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Larry King was known for interviewing celebrities and politicians, but he also had some unforgettable interviews with business leaders. Here's a roundup.

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Larry King

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Emmy-winning broadcaster Larry King may be known for his interviews with major celebrities and politicians, but the television legend also interviewed top business leaders and CEOs. 

King, who died on Saturday morning in Los Angeles, was best known for hosting the talk show "Larry King Live." It was reported that King had been in the hospital battling COVID-19 since the start of January. He passed away at the age of 87, his company Ora Media said in a statement.

The talk show was CNN's most-watched and longest-running show. It ran nightly for over two decades.

Throughout his 63-year career, King conducted 40,000 interviews and spoke with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

King was famous for interviews with politicians and other notable figures. But he also interviewed various notable business leaders, like the cofounder of Microsoft, Bill Gates.

We took a look at some of his most significant interviews with top business leaders. 

The five interviews are listed below by date: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bill Gates: 2000

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft Corporation, has an estimated net worth of $129 billion.

He is the world's third-richest person, and he spends his billions on charity through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Gates spoke with King on January 1, 2000 about the future of computers. He made a second appearance on the show in 2010, alongside his father. 

In his first interview, King asked Gates if there had been a turning point for Microsoft. 

Gates responded: "Well, it's hard to say. The most important thing we did is figure out how we could take all these computers from different companies, what are now called personal computers, and make them compatible, so you could buy from Dell, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, any of the manufacturer, and run all the same software. And that was a huge risk, because before that, all the computer had made incompatible machines."

 



Martha Stewart: 2004

Known for her DIY crafts and home decor tips, Martha Stewart is a businesswoman, writer, and television personality.

She founded the media and merchandising company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

Stewart was sentenced to five months in jail in 2004, after being charged and convicted of a number of financial crimes.

Days after her sentencing, she appeared on the show, and spoke about the verdict. 

King asked Stewart if she was surprised by the sentence.

Stewart responded: "You're always surprised at something like that, I would think. And you can't say that you're happy. You can't say, I mean, I'm happy that it's five months in, and five months house arrest. Rather than 16 months in prison. Which -- that was the sentencing guidelines. And the judge stayed within the minimum. I'm grateful for that."

 



Ken Lay: 2004

Ken Lay was the founder and CEO of the energy company Enron Corporation.

He was found guilty on 10 counts of securities fraud and related charges in 2001. He passed away in 2006 while on vacation before serving time.

Enron's collapse was among the biggest corporate scandals in United States history.

In 2004, King went to Houston and interviewed Lay days after he pled not guilty. 

"So you still had some faith in the company?"King asked Lay

Lay responded: "I had a lot of faith in the company. Larry, when we went bankrupt, I still had about over a million shares of Enron stock I owned outright, and had about six million options, which up until late 2001 were very valuable."

 



Jeffrey Skilling: 2004

Jeffrey Skilling was the former CEO of the energy company Enron Corporation.

He pled not guilty to 36 charges, including multiple counts of insider trading, securities fraud and making false statements stemming from the company's stunning collapse. 

In 2006, Skillings was sentenced to 24 years in prison. 

The scandal led to several reforms, including making CEO's personally verify corporate earnings reports.

When asked what he wants to do with his life, Skillings responded:

"I don't know, Larry. You know, at this point, I think my purpose, right now, in life -- what gets me up in the morning, which, some mornings, it's pretty tough to get up, but my purpose in life right now, getting up in the morning, is I want to be someone that goes out and helps explain what happened.

There are a lot of employees out there that, I imagine, have children that go to them and say, Mom or dad, did you work for a criminal organization -- a bad company? We weren't' a bad company. We were -- we were -- we thought we were building a great company. We thought we were building a company that was helping to open and create new competitive markets, give customers choice where choice never existed before. We felt good, all of us, and I think if I can do anything to get the message out so that -- so that our employees can look at their children and they can say we were part of a good organization. Something happened. It was -- you know, and we will find out what happened, but it was not because of the motives of the people that were involved, either their motives or certainly my motives. We were trying to build a great company."



Carlos Slim: 2010

Carlos Slim, is an influential Mexican businessman, investor, philanthropist, and is among the world's wealthiest individuals.

Mexico's richest man, he has an estimated net worth of $59 billion. 

He was number one on the "Forbes" 2010 list of the wealthiest people.

Slim is the chairman and CEO of telecom giant Telmex and his family controls America Movil, Latin America's biggest mobile telecom firm.

When asked by King how stays on top of his business, Slim answered

"Well, how can you be on top of the things you do? I think when you are involved in a business, first of all you need to know the business. After that you know the business, you can -- the numbers tell you what is happening. You can read with the numbers.

If things are going well, if are not going well. You make cooperation with your competitors. You look at the international references to try to achieve the best reference nationally. And you are following the business not necessarily going to the -- go to America to see what is happening and what our thinking. The numbers talk to you."




Tom Brady is leading the Buccaneers through their first playoff run in over a decade. Here's how the quarterback and his supermodel wife Gisele Bündchen make and spend their millions.

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Tom Brady Gisele Bundchen net worth

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  • Tom Brady left the New England Patriots to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past offseason, and the quarterback is enjoying rermarkable success with his new squad.
  • Brady and his wife, Gisele Bündchen, comprise one of the most successful celebrity power couples.
  • Bündchen is one of the most successful supermodels in the world; Brady is widely considered the greatest quarterback of all time.
  • The couple has owned several homes and have been known to take lavish trips around the world.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen left their fabulous life in New England behind for the warth of Tampa Bay.

The quarterback announced last offseason that he would part ways with the New England Patriots and sign with the Buccaneers. While the departure was a major lifestyle shift for the duo, which is often regarded as one of the country's best power couples, Brady has found remarkable success on the gridiron with the Bucs.

Bündchen was the highest-earning model in the world for 10 consecutive years, according to Forbes. Brady has earned six Super Bowl rings and three league MVP awards as a quarterback. Bündchen and Brady married in 2009 and together they lead an extremely fabulous life.

Keep reading to learn more about Brady and Bündchen make and spend their money.

Tony Manfred contributed to this report.

SEE ALSO: Rockstar Energy's extravagant billionaire founder Russ Weiner just sold his company to PepsiCo for nearly $4 billion. Here's how the son of a far-right talk show host built a multibillion-dollar energy drink empire.

DON'T MISS: The US has a shortage of coronavirus tests, so the ultra-wealthy are paying concierge doctors to do their own

Supermodel Gisele Bündchen and superstar quarterback Tom Brady are one of the most powerful celebrity couples on the planet.



Brady is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time after earning six Super Bowl rings and three league MVP awards in his 20 years with the New England Patriots.

Source: Spotrac



And now he's in the hunt for more hardware with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.



The couple made a big life change by swapping the cold winters of New England for the warmth and humidity of Tampa Bay in 2020, when Brady signed with the Bucs.



They bought a gorgeous, 5,000-square-foot waterfront estate on Indian Creek Island for $17 million.

Source: Realtor.com



And became neighbors with other celebrities on Miami's "Billionaires Bunker," including Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, Adriana Lima, and billionaire Carl Icahn.

Source: Realtor.com



Of course, the couple had no choice to buy a boat to fully enjoy life in The Sunshine State. They picked up the multi-million dollar tab on their swanky new ship — "Viva La Vida."



Many months after they moved to Florida, Brady and Bündchen sold their mansion in the Boston suburbs for a whopping $33 million.

Source: People



Bündchen reigned over the modeling world for well over a decade and was the top-earning supermodel for 10 consecutive years. Even though she retired in 2015, Bündchen was still one of the top-5 highest-paid models of 2018.

Source: Boston.com



In his last season with the Patriots, the team paid Brady $23 million. He regularly agreed to discount contracts throughout his career to help keep New England competitive.

Source: NBC Sports



And the Bucs are paying him a cool $15,000,000 salary and $10,000,000 roster bonus for the 2020-2021 NFL season.

Source: Spotrac



He is the second-highest-paid player in NFL history, having already earned $261.8 million in his NFL career.

Source: Business Insider, Spotrac



Brady has also made an estimated $12 million annually in endorsement deals with companies like Under Armour, Intel, Beats by Dre, and Shields.

Source: Forbes



Brady's earnings sound enormous, but it's actually nothing compared to his wife.



Forbes reported in July 2016 that Bündchen had earned an estimated $30.5 million throughout the prior year.

Source: Forbes



She's had a number of extremely lucrative endorsement deals with major brands, including Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Calvin Klein, and Pantene.

Source: The Street



Additionally, Bündchen has made tons of money by allowing companies to monetize her name and likeness. She had a sandals line with Grendene, lingerie brand with Hope, beauty line with Sejaa Pure Skincare, and others.

Source: Latin Trends



Brady has also had some exciting endorsement deals, including a partnership with Aston Martin.

Source: The Drive



Aston Martin even produced a limited Tom Brady edition of the Vanquish S Volante. Only 12 were produced and they went for $360,000 each.

Source: CNN Money



Together, Brady and Bündchen once owned a custom-built, $20 million mansion in Los Angeles.

Source: Today



It had a moat and a chicken coop so they could eat fresh eggs.

Source: Today



But in 2014, they sold the estate to Dr. Dre for a reported $40 million.

Source: LA Times



In 2013, they were reportedly searching for a new apartment in NYC. They were spotted looking at a $11.5 million duplex in Manhattan that spring.

Source: Trulia



They eventually settled on a glassy skyscraper condo that they purchased for $14 million in 2013.

Source: Bleacher Report



In 2016, they put that condo back on the market with a price tag of $17.25 million.

Source: Business Insider



That's because they reportedly dropped $20 million on a new waterfront apartment in Tribeca.

Source: Business Insider



Prior to New York, they lived in a Boston condo, but sold it for $9.2 million in 2012.

Source: CBS



The homes are basically Brady's only lavish purchases.



Outside of his Aston Martin, his cars aren't too gaudy. He got in an accident in 2010 while driving an Audi sedan.

Source: ESPN



He told ESPN that he's a homebody and has to talk to his friends' kids about music so he knows what's popular.

Source: ESPN



He even likes to do silly things like welcome a rescue dog to the family with a "Lion King" video on Facebook.

Source: Facebook



He does attend lots of high-profile events though, from the Kentucky Derby ...

Source: NBC Sports



... to Brazil's famed Carnival ...

Source: Bleacher Report



... to the Met Gala. He and Bündchen were co-chairs of the event in 2017.

Source: Vogue



The duo also attended the 2014 FIFA World Cup and were spotted hanging out with Ashton Kutcher.

Source: Getty Images



But Brady insists that he prefers to avoid a flashy lifestyle. He doesn't own a private jet, but sometimes arranges one to bring his parents to visit him.

Source: ESPN



He's just a dad who likes making sand castles with his kids.

Source: Instagram/Gisele Bundchen



Brady also spends time raising money for various charities, including $6.5 million for cancer research by buzzing his hair in 2018.

Source: Business Insider



Bündchen also prioritizes her philanthropic work. She donated a whopping $1.5 million to relief efforts in Haiti in 2009 and regularly supports the United Nations, WWF, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, (RED), and St. Francis Food Pantries and Shelters.

Source: Style Caster, Look to the Stars



She also works with a number of nonprofits to help benefit her birth country, Brazil. She donates a percentage of the profits from her sandals line to protect Amazon Rainforest water sources while supporting other Brazilian initiatives like Y Ikatu Xingu, Nascentes do Brasil, De Olho nos Mananciais, and ISA.

Source: Look to the Stars



More recently, it seems like most of Brady's and Bündchen's big spending is health-based.



Brady and Gisele have a personal chef who has them on a strict diet that includes no sugar, no tomatoes, and avocado ice cream as a treat.

Source: Business Insider



The chef even has the couple's children on a strict diet that is about 80% vegetables.

Source: Business Insider



In 2016, Brady wrote a $200 diet book that sold out almost immediately when it was first released.

Source: Business Insider



In 2017, Brady had a more modestly priced book drop. "The TB12 Method: How to Achieve a Lifetime of Sustained Peak Performance," is less than $20 and is being called "The Athletes Bible."

Source: Business Insider



He is also strict on alcohol, even putting Rob Gronkowski on a drinking diet. But Brady does splurge occasionally, — including on New Year's Eve, apparently, as he said on Instagram that he was curing his hangover with some TB12 electrolytes on New Year's Day 2018.

Source: Business Insider



Bündchen is also a stickler for clean eating habits, prioritizing home-grown foods.

Source: Gisele Bundchen on Instagram



Brady also employs a 'body coach' and health guru, Alex Guerrero, who works with Brady at least once every day and whose duties include spiritual guide, counselor, pal, nutrition adviser, trainer, and massage therapist.

Source: Business Insider



Bündchen, meanwhile, regularly practices yoga and mindfulness.

Source: Gisele Bundchen on Instagram



She even practices with her kids.

Source: Gisele Bundchen on Instagram



She sometimes exercises at Brady's gym — TB12 — in Boston and does martial arts.

Source: Insider



And, on occasion, the duo will play some football in their backyard.

Source: Gisele Bundchen on Instagram



Brady and Bündchen take offseason vacations with the family to places like Asia (on behalf of his partnership with Under Armour, of course).

Source: Tom Brady on Instagram



Brady even did some sumo wrestling in Tokyo in 2017.

Source: Under Armour on Instagram



They've also visited Qatar.

Source: US Weekly



But no matter where their lavish lives or impressive careers take them, Brady and Bündchen manage to speak every single day.

Source: Business Insider



But despite the occasional lavish trip, Brady and Bündchen are the rare celebrity couple that can actually afford to live a megastar lifestyle, but opt to live more modestly — relative to other high-earning megastars, at least.



$7 billion Deliveroo is preparing for a blockbuster float. Here's the who's who of executives and investors steering it to IPO.

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Deliveroo CEO Will Shu

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Amazon-backed food delivery startup Deliveroo is anticipated to float in 2021, marking a rare high-profile British technology float.

Like rival Uber Eats, Deliveroo allows consumers to order restaurant food via an app and relies on a network of gig economy cyclists and motorcyclists to make the deliveries. During the coronavirus pandemic, it has expanded into grocery delivery. The firm doesn't operate in the US, but around Europe and parts of Asia.

The company was founded in 2012 by current CEO Will Shu and Greg Orlowski, who departed the business in 2016. According to its most recent financial filings, the company is still loss-making, albeit posting healthy profit margins and revenue growth. Deliveroo's float will continue the US trend of buzzy tech firms floating before they consistently turn a profit.

Ahead of its expected float, Insider looked at the 12 board members steering the firm towards a float – a mix of company executives, its biggest investors, and seasoned corporate execs.

The board is overwhelmingly men, counting just one woman, chair Claudia Arney.

Scroll on for the full list:

Got a tip about Deliveroo? Contact the reporter behind this story, Shona Ghosh, at sghosh@businessinsider.com or +447412061471 for Signal/WhatsApp.

SEE ALSO: Amazon-backed food delivery firm Deliveroo is now worth above $7 billion after a $180 million pre-IPO funding round

Cofounder and CEO Will Shu

41-year-old Will Shu was born in Connecticut to Taiwanese parents, and began his career in investment banking. Working at Morgan Stanley, he moved to London from New York in 2001, found the local takeaway food scene "depressing", and vowed to do something to change it.

After a failed attempt to build a takeaway app with his childhood friend Greg Orlowski, Shu took an MBA at Wharton and the pair tried again. In 2013, the two began building Deliveroo out of Shu's apartment and the business exploded from there. (Orlowski left Deliveroo in 2016).

You can read more about Shu and Deliveroo's backstory here.

 



Chief financial officer Adam Miller, previously an exec at Expedia

Miller joined Deliveroo in 2019. He was promoted to the role of chief financial officer in July 2020, nine months after the departure of predecessor Raif Jacobs.

As CFO, Miller will now be tasked with laying the groundwork for Deliveroo's float.

 

 



Jayant Mittal represents Deliveroo's biggest backer, Amazon

Amazon was, at one time, interested in buying Deliveroo, although one source has told Insider that the discussions were never that serious.

In 2019, the e-commerce giant instead took a large stake (16%) in Deliveroo and may arguably reap much the same benefit, gaining insight into how the startup's network of gig economy riders can be deployed for different types of delivery.

Jayant Mittal, a corporate development director at Amazon, represents the firm's interest in Deliveroo as a board member. According to his LinkedIn profile, his role also involves picking out acquisition targets for Amazon in Europe across autonomous tech, electric cars, battery tech, robotics, transportation, drones, and fintech.

 

 

 



Chairwoman and seasoned British board executive Claudia Arney

Arney is the sole female representative on Deliveroo's board, and also its chair.

Her career has been varied, spanning consultancy, media publishers, the government, and corporates. She was at one time an advisory board member to Huawei, a non-executive director of grocery delivery trailblazer Ocado, and interim chair of the Premier League.

 



Lord Simon Wolfson, CEO of UK fashion retailer Next

Like Claudia Arney, non-executive director Lord Simon Wolfson will be a recognizable face to Deliveroo's prospective investors and his appointment points strongly to a London rather than New York listing. Wolfson is also the CEO of Next, the British clothing stalwart.

 



Ex-Zulily CEO Darrell Cavens

Cavens is a Seattle e-commerce veteran, having made a reported $750 million from the sale of his flash-sales site Zulily to QVC. He now has multiple board jobs to juggle aside from Deliveroo, and is listed as being on the boards of electric bike firm Red Power Bikes, and luxury fashion firm Tapestry, which owns Kate Spade among other brands.

 



Ex-Worldpay CFO Rick Medlock

A Chartered Accountant by background, Medlock adds some grey hairs to a company that has been around for less than decade. Sky News reported that Medlock is chair of Deliveroo's audit committee. He was chief financial officer at WorldPay and his other tech directorships include security firm Sophos.

Like fellow board member Adam Valkin, he may also have some familiarity with Deliveroo's big investor Amazon, having chaired the audit committee for LoveFilm, which was bought by Amazon in 2011.

 



Antoine Froger of Bridgepoint, a PE investor in Deliveroo

Paris-based Antoine Froger represents private equity investor Bridgepoint, which led Deliveroo's Series E funding round in 2016. He also sits on the board of Burger King France.

In the months after this funding round, Deliveroo CEO Will Shu began dropping strong hints that the firm was considering an IPO.



Benny Peretz, partner at Deliveroo investor Greenoaks

Peretz is managing partner at global investment firm Greenoaks Capital, which has also backed Amazon competitor Flipkart in India.

Greenoaks co-led Deliveroo's Series D funding round alongside DST Global in late 2015. Like CEO Will Shu, Greenoaks is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton business school.



Adam Valkin, venture capitalist investor at General Catalyst

US venture capital firm General Catalyst was an investor in Deliveroo's Series E round in 2016.

Valkin formerly worked for and remains close with another Deliveroo investor, Accel. Like Accel, he has invested in another big British startup, neo-bank Deliveroo. Other big firms in the General Catalyst portfolio include Snap, Airbnb, and Canva.

Valkin will also be familiar with Deliveroo investor Amazon, as the ex-CEO of LoveFilm, the British streaming service acquired by Amazon in 2011.



Martin Mignot, venture capitalist investor at Index

Mignot is among the earlier investors in Deliveroo, having led Index's round into the company in 2014. A vocal champion of the firm, Mignot was publicly expressing confidence in a Deliveroo IPO back in 2017, when the firm was posting huge losses and a tiny gross margin.



Seth Pierrepont, who represents Deliveroo investor Accel

Venture capital firm Accel was another early backer of Deliveroo, though the two investors who oversaw the deal, Fred Destin and Luciana Lixandru, have since left the firm.

Seth Pierrepont took over the board seat in 2020. He's also invested in PillPack, the pharmacy startup acquired by Deliveroo investor Amazon in 2018.



BANK OF AMERICA: Buy these 31 unheralded stocks as the recovery's hottest trades of recent months continue to gain strength in 2021

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SpaceX NASA

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Smaller and cheaper stocks have been on a tear over the last few months, and Bank of America says the good times are nowhere near over.

