the positive results, Apple shares fell over 1% after hours. The stock is down 15% year to date but remains up 25% over the past 12 months, per Yahoo Finance.