"Following the Russell 2000's best quarter ever, we continue to prefer small caps over large caps in 2021," US Equity Strategist Jill Carey Hall wrote in a note to clients. She says a series of factors including growing manufacturing activity, rising consumer sentiment, and another economic stimulus package will all help smaller companies.

Carey Hall says the economy is still in recovery mode, which is the best phase for small-company stocks and for "value" stocks that are cheap by traditional measures like book value. But she writes that investors don't need to sell them when the economy gets onto firmer footing.

"Even if the recovery slows and we move into the next phase ("Mid cycle"), small caps have historically outperformed large caps," she said.

That said, she cautions that the stocks could struggle in the next few months because of the increase in COVID-19 cases over the winter. But Carey Hall thinks it won't last long.

"Small cap profits should bounce back stronger than their decline, and guidance trends are strongest here of the three size segments," she said.

Based on that view, Carey Hall and her team pulled together the top small- and mid-size stock recommendations from her firm's analysts. They're pulled from more than 800 companies that have market capitalizations of at least $1 billion and less than $15 billion.

Many of those selections are consumer-focused companies that will benefit from the ongoing vaccine rollout. Carey Hall says many of the companies are well-positioned both for the current environment and a post-pandemic world.

Another theme that clearly emerges is value.

"Nearly 80% of the stocks are on the Russell small or mid cap Value benchmark," she wrote.

The analysts picked 31 "Buy"-rated stocks, and they're ranked from lowest to highest based on how much upside they offer to Bank of America's price targets. Those figures are calculated based on Thursday's closing prices. Each stock pick includes an analyst's investment thesis. 

SEE ALSO: BlackRock bond chief Rick Rieder says investors must think 'dramatically differently' in 2021. Here's what he's bought and sold as he anticipates explosive growth this year.

31. Charles River Laboratories

Ticker: CRL

Sector: Healthcare

Thesis: "The company has gained share during the pandemic and its diverse business lines make it both a COVID-19 basket name (via Drug Discovery Services, Toxicology, and Biologics Testing Solutions) as well as a COVID-19 recovery name (via Research Models & Services and Microbial Solutions)."

Price target: $285

Upside to target: +1.3%

Source: Bank of America



30. Avantor

Ticker: AVTR

Sector: Healthcare

Thesis: "We expect AVTR's COVID-19 related revenues to accelerate in 2021 as the core business recovers and vaccine production ramps up."

Price target: $32

Upside to target: +5.1%

Source: Bank of America



29. Guardant Health

Ticker: GH

Sector: Healthcare

Thesis: "We are bullish on GH given differentiated technology, leadership in liquid biopsy, and large total addressable market (TAM) opportunity."

Price target: $172

Upside to target: +6.1%

Source: Bank of America



28. CommScope Holding

Ticker: COMM

Sector: Information technology

Thesis: "We see catalysts for the stock in 2021 including new actions by management, any recovery in carrier spending in 2021 ... CommScope is levered to one of the strongest trends in Tech, the buildout of 5G wireless networks, and we expect a positive uptick in the business as carriers start deploying new networks."

Price target: $16

Upside to target: +6.2%

Source: Bank of America



27. Diamondback Energy

Ticker: FANG

Sector: Energy

Thesis: "We believe FANG's size, scale, asset quality and cost structure should help weather this oil volatility better while its high leverage to oil prices should make it a prime beneficiary in a potential medium-term oil upcycle."

Price target: $65

Upside to target: +6.9%

Source: Bank of America



26. II-VI

Ticker: IIVI

Sector: Information technology

Thesis: "A leading vendor of photonic components well-levered to cloud computing, 5G and 3D sensing in smartphones. The emerging cyclical recovery should drive upside to IIVI's industrial and auto segments."

Price target: $100

Upside to target: +7.2%

Source: Bank of America



25. Axonics Modulation Technologies

Ticker: AXNX

Sector: Healthcare

Thesis: "We view consensus estimates for 2021 and AXNX's current trading valuation multiple based on consensus as too low. … AXNX trades at 11-12x consensus 2021 estimates, but we see $20-$30m of upside to those numbers and upside to the multiple."

Price target: $59

Upside to target: +8.6%

Source: Bank of America



24. Alaska Air Group

Ticker: ALK

Sector: Industrials

Thesis: "ALK has one of the best balance sheets in US airlines, having only modestly increased its net debt to get through the crisis while not diluting shareholders. This should allow the airline to compete more effectively in a recovery and come out of the crisis in a stronger position."

Price target: $60

Upside to target: +9.2%

Source: Bank of America



23. Newell Brands

Ticker: NWL

Sector: Consumer discretionary

Thesis: "As the vaccine rollout continues, we expect a gradual shift back into offices, schools and commercial locations that should benefit NWL."

Price target: $27

Upside to target: +9.5%

Source: Bank of America



22. Freshpet

Ticker: FRPT

Sector: Consumer staples

Thesis: "FRPT … is in a solid position to meet 2025 financial targets supported by industry tailwinds, strong retailer interest, consumer loyalty to their brands and more capacity coming online."

Price target: $160

Upside to target: +10.0%

Source: Bank of America



21. NRG Energy

Ticker: NRG

Sector: Utilities

Thesis: "NRG Energy's ongoing pivot from an independent power producer (IPP) to a retail energy-backed consumer product company should continue to enhance EBITDA stability and drive growth via retail margin upside, reduced customer attrition, and expanding customer lifetime value."

Price target: $45

Upside to target: +10.1%

Source: Bank of America



20. Armstrong World Industries

Ticker: AWI

Sector: Industrials

Thesis: "We believe the vaccine rollout and expectations for a return to a more pre-virus world could position AWI strongly."

Price target: $89

Upside to target: +11.9%

Source: Bank of America



19. Carlyle Group

Ticker: CG

Sector: Financials

Thesis: "CG has the highest level of net accrued performance fees among the alt managers and when combined with favorable markets and a pick-up in IPOs and M&A activity, CG is well positioned to produce accelerated performance fees in 2021-2022."

Price target: $39

Upside to target: +14.4%

Source: Bank of America



18. East West Bancorp

Ticker: EWBC

Sector: Financials

Thesis: "We expect fading credit risk and confidence around a rebounding growth outlook to drive a re-rating in the stock closer to other high growth peers that are trading at significantly higher valuation multiples."

Price target: $70

Upside to target: +14.4%

Source: Bank of America



17. Foot Locker

Ticker: FL

Sector: Consumer discretionary

Thesis: Thesis: "We believe FL remains a less expensive way to play NKE's strong product momentum … We also believe FL is a significant "vaccine" beneficiary which should help accelerate a rebound in mall traffic and should see tailwinds from another round of government stimulus programs."

Price target: $55

Upside to target: +15.0%

Source: Bank of America



16. Bed Bath & Beyond

Ticker: BBBY

Sector: Consumer discretionary

Thesis: "BBBY is now in a much healthier and stronger position compared to 2020 including a strong and fully built out management team, the last of BBBY's non-core assets sold, growing omni-channel capabilities, merchandising and store improvements and a healthy balance sheet."

Price target: $31

Upside to target: +15.4%

Source: Bank of America



15. ASGN

Ticker: ASGN

Sector: Consumer discretionary

Thesis: "Despite consistently outgrowing and proving more resilient than other staffers, it trades in-line with peers."

Price target: $104

Upside to target: +16.4%

Source: Bank of America



14. Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Ticker: JAZZ

Sector: Healthcare

Thesis: "We highlight JAZZ as our top SMID cap US Biopharmaceuticals idea, which has a favorable catalyst pathway in 2021 with introduction of several new product launches, key to re-rating as investors focus on current lack of diversification."

Price target: $193

Upside to target: +16.4%

Source: Bank of America



13. Graphic Packaging Holding

Ticker: GPK

Sector: Materials

Thesis: "We highlight GPK as our best SMID cap idea for 2021 in Packaging & Paper/Forest given its valuation, quality and the potential for investors to be pleasantly surprised on organic volume growth in 2021."

Price target: $20.60

Upside to target: +18.9%

Source: Bank of America



12. Owens & Minor

Ticker: OMI

Sector: Healthcare

Thesis: "We see FY21 as still setup to deliver sustained improved profit growth. This should be led not only by the elongated personal protective equipment (PPE) tail, exacerbated due to ongoing supply shortages, but also an enhanced incremental dropdown on OMI's core Global Solutions business as volumes recover."

Price target: $37

Upside to target: +19.5%

Source: Bank of America



11. LHC Group

Ticker: LHCG

Sector: Healthcare

Thesis: "The company's main businesses, home health and hospice, have a number of structural tailwinds such as aging demographics, shift to low-cost settings, and shift to value-based care ... We view the company as poised to gain more market share this year and beyond."

Price target: $258

Upside to target: +20.2%

Source: Bank of America



10. AECOM

Ticker: ACM

Sector: Industrials

Thesis: "AECOM checks several boxes for 2021 - 1) value stock: trading a significant discount to peers with a cleaned-up balance sheet (net leverage 0.3x vs 4x prior cycle); 2) Environmental: beneficiary of higher regulation and spending in areas like PFAS (chemical) clean up; and 3) infrastructure: nearly a third of revenue tied to Infrastructure spending."

Price target: $65

Upside to target: +21.5%

Source: Bank of America



9. Triton International

Ticker: TRTN

Sector: Industrials

Thesis: "Given increased trade volumes and restocking, we are seeing accelerating earnings growth."

Price target: $60

Upside to target: +21.8%

Source: Bank of America



8. Highwoods Properties

Ticker: HIW

Sector: Real estate

Thesis: "We highlight HIW … which we expect to benefit from outsized job and population growth offering high quality of life, favorable business environments, educated workforces, and low cost of living."

Price target: $49

Upside to target: +23.2%

Source: Bank of America



7. Sirius XM Holdings

Ticker: SIRI

Sector: Communication services

Price target: $7.50

Thesis: "With auto sales healthy, churn at historically low levels, penetration increasing and their 360L roll-out ramping, sub growth will remain strong."

Upside to target: +25.2%

Source: Bank of America



6. CF Industries

Ticker: CF

Sector: Materials

Thesis: "Crop commodity prices are currently at multi-year highs, particularly for corn, which is a very nitrogen intensive crop … Global inventories of corn are likely to stay tight for at least a year, providing support for nitrogen fertilizer from global Ag markets."

Price target: $55

Upside to target: +26.6%

Source: Bank of America



5. Booz Allen Hamilton

Ticker: BAH

Sector: Industrials

Thesis: "We view BAH as a pureplay beneficiary of increased focus on cyber security by both the US government and the commercial sector."

Price target: $120

Upside to target: +26.6%

Source: Bank of America



4. ChampionX

Ticker: CHX

Sector: Energy

Thesis: "We believe that 2021 will be a year of reversed fortunes for the company. Valuation remains attractive despite the solid back half share performance."

Price target: $21

Upside to target: +26.9%

Source: Bank of America



3. L Brands

Ticker: LB

Sector: Consumer discretionary

Thesis: "The pandemic has caused a focus on hygiene and heightened a trend toward self-care, accelerating the already-strong growth trajectory of Bath & Body Works (BBW). … The value unlock will be a sale or spin of the VS business, which management expects to execute this year."

Price target: $65

Upside to target: +41.6%

Source: Bank of America



2. Plains All American Pipeline

Ticker: PAA

Sector: Energy

Thesis: "We highlight PAA as our top SMID cap idea in Midstream/MLPs in 2021 given its leverage to crude oil prices and Permian Basin recovery and attractive discount to peers"

Price target: $13

Upside to target: +42.5%

Source: Bank of America



1. Vroom

Ticker: VRM

Sector: Consumer discretionary

Thesis: "VRM is one of the fastest growing companies in the Internet sector with one of the largest available opportunities in front of it. Although clearly the second place player in online used car sales, VRM is growing faster than its much larger rival CVNA yet trades at a fraction of the multiple."

Price target: $65

Upside to target: +76.9%

Source: Bank of America



Billionaire tech mogul Larry Ellison says he and Elon Musk are 'close friends.' Here are 8 other tech exec friendships that have thrived in the competitive world of Silicon Valley.

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Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. Elon Musk and Larry Ellison. Jeff Bezos and Barry Diller. 

What do all these high-profile pairings have in common? They're all close friendships within the world of tech. 

Silicon Valley may be known for its competitive spirit, but it's also fostered several years-long friendships among some of its most famous executives. Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates and investor Warren Buffett, for example, have been buddies for nearly 30 years. And Larry Ellison and Marc Benioff have been friends for decades, even though their respective enterprise software companies are technically rivals.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has several close pals in tech, including friends he's defended online or taken for Tesla test drives. 

Here's a closer look at some of the friendships among tech CEOs. 

SEE ALSO: From Facebook to Tesla, here are the lesser-known cofounders of some of the biggest tech companies in the world

Elon Musk and Jack Dorsey

While it's not clear if Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey actually hang out in real life, they do seem to have a solid virtual friendship. 

As far back as 2016, Dorsey said Musk was "a really good model" for how to use Twitter. More recently, Dorsey said in an interview that Musk is his favorite Twitter follow, to which Musk responded, "Thanks Jack, Twitter rocks!"

Then, in January, Dorsey and Musk spoke over video chat in front of Twitter employees, and Musk gave Dorsey advice on how to improve the platform. 

In March, as Dorsey faced a possible ouster at the hands of an activist hedge fund, Musk publicly tweeted his support of the CEO. 

"Just want to say that I support @jack as Twitter CEO," Musk tweeted. "He has a good <3." 



Jeff Bezos and Barry Diller

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and IAC Chairman Barry Diller appear to have been friends for years. 

In January 2016, Diller correctly predicted that Bezos would become the richest person in the world.

And in the last few years, as Bezos has gone through changes in his personal life, he's been spotted hanging out with Diller and his wife, designer Diane von Furstenberg, more often. Diller and von Furstenberg have reportedly attended multipleparties hosted by Bezos, and Bezos and his girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez, have sailed aboard von Furstenberg's yacht. The two couples were also reportedly spotted exploring Venice together.



Larry Ellison and Steve Jobs

Oracle founder Larry Ellison and late Apple CEO Steve Jobs were friends for 25 years before Jobs' death in 2011. 

Ellison and Jobs used to be neighbors in Woodside, California, and the pair often went hiking together. It was during one of those hikes that Ellison helped Jobs plot how to regain control of Apple after he was ousted — Ellison even suggested buying Apple himself and installing Jobs as CEO.

It was Jobs who came up with the idea that Apple should acquire his company, Next, instead. When Ellison questioned how the pair would make money, Jobs said to him, "Larry, this is why it's so important that I'm your friend. You don't need any more money," Ellison said in a commencement speech in 2016. 

Ellison said he spent time with Jobs in his final days, taking shorter walks around the block with him as he became weaker. Ellison gave a eulogy at Jobs' funeral. 



Elon Musk, Larry Page, and Sergey Brin

Elon Musk has been friends with the cofounders of Google for a long time.

In the early days of Musk's tenure at the electric car maker, he took Brin and Page on a test drive. Unfortunately, a software bug prevented the car from going any faster than 10 miles per hour, Musk recounted at a company shareholder meeting in 2016. Despite "the world's worst demo," however, the duo ended up investing in Tesla anyway, Musk said. 

Over the years, Musk and Page especially have become close friends — Musk even sometimes sleeps at Page's house when he's in town, and Page once said he'd rather leave his money to Musk than give it away to charity.

Brin, Page, and Musk also reportedly used to hang out in a Google-owned apartment and brainstorm ideas. 

"It's fun for the three of us [including Google cofounder Sergey Brin] to talk about kind of crazy things, and we find stuff that eventually turns out to be real," Page told Ashlee Vance, who wrote a 2015 biography about Musk.



Larry Ellison and Marc Benioff

Ellison and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff met when Benioff began working at Oracle when he was 23. He was a star early on, earning a "rookie of the year" award that same year and becoming Oracle's youngest VP by age 26. He spent 13 years at Oracle, during which he became a trusted lieutenant to Ellison. 

The pair became such close friends that rumors swirled about their relationship's backstory — people wondered if they were related, or if Ellison had been Benioff's childhood babysitter. Ellison and Benioff took trips together, sailed on Ellison's yacht, and went on double dates

Benioff began working on Salesforce with Ellison's blessing, and Ellison became an investor, putting in $2 million early on. 

The duo has publiclyfeuded over the years — including when Benioff fired Ellison from Salesforce's board — but Benioff has also described Ellison as his mentor. 

"There is no one I've learned more from than Larry Ellison," Benioff said in 2013.

Read more:Oracle employees say Safra Catz and Larry Ellison don't talk about their Trump ties internally. After the US Capitol siege, some want action: There's 'blood on their hands'



Bill Gates and Warren Buffett

Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett and Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates met in 1991 when Buffett was invited over to Gates' mother's house. Neither man was very interested in meeting the other, but they ended up hitting it off. Soon after, Gates asked Buffett for a business book recommendation, and Buffett loaned him his copy of "Business Adventures" by John Brookes — Gates still has it today. 

Since then, the duo has done everything from play table tennis together to participate in Berkshire Hathaway's annual newspaper toss competition. And Gates, his wife Melinda, and Buffett launched the Giving Pledge together in 2010, vowing to give away the majority of their wealth in their lifetimes or in their wills. 

While Buffett owns a major stake in Apple, he's said that he'll never invest in Microsoft due to his friendship with Gates. 



Larry Ellison and Elon Musk

Ellison and Musk appear to be two of the friendliest CEOs in tech, if their relationships with Benioff and Jobs, and Page, Brin, and Dorsey are any indication. So it's not much of a surprise that the two moguls are "very close" friends with each other, too. 

Back in 2018, when Ellison was named to Tesla's board of directions, he highlighted his relationship with Musk. 

"I think Tesla has a lot of upside," Ellison said at the time. "I am not sure how many people know, but I'm very close friends with Elon Musk, and I'm a big investor in Tesla."

It makes sense that Ellison and Musk would get along well, as they're two of the most colorful personalities in tech. Ellison owns an entire $300 million island in Hawaii, likes to race yachts, and doesn't mind trash-talking his competitors. Musk spends his money on rare cars, has had multiple high-profile relationships, and is often outspoken on Twitter. 



Mark Zuckerberg and Drew Houston

Dropbox CEO Drew Houston and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg have apparently been friends for years, with the former often turning to the latter for advice

"[Zuckerberg's] given me a lot of advice just on company scaling, how do you organize people, how do you set up these systems," Houston told Bloomberg in 2015.

That same year, a Fast Company profile on Dropbox described Houston as a "close friend" of Zuckerberg's. The pair has been photographed together everywhere from Houston's birthday party at a ping-pong club to the prestigious Allen & Co. conference in Sun Valley, Idaho. 

This past February, Houston was appointed to Facebook's board of directors

"Drew brings valuable perspective to our board as a leader of a technology company with services used by millions of people and businesses," Zuckerberg said in a statement at the time. "He thinks deeply about where technology is going and how to build a culture that delivers services that always work well."



Kevin Systrom and Jack Dorsey

Instagram founder Kevin Systrom and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey started out as close friends, but it's hard to tell where they stand these days.  

According to the book "No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram" by Sarah Frier, the pair met when they were early employees at Odeo, the audio and video site created by eventual Twitter cofounders Ev Williams and Noah Glass. Dorsey expected to dislike Systrom when he joined as a summer intern in the mid-2000s, but the pair ended up bonding over photography and expensive coffee. 

Systrom and Dorsey stayed in touch even after Systrom got a full-time job at Google — he was an early proponent of Twitter (then known as Twttr), and when Systrom was working on Burbn, the precursor to Instagram, he reached out to Dorsey for guidance. Dorsey ended up becoming an early investor, putting in $25,000. When Burbn pivoted to Instagram, Dorsey became one of the app's biggest fans, cross-posting his Instagrams to Twitter and helping the app go viral soon after it launched. Dorsey eventually attempted to buy Instagram, but Systrom declined, saying he wanted to make Instagram too expensive to be acquired, according to Frier. 

But the Dorsey-Systrom relationship appeared to have soured in 2012, when Dorsey found out through the grapevine that Instagram had signed a deal to be acquired by Facebook, Twitter's biggest rival. According to Frier, Dorsey was hurt that Systrom hadn't called him to discuss the deal, or to negotiate one with Twitter instead.

Dorsey hasn't posted to his Instagram account since April 9, 2012, when he snapped a photo of an unusually empty San Francisco city bus — according to Frier, it was taken the morning he found out Instagram had sold. 



The top 9 shows on Netflix this week, from 'Bling Empire' to 'Night Stalker'

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Netflix reinvigorated the true-crime genre with "Making a Murderer" six years ago and since then it has released several similar hits. The latest, "Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer," topped the streaming giant's popularity rankings this week. 

Every week, the streaming search engine Reelgood compiles for Business Insider a list of which TV shows have been most prominent on Netflix's daily top 10 lists of its most popular titles that week.

Below are Netflix's 9 most popular TV shows of the week in the US:

SEE ALSO: Netflix's push into franchise TV will be essential as Disney Plus prepares a barrage of Marvel and 'Star Wars' shows

9. "Jenni Rivera: Mariposa de Barrio" (Telemundo, 2017)

Description: "This drama follows Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera's unlikely rise from suicidal pregnant teen and abused wife to banda superstar."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: N/A

What critics said: N/A



8. "Disenchantment" (Netflix original, 2018-present)

Description: "Princess duties call, but she'd rather be drinking. Free-spirited Bean exasperates the king as she wreaks havoc with her demon and elf pals."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 67%

What critics said: "Matt Groening's third installment of Disenchantment continues to build on its expansive medieval-fantasy world with an adequate number of laughs — although some running jokes continue to outstay their welcome."— IGN (season three)



7. "Cobra Kai" (Netflix original, 2018-present)

Description: "Decades after the tournament that changed their lives, the rivalry between Johnny and Daniel reignites in this sequel to the 'Karate Kid' films."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 93%

What critics said: "A high energy showdown for youth in revolt, alongside a never-more-sensitive portrayal of middle-aged reminiscence. It reaffirms Cobra Kai as one of the cleverest reboots in our nostalgia-drunk era."— Entertainment Weekly (season three)



6. "Bling Empire" (Netflix original, 2021-present)

Description: "Follow LA's wildly wealthy Asian and Asian American fun seekers as they go all out with fabulous parties, glamour and drama in this reality series."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: N/A

What critics said: "If you are somebody who likes this sort of show, then you'll want to add this to your queue — and maybe start begging Netflix for new episodes after that spectacular season finale."— Mashable (season one)



5. "Lupin" (Netflix original, 2021-present)

Description: "Inspired by the adventures of Arsène Lupin, gentleman thief Assane Diop sets out to avenge his father for an injustice inflicted by a wealthy family."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 95%

What critics said: "The series also doesn't waste a single minute, packing each and every moment full of suspense. Put all of that together, and it's an early front-runner to steal a spot as one of the best shows of the year."— Slate (season one)



4. "LA's Finest" (Spectrum, 2019-2020)

Description: "In this spinoff of the 'Bad Boys' franchise, two police detectives team up while trying to keep their stormy pasts — and differences — from interfering."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: N/A

What critics said: N/A



3. "Henry Danger" (Nickelodeon, 2014-2020)

Description: "A new part-time job forces Henry Hart to balance two lives, one as a typical teenager and the other as secret superhero sidekick Kid Danger."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: N/A

What critics said: N/A



2. "Bridgerton" (Netflix original, 2020-present)

Description: "The eight close-knit siblings of the Bridgerton family look for love and happiness in London high society. Inspired by Julia Quinn's bestselling novels."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 90%

What critics said: "I was not madly in love with the show, but I was endlessly amused by it."— Boston Globe (season one)



1. "Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer" (Netflix original, 2021)

Description: "Beneath the sunlit glamour of 1985 LA lurks a relentlessly evil serial killer. In this true-crime story, two detectives won't rest until they catch him."

Rotten Tomatoes critic score: 72%

What critics said: "Night Stalker is an interesting true crime series that still feels a little disappointing when compared to other major event series like it in the last few years."— RogerEbert.com



12 sources of emergency funding for businesses available right now

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More than 99% of all American businesses are small businesses, and they employ more than half of the workforce.

According to US government research, natural disasters typically cause 40% of small businesses to fail, while one in five businesses closed permanently in the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those closed businesses are 41% of Black-owned and 35% of Hispanic-owned businesses.

In addition to the immediate public health crisis, the global pandemic kicked off a recession that is further impacting the survival of small businesses.

Continue reading to see a list of emergency-funding resources available right now from public and private sources for small businesses suffering economic disruption due to the coronavirus.

You can check out all of our PPP-related coverage here.

This post was last updated on January 19, 2021.

SEE ALSO: What to know about the $300 billion-plus for small businesses in the stimulus bill, and how founders will be able to apply for emergency funds

MUST READ: Use this guide to check if your company is a 'small business' so you can qualify for crucial funding ahead of a possible recession

Small Business Administration

Website: sba.gov/page/disaster-loan-applications

Economic Injury Disaster Loan

Financing type: Emergency loans with 3.75% interest and a maximum period of 30 years.

Funding Limit: $150,000

Who it's for: US small businesses, non-profits, independent contractors, freelancers/self-employed, and limited types of franchise affiliates that have been in business since January 31, 2020.

 

Express Bridge Loans

Website: sba.gov/LenderMatch

Financing type: Quick turnaround advance on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan

Funding Limit: $25,000

Who it's for: US small businesses and non-profits waiting to receive a Disaster Loan



Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

Website: bringbackbrooklyn.org  

Bring Back Brooklyn Fund

Financing type: Zero-interest loans

Funding limit: Expected to be $30,000; currently raising funds with a goal of $500,000

Who it's for: Small businesses in Brooklyn that have been hurt by the pandemic, shut out of other loan programs, and plan to reopen. The majority of loans are for minority- and women-owned businesses, and funding will only begin after the economy begins to re-open.



Citizens Committee for New York City

Website: citizensnyc.org/grantmaking 

Neighborhood Business Grants

Financing type: Grants

Funding limit: up to $10,000

Who it's for: Small businesses in New York City that did not receive PPP or EIDL funding through the SBA. Grants will prioritize businesses owned by people of color, immigrants, and women, those that have greatest need and minimal access to resources, as well as those that modify their operations in order to remain open during the pandemic. 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 



San Francisco City Hall

Website: oewd.org 

Business taxes and fees

Financing type: Deferral

Funding limit: Quarterly tax payments deferred nine months, license fees deferred three months

Who it's for: Businesses with less than $10 million in revenue

African American Small Business Revolving Loan Fund

Financing type: Loans

Funding limit: $50,000 with 0% interest; repayments deferred by 12 months, and up to 20% of the loan may be forgiven

Who it's for: Black-owned businesses with annual revenue below $2.5 million

Paid Sick Leave

Financing type: Payroll assistance

Funding limit: 40 hours additional paid sick leave time beyond the city's existing Workers and Families First program

Who it's for: Businesses with 50 or fewer employees

 



City of Denver

Website:www.denvergov.org

Small Business Emergency Relief Program

Financing type: Cash grants

Funding limit: $7,500

Who it's for: The program prioritizes those industries who are most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, such as the food industry, nail salons, barbershops, home childcare providers, and retail shops.

Applications are open until January 26, 2021.

 



State of California

Website: www.CALoanFund.org

California Rebuilding Fund

Financing type: loans, plus free loan advising

Funding limit: up to $100,000

Who it's for: Small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, in under-banked areas of California. Must have had a gross revenue of less than $2.5 million in 2019.



State of Ohio

Website: businesshelp.ohio.gov

The Bar and Restaurant Assistance Fund

Financing type: assistance payments

Funding limit: $2,500; total fund has $38.7 million in reserves

Who it's for: Businesses with on-premise liquor permits including bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries, wineries, casinos, and private clubs.



JPMorgan Chase

Website: impact.jpmorganchase.com

Entrepreneurs of Color Fund, Ascend, and Community Development Financial Institution partners

Financing type: Loans and interest-rate reductions

Funding limit: TBD, total donation is $8 million

Who it's for: Underserved and underrepresented entrepreneurs and small businesses in the US and globally



Kiva

Website: kiva.org/borrow

Small business loans

Financing type: Zero-interest loans

Funding limit: $15,000

Who it's for: Small businesses seeking community-based lending, as opposed to traditional financial institutions



GoFundMe

Website: www.gofundme.com/f/smallbusinessrelieffund

Small business relief fund

Financing type: Donation-matching micro-grants

Funding limit: $500, total fund is more than $2.4 million

Who it's for: Independently owned and operated small businesses with GoFundMe campaigns to offset negative impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic



Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Website: www.lisc.org/covid-19

Rural Relief Small Business Grants

Financing type: Grants

Funding limit: $5,000 to $20,000

Who it's for: Small businesses located in rural communities, defined as having a population of 50,000 or less.

The next round of relief grants opens from January 26 through February 2, 2021.



Ball

Website: FreshPreserving.com/MadeforMore

Ball's Made for More

Financing type: Grant

Funding Limit: Total fund is $110,000

Who it's for: 10 US-based small businesses with zero to 99 employees that use Ball products and have gone above and beyond for their communities.

Submissions opened December 15, 2020. 



Assistance from these organizations has now ended or is on hold until further notice



State of Maine

Website: www.famemaine.com/business

 

 



MainVest

Website: mainvest.com/main-street-initiative



Topeka and Shawnee County

Website: visit.topekapartnership.com/host-relief 



City of Irving, Texas

Website: https://www.cityofirving.org/3634/Business-Funding

 



Hello Alice

Website: www.covid19businesscenter.com

 



The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation

Website: www.globalgiving.org/redbackpackfund/



Uber Eats

Website: www.uber.com/us/en/coronavirus/

 

 



New York City Hall

Website: nyc.gov/covid19biz

 



Downtown Alliance New York

Website: downtownny.com/RentAssistGrant 



City of Seattle

Website: seattle.gov/office-of-economic-development



City of Philadelphia

Website: phila-uyims.formstack.com



Salt Lake City

Website: www.slc.gov/ed/elploan/



Facebook

Website: facebook.com/business 

 



Amazon

Website: smallbusinessrelieffund.com



FedEx

Website: fedex.com/en-us/support-small-business-grants 



Grubhub

Website: blog.grubhub.com/covid-19



Yelp

Website: blog.yelp.com 



Vistaprint and the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Website: savesmallbusiness.com



City of San Francisco

Website: sf.gov/get-small-business-grant-resiliency-fund



Google

Website: support.google.com



20 things you may not have known about Tom Brady

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  • Tom Brady is one of the best players in NFL history.
  • At 43 years old, Brady owns six Super Bowl rings and is currently leading his Tampa Bay Buccaneers through a deep playoff run.
  • Although Brady is one of the best-known players in the NFL, there are plenty of surprising facts about him that most casual fans just don't know.
  • Check out 20 things you probably didn't know about Tom Brady below:

1. Brady spent two years as a backup at the University of Michigan

Brady arrived in Ann Arbor as the seventh-string quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines. He spent two years backing up future NFL quarterback Brian Griese before winning the battle against Drew Henson to start under center during his junior season. Even after two successful years, Brady wasn't sure he would make it to the NFL, so he made a resumé as a backup plan.

Read more:Tom Brady was once an intern at Merrill Lynch — Here's his résumé from when he didn't think he'd make it in the NFL



2. He was famously taken with the 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL Draft

That's right. 198 players were selected in that year's draft class — including six other quarterbacks — before the New England Patriots took Brady in the 6th round. It's safe to say it was the sleeper pick of the century.

Read more:WHERE ARE THEY NOW? The first-round picks from Tom Brady's infamous 2000 NFL Draft



3. He has more Super Bowl appearances than any other player in NFL history

Super Bowl LIII marked Tom Brady's ninth career Super Bowl appearance, three more than any other player in NFL history. With the Patriots' win, Brady broke his tie with pass rusher Charles Haley to win his NFL record sixth Super Bowl ring.

Read more:The NFL quarterbacks who have played in and won the most Super Bowls



4. And he's won more than any other quarterback in the regular season

Read more:Tom Brady is the NFL's all-time winningest regular-season quarterback



5. Brady is the second-highest paid player in NFL history

Brady has already earned $261.8 million in his 21-year NFL career, good enough to make him the second-highest paid player in the history of the league. He also makes many millions more annually through endorsement deals with companies like Under Armour, Intel, Beats by Dre, and Shields.

Read more:GISELE BUNDCHEN AND TOM BRADY: How the supermodel-quarterback power couple makes and spends their millions



6. But he still makes less money than his wife

Brady's earnings may sound enormous, but they're actually nothing compared to his wife's. Gisele Bündchen was the world's top-earning supermodel for 10 consecutive years and is reportedly on pace to make $1 billion in career earnings.

Read more:GISELE BUNDCHEN AND TOM BRADY: How the supermodel-quarterback power couple makes and spends their millions



7. Brady has two sons and a daughter

Three months into his relationship with Gisele, Brady learned that his ex-girlfriend was pregnant with his child. In addition to his eldest son, Jack, Brady and Bündchen went on to have a son, Benny, and a daughter, Vivian.



8. He and Gisele also have three dogs

The Brady-Bündchen household must be a pretty hectic one. In addition to the three kids, Gisele and Tom have three dogs: Lua, Scooby, and Fluffy. Thankfully they can spread out between their multiple extravagant homes.

 



9. Brady keeps a very strict diet

Brady and Bündchen's diet prevents them from eating sugar, dairy, and tomatoes. According to their personal chef, 80% of what they eat is vegetables. They also eat avocado ice cream as a treat. Brady has published "The TB12 Method" to teaach others about his nuanced approach to diet and wellness.

Read more: Tom Brady's diet is so strict that it excludes an entire group of vegetables



10. He doesn't train like a typical athlete

Unlike most other football players, Brady avoids traditional weight training and instead opts for resistance bands to increase pliability and flexibility. He believes long, soft muscles lead to peak performance.

Read more:The TB12 Method: Inside the strict fitness and nutrition lifestyle that allows Tom Brady to dominate at an age most players retire



11. He also does everything he can to keep his mind sharp

Brady uses brain exercises intended for people struggling with issues ranging from memory loss to cognitive damage with the hopes of improving his cognitive function.

Read more:Tom Brady uses brain exercises designed for people with brain impairments and it blew away the scientists who created them



12. Brady is ridiculously competitive

Past teammates had described instances in which Brady had broken ping pong paddles and thrown backgammon boards across the room when he was losing. He also once gave his team a pep talk before a charity football game against a group of firefighters.

Read more:38 examples of Tom Brady's insane competitiveness



13. He sacrificed more than $60 million to make sure the Patriots were consistently one of the best teams in the NFL

He would not enjoy playing with a team that couldn't compete for championships.

Read more:Tom Brady has sacrificed at least $60 million in his career with discount contracts to keep the Patriots competitive



14. But he fell asleep in the locker room before his first Super Bowl

Clearly the nerves didn't get to him.

Read more:Tom Brady fell asleep before his first Super Bowl and woke up with minutes to spare before the team took the field



15. Brady loves to drop F-bombs to relieve tension on the field

"There's nothing that quite expresses the way I feel like that word," Brady said.

Read more:Tom Brady Explains Why He Loves The F-Word



16. Despite his success with the Patriots, he long considered moving on to another franchise

He and head coach Bill Belichick butted heads often throughout their time together.

Read more:Tom Brady reportedly considered ending his time with the Patriots this offseason and would 'divorce' Bill Belichick if he could



17. Gisele wants him to retire

She doesn't know what more he could possibly accomplish in the NFL.

Read more:Gisele Bundchen is 'dead serious' about getting Tom Brady to retire — here are 9 jobs he could tackle when he eventually leaves the NFL



18. But he dominated the NFL with the Patriots throughout his 30s

Read more:Chart shows just how dominant Tom Brady was in his 30s



19. And he's proven that he can still play amongst the best in his 40s

He's blowing former 40-year-old NFL players out of the water.

Read more:Tom Brady is already making a mockery of the NFL records for 40-year-old quarterbacks



20. He fully intends to play until he's 45 years old

Yes, you heard that correctly. Brady insists he has another two seasons ahead of him.

Read more:Tom Brady says he still plans to play until he's 45



Now check out how Brady and his supermodel wife make and spend their millions:

Tom Brady is leading the Buccaneers through their first playoff run in over a decade. Here's how the quarterback and his supermodel wife Gisele Bündchen make and spend their millions.




The 29 Publicis execs who are helping the ad giant rebound from the pandemic and do battle with WPP and Omnicom

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Arthur Sadoun

Summary List Placement

Publicis is one of the oldest and biggest marketing businesses in the world. Founded as an ad agency in 1926 by 20-year-old Parisian Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet, it grew to become a top global firm after World War II, thanks to its close ties to the French government.

Publicis agencies created classic campaigns like "You're in good hands with Allstate,""Labour isn't working," and "Come fly the friendly skies." They now market everything from Heinz ketchup to NBC's prime-time lineup.

Former IT exec Maurice Lévy took over for Bleustein-Blanchet in 1987 and started a decades-long acquisition spree, buying big agencies like Leo Burnett and Saatchi & Saatchi and consulting and data firms Sapient and Epsilon. In 2017, he handed the reins to Arthur Sadoun, a former account executive and heir apparent to the Publicis empire who's been described as "the Emmanuel Macron of Madison Avenue."

Publicis brought in $11.9 billion in 2019 to WPP's $16 billion and Omnicom's $14.29 billion. It employs about 84,000 people around the world and has clients like Disney, Samsung, Mercedes-Benz, McDonald's, and Pfizer.

Like its rivals, the company cut salaries and staff as clients slashed budgets in the pandemic. But Publicis bounced back with a string of new business wins in late 2020 and closed the year with its shares trading above pre-pandemic prices.

Sadoun recently said Publicis "has always maintained its independence," but in 2013 it announced plans to merge with Omnicom and create what would have been the largest ad agency network before that deal fell apart. Rumors of private equity sale talks swirled in early 2021, prompting a quick denial from Publicis.

This alphabetical list of 29 executives who've played key roles during the pandemic is based on conversations with current and former Publicis insiders as well as financial reports and news releases.

SEE ALSO: Meet the 31 executives leading Omnicom, the world's most valuable advertising network, during a global pandemic and recession

Emmanuel André, chief talent officer, Publicis

Publicis insiders say Sadoun relies on a small group of core advisors and takes a hands-on approach to the business, often swooping in to lead everything from internal comms to pitches and client relations. Emmanuel André is the CEO's oldest confidante, and his influence goes well beyond his formal role at the company.

Long before Sadoun came to lead Publicis, the two friends worked together at TBWA, an agency owned by rival Omnicom; both started in account management and moved up to leadership positions. Two months after Sadoun took over Publicis, he brought on André in the newly-created chief talent officer role as his first significant hire.

On paper, André's primary job is to oversee all Publicis executive training programs and help onboard new leaders. But one former exec says he specializes in bringing Sadoun's most colorful ideas to life. When the CEO wanted a big rollout for AI tool Marcel and a virtual 2020 holiday program starring Michelle Obama, Disney's Bob Iger, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Sadoun chose André to organize the show, according to the former exec.

Two other execs say André is also the godfather of Sadoun's daughter, and there's an understanding within the company that the most effective way to communicate with the CEO is often through the CTO. When André's not busy serving as Sadoun's chief assistant, his passion is hitting the open road on his vintage Triumph motorcycle.



Teresa Barreira, CMO, Publicis Sapient

Teresa Barreira was key to making 2020 a turnaround year for Sapient, which Publicis acquired in 2015 for $3.7 billion to compete against the big digital consulting firms.

Sapient proved a hard sell at first, and its role in the Publicis network has not always been clear. But insiders say the rapid shift to e-commerce during the pandemic has made its services increasingly relevant as clients race to compete with Amazon with their own digital platforms.

Barreira joined Sapient in 2018 after holding top marketing roles at Accenture and Deloitte. Her primary goal has been to educate Publicis clients and leaders in different industries about Sapient's work. The firm almost never participates in traditional pitches, but insiders say Barreira's skill in opening doors has led to new business opportunities.

One example of her collaborative style is the How Channel, a streaming project launched in late 2020 that invites leaders from companies like Square and Whole Foods to participate in both short explainer-style videos and private events that provide exclusive access to Publicis execs.



Justin Billingsley, CMO, Publicis

Justin Billingsley joined Publicis in 2009 to lead Saatchi & Saatchi in China and has risen to become another member of Arthur Sadoun's small group of advisers.

Insiders say he shares the CEO's passion for chasing growth and earned Sadoun's trust after leading 2018's successful Mercedes pitch, then running a division dedicated to the auto giant.

Billingsley became Publicis' first global CMO as the pandemic struck, charged with promoting the company brand around the world while overseeing major new business pitches. He's since reshaped the internal communications department to help get Publicis' message out to the public. Insiders say he was behind a recent decision to drop the word "Groupe" from the company's new logo and branding materials to broaden its appeal.

"Justin knows how to make the trains run," according to a top executive who says Sadoun sometimes speaks to Billingsley four or five times a day. The leaders of each country and region within Publicis report to him.

Insiders call Billingsley extremely ambitious, and he's helped Publicis rack up a string of wins in recent months, including Sephora, Kraft Heinz, and L'Oréal's $800 million Chinese media account. But Publicis came up empty in the recent big-budget Walgreen's, JPMorgan Chase, and T-Mobile reviews, and another recently departed exec says longtime client Samsung will be another big test when its postponed review starts again.



Chris Boothe, US CEO, global brand president, Spark Foundry

As a 34-year Publicis veteran, Chris Boothe is one of the most powerful executives on Publicis' media side, which accounts for a majority of its revenue.

In 2018, he was promoted to US CEO and later global brand president of media agency Spark Foundry, managing around 3,000 employees in more than 60 countries. Boothe is widely respected among Publicis leaders, who credit him with turning Spark Foundry into its most important media brand after the 2016 merger of Spark and Mediavest. 

Insiders say that, while rival WPP's GroupM is the largest global media-buying operation, Publicis Media is the biggest in the US. Spark Foundry leads that group, with clients like Mondelez, Marriott, and NBCUniversal.

Since his promotion, Boothe has been tasked with other projects like folding agency Blue 449 into Spark Foundry. He works closely with Publicis Media CEO of the Americas Tim Jones and global COO Steve King, the most powerful names in Publicis Media.



Nick Colucci, executive chairman, Publicis Health, COO, Publicis Communications

Nick Colucci has been a key player in Publicis' healthcare division since he helped establish it in 2003. He was promoted to president and CEO four years later as pharmaceutical clients began to play a more important role to holding companies. 

Colucci, who spent years in marketing and sales at Roche before joining Publicis, moved into the executive chairman role in 2018 and took on the responsibility of helping to reshape Publicis' creative network in the US during a series of agency mergers and leadership changes as COO.

One insider says Colucci's influence has grown during the pandemic because he oversees key elements of the transition to remote work. While not a public-facing figure, Colucci handles a large portion of the behind-the-scenes mechanics that make Publicis run, including some of the talent and resource management duties surrounding AI platform Marcel.



Ric Elert, president and COO, Epsilon

CEO Bryan Kennedy leads performance marketing firm Epsilon, Publicis' most expensive acquisition. But a top exec says Ric Elert, who previously ran the company's ad tech division, Conversant, attends all high-level meetings and serves as Publicis' go-to expert for helping clients navigate in-the-weeds subjects like identity resolution and the post-cookie ad targeting landscape.

Elert's responsibilities have expanded since the acquisition. When corporate leaders need a Publicis-level perspective on the top issues facing digital marketers, they most often turn to him for guidance, according to an Epsilon exec.

When Publicis spent $4.4 billion to acquire Epsilon in 2019, leadership was determined to avoid the $1.5 billion write down that followed its Sapient purchase by quickly integrating it into Publicis to differentiate the company's data capabilities in new business pitches.

Publicis now says Epsilon sits at the core of its global operations, though several insiders confirmed that around 90% of Epsilon's revenue comes from media planning and buying in the US. Still, Arthur Sadoun and others credit the acquisition with helping Publicis beat out its rivals to win big accounts like Disney.



Lauren Hanrahan, CEO, Zenith

Lauren Hanrahan is the youngest CEO at Publicis, leading its second-largest media agency, Zenith. She also leads digital specialty firm Moxie and social media-focused MRY.

Prior to being promoted in 2019, Hanrahan served as global head of business development for Publicis Media, where she oversaw big new business wins from Molson Coors, Marriott, and GlaxoSmithKline.

More recently, she led Publicis Media's successful pitch for Disney's global parks and Disney+ business and later expanded that account by winning US ad planning and buying for Hulu

One insider says these wins, combined with Hanrahan's leadership of the youth-focused digital properties, have earned the confidence of Arthur Sadoun, Steve King, and Tim Jones, making her a rising star within the company.



Anne-Gabrielle Heilbronner, secretary general, Publicis

As a member of Publicis' four-person management board, Anne-Gabrielle Heilbronner is the company's highest-ranking female leader. 

As secretary general, she oversees some of Publicis' most critical functions such as internal audits, risk management, and compliance with international regulations as well as managing procurement, or the company's relationships with third-party vendors. 

Heilbronner's responsibilities have expanded since she was appointed to the board in 2012. Arthur Sadoun named Heilbronner, a longtime champion of women in the workplace, to lead Publicis' corporate social responsibility efforts and its Women's Forum for the Economy and Society group. The group brings an estimated 1,500 executives together in Paris each year to discuss gender equality issues.

Heilbronner previously held several top roles in the French government, working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and banking supervisory group Inspection Générale des Finances.



Tim Jones, CEO of the Americas, Publicis Media

Tim Jones is the most quietly influential person at Publicis in the US and deeply trusted by leaders to carry out its plans, according to insiders.

"He's a man of great power, but he doesn't show it," one exec says.

Around 60% of Publicis' total revenue comes from the US. But the US is also the only country that doesn't currently have its own CEO, because the market is so complex. Jones leads the US-based executive committee, which has expanded its power during the pandemic, and insiders say he shares the unofficial US CEO role with Arthur Sadoun. All US-based Publicis Media agency CEOs also report to him.

The UK native spent 25 years with Zenith before being promoted to CEO of Publicis Media in the Americas in 2016. He's considered the driving force behind Publicis Media Exchange, a group launched that year to manage programmatic trading and digital investments for clients. An insider says he also recently led the integration of Epsilon into US media agency operations so Publicis can use the firm's data resources to deliver specific results for clients.

Despite rumors that Sadoun might give Jones the US CEO title, a third exec says he's happy where he is — and that his influence has only increased over the past six months.



Bryan Kennedy, CEO, Epsilon

Bryan Kennedy has held C-suite titles at Epsilon since the mid-90s, when it was a direct mail subsidiary of Alliance Data Systems Corporation.

Kennedy has played a critical role in helping Epsilon grow after Publicis acquired it in 2019 while also trying to get more of its clients to work with the holding company and vice versa. Around 80% - 90% of Epsilon's clients don't currently work with Publicis.

One executive calls Kennedy a quiet man with a clear understanding of data and precision marketing's increasingly important place in the ad industry. The CEO, this person says, sits on the Publicis executive committee and appears at key events and client meetings, but often defers to other Epsilon leaders, such as COO Ric Elert and CMO Jeff Fagel, as subject matter experts.

Kennedy doesn't just share Elert's passion for data. The two also play guitar together in the company's Chicago house band.



Annette King, UK CEO, Publicis

As Publicis started naming countrywide CEOs in 2017, Arthur Sadoun made waves in the UK by hiring Annette King, who'd been CEO at rival WPP agency Ogilvy, to run its second-largest market.

Publicis employs around 5,000 people in the UK, and insiders say the country accounts for just under 10% of global revenue. A top exec says that nothing happens in the UK without the approval of King, who sits on the management committee reporting to Sadoun.

Several people say the UK's standing has fallen since Publicis became the first holding company to confirm layoffs and executive pay cuts there in April. But pay returned in September sooner than expected, and King remains one of the most powerful executives in Europe.

King has been a vocal advocate for equal pay. In a 2019 report about Publicis' most recent gender equality programs, she cited the hires of several female executives but acknowledged that a pay gap persists.



Ros King, EVP, global client lead, Publicis

In 2018, Publicis started creating divisions dedicated to single clients that draw talent from different agencies. Publicis Imagine, for example, handles the Disney account.

The company hired Ros King, former head of marketing for UK banking giant Lloyd's, to oversee all those teams and its relationships with other major clients the following year. She sits on the management committee and reports to Arthur Sadoun. The global leaders of accounts like Procter & Gamble and Mondelez report to her.

King's job involves helping clients make the most of Publicis' resources, from updating them on the latest internal changes to inviting them to webinars and making sure they have access to all relevant services during the pandemic.

Perhaps most importantly, she's key to organizing the company's biggest new business pitches. Since most other Publicis board members have been with the company for years, she is one of the most powerful recent hires.

Before joining Lloyd's, she oversaw Ogilvy's relationship with longtime client American Express and led the account management team at IPG's McCann Worldgroup.



Steve King, COO, Publicis

Steve King is the number three global executive at Publicis, behind only Arthur Sadoun and Maurice Lévy.

Insiders say he was one of the final candidates to succeed Lévy in 2017.

The 35-year Publicis vet rose to CEO of Zenith before being promoted to run all of Publicis Media in 2016 and global chief operating officer three years later.

Insiders say King still runs Publicis Media, whose second-highest-ranking exec Tim Jones reports to him, but Sadoun and Lévy now trust him with responsibilities beyond that side of the business. For example, he has led the global expansion of Publicis' e-commerce and content production practices, and made it easier for all Publicis companies to offshore certain work to India through Sapient.

One top executive says King and Sadoun don't always see eye to eye. King focuses on scaling the company globally while Sadoun approaches growth on more of a country-by-country basis. But King's seniority, deep industry connections, and loyalty to Publicis ensure that he will remain at the top of the organization.



Amy Lanzi, EVP, commerce practice lead, Publicis

Publicis beat some rival holding companies to the punch by launching a global e-commerce practice in early 2018.

As the pandemic changed consumer behaviors and made e-commerce even more important to marketers, Amy Lanzi was the name to watch, according to insiders. The former commerce lead for Publicis Media North America was promoted to oversee all related business at the holding company level in January 2020 and later tasked with helping top US clients adapt to the new way of doing business.

She oversees the e-commerce teams at all digital and media agencies and helps big spenders like Coty and GSK navigate top retail platforms such as Amazon, Kroger, and Target's Roundel.



Maurice Lévy, supervisory board chairman, Publicis

Maurice Lévy joined Publicis as IT director in 1971 and became only the second CEO in the company's history in 1987, succeeding founder Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet. Much like former rival Martin Sorrell of WPP, he built the company into a global powerhouse by acquiring dozens of small and large agencies.

In 2017, Lévy officially stepped down as CEO after 30 years and named Arthur Sadoun as his successor. But he remains in many ways the most powerful person in the company, overseeing its global strategy while serving as Sadoun's mentor and the closest adviser to Bleustein-Blanchet's daughter Elisabeth Badinter, Publicis' largest shareholder.

Lévy controls around 2.5% of the voting rights, and staffers say he's become more visible during the pandemic.

The former chief sometimes steps up to lead key projects beyond his perennial guest appearances in satirical company holiday videos. When a troubled WeWork hired Publicis in late 2019 on a $500,000 monthly retainer, Lévy assumed the CMO role for three months.

One top exec says Sadoun and Lévy run Publicis together, with the chairman acting as executive coach, client advisor, and professional ear to the CEO as he focuses on new business.

"Maurice's theory is you stay the boss if all your minions are competing," the exec says.



Helen Lin, chief digital officer, Publicis Media

As head of all things digital at Publicis Media, Helen Lin is Publicis' top connection to major tech companies like Facebook and Google.

She also advises clients of all sizes on where to put their digital dollars and reports to Talia Raviv, global CEO of the company's Media Exchange investment division. Insiders praise her for her expertise on changing trends in paid social during the pandemic. 

"The Googles and Facebooks ask for her, and all clients know her because she can sort through the mess in a moment," says one exec.

Lin, who was formerly managing director at Zenith, advocates for increased diversity in the ad industry with trade groups like Adcolor. She sits on the boards of Publicis' Power of Women resource group and 212NYC, an organization for digital advertising professionals in the New York area.



Diana Littman, US CEO, MSL

Diana Littman has emerged as PR's most powerful executive at Publicis since coming on as MSL CEO in late 2018.

The holding company has not disclosed financial performance by practice during the pandemic, but insiders say PR firms have proven more resilient than creative agencies over the past year. 

As the exec overseeing its largest firm's top market, Littman is the face of the practice and reports directly to Arthur Sadoun.

Under her leadership, MSL has launched an influencer platform and developed an internal tech tool that helps clients like P&G and Cadillac target their content and measure their PR efforts. The tools allow MSL to cut its tech vendor expenses and compete against more traditional marketing agencies, which is part of Publicis' long-term effort to further integrate PR into its other client work.

Littman's expertise in healthcare and pharmaceutical marketing, drawn from 20 years at rival firms BCW and Marina Maher Communications, is particularly valuable as clients like Pfizer as AstraZeneca make up a bigger share of Publicis' business.



Renetta McCann, chief inclusion experience officer, Publicis

Renetta McCann is a Publicis lifer who started her career more than 40 years ago as a trainee at Leo Burnett in Chicago.

After two decades there, becoming its first Black VP and media director, she moved to Starcom, rising to worldwide CEO before taking a sabbatical in 2008. She returned to school to study talent management, then returned to lead HR at Leo Burnett before she rose to head up all of Publicis' D&I efforts.

A former executive calls McCann "Publicis royalty," and others say she wields immense power while avoiding company politics.

Before the pandemic hit, she was chosen to run Publicis' newly formed diversity and inclusion steering committee, which managed the company's response to the George Floyd protests. Now, following the December departure of US chief diversity officer Ronnie Dickerson Stewart, McCann is even more central to D&I operations. 

When McCann announced her sabbatical, she had to shut down rumors that she'd left the ad industry altogether to join President Barack Obama's administration. But she has been politically active throughout her career, and she's so well-known in the Chicago scene that Politico wished her a happy birthday last December.



Dan Murray, CEO, Marcel

Marcel, an AI platform designed to connect all 80,000-plus Publicis employees around the world, has been both a point of pride and a major stumbling block

Marcel was an ambitious and controversial move from fledgling CEO Arthur Sadoun. Publicis hired Microsoft and pulled talent from Sapient to build Marcel, whose cost had risen to around $50 million when it debuted two months early in April 2020.

In December, the company hired Dan Murray, former Bed Bath & Beyond and Sapient exec, as Marcel's CEO.

His primary role will be further integrating the platform into all employee functions like career growth, performance reviews, project management, and health and wellness resources. According to its virtual holiday presentation in 2020, Publicis sees Marcel as "the future of work."

Despite some technical hiccups, insiders say Marcel has helped make remote work a reality.



Dave Penski, global chairman, Publicis Media Exchange, US COO, Publicis Media

Dave Penski is another high-profile veteran of Publicis Media. 

He ascended to CEO of media agency Zenith before being promoted to run VivaKi, the trading desk that managed all of Publicis clients' programmatic media buys. When that organization dissolved in 2015, Penski became CEO of its successor, Publicis Media Exchange.

Penski left that role in January 2020 but remains chairman of PMX and COO of the entire Publicis Media organization, working with Tim Jones and Steve King.

Penski is the second-ranking US-based media exec behind Jones. The leaders of digitally-focused agencies such as Rauxa report to him, and his oversight of the flow of money from Publicis clients to publishers and platforms and proximity to top spenders like Disney and Verizon makes him intensely powerful.



Talia Raviv, global CEO, Publicis Media Exchange

Media veteran Talia Raviv became the face of the company's global investment division in January 2020, managing the day-to-day operations of the trading desk embedded within every Publicis media agency.

One insider says she manages around one-third of all money spent by Publicis clients in the US. The heads of investment at Zenith, Spark Foundry, and Starcom report to her.

Raviv previously ran Apex, another exchange handling programmatic and other digital ad buys within Publicis Media.

Another exec says Raviv's profile has grown during the pandemic because she advises clients on when and where to move their money. She's the exec Publicis Media calls on when CMOs want to know whether to focus on certain e-commerce platforms, drop national ads for more localized efforts and target areas where stores are still open, or move from buys based on impressions, like pre-roll video, to more performance-focused campaigns on platforms like Instagram.



Jem Ripley, CEO, Publicis Communications East

As CEO of Publicis Communications' eastern division, Jem Ripley oversees the operations of some of its largest agencies, including Saatchi & Saatchi, Publicis New York, retail firm Saatchi X, and P&G One, the Cincinnati-based division dedicated to Procter & Gamble. He also led the relaunch of the Razorfish brand in January 2020.

Ripley spent nearly a decade at Sapient before joining consulting firm Capgemini as North American chief growth officer. Arthur Sadoun brought him back in mid-2019.

Now, Ripley reports directly to Sadoun and works with Andrew Swinand, CEO of Leo Burnett and Publicis Communications Central.

An insider says his profile has risen over the past 18 months because he helps Swinand drive decisions regarding all Publicis Communications agencies' new business efforts in the US.



Jodi Robinson, CEO, Digitas North America

Jodi Robinson is credited with digital marketing and tech firm Digitas' success during the pandemic when many other agencies have struggled.

Robinson worked her way up from accounts to become North American CEO in late 2019 just as Arthur Sadoun placed greater emphasis on the region. She's known within Publicis as an empathetic leader who regularly conducts town halls and communicates on a personal level with staff.

Digitas usually flies under the radar while supporting other agencies' work for big brands and assisting in pitches, but the agency won lead duties for new clients such as Playtex and Samsung in recent months.



Carla Serrano, chief strategy officer, Publicis, CEO, Publicis New York

Carla Serrano is one of CEO Sadoun's closest confidantes, and one exec calls her "the right hand to Arthur."

Serrano started her agency career at TBWA, rising to chief strategy officer and helping win clients like Kraft and GSK before taking the same title at Publicis North America in 2014. She also served as North American CEO at Naked Communications, where she oversaw accounts like NBCUniversal, Mondelez, and Novartis.

In 2016, Serrano was promoted to CEO of the New York office, and her power has grown over the past year as Sadoun shifted his focus to the US.

Several execs say Serrano's day-to-day responsibilities are not always clear but when Sadoun needs guidance on the US business — particularly in New York — she's always on his short list. She has taken the lead on key projects like the mid-2020 rollout of Marcel, granting interviews and sending frequent all-staff memos about platform updates.



Andrew Swinand, CEO, Leo Burnett, CEO, Publicis Communications Central

Andrew Swinand is the most powerful figure on the communications side of Publicis' businesses in the US, according to several top execs.

He manages the global Leo Burnett network and is responsible for new business efforts of other creative and PR agencies like Fallon, BBH, MSL, and Saatchi & Saatchi.

Swinand is an entrepreneur who founded two marketing technology and analytics firms that Publicis acquired when he joined the company. His tech background initially made him seem like an unusual choice to lead the agency behind iconic campaigns like the Marlboro Man, Heinz's "The best things come to those who wait" and "Beef. It's what's for dinner."

But Swinand spent 10 years at Publicis media agency Starcom and had top marketing jobs at Procter & Gamble, and one exec says he brought a sorely needed combination of tech and agency experience to help serve clients' increasingly data-based needs.



Liz Taylor, global chief creative officer, Leo Burnett, chief creative officer, Publicis Communications North America

Insiders say Liz Taylor is Publicis' top creative executive, managing Leo Burnett and overseeing the work of all properties in the North American Communications group.

"There's [Liz] and then there's everyone else," one exec says.

Taylor came aboard in early 2019 as a partner to CSO Carla Serrano and former global CCO Nick Law. Now, she works closely with Andrew Swinand and the creative leaders of other Publicis agencies in its biggest market while also traveling around the world to oversee with Leo Burnett's regional teams.

Taylor brought an extensive agency background to the role, and her digital expertise was particularly important to Publicis as its business moved away from traditional print and TV campaigns. She was previously chief creative officer at the Chicago office of IPG's FCB and led digital and social media work for WPP's Ogilvy.

Taylor is popular with staff and was one of the only creative leaders to present as part of Publicis' 2020 all-company virtual holiday event.



Lisa Torres, president, Cultural Quotient

As president of Publicis Media's multicultural division Cultural Quotient, Lisa Torres oversees agencies' spending with minority-owned media companies and large publishers looking to reach minority audiences.

Her role is particularly important as the US goes through dramatic demographic changes, and she's among top execs who get immediate access to the company's finance and accounting service Re:Sources.

Cultural Quotient handles around $1.7 billion in annual client spending. AdAge estimates that Cultural Quotient brought in $71 million from Hispanic media alone last year and says it has been the largest US-based Hispanic media group since 2012.

Torres is considered "the future of multicultural marketing" and an expert in audience measurement who argued that the Trump administration's proposed addition of a citizenship question to the US Census would harm ad agencies' ability to target ads on behalf of their clients.

Earlier, Torres was president of Zenith's multicultural division. She recently went through a successful battle with stage two breast cancer.



Nigel Vaz, CEO, Publicis Sapient

Nigel Vaz is part of Arthur Sadoun's inner circle as CEO of Publicis Sapient. He helped guide the at-times-bumpy integration of Sapient into Publicis and helped lead its global rebranding in early 2019.

The 21-year Sapient veteran oversees Publicis' consulting work, which has grown more important during the pandemic as clients look to strengthen their digital offerings and the company tries to set itself apart from top firms like Deloitte.

Vaz also brings an important tech perspective to Publicis' executive committee, which consists almost entirely of people with traditional advertising backgrounds. As one insider put it, "Nigel would be working in Silicon Valley" if Sapient hadn't been acquired. 

Sapient has completed projects for big-name clients in recent years like creating The Wall Street Journal's paywall and helping McDonald's update its digital user experience, from drive-through kiosks to mobile apps.

He wrote a forthcoming book titled "Digital Business Transformation: How Established Companies Sustain Competitive Advantage from Now to Next."



Alexandra Von Plato, CEO, Publicis Health

Healthcare marketing accounted for around 10% of Publicis' total revenue in 2019, a number that's poised to rise because pharma and healthcare companies have held up during the pandemic.

Healthcare marketing is a rare bright spot for Publicis, whose clients include Pfizer, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis, which means Alexandra Von Plato's role will be even more important as the company looks to take a bigger bite of the global pharma market.

Von Plato spent almost a decade at Digitas Health and Medicus before being promoted to CEO of the entire practice in 2018. She oversees all related agencies including Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness, Publicis Health Media, and pharma specialist Discovery USA.



THEN AND NOW: How McDonald's changed drastically between 2020 and 2021

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McDonald's

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McDonald's may be the biggest fast-food chain in the world, but nothing could have prepared the company for the coronavirus pandemic.

Stopping by your local Mickey D's was very different a year ago. There were no plastic barriers or social distancing markers and you could order from dozens of menu items.

Here's how McDonald's has changed drastically between 2020 and 2021.

SEE ALSO: More drive-thru lanes, contactless payments, and deliveries — here are 14 ways the coronavirus could impact fast-food restaurants even after the pandemic

Before the pandemic caused shutdowns nationwide, maskless customers would crowd into McDonald's restaurants to order or eat inside.

Prior to the nationwide shutdowns in March, you'd be unlikely to find a McDonald's employee or customer wearing a mask...just like you would nearly anywhere else. 

Thought it wasn't until August 1 that the chain officially began requiring masks and face coverings for customers at all US restaurants, according to USA Today, mask-wearing was commonplace for employees and customers months before it was formally mandated.

 



Masks have become a mainstay for McDonald's employees and customers ordering and eating inside restaurants.

At the start of the pandemic, many fast-food chains, including McDonald's, immediately began requiring employees to follow health and safety guidelines like mask-wearing and encouraging physical distancing between crew members and customers when possible. 

Experts also believe that it may be a while before you can go into a McDonald's mask-free.

"It's going to be really hard for people to tell apart who has been vaccinated, who hasn't, and who just isn't wearing a mask because they don't want to," Shan Soe-Lin, Ph.D., a lecturer in global affairs at Yale University and epidemiologist told Today. "I would say that until the vaccine is widely available and case counts drop as you would expect with high vaccination coverage, we'll be wearing masks."



Both dining-in and going through the drive-thru were options before the pandemic.

At the start of the pandemic in mid-March, McDonald's closed the dining rooms of all its company-owned US locations, and urged franchisees to do the same.

According to CNBC, as of July 1, just 15% of the chain's 14,000 locations had reopened for dine-in service. More have opened since, but many have not — choosing instead to focus on drive-thru and mobile ordering just as they did earlier in the pandemic.



Many McDonald's restaurants have yet to open for indoor dining.

States that allow for indoor and outdoor dining have been able to adjust accordingly with the use of required face masks increased sanitation practices. However, dining rooms are becoming increasingly less important to fast-food executives to bring in sales.

According to a previous article by Business Insider, some chain restaurants, most of which do not have drive-thru models, have permanently closed over 1,500 locations so far as a result of the pandemic.



There was no need for protective barriers at fast-food restaurants prior to the pandemic.

Plastic and glass barriers, which have now become commonplace at most fast-food chains including McDonald's, were not commonly used before the pandemic. 



Plastic or glass barriers have now been installed at McDonald's drive-thru windows.

It's unclear when these barriers might be removed, or if they'll be a mainstay long after the pandemic has subsided.



At the start of 2020, McDonald's had a larger menu.

The McDonald's menu previously offered a great variety of menu items for customers to choose from. The expansive menu included everything from varying sizes of Big Macs to grilled chicken sandwiches and salads. 



The most noticeable difference at McDonald's at the start of the pandemic was the chain's limited menu.

In March, McDonald's cut a number of items from its menu— including its fan-favorite chicken tenders, salads, bagels, and other items — in order to streamline operations and put more focus on high performers. 

Read more: 8 McDonald's menu items that were removed in 2020

McDonald's temporarily removed chicken tenders from the menu as a result of the coronavirus pandemic — however, fans of the beloved menu item fear that the change could become permanent.



McDonald's is now preparing to enter the fast-food chicken wars with three new chicken sandwiches and a larger menu than it had in March.

The menu at McDonald's is slowly returning to its original size, thanks to new menu items and old favorites being added back to the lineup. Despite removing its grilled chicken sandwich and chicken tenders from the menu, McDonald's is also continuing to focus on new chicken products and even entering what's been called the fast-food chicken sandwich wars.

The chain's spicy nuggets, as well as the Mighty Hot Sauce they came paired with, quickly sold out just two weeks after being released, showing the popularity of chicken products among consumers. Now, the chain has brought them back again for a limited time.

Next month, McDonald's is gearing to release not one, not two, but three new chicken sandwiches — and one that seems to be directly inspired by Chick-fil-A and Popeyes' famous offerings.



All-Day-Breakfast was an institution at McDonald's restaurants nationwide.

A favorite among customers, visitors to McDonald's could get an egg McMuffin, bagel sandwich, or breakfast burrito any time of day.



All-Day Breakfast was removed in 2020 and is still unavailable.

As outlets were reporting the departure of McDonald's All Day Breakfast back in March, McDonald's USA President Joe Erlinger tweeted, "All day breakfast's response to this news: 'I'll be back.'"

However, nearly a year later, All Day Breakfast still has not returned, and many McDonald's franchisees and workers are rallying for the famous all-day menu to never come back.

Read more: McDonald's All Day Breakfast might have disappeared forever, as workers and franchisees rally against the beloved menu



The best resistance bands

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  • Using resistance bands creates constant tension which stimulates muscle growth and increases the value of your workouts.
  • The best kits come with a variety of tension options and allow for a range of exercises like squats, curls, standing rows, and banded push-ups.
  • Our top pick from TheraBand is a durable, easy-to-use, and effective resistance band set that complements any home gym setup.
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Outfitting an effective home gym doesn't have to require a selection of the latest exercise equipment like interactive treadmills or stationary bikes. All you really need is your body, a few resistance bands, and some space to move around to make a real difference in your routine.

I tried my first resistance band workout in 2014 after joining in on the burgeoning barre trend. Although I've since traded those ballet-based classes for other workouts, I've remained a huge fan of resistance bands and no longer underestimate just how essential they are for my weekly workouts. 

Though they're essentially just pieces of elastic, resistance bands create constant tension which effectively helps stimulate muscle growth. To make things better, they don't add strain onto your joints the same way a set of dumbbells might.

Even personal trainers swear by their benefits and recommend them over the use of dumbbells. They're also far more widely available for purchase than dumbbells, come in at cheaper price points (for more equipment, at that), and don't take up nearly as much storage space, which is a huge plus for anyone living in a small apartment or home.

Resistance bands are also incredibly lightweight and portable, allowing you to take your workout wherever you go. In other words, I can't recommend them highly enough.

To find the best currently available, I tested a number of kits from top brands like TheraBand, TB12, and Bodylastics. Though they each provided a similar tension-based workout, some were better than others in a few key categories, mainly regarding versatility and portability.

At the bottom of this guide, I've included some insight into how to shop for resistance bands, as well as how exactly I tested each set of bands and the methodology used. 

Here are the best resistance bands:

Best overall

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced athlete, TheraBand resistance bands provide you with a killer workout and are thin and lightweight enough to take anywhere.

Pros: Latex-free, lightweight, extremely versatile in function, inexpensive

Cons: If you're looking for more resistance, this may not be quite enough for you

My first experience with resistance bands was with TheraBands, and I've never looked back. Incredibly thin and lightweight, while somehow maintaining their strength and durability, these non-latex bands do an excellent job helping you develop muscle strength.

I've used them around my thighs during squats and between my arms while working my triceps, but the possibilities (and potential muscle groups) are virtually endless.

Compared to other bands, the TheraBands offer slightly lighter resistance, starting at 2.4 pounds and ranging up to 21.3 pounds. As such, I like these bands for a wide range of exercises. Whether you're making your barre workout just a bit harder or using them for some quick HIIT moves, the TheraBands do the trick. That said, if you're looking for serious resistance, you may need something a bit heftier.

I've also been impressed by their durability. While they look as though they'll snap at any moment, I've had mine for years without issue. My old gym also kept these around and despite their constant usage by hundreds of clients, the TheraBands withstood the test of time. If they do break, their lack of any metal or plastic parts helps keep you safe.

Thanks to the latex-free construction of these bands, folks with allergies or sensitivities won't have to worry, either. While other bands may have handles or thick, cord-like composition, these supremely portable bands are easily compacted.

Long-term testing of these has started to show some signs of durability concerns, mainly when we've used them for banded push-ups. Twice we've had the bands tear and eventually snap, though this was after extended use. Just be aware of any small nicks or tears in the bands before using them.



Best for a total-body workout

If you're looking for a comprehensive workout with your new favorite accessories, the Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Bands may be the way to go.

Pros: Wide range of resistance, comes with exercise book and accessories, effectively a mini-gym in a bag, extremely safe

Cons: Pricier than others

For a full workout in a bag, turn to the Bodylastics Stackable Tube Resistance Band set. I love this set because it not only comes with five bands of varying resistance — from three to 19 pounds — but also includes two handles, two ankle straps, one door anchor, a carrying bag, and an instructional book.

Key to the popularity of this set is its patented anti-snap safety design, which involves a Snap Guard inner safety cord to prevent any unfortunate mishaps. While some similar offerings have a nasty habit of snapping, sending metal or plastic pieces into your wall or, worse yet, your face, this set is designed to avoid these situations.

While each individual band doesn't have huge amounts of resistance, the stackable design of this set allows you to add or subtract resistance as needed for various muscle groups, all the way up to 96 pounds.

The set also comes with an exercise book that contains exercises designed to target biceps, triceps, chest, upper/lower back, abs/core, and legs. If you're a beginner in the world of fitness, using this guidebook can be an excellent starting point. Alternatively, if you're well-versed in your workouts, you can modify these suggestions to create a customized workout that is as safe as it is tough.



Best for multiple exercises

The TB12 At-Home Looped Band Kit is an all-in-one setup that's like having an entire home gym in one package, allowing you the ability to do a wide variety of resistance band workouts anywhere around your home. 

Pros: Highly versatile, included carabiner and door anchor expand the kinds of exercises you can do, comes packed in a drawstring bag for easy storage and portability, high-quality gear

Cons: Can get expensive for the more comprehensive kits that include heavy and extra-heavy bands

If you're in the market for a comprehensive resistance band kit, the TB12 At-Home Looped Band Kit is about as all-in-one as it gets. With a selection of both long and short looped bands, an included carabiner, and a door anchor, this kit allows you to introduce incredible variety to your fitness routine. 

What truly sets this kit apart from the competition is the mentioned carabiner and door anchor. With these, you're able to create a workout space that allows you to do exercises like standing rows, core rotations, or decelerated lunges, in addition to standard resistance band exercises you'd do with the band by itself.

You do need a sturdy door for the anchor and I recommend setting it up so the door opens away instead of toward you as you'll often pull quite hard on the anchor and the attached bands (and the last thing you want is the door to become unlatched and swing open). 

The set comes with just light and medium versions of its bands, though there are other options that allow you to had heavy (or even extra-heavy) bands to the kit for an added cost. All of the gear comes packed in its own drawstring bag that makes it easy to transport or store. 

A home gym doesn't need heaps of equipment to be adequate and something like this resistance band kit from TB12 is proof of that. With the right exercises and this versatile set of bands, you're able to replicate almost any exercise you'd want.  -- Rick Stella, health and fitness editor for Insider Reviews



Best to travel with

The Professional Mini Exercise Bands are small yet mighty, making them ideal for taking on the road.

Pros: Offers a great workout due to small size, lightweight, portable

Cons: Because these bands are smaller, your workout starts immediately, which may be a bit intense for some

This resistance band set from Perform Better is intended to help with physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises, but can also be put to work on a wide range of other uses. I love that these mini bands are, as the name suggests, small and portable, which makes them super convenient to take to hotel gyms or other temporary workout locations.

Happy customers have noted that the four bands included in this set really do offer varying levels of intensity for your workout.

Thanks to these bands' relatively small size, they're especially effective for more petite users. All four of the bands are 9 inches by 2 inches and can be used around the ankles, legs, thighs, and wrists.



Best for versatility

With resistance up to 120 pounds and a considerable variation in lengths and widths, the Serious Steel Resistance Bands are our favorites for diverse exercises.

Pros: Wide range of resistance, length, and width; extremely durable; great for stretching and assisted strength exercises

Cons: Much more expensive than others

Serious Steel Assisted Pull-Up, Resistance, and Stretch Bands are sold both as individuals and as sets, meaning you can easily choose your own workout preference. And for the most adventurous, it offers bands with some seriously heavy resistance.

The most serious of the Serious bands clocks resistances of up to 150 pounds but don't worry, if you want something less intimidating, the brand also sells bands with resistances of just two pounds.

Thanks to this wide range, this set is particularly useful for developing strength over time or working up to exercises like pull-ups. They're also great for stretching and building overall strength. Because the finish on the Serious set is more of a powder than the classic slick rubber feel, you won't lose your grip on these bands as you work up a sweat.

These bands are made of fused latex sheets, which makes them particularly durable. That said, if you have a latex allergy or sensitivity, you'll want to stay far away from these guys. If not, however, you'll be able to enjoy the smooth stretch of these bands, and an odd but not at all upsetting vanilla-esque scent.

A full set costs roughly $119, though you are able to buy individual weights for cheaper. If you want the ability to do a full range of exercises, the entire set is a great option for doing so.



Best for squats

For folks working specifically on their squat form, one of the best bands on the market is the RIMSports Elite Hip Sling Resistance.

Pros: Encourages great form, straightforward to use, non-slip, comfortable material

Cons: Comparatively limited in function

You won't be overwhelmed by optionality when it comes to the RIMSports Elite Hip Sling Resistance Band. Rather than giving you multiple bands with varying resistance levels to choose from, this singular circle hip band does a great job all on its lonesome.

In particular, the RIMSports offering is intended to help you achieve perfect form when squatting. It works well for both men and women and doesn't slip as you squat, deadlift, or lunge — all exercises that require excellent lower-body form.

On its own, the band offers relatively high resistance, and you can make adjustments as needed by spreading your legs further apart or bringing them closer together. The band comes in just two sizes — Small/Medium for folks under 150 pounds, and Medium/Large for folks who have surpassed that threshold. Regardless of which suits you best, the abductor resistance band will help you strengthen your glutes and hips, or provide a great stretch pre or post-workout.

I also appreciate the soft and durable material used in the RIMSport band, which makes it comfortable to wear around your thighs even for longer periods of time. Plus, these bands promise to be snap, stretch, and sweat resistant.

If you've been looking for a way to ensure that your knees are pointing in the same direction as your toes, or that your back remains straight while squatting, this may be the resistance band for you.



How to shop for resistance bands

Before choosing a set of resistance bands, you'll want to ask yourself a few questions. First and foremost, what type of workout are you most interested in pursuing? A pilates-based workout requires something different from a HIIT workout, though both can be equally effective in upping your fitness levels.

Next, think about what parts of your body you plan on targeting. While some resistance bands work well for your lower body, others are great for pull-up training. There are even some designed for full-body workouts.

Then, consider the level of resistance you're looking for. If you're already quite advanced, you'll likely be fine with a set of tight bands. If you're just starting to work out, however, you'll want a set that's a bit more elastic. Some brands even advertise these levels of resistance as light, medium, heavy, and so on, making it easy to know exactly the kind of weighted resistance you're choosing.

Finally, like any purchase, you'll want to keep the price point in mind. Granted, not many of these sets cost more than around $40, but if you're looking to keep a tight budget, this could be an important point to consider.



How we test resistance bands

Each of the recommended resistance bands featured in this guide went through various tests to gauge how well they stood up across these four categories: Versatility, quality, portability, and value. Specifically, here's how each category influenced which resistance bands ultimately made the cut:

Versatility: Resistance bands are basic in nature but some are far more well-suited for a variety of exercises than others. Though it wasn't a complete dealbreaker if a resistance band wasn't able to perform a laundry list of workouts, we did still try to include those that offered at least some adaptability.

Quality: Pulling a resistance band to its limits may bring up memories of snapped rubber bands but for the most part, these won't bust or snap under intense pressure. Still, durability and quality are a high priority because if this is something you plan on using a lot (and you should), you don't want a kit that will eventually get to the point where it could snap on you. For one, it dramatically decreases its value and reliability but also, it's just not very safe.

Portability: Having a dedicated room for an assortment of home gym equipment isn't a luxury for everyone who likes to keep fit. Because of this, we wanted to find resistance bands that were highly portable and thus, easy to store. Of course, resistance bands don't take up much room on their own anyway, but some of the more comprehensive kits can be cumbersome and require more of a storage footprint than necessary.

Value: Elastic bands shouldn't cost a fortune but you also want to make sure you're buying a set that's high quality and designed to last longer than a few months of use. This is essentially the sum of the previous three categories and doesn't just point to how expensive the resistance bands are. Spending more for a set that figures to last longer is better than spending less more frequently.  



How much money you need to make to live comfortably in every state in America

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Living paycheck to paycheck is an unfortunately common hallmark of American life. And that's more evident than ever now, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Many are reconsidering their living situations as the US faces a recession: Earlier last year, over 51 million people filed for unemployment in just a 17-week period. For context, the Great Recession eliminated 37 million jobs over 18 months.

Having it all — the ability to cover basic expenses, while still having "fun money" and contributing to savings — currently seems like an impossible feat.

That total amount, also known as the minimum annual "living wage," varies significantly depending on what state you're in.

In December, GoBankingRates determined the necessary living wage in each state using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the 50/30/20 budgeting rule. This popular general budgeting rule allocates 50% of annual income to necessities like housing, 30% to discretionary expenses like travel, and the remaining 20% to savings.

The median necessary living wage across the entire US is $67,690. The state with the lowest annual living wage is Mississippi, with $58,321. The state with the highest living wage is Hawaii, with $136,437. Other expensive states (unsurprisingly) included New York and California, which have notoriously high costs of living and expensive housing markets.

Keep reading to see the annual wage necessary for living comfortably in every US state, listed in alphabetical order by state name. Also included is the actual median household income in each state, according to 2019 data from the US Census Bureau and the median price of homes listed for sale in each state from Zillow.

DON'T MISS: The 25 best suburbs in America, each boasting family-friendly neighborhoods, good schools, and wide open spaces

SEE ALSO: The Post Office says 300,000 New Yorkers have fled the city — for places like the Hamptons and even Honolulu

The living wage in Alabama is $60,016.

Median household income in 2019: $51,734

Median price of homes currently listed: $220,000



The living wage in Alaska is $91,996.

Median household income in 2019: $75,463

Median price of homes currently listed: $296,646



The living wage in Arizona is $68,504.

Median household income in 2019: $62,055

Median price of homes currently listed: $303,230



The living wage in Arkansas is $59,641.

Median household income in 2019: $48,952

Median price of homes currently listed: $140,986



The living wage in California is $99,971.

Median household income in 2019: $80,440

Median price of homes currently listed: $609,757



The living wage in Colorado in $74,215.

Median household income in 2019: $77,127

Median price of homes currently listed: $431,100



The living wage in Connecticut is $90,278.

Median household income in 2019: $78,833

Median price of homes currently listed: $281,924



The living wage in Delaware is $71,254.

Median household income in 2019: $70,176

Median price of homes currently listed: $277,979



The living wage in Florida is $67,614.

Median household income in 2019: $59,227

Median price of homes currently listed: $264,149



The living wage in Georgia is $62,074.

Median household income in 2019: $61,980

Median price of homes currently listed: $218,609



The living wage in Hawaii is $136,437.

Median household income in 2019: $83,102

Median price of homes currently listed: $667,005



The living wage in Idaho is $66,486.

Median household income in 2019: $60,999

Median price of homes currently listed: $331,126



The living wage in Illinois is $66,847.

Median household income in 2019: $69,187

Median price of homes currently listed: $217,105



The living wage in Indiana is $62,086.

Median household income in 2019: $57,603

Median price of homes currently listed: $169,156



The living wage in Iowa is $63,397.

Median household income in 2019: $61,691

Median price of homes currently listed: $157,308



The living wage in Kansas is $62,090.

Median household income in 2019: $62,087

Median price of homes currently listed: $164,336



The living wage in Kentucky is $63,086.

Median household income in 2019: $52,295

Median price of homes currently listed: $156,926



The living wage in Louisiana is $63,842.

Median household income in 2019: $51,073

Median price of homes currently listed: $177,548



The living wage in Maine is $80,336.

Median household income in 2019: $58,924

Median price of homes currently listed: $269,753



The living wage in Maryland is $92,227.

Median household income in 2019: $86,738

Median price of homes currently listed: $335,260



The living wage in Massachusetts is $93,895.

Median household income in 2019: $85,843

Median price of homes currently listed: $464,279



The living wage in Michigan is $67,712.

Median household income in 2019: $59,584

Median price of homes currently listed: $187,747



The living wage in Minnesota is $68,944.

Median household income in 2019: $74,593

Median price of homes currently listed: $277,276



The living wage in Mississippi is $58,321.

Median household income in 2019: $45,792

Median price of homes currently listed: $131,973



The living wage in Missouri is $60,858.

Median household income in 2019: $57,409

Median price of homes currently listed: $176,609



The living wage in Montana is $70,719.

Median household income in 2019: $57,153

Median price of homes currently listed: $313,261



The living wage in Nebraska is $65,162.

Median household income in 2018: $63,229

Median price of homes currently listed: $189,139



The living wage in Nevada is $75,902.

Median household income in 2019: $63,276

Median price of homes currently listed: $327,714



The living wage in New Hampshire is $74,415.

Median household income in 2019: $77,933

Median price of homes currently listed: $321,496



The living wage in New Jersey is $86,244.

Median household income in 2019: $85,751

Median price of homes currently listed: $367,103



The living wage in New Mexico is $63,629.

Median household income in 2019: $51,945

Median price of homes currently listed: $224,374



The living wage in New York is $95,724.

Median household income in 2019: $72,108

Median price of homes currently listed: $343,164



The living wage in North Carolina is $64,406.

Median household income in 2018: $57,341

Median price of homes currently listed: $220,710



The living wage in North Dakota is $69,085.

Median household income in 2019: $64,577

Median price of homes currently listed: $236,012



The living wage in Ohio is $63,204.

Median household income in 2018: $58,642

Median price of homes currently listed: $164,968



The living wage in Oklahoma is $60,318.

Median household income in 2019: $54,449

Median price of homes currently listed: $139,409



The living wage in Oregon is $93,285.

Median household income in 2019: $67,058

Median price of homes currently listed: $393,710



The living wage in Pennsylvania is $68,581.

Median household income in 2018: $63,463

Median price of homes currently listed: $211,287



The living wage in Rhode Island is $83,942.

Median household income in 2019: $71,169

Median price of homes currently listed:$331,458



The living wage in South Carolina is $65,953.

Median household income in 2019: $56,227

Median price of homes currently listed: $203,328



The living wage in South Dakota is $67,657.

Median household income in 2019: $59,533

Median price of homes currently listed: $222,435



The living wage in Tennessee is $60,682.

Median household income in 2019: $56,071

Median price of homes currently listed: $203,134



The living wage in Texas is $63,469.

Median household income in 2019: $64,034

Median price of homes currently listed: $220,034



The living wage in Utah is $67,807.

Median household income in 2019: $75,780

Median price of homes currently listed: $386,723



The living wage in Vermont is $83,878.

Median household income in 2019: $63,001

Median price of homes currently listed: $273,024



The living wage in Virginia is $69,886.

Median household income in 2019: $76,456

Median price of homes currently listed: $302,369



The living wage in Washington is $77,207.

Median household income in 2019: $78,687

Median price of homes currently listed: $458,313



The living wage in West Virginia is $62,635.

Median household income in 2019: $48,850

Median price of homes currently listed: $110,544



The living wage in Wisconsin is $67,667.

Median household income in 2019: $64,168

Median price of homes currently listed: $207,018



The living wage in Wyoming is $61,788.

Median household income in 2019: $65,003

Median price of homes currently listed: $258,280



The best RV rentals in 2021

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Summary List PlacementTable of Contents: Masthead Sticky
  • With the ongoing pandemic, travelers are looking to RV rentals for socially distanced road trips.
  • Motor homes offer flexibility and independence for travelers wary of staying in hotels or Airbnbs.
  • RVs come in a wide variety and are available to rent from corporate fleets and peer-to-peer rentals.
  • Read more: The best camper van rentals

As the pandemic continues to spread across the US, many travelers are seeking safe vacation alternatives.

For those still feeling uneasy about encountering fellow guests in a hotel, or wondering if it is safe to rely on Airbnb hosts to ensure proper hygiene, there's another option on the table.

Recreational Vehicles, commonly known as RVs or motor homes, are ideal for maintaining proper social distancing and remove the need to check-in to questionable lodging while on the road entirely.

Self-contained, self-sufficient, versatile, and equipped to travel across the entire continent, they make an attractive proposition right now when the desire to control the immediate conditions of your own space is at a premium.  

Travelers can eat, sleep, wash, and drive themselves all in one collective environment without encountering anyone else, almost eliminating the risks associated with mass transportation or staying in a hotel or home rental. Even within the bounds of an RV campground, social distancing is much easier than in airports or hotel restaurants.

RV and motor home rental companies are seeing a major uptick. In fact, between April and May of 2020, bookings were up more than 1000% and have continued to stay popular over the last several months.

"Renting an RV is a lot easier than most people think," says Maddie Bourgerie, spokesperson for Akron-based, peer-to-peer rental company RVShare. "Similar to most vehicle rentals, you need a valid driver's license and be over the age of 25."

However, keep in mind that we are still in the midst of a pandemic and there's no guarantee of safety when it comes to travel right now. Even road tripping in an RV poses risks when you inevitably need to stop to get gas or restock supplies. And you should be particularly mindful of traveling to or from any hotspot areas right now. We always recommend following guidelines from organizations like the CDC and WHO, as well as checking local and state government mandates.

RV rental companies break down into two main categories, corporate and peer-to-peer. All rentals come with generators, are covered by the company's own insurance policies, and offer some kind of loyalty rewards program. They all offer robust cleaning policies in response to COVID-19. If you're renting an RV for the first time and are not sure where to start, jump to the bottom of this guide for tips and more information on types of RVs.

All sample quotes listed below are for a 45-year old driver for a two-week trip, booking two months in advance, picking up the vehicle at the point of rental, and starting from and returning to New Orleans. Different models will incur different fuel costs depending on their size, the terrain, and whether they are gas or diesel engines.

The best RV rental companies

SEE ALSO: The best camper van rentals

Outdoorsy

Company info:Outdoorsy is a peer-to-peer RV rental company based in Austin, Texas. The company has over 40,000 vehicles listed and operates out of 4,800 cities across 14 countries. The company has great feedback, and although not accredited by them, it has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

COVID-19 policies: Outdoorsy has issued robust cleaning instructions to their community of owners, listing new CDC guidelines on both personal hygiene and the use of soaps and disinfectants when cleaning the vehicles. "To ensure our cleaning standards are being met, our trust and safety team monitors reviews," says Outdoorsy CEO Jeff Cavins. "If we start to notice a negative pattern, we work with owners and renters to get a feel of the situation and can delist folks if it becomes a problem."

Typical rental costs:

Class A motor coach, sleeping up to 6 people - 2,000 miles free, $0.35 for every mile over per day, $240 per night. Middle of the range vehicle, fully equipped kitchen (stove, fridge, microwave), shower, and toilet, TV and CD player. 

Class B Mercedes, sleeping two people - 150 miles free per trip, $0.25 for every mile over, $339 per night. Top of the range luxury vehicle, fully equipped dining and entertainment amenities, shower and toilet, dining room. 

Class C Winnebago, sleeping 4-6 people - 100 miles free per day, $0.35 for every mile over per day, $192 per night. Fully equipped kitchen, shower and toilet, TV and CD player. 

Cancellation policies depend on individual owners.

Pros: An extensive network and vehicle search options include 'pet-friendly' and 'festival-ready.' Vehicle owners may even deliver vehicles to campgrounds so that renters just show up and enjoy the accommodations instead of driving them.

Cons: Customers are dealing with individual renters, who have different policies about mileage charges and costs to drop off vehicles.

Book an RV rental through Outdoorsy



RV Share

Company info: RVShare is one of two of the bigger peer-to-peer RV rental companies in the United States, reporting a community of around 60,000 RV owners across the country. The company is also not BBB accredited, but also an A+ rating from the organization.

COVID-19 policies: The company reports that it is in contact with owners, sending them resources so that motorhomes can be cleaned to the new, exacting standards of hygiene that customers will expect. 

Typical rental costs: 

Class A Fleetwood Bounder motor home, sleeping up to 9 people - 150 miles free per trip, $0.25 for every mile over, $245 per night. Luxury vehicle, fully equipped dining and entertainment amenities, shower, and toilet. 

Class B Chinook, sleeping two people - 150 miles free per trip, $0.45 for every mile over, $175 per night. Middle-of-the-range vehicle, fully equipped dining and entertainment amenities, shower and toilet, dining room. 

Class C Classic Freelander motor home, sleeps up to 8 people - 200 miles free per trip, $0.50 for every mile over, $268 per night. Middle of the range vehicle, fully equipped dining and entertainment amenities, shower and toilet. 

Cancellation policies depend on individual owners. 

Pros: They offer pet-friendly options and can arrange to have their drivers deliver to the renters' preferred locations (please note these delivery options do incur additional fees). The company was the first peer-to-peer option for RV rentals.

Cons: Customers deal with individual renters who have different policies about mileage charges, cancellation, and costs to drop off vehicles. 

Book an RV through RVshare.com



Cruise America

Company info: An employee-owned company based in Mesa, AZ, Cruise America has operated since 1972. It now boasts 132 locations across the United States and Canada. The company is not accredited by the BBB, but they do receive an A rating. 

COVID-19 policies: The company has a video on its website detailing its current cleaning policies, which meet CDC advisories. 

Typical rental costs:

Class A large Ford motor home, sleeping up to 7 people -$170 per night. Mid-range vehicle, fully equipped dining and entertainment amenities, shower and toilet.  

Class B standard motor home, sleeping up to 5 people - $160 per night. Mid-range vehicle, fully equipped dining and entertainment amenities, shower and toilet. 

Class C compact motor home, sleeping up to 3 people - $150 per night. Mid-range vehicle, fully equipped dining and entertainment amenities, shower and toilet. 

An estimated mileage charge applies to all rentals. The charge will be a per night charge based on 100 miles for local rentals and 250 miles for a one-way rental. The rate is $0.35 per mile for all vehicles and cancellations are currently being assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Pros: The company offers customers an attractive range of extra packages such as blankets and towels or camping supply kits. The website regularly has special offers including free nights and one-way specials.

Cons: No standard free mileage, so long trips can rack up the costs. 

Book an RV through Cruise America



El Monte RV

Company info: El Monte has been operational for over 40 years, though its network is smaller in scope than Cruise America. The company has 13 locations that are well-dispersed around the country and cover 12 states (with two locations in Florida).

COVID-19 policies: All procedures adhere to all guidelines provided by the CDC on COVID-19, according to their website.

Typical rental costs:

Class A large family motor home, sleeping up to 6 people - $338 per night. Mid-range vehicle, fully equipped dining and entertainment amenities, shower and toilet. 

Class B standard motor home, sleeping up to 5 people - $225 per night. Mid-range vehicle, fully equipped dining and entertainment amenities, shower and toilet.

Class C compact motor home, sleeping up to 4 people - $145 per night. Mid-range vehicle, fully equipped dining and entertainment amenities, shower and toilet. 

The mileage charge is $0.32-$0.39 per mile depending on unit size or prepaid in blocks of 100 miles for $29 each. For cancellations, the renter's credit card is charged $250 deposit to reserve an RV. Renters may cancel within 24 hours and receive a refund of the deposit. The deposit is non-refundable 24 hours after booking. Unlike others on this list, these quotes are for vehicle pick up in Miami, and all vehicles are 2018 models or newer. 

Pros: A long time rental provider, the company offers many specials on their websites ranging from free mileage to free nights, with good one-way deals, too. 

Cons: There is no standard free mileage, so long trips can rack up costs. Customer satisfaction varies across locations, so be sure to research specific ones depending on your trip's geographical requirements. Reservations might be paused or restricted in states with high COVID-19 infection rates.

Book an RV from El Monte



Popular types of RVs and motor homes

There are different classes of RVs and motor homes, each with pros and cons, so it is best to decide which one best suits your plans before booking.

Class A motor homes

Class A motor homes are the largest and can sleep up to 10 people on the bigger side (up to 45 feet or so in length). They are, essentially, houses on wheels, usually part of a truck or bus chassis.

They tend to have the most luxurious amenities, often with master bedrooms and full kitchens with fridges, microwaves, and electrical or gas stovetops, as well as living rooms, dining rooms, and large bathrooms. They're ideal for large families or those looking for an experience similar to glamping, more akin to staying in a hotel.

They are also typically the most expensive to rent and less fuel-efficient, usually only managing eight to 10 miles to the gallon. Bigger models can also find problems fitting into some smaller campsites, which can limit overnight options on the road. The large size also means these vehicles are best-suited to seasoned, experienced RV users and drivers. First-timers should probably try smaller models first to gain a feel for traveling this way.

Class B motor homes

Class B motor homes are the smallest category and are usually a good fit for two people, though even then they can feel somewhat cramped. The larger ones will have comfortable sleeping quarters but small kitchens and work well for those traveling in minimal style or on shorter vacations.

This class of RV is generally much more affordable with better fuel economy, delivering up to 25 miles per gallon. They also slip neatly into almost every campground.

However, expect limited amenities and storage space, and often with a 'wet bath' set up, meaning that the toilet and shower share the same space.

Class C motor homes

Class C motor homes are somewhere in between these two first categories. They are usually built onto a truck chassis with an overhang that fits over the driving cab, which is usually, but not always, used for sleeping space.

They sleep anywhere from two up to eight people at the large end, and most have toilet and shower facilities on board.

They come with better pricing, fuel economy (they typically manage up to 13 miles per gallon), and the ability to enter most campgrounds compared to Class A motor homes, however, they are not as efficient as Class B motor homes when it comes to parking, size, and fuel efficiency. They are usually acceptable for a short vacation, but not generally suggested as vehicles for extended trips.



Important information and tips for first-time RV renters

First time RV drivers should take time to familiarize themselves with the vehicle. "There's no special training or license needed to drive an RV," says Jeff Cavins of fellow peer-to-peer rental company Outdoorsy, based in Austin. "However, our owners will do a test drive with you before you leave on your trip to make sure you feel really comfortable with the vehicle, how it drives and how all the features work."

For the trip itself, forward planning is key, especially as states begin to reopen to varying degrees. "Research where you want to go before you depart," says Cavins. "Each day, we're monitoring the news of campgrounds reopenings taking place in each state and updating our list of state park systems and their status." Cavins recommends checking websites such as Harvest Hosts and Campendium to book suitable rest locations. 

Check first that you may park your specific vehicle at your intended campground, as well as the facilities they provide. Booking ahead is especially crucial with the increased demand.

Overnight campsite and RV parks come with hookup fees to provide electricity, water, bathrooms, and/or sewage disposal, and typically range from $30 to $50 per night or more for the best quality grounds.

It's also possible to find places to park (usually for limited amounts of time) without any facilities, either in remote areas or at designated spots. This is called 'dry camping' or 'boondocking' and is usually free of charge. You can find these locations on the website for the United States Forest Service or Campendium.

Additionally, don't hit the road without a full complement of groceries and other essentials on board as it may be tricky to stop at some of the smaller, rural communities that drivers will likely pass through, especially for larger vehicles. 



More great road trip guides



Meet the 22-year-old cofounder and CTO whose AI startup just emerged from stealth with $3.5 million in seed funding (SAP)

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When Imogen Low started her job with SAP at 17, other employees often assumed she was a sales intern.

"No," she would tell them. "I'm a machine-learning engineer."

Low won engineering prizes at her Australian high school, where she said she "was often one of the only females in the room." She "skipped the whole college thing" in favor of teaching herself and, leveraging her engineering awards, landed a job with SAP in Singapore, she added.

Five years later, she's hiring for her own startup — and some of her former colleagues have asked her about a job. The 22-year-old is a cofounder and the chief technology officer of NWO.ai, a startup that just emerged from stealth mode with $3.5 million in seed funding. The substantial round — coled by Hyperplane Venture Capital, Wavemaker, and Colle Capital — will help Low and her cofounders scale its sales operations and fuel growth worldwide, she said. 

NWO.ai taps into a "fire hose" of data from search engines, social media, and digital news sites, and analyzes it using proprietary predictive artificial-intelligence algorithms to spot emerging trends and produce actionable reports for customers. The young NYC startup already has a Fortune 500 company as a customer, with a handful of others in the pipeline.

"NWO's platform cuts through noisy, unstructured, conversational data and extracts quantifiable signals before they are readily apparent," John Murphy, a partner at Hyperplane Venture Capital, said in a statement. "It's a perfect example of machine intelligence supporting decision-making processes for corporate leaders."

To build the platform, NWO used more than 2 petabytes of data — about as much data as you would consume in five years of binge-watching movies nonstop — from search, social media, and news dating back to 2006. The startup's algorithms tracked when and how 20 million "microtrends" peaked to project when related new trends would arise. Companies can benefit from the patterns of the past applied to upcoming events.

The startup began beta testing its product in early 2020, about a year after it was founded in 2019, and NWO then joined SAP's startup incubator, SAP.io, in September. The foundry's leader, Alexa Gorman, said in a statement that NWO.ai's data "will allow companies to determine consumer signals much earlier than what's possible today — this information provides leading indicators of consumer purchasing behavior."

In one experiment, the startup looked at voting behavior. Based on data NWO analyzed on US voter sentiment ahead of the election, the company "predicted with 80% certainty that Biden would win," Low told Insider.

Low's two cofounders are Sourav Goswami, a 25-year veteran of the finance, real estate, and private equity worlds, and Pulkit Jaiswal, a drone entrepreneur and inventor that MIT Tech Review placed on its Innovators Under 35 list in 2016. Goswami and Jaiswal share CEO duties.

Low has lived in her home town of Brisbane, Australia, during the COVID-19 pandemic but says she can't wait to get back to NYC to work in the startup's offices again so she can roll up her sleeves to build better algorithms for processing and make predictions based on large datasets.

"I like to build out everything," she told Insider, rather than buying algorithmic software from other developers. 

"We are looking for incredible data scientists," she said.

That has put her back in contact with some of the people she worked with as a teenager, some of whom doubted her engineering skills. "That pushed me to work a lot harder," she said. 

Below see the pitch deck Low and her cofounders used to raise the $3.5 million seed round to get NWO.ai rolling:



















SPACs are circling the media sector. Here are 11 high-profile blank-check companies to watch in 2021.

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Ben Lerer

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A growing number of execs and investors are looking to cash in on media through special-purpose acquisition companies.

SPACs are blank-check companies set up to acquire and take companies public, often with less scrutiny, cost and time than a traditional initial public offering. SPACs have been viewed critically by some as riskier for investors, but they have boomed over the past year.

Some $82.8 billion was raised by 248 SPACs in 2020, up from the $13.6 billion raised by just 59 SPACs the prior year, according to J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

Read more: A rush of media and advertising companies are going public via SPACs. Here's why Playboy, CuriosityStream, and Digital Media Solutions are betting on blank-check deals.

While the bulk of SPACs have focused on areas like technology or healthcare, media companies are getting into the space, too. Big names like Dish co-founder Charlie Ergen, LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, Group Nine founder Ben Lerer and former Hearst chief content officer Joanna Coles are spearheading SPACs focused on acquiring media companies. And media companies like Playboy and CuriosityStream have recently gone public through SPACs.

"You have to be a big and credible name to be able to raise institutional capital to do it," said Chris Cunningham, founder of investment firm C2 Ventures. "A SPAC has to be tied to a healthy business."

Insider spoke to a handful of experts including executives, consultants, analysts, and bankers to identify 11 media-focused SPACs that are worth watching this year.

Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp.

IPO price: $414 million

Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp is led by longtime tech and entertainment executive Mark Gerhard, who is perhaps best known as the former CEO of UK games developer and publisher Jagex, owner of the free online multiplayer roleplay game RuneScape. He also previously ran AI firm PlayFusion and serves as vice chairman of the board at TIGA.org, a trade association for the games industry.

Ascendant Digital Acquisition Corp is looking for businesses that it considers part of the "attention economy," including digital entertainment, film and television, music and e-sports firms. The SPAC is specifically interested in companies with intellectual property that can potentially be used for franchises and companies that have strong customer retention.

"The attention economy ecosystem is highly fragmented with hundreds of content owners and creators, publishing and distribution platforms and other companies providing enabling technologies and services to other industry participants and consumers, many of which are privately owned," the SPAC says on its website.

Its leadership also includes Riaan Hodgson, another former Jagex exec; and David Gomberg, who cofounded Playfusion with Gerhard and Hodgson.



Conx Acquisition Corp.

IPO price: $750 million

Conx Acquisition Corp was formed by wireless exec and billionaire Charlie Ergen, the cofounder and chairman of Dish. He stepped down as CEO of Dish in 2017 and oversees the company's long-term business development as chairman.

"[Ergen] really knows what he's doing with combining media, telecoms and technology ... the full stack," said Igor Shoifot, investment partner at TMT Investments, a publicly traded investment firm. "[Conx] can create a tremendous media conglomerate."

The SPAC is targeting tech, media and telecommunication companies that can tap into the group's expertise. In its S-1, Conx Acquisition Corp. cites the growth of 5G technology as an opportunity.

Longtime Dish employee Jason Kiser serves as the SPAC's CEO and director.



Falcon Capital Acquisition

IPO price: $345 million

Falcon Capital Acquisition is led by Alan Mnuchin, a longtime media banker who has worked at Ariliam Group, Bear Stearns, and Goldman Sachs. He formed the investment firm AGM Partners in 2003, which  handled $80 million in transactions.

Mnuchin is the brother of former US Treasury Secretary and hedge fund manager Steven Mnuchin. His father Robert Mnuchin is a former long-time Goldman Sachs exec.

Mnuchin's SPAC is focused on "media, digital media and consumer technology, interactive entertainment and related industries," according to its S-1.

Falcon Capital Acquisition's team also includes CFO Saif Rahman, who is managing director at Arliam Group; and director Jeff Sagansky, a Hollywood executive who also heads the Flying Eagle Acquisition Corp. SPAC that took mobile gaming firm Skillz public in December 2020.



Forest Road Acquisition Corp.

IPO price: $300 million

A group of top entertainment and media execs including former Elliott Management COO Keith Horn, former Disney COO Tom Staggs, former TikTok CEO and Disney exec Kevin Mayer are behind the Forest Road SPAC, which was formed through entertainment finance firm Forest Road last year.

The SPAC is hunting for media, tech, and telecom companies.

When the SPAC started trading in November, Zachary Tarica, Forest Road CEO and chairman and chief investment officer of the SPAC, told Deadline that it had been contacted by more than 50 companies. Forest Road Acquisition Corp's targets include companies with intellectual property and firms changing consumer behavior, according to its S-1.

"They have got a real shot," said Michael Kassan, CEO of strategic advisory and business development firm MediaLink. "People like Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs are brilliant operators and deal guys — Keith Horn, similarly, relative to his experience at Elliott."

The team's advisors and directors also include former NBA star-turned-investor Shaquille O'Neal, human rights advocate Martin Luther King Jr. III, and Salil Mehta, who has served as an executive at media companies including Fox, NBCUniversal and Disney.



Group Nine Acquisition Corp.

IPO price: $230 million

Discovery-backed Group Nine Media formed a SPAC earlier in January to raise money and acquire other digital media companies. Group Nine Media's sites include Thrillist, NowThis, and the Dodo.

Group Nine Media CEO and chairman Ben Lerer is also leading Group Nine Acquisition Corp. Lerer is also a managing partner at venture capital firm Hippeau Ventures that he founded with his father Kenneth Lerer. Group Nine Media's president and director Brian Sugar and CFO Sean Macnew also are on the SPAC's management team.

Read more: 10 digital media companies that are hot acquisition targets, including TheSkimm and FuboTV

Group Nine Acquisition Corp. plans to buy Group Nine Media while acquiring another company in "the digital media and adjacent industries," according to its S-1 filing. That could include companies in social media, e-commerce, events, digital publishing, or marketing.

Ana Milicevic, principal and cofounder at Sparrow Advisers, said that Group Nine's SPAC could be a way for Group Nine to build a holding company that rivals legacy media brands and magazine publishers.

"I see SPACs as a new twist on what a holding company should be, with the ability to raise the right amount of money and fund the right operational strategy," she said.

With venture capital investors cooling on the digital media sector, SPACs can offer companies in the space an alternative access to funds to help them gain more scale, faster.

"The Group Nine SPAC is to say, 'We believe these digital publishers need far more scale to work, therefore we are going to look for merger partners'," said Terence Kawaja, CEO of investment bank LUMA Partners. "They already have the strategy and are using the SPAC as a vehicle to execute ... If I'm an investor, I get a lot more comfort out of knowing what that's likely to look like."



Northern Star Investment Corp II

IPO Price: $300 million

Northern Star Investment Corp II is, as the name would suggest, the second SPAC formed by media executive Joanna Coles and SPAC veteran Jonathan Ledecky. Their first, Northern Star Acquisition, went public in November. It announced a $1.6 billion deal to take pet subscription service Barbox public the following month.

Coles is a well-known media executive who previously served as chief content officer at Hearst. She's currently an executive producer on Freeform and Hulu TV series "The Bold Type" and sits on the boards of Snap, Sonos, Blue Mistral, and Density Software.

"I would make a bet where Joanna is involved," said MediaLink's Kassan.

Ledecky, meanwhile, is the co-owner of NHL franchise the New York Islanders and has also been involved with other SPACs including Pivotal Acquisition Corp and Endeavor Acquisition Corp.

Northern Star Investment II is on the hunt for businesses in the digital media space, according to the SPAC's S-1, which was filed earlier in January. It's also targeting businesses in the areas of beauty, self-care, wellness, fashion, e-commerce and subscriptions. 



Liberty Media Acquisition Corp.

IPO price: $500 million

U.S. billionaire John Malone is known as the "cable cowboy" from being a frenetic dealmaker in media and telecoms. Now his Liberty empire has a SPAC to pursue even more deals (though Malone won't actually play a direct role).

Liberty Media's current portfolio includes The Formula One Group, Braves Group (owner of the MLB team the Atlanta Braves), and Liberty SiriusXM Group, which includes its holdings in Live Nation.

The SPAC, led by Liberty Media president and chief executive officer Greg Maffei, is searching for a company in the "media, digital media, music, entertainment, communications, telecommunications and technology industries," according to its S-1 filing.

Alongside Maffei, the SPAC will be led by other senior Liberty Media execs. 

"There are live events, in particular ones around motorsports, that could be attractive," Maffei said in April 2020, many months before the SPAC was announced, as reported by Motorsport.com



Oyster Enterprises Acquisition Corp.

IPO price: $200 million

Hedgefund exec turned newspaper baron Heath Freeman runs Alden Global Capital, the finance firm that has acquired around 200 newspapers including The Chicago Tribune, The Denver Post, and The New York Daily News. Alden has been criticized by editorial staff at its newspapers for its sharp and painful cost-cutting. Columbia Journalism Review described Alden last year as "the most feared owner in American journalism."

Freeman's newest venture is the SPAC Oyster Enterprises Acquisition Corp., which aims to invest in technology, media, financial services, real estate, consumer products, industrials, hospitality and entertainment companies.

Eric Peckham, Techcrunch's former media critic who now runs the Monetizing Media newsletter, speculated that the SPAC is a way for Freeman to raise more money for newspaper acquisitions.

 

 



Reinvent Technology Partners

IPO Price: $600 million (and $200 million for Reinvent Z)

Famed Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and investors Reid Hoffman and Mark Pincus are the brains behind Reinvent Technology Partners.

Hoffman, the billionaire founder of LinkedIn, and Pincus, founder of social-gaming company Zynga, launched their $600 million SPAC in August 2020 with the aim of finding a unicorn tech startup to invest in.

"We believe this disconnect between the quantity of scaled technology companies and the number of those companies that actually go public each year has created an attractive backlog of potential targets for our blank-check company," the prospectus said.

The pair went on to form another SPAC, Reinvent Technology Partners Z, in November. The second, smaller SPAC similarly is targeting businesses in technology.

"Mark and the team know the inner workings of their industry on all levels and understand the roles played by different components of the ecosystem," said TMT Investment's investment partner Igor Shoifot. "They would have lots of fun, and not much trouble, identifying the missing — and most wanted — pieces of the puzzle."

Hoffman in particular, through his experience at LinkedIn and PayPal — and later at venture capital firm Greylock — understands both sides of the industry, Shoifot added.

"[Hoffman] will not only find the right fit, so important in SPAC business, but also knows how to scale up businesses at a dizzying pace," said Shoifot.



Spinning Eagle

IPO price: $1.5 billion

Spinning Eagle is the seventh SPAC set up by former CBS Entertainment president Jeff Sgansky and former MGM CEO Harry Sloan. Prior SPACs from the pair of Hollywood executives have taken companies including fantasy sports betting platform DraftKings and esports platform Skillz public.

"Harry [Sloan] and Jeff Sagansky ... wrote the book on this," said MediaLink's Kassan.

Spinning Eagle says in filings with the SEC that while its combination target "will not be limited to a particular industry, sector, or geographic region" it intends to capitalize on its management team's "established global relationships and operating experience," suggesting a media or entertainment-related merger would be the most obvious candidate.

Spinning Eagle also said that if it doesn't spend all the money it has raised on merger deals, it might use some of the funds to launch yet another new SPAC.



Supernova Partners Acquisition

IPO price: $402.5 million

Serial entrepreneur and investor Spencer Rascoff, the co-founder of tech companies Zillow and Hotwire.com, is behind Supernova Partners, which is seeking to acquire a company in the tech space. 

The SPAC is co-chaired by Alexander Klabin, Sotheby's Financial Services executive chairman and led by tech M&A expert Robert Reid, formerly a senior managing director at Blackstone, who is now Supernova's CEO.

Supernova says on its website it is looking to partner "with an advantaged growth company that benefits from thematic shifts and tech-enabled trends."

The Information reported earlier in January that Supernova had held discussions with BuzzFeed, citing people familiar with the situation.

Read more: After the BuzzFeed-HuffPost deal, more digital media tie-ups could be coming, and SPACs are circling

A spokeswoman for BuzzFeed declined to comment on The Information's report at the time.

"Billions of investment dollars are sitting on the sidelines now, aggressively chasing and competing for content-driven opportunities that can be presented to a frothy and liquid public market increasingly driven by new tech-driven platforms like Robinhood," Peter Csathy, founder of advisory Creatv Media, told Insider in December. "Robinhood feeds off young, inexperienced investors, and BuzzFeed is precisely the type of high profile youth-driven brand that logically could take advantage of these trends."  




These 9 firms pay Austin-based software engineers upwards of $250,000 — and they're hiring. Here are salaries and job postings at Google, Apple, Dell, and more.

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Austin, TX, continues to establish itself as a new tech hotspot. Oracle recently changed its headquarters from Redwood City, CA, to Austin, Tesla founder Elon Musk personally moved to the city, and lots of Americans are making the move as well.

This influx of company interest in Austin means job opportunities are growing. 

Insider examined visa applications published by the US Office of Foreign Labor Certification to understand how various companies paid software engineers in Austin. Our analysis includes pay information for companies like Google, Apple, Dell, Whole Foods, and more. 

Read more: These 9 firms pay NYC software engineers upwards of $300,000 — and they're hiring. Here are salaries and job postings for software engineers at Facebook, Google, eBay, Etsy, Peloton and more.

Insider pulled data from more than 2,000 visa applications filed in 2019 and 2020. It's worth noting the visa application data only includes information on base salary, and excludes things like bonuses, incentives, and benefits that employees typically receive as part of their total rewards package. 

Take a look at the data below. 

SEE ALSO: Inside the growing tech hub of Austin, Texas

Apple currently has a number of positions open in Austin for software engineers. According to visa application data, the firm has recorded salaries of $110,000 to $250,000 for Austin-based software engineers.

In 2019, Apple announced that it was opening a campus in Austin, TX. The $1 billion, 3-million square foot campus will house 5,000 employees initially, and is set to open in 2022. The press release notes that the presence of Apple employees in Austin had grown by 50% in the previous five years. 

For software engineers looking for opportunities in Austin, there are many jobs currently posted on the Apple's careers website:

According to data from visa applications, Apple has applied for visas with salaries ranging from $110,000 to $250,000 for various levels of software engineers. A sample of some of the salaries are below:

Software Engineer: $165,000 - $185,000

Senior Software Engineer: $145,000

Software Engineer Applications: $110,000 - $202,800

Software Engineer Applications Manager: $160,000 - $250,000

 



Cisco currently has job postings for positions specializing in machine learning, big data, security, and more.

Multinational technology firm Cisco has many job openings for software engineers in Austin. Opportunities are available in machine learning, big data, security, and more. 

The firm, based in Silicon Valley, filed over 20 visa applications for Austin-based software engineers in 2019 and 2020, and recorded salaries between $83,928 and $163,800. 

Below are some jobs that Cisco has currently posted on its job site



According to visa data, Dell software engineers can expect salaries between $77,000 to $176,000, depending on the level of seniority.

Computer technology giant Dell, with its headquarters in Round Rock, TX, has a large and growing presence in Austin. Though the firm has been around since the 1980s, it continues to innovate, working with Moderna on technology to help the leading COVID-vaccine firm to become more efficient. 

Dell's open positions include ones with remote work options — employees can work remote or in Austin. There are also opportunities for more senior level software engineers. Below, we've included a few currently open jobs. Visit Dell's careers site for more information. 

Salaries at the tech firm vary, according to visa applications.  For general software engineers, candidates can expect a salary from around $77,000 to $176,000, depending on the level. 

Software Engineer: $76,725

Software Engineer 1: $80,300 - $82,500

Software Engineer 2: $86,000 - $131,500

Software Engineer 2 - IT: $85,000

Senior Software Engineer - IT: $95,000 - $100,000

Principal Software Engineer - IT: $114,000

Technical Staff, Software Engineering: $165,240 - $176,400

Manager 2, Software Engineering: $150,000



Software engineers in eBay's Austin offices can expect salaries between $90,000 and over $170,000.

Like many e-commerce firms, eBay has experienced success during the pandemic — in May 2020, the firm recorded a 50% increase in new business seller registration. Software engineering talent is an asset to the firm's seller-oriented platform. 

According to visa data, software engineers earned anywhere from $90,000 to $177,905. More detailed data is listed below. Note that "MTS" typically stands for "member of technical staff," and means different things for different companies. 

MTS 1, Software Engineer: $124,663 - $173,356

MTS 1, Software Engineer, Quality: $130,000 - $135,000

MTS 2, Software Engineer: $144,654 - $177,905

Software Engineer 2: $100,000 - $113,381

Software Engineer 2, Quality: $90,000 - $94,059

Software Engineer 3: $112,000 - $139,622

Software Engineer 3, Quality: $119,000

eBay currently has multiple job postings for software engineers in Austin. A few are below, but visit eBay's job site for a full listing. 



In 2019, Google leased two new office spaces in Austin. Austin-based software engineers at the firm were hired at salaries between $110,000 and around $150,000, according to 2019 and 2020 visa applications.

In 2019, the firm leased two new office spaces in Austin, one currently open and one set to open in 2023. The firm had 1,100 employees in Austin in 2019, but it continues to hire many positions to build up its Austin presence. In the past two years alone, the firm applied to hire nearly 70 software engineers through foreign worker visas. Salaries ranged between $110,000 and $146,000.

Below are a few positions open for software engineers. For a full listing of opportunities at Google, visit its careers page



Home Depot applied to hire Austin-based software engineers at salaries between about $90,000 and nearly $180,000.

Home Depot's jobs site lists many opportunities for Austin-based software engineers. According to job descriptions, software engineers will work with other teams, like user experience, engineering, and product management, writing custom code to support the firm's infrastructure. A few of the posted jobs are listed below, but more are available on Home Depot's career page.  

According to visa applications, Home Depot hires various positions for software engineers at salaries from about $90,000 to nearly $180,000, with higher salaries reflecting management positions. 

Software Engineer: $88,483

Software Engineer II: $120,000 

Staff Software Engineer: $122,925 - $150,000

Senior Software Engineer: $102,000 - $147,000

Software Engineer, Principal: $169,000

Software Engineer Manager: $178,900

 



Since 2019, Indeed has applied for visa applications covering a number of positions —from a general software engineer to a lead engineer to management.

If you want to help people find a perfect job, Indeed might be the place for you. The job-search firm currently has only one posting for a software engineer in Austin, but the company has hired quite a few software engineers in the past few years, so it may have openings soon.

According to visa application data, software engineers made between $76,274 and $175,000.

Manager, Software Engineering: $138,000 - $174,000

Senior Software Engineer: $116,000 - $166,900

Software Engineer: $76,274 - $161,000

Software Engineer - Search: $122,366 - $135,000

Software Engineer II: $116,000 - $142,000

Software Engineering Manager: $122,366 - $175,000

Staff Software Engineer: $88,483 - $150,500

 



If you're an early-career software engineer, PayPal might be a good fit. The firm currently has openings for software engineering interns.

Whether you're an early-career software engineer or an experienced one, Paypal has opportunities for you. The online payments firm currently has openings for software engineers, from the internship level to the senior level. We've listed a few open positions below, but you can check out the PayPal jobs site for a full list of opportunities. 

The firm has applied for visas for software engineers in Austin at salaries from $80,000 to $155,000.

Software Engineer 1: $80,000

Software Engineer 2: $89,000 - $110,000

Software Engineer 3: $100,062 - $144,228

Software Engineer 3, Quality: $112,741 - $155,000

Software Engineer: $140,000

MTS 1, Software Engineer: $124,019 - $161,017

MTS 1, Software Engineer, Quality: $130,000 - $135,200

MTS 2, Software Engineer: $144,654 - $172,000

MTS 2, Software Engineer Quality: $149,459



You could work as a software engineer behind-the-scenes on Whole Foods' supply chain, global distributions, perishable systems, and more. The firm currently has a number of positions open, paying up to $140,000.

Whole Foods uses software engineers to create programs that make its supply chain management more efficient, to design a technical approach to impact the global distribution and perishables systems, and more.

Essentially, software engineers are working behind-the-scenes to make the grocery store work — and they're paid well for it. According to visa applications, software engineers working in Austin for Whole Foods earned salaries anywhere from $95,000 to $140,000. 

Principal Software Engineer: $140,000

Senior Software Engineer: $125,000

Senior Software Engineer (Custom): $107,300

Software Engineer: $95,000 - $125,000

Software Engineer (Packaged): $110,000

While a full list of Austin-based software engineering positions can be found on the firm's job site, we've listed a few open positions below: 

Senior Software Development Engineer

Principal Software Engineer - .NET, Java, AWS

Lead Software Engineer - .NET, Java, AWS

Senior Software Development Engineer

Senior Full Stack Software Engineer



How to land a job in the red-hot world of crypto trading and investing, according to 7 insiders from firms like Grayscale and Galaxy Digital

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There are a wealth of job opportunities in the world of trading cryptocurrency.

Indeed, dealing in the emerging asset class provides a host of employment opportunities for both finance industry veterans and newcomers alike, insiders say. It's little wonder why it's been attracting increasing attention of late: Cryptocurrencies have been on a wild ride.

The price of Bitcoin, the most widely traded cryptocurrency, surpassed the $40,000 in early January, before losing a bit of its heat as the month unfolded. As of Monday afternoon, its price has dropped to around $34,000. Still, that's up more than 330% since the beginning of 2020 thanks to wider adoption from traditional firms, such as PayPal, and fears over inflation of fiat currencies in the wake of the pandemic. 

Still, that hasn't slowed mainstream investors interest. BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, recently authorized two of its funds to invest in bitcoin futures, according to SEC filings.  

And while Bitcoin has the largest market cap of any digital currency, other coins have also gained popularity among traditional players. The CME Group plans to roll out futures contracts this year tied to Ethereum, the industry's second largest coin by market cap. 

As a result, general interest for jobs in trading crypto remains high from those betting that they'll find lucrative career prospects by pursuing a role working with currencies of the future.

And crypto jobs aren't just for Bitcoin miners with whiz computing skills. Insiders at companies like Grayscale Investments and Galaxy Digital say that the cryptocurrency industry is looking for people with good judgment and the ability to assess and manage risk. Ultimately, it's an industry seeking people with a collection of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

See more:Cryptocurrency salaries revealed: From $60,000 to $400,000, here's how much you could earn working in cryptocurrency

It's also an industry that has become all the more lucrative as cryptocurrencies have grown in stature and price. Insider previously reported roles in cryptocurrency, either at startups or established firms, can pay as high as $400,000, according to an analysis of data from the US Office of Foreign Labor Certification.

Here's the especially good news: They're hiring.

Companies told Insider that they're increasing their headcounts, with Grayscale saying it plans to double its workforce in 2021, and Galaxy noting that it will hire its first-ever analyst class starting later this year, creating 10 available positions. Firms are looking to recruit for roles in areas that range from sales and trading to engineering and marketing. 

The bottom line is that landing a job in cryptocurrency has never looked quite so appealing. We asked seven industry insiders from top firms to spell out the job prep and interview tips you need to know to stand out from the crowd.

SEE ALSO: Private-equity headhunters spend just 6 seconds looking at your resume. Carlyle's head of talent explains how you can stand out.

SEE ALSO: Average fintech salaries are in the six figures. A talent exec at $5.3 billion Plaid lays out 3 ways to get your foot in the door.

SEE ALSO: JPMorgan tech salaries: Here's what developers and engineers can expect to get paid at Wall Street's biggest bank

Grayscale's Michael Sonnenshein said candidates need to be ready to test their "curiosity" and "confidence" in cryptocurrencies.

Grayscale Investments, the world's largest digital currency asset manager, began 2020 with $2 billion in assets under management and ended it with $20 billion in AUM, a remarkable increase and a testament to the surge in the price of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin this year.

Michael Sonnenshein, Grayscale's CEO, said the firm doubled the size of its team in 2020 and is planning on doing the same in 2021. 

Grayscale serves institutional investors, family offices, and some private investors, offering access to cryptocurrency markets via multiple different funds. 

But Sonnenshein, who joined the firm in 2014 after working at Barclays and JPMorgan, said that the development of cryptocurrencies is still in its early phase. Job seekers have to be curious and comfortable with risk. An open mind and adaptability are also key requirements that the firm looks for when recruiting new employees given the pace of change in the world of digital currencies.

"People need to be kind of testing their own curiosity as well as their confidence in digital currencies as a whole. It is early days for the development of this asset class and we're exceedingly excited about its prospects that ultimately are where we think it can go," Sonnenshein said.

See more:The world's largest digital currency asset manager took in $1 billion in new investment in the third quarter. Here's why investors are feeling so bullish about bitcoin and ethereum.

Grayscale, based in New York, is one part of Barry Silbert's Digital Currency Group. DCG investments in the space include digital-currency exchange Coinbase and crypto news site Coindesk.

The firm is currently actively recruiting for roles in digital marketing and social media, according to Linkedin

Employees at the asset manager are "a tight-knit group," Sonnenshein said. When interviewing, Grayscale prioritizes assessing how a candidate's personality meshes with that of the broader team. But job-seekers can also expect to complete case studies that reveal how they might approach solving the problems they'd face in a crypto-focused role.

Sonnenshein said that the goal of the case studies is to "see how someone thinks versus whether product is right or wrong. It's more what their process is and trying to understand how they approach and kind of tackle problems."



Galaxy Digital's Veronica Baird said that candidates shouldn't be afraid to embrace their non-traditional backgrounds.

Galaxy Digital, founded and run by former Fortress partner and president Mike Novogratz, is an investment management firm that deals in an array of crypto- and blockchain-related offerings. The company has four key business lines including trading, asset management, investment banking, and principal investments.

Galaxy aims to position itself as "the bridge between the institutional and the crypto world," Veronica Baird, the firm's director of human resources, told Insider.

That means that the firm is comfortable hiring and promoting talent who have both prior cryptocurrency experience or experience from different financial services sectors, she said.

"We've had interns and analysts who have fallen in love with crypto and have decided to forego the traditional four-year college program and just get right into hands-on work experience and learn as much as they can about this field," she said. "There's room for people who have that traditional background ... and also that non-traditional background."

Getting hired at Galaxy also doesn't depend on studying engineering, computer science, or math in college — or even going to college at all.

Candidates can thrive at Galaxy even if they come from non-traditional backgrounds, she explained.

"Sometimes one of our businesses might be looking for someone who didn't necessarily go to college, or didn't necessarily major in one of the majors that you would traditionally think would fit into a financial institution," Baird said.

As far as hard skills to show off, some crypto roles in industries like investment-banking or asset management might benefit from strong proficiency with tools like PowerPoint or Excel, Baird said, but other positions in areas like cryptocurrency mining require their own unique set of knowledge. 

"There's opportunities to do things that don't have you tied to an Excel spreadsheet or financial modeling or putting together a presentation," she said.

The firm told Insider that it grew from 80 to a total 115 full-time employees in 2020 through its acquisitions of Draw Bridge Lending, a lender that issues loans secured by cryptocurrency, and Blue Fire Capital, a crypto-focused trading firm.

Going forward, Galaxy expects the growth to continue by an additional 40%, with primary areas including client-facing personnel in its sales, advisory, and asset management businesses, a Galaxy spokesperson said. What's more, the firm is planning to bring on its first analyst class with 10 full-time analyst positions.



Genesis Capital's Leon Marshall recommended that job seekers think about how their own skill sets fit into the broader crypto marketplace.

Leon Marshall, the head of Genesis Capital's global institutional sales desk, told Insider he was drawn to the crypto world in 2017 while he was an MBA student at London Business School during the run-up in Bitcoin that saw the digital currency's price rise to nearly $20,000. 

Genesis Capital, which is also backed by Digital Currency Group, allows institutions to borrow digital currencies for market-making, hedging, or speculation. Marshall said the firm is actively hiring for roles from sales and trading to marketing and engineering.

Marshall began his career at UBS before moving on to portfolio management roles at commodities trading firm Trafigura and Apollo Global Management.

He said his experience has taught him that there are "skills that I can teach and skills that I can't teach" when assessing candidates applying to positions at Genesis. Market structure, aspects of trading, and the terminology of the crypto world all can be developed, he said, but work ethic, integrity, and passion for digital currencies can't.

Marshall also said that candidates thinking of entering the institutional space for digital currencies should first assess the market and its characteristics. This includes learning about major players and market size, and understanding new products and potential regulatory challenges coming down the road. 

"Once you figure out where your skill set fits in, and once you actually understand the space that you want to move into, then I think you just do a ton of networking," Marshall said of landing a job in the industry.

LinkedIn might be the preferred networking site in traditional finance, Marshall said. But for crypto, Twitter, Telegram, and Discord are also useful networking tools for jobs. 

One way to stand out, according to Marshall, is to be proactive about entering the crypto world even before you begin applying to jobs. 

"Volunteer for a company for free or write a Medium post or set up a society in your university, take some initiative. So that when you're doing that networking, when you get that interview, you can point to something unique," Marshall said.

Marshall also said he still remembers the advice provided by a mentor when he was first getting into digital currencies. It's a lesson he thinks candidates can take to heart as well.

"Don't think about where you are now, but think about where the space is going five years by this time and position yourself for that."



Polychain's Aurora Harshner said young applicants can participate in hackathons and online forum discussions to increase their chances of landing a job.

Polychain Capital is a crypto venture and hedge fund set up to support and invest in blockchain startups. Backed by venture capital firms like Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz, Polychain has 37 staffers total, nine of which were hired in 2020. 

Aurora Harshner, the firm's head of talent, explained that you don't need a four-year degree to land a job at Polychain. In fact, recruiters have successfully found quite a few high-quality candidates who dropped out of college — and even high school — for full-time positions at the firm, she said. 

Applicants without a four-year degree often completed open-source work in the blockchain and crypto space, she said. For example, successful candidates participated and won several hackathons, and they're active in online discussions and forums for this kind of work, the talent head added. 

"You don't need a college degree to do this," Harshner said. "You can do this at any age, frankly. Crypto as an industry just attracts a very innovative group of people, and young people have the access to learn and grow in these areas."

In some cases, Polychain's recruiters would ask candidates to write a four-page reflection of different projects they're excited about and why.

See more: Andreessen Horowitz is backing a crypto-powered 'internet computer' that could be the future of cloud computing

And that's one of the reasons why good writing skills can help you stand out among the applicant pool, Niraj Pant, a general partner for the investment team at Polychain, told Insider.

Pant dropped out of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2017 to become one of Polychain's early employees. He thought the benefits of leaving school massively outweighed a college diploma, as he was already spending most his time studying cryptocurrencies and finding industry-related projects to work on. 

Whether it be investment memos or partnership proposals, writing is something that the firm's employees do a lot, he told Business Insider. 

"It can show that you have a depth and clarity of thought when it comes to things that we look for in applicants," the partner said. "It's also a great way for someone to get deeper about why they're excited about crypto."



TD Ameritrade's Sunayna Tuteja advised job seekers to accentuate their qualitative skills.

Traditional brokerages involvement in crypto trading has been a slow build compared to their startup counterparts. And while TD Ameritrade doesn't currently offering crypto trading, it has shown interest in the asset class, investing in crypto exchange ErisX.

Sunayna Tuteja, managing director and head of digital assets and distributed ledger technology (DLT) at TD Ameritrade, has spent six years spearheading the firm's blockchain and crypto practice.

Tuteja told Insider there's a spot for everyone in crypto, regardless of their career background, because the industry is still in its building-out phase. Employers aren't looking for "experts" because there are none, and she recommended that applicants focus on honing their qualitative skills instead. 

"I can give you a lot of reading material and build up your learning curve around digital assets, but what I can't teach you is that insatiable curiosity," Tuteja said. 

In November 2019, Charles Schwab announced plans to acquire TD Ameritrade in an all-stock deal valued at $26 billion at the time. The deal closed in October 2020

In general, hiring managers are on the lookout for three candidate qualities better known as the 3R's — relentlessness, resilience, and resourcefulness. 

Whether you're working a crypto job at a startup or a bigger company, you need a relentless attitude because there's a lot of grit and grind that goes behind the scenes, Tuteja said.

While resilience speaks to your ability to overcome criticism and the trial-and-error nature of the industry, your resourcefulness is measured by how well you can work with a limited budget, team, or data, she added. 

"You have to be somebody who can deliver a lot with very little," Tuteja said. "And you have to be resourceful in order to put wins on the board."



Cumberland's Brian Melville said candidates should be prepared to complete a quiz, project, or a coding problem during the interview.

Cumberland, a subsidiary of Chicago-based trading firm DRW, started dealing in crypto in 2014. The firm has grown into one of the largest liquidity providers for trading digital currencies.

Cumberland's strategy director Brian Melville told Insider via email his prior finance job as an analyst at trading firm Susquehanna International Group served as a building block for his growth at Cumberland.

When it comes to hiring, Cumberland doesn't require candidates to be experts, or to know much about crypto. In fact, the firm is looking for "self-starters" who are eager to learn and thrive in fast-paced environments.

Good sportsmanship and problem-solving skills also serve as key employee attributes at Cumberland, Melville said. 

"The candidates that are most successful here are those who are curious and seek opportunities to really dive into a subject," he wrote. "Those are skills that, in our experience, transcend specific disciplines." 

Throughout the application process, candidates should expect to go through several rounds of interviews in which they'd likely meet the company's global head at least once, Melville added. After a general assessment with someone from HR, promising candidates would complete quizzes, projects, coding problems, or a review of their past work during interviews.

Current open positions on Cumberland's website include roles in DevOps, research and software engineering. 

"We've always had the approach of hiring the best candidate rather than just hiring for the sake of hiring," Melville wrote. "This means that it may take us a bit longer than most to fill open roles, but we believe hiring the right people maximizes our chances of success in the long run." 



The best iPhone docks of 2021

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  • Simplify the way you charge with iPhone docks that offer wireless charging, built-in cables, or great cable management to ensure that you don't see wires everywhere.
  • The best iPhone dock for swift wired charging is the Twelve South HiRise 2 Deluxe because it's sturdy, cool looking, and it doesn't block your speakers.
  • If you have an iPhone 8, or later, you should consider the Belkin BOOST UP Wireless Charging Stand, because it will charge your iPhone quickly without the need for wires.

Charging your iPhone has always been a fairly straightforward experience: plug your iPhone's charging brick into an outlet and then connect it to your phone using the included Lightning cable. But the typical charging experience can make for a messy nightstand or desk, especially if you need to use your phone or have many other gadgets to charge at the same time. 

Today, cable management is an important part of any work-from-home setup, and charging stations or docks can help simplify your workstation by reducing the number of wires you have around the house. An iPhone dock can also enable you to prop your iPhone up in landscape or portrait orientation and use it hands-free for Zoom calls or watching video.  

The best iPhone docks include integrated cables or cable management so that you don't have excess wire getting in the way. Anyone who has an iPhone 8 or a later model can eliminate wires almost altogether by opting for a wireless charger thanks to Qi wireless charging support. Unsurprisingly, many accessory companies are now prioritizing wireless charging in their new docks and stands as the technology has become standard across Apple's iPhone lineup.  

Our team has tested dozens of iPhone docks over the years and conducted extensive research to find the best ones. Whether you've got less than $20 or more than $100 to spend, there's something for every budget in this guide. 

You can choose a dock that's fashionable and functional, like the attractive docks made from metal  and wood, or simpler plastic designs that do the job without any fuss. For Apple Watch owners, there are also docks that allow you to charge both your phone and watch at the same time. 

Here are the best iPhone docks:

The best iPhone dock overall

The Twelve South HiRise 2 Deluxe elevates your iPhone while it charges so the speakers and home button aren't blocked.

Pros: Simple design, affordable, comes in a few colors, doesn't block your speakers 

Cons: You may need to remove your case

Some iPhone docks block the bottom row of speakers and can make it difficult to swipe up or access the home button. That means it can be difficult  to use your phone periodically while charging. Not so with the Twelve South HiRise 2 Deluxe dock.

The HiRise 2 elevates your iPhone above the stand's base so that your speakers aren't muffled. This also makes it so that the full screen and home button if you're using an older iPhone model are accessible. It's a clever design that frees up your phone for use while charging securely. If you still have an older iPhone with a headphone jack, you can access that, too. 

The dock is sturdy and well weighted so it won't tip over. You can keep almost any case on your iPhone and still use the dock to charge. Even bulky cases like Mophie's Juice Pack Plus work with it. Twelve South says it updated the clip heights to 0 millimeters, 3 millimeters, and 6 millimeters so that you can plug the Lightning (or Micro USB cable, if you're using a battery case) into even the most deeply recessed ports.

While the standard model lacks a cable, the Deluxe model comes with a Lightning cable in the box. 



The best wireless charging dock

Prop your iPhone in portrait or landscape orientation and it will charge up wirelessly at top speed with the Belkin BOOST UP Wireless Charging Stand.

Pros: Supports portrait or landscape, 4-foot power cord and adapter included, non-slip

Cons: Quite large

Every iPhone released since the iPhone 8 has supported Qi wireless charging, which means you can charge it up without having to plug it in at all. While most wireless chargers are pads, you can also find a good range of wireless charging stands. The Belkin BOOST UP Wireless Charging Stand is our current favorite. 

Wireless charging is slower than wired charging, but if you tend to charge your iPhone overnight that won't make any difference to you. Apple caps the charging rate at 7.5W for wireless charging for chargers and iPhone models that don't use its MagSafe system, and that's the speed you'll get from Belkin's charger. Simply pop your iPhone on this stand and it will start charging; there's a tiny white LED to let you know it's working, which turns orange if there's any problem.

The Belkin BOOST UP Wireless Charging Stand has a circular pad in the middle and a wide design that makes it very stable. You can prop your iPhone in portrait or landscape orientation, and it will still charge. The angle it holds your iPhone at is ideal for FaceTime calls or for watching movies. The finish is white or black plastic and there are non-slip rubber pads on the bottom to prevent it from slipping. You'll also find padding where your iPhone rests to keep it protected.

I've successfully charged an iPhone 8 and an iPhone X with this charger, and it can handle basic cases up to 3 millimeters thick. However, if you have a really rugged, thick case, it might pose a problem. 

Another reason to recommend the Belkin BOOST UP is that it comes with a 4-foot charging cable and an adapter, so all you have to do is pick where you want it to sit, plug in the charger, and you're all set. 

You'll find some worthy alternatives to this stand in the section on what else we considered at the end of this article and also in our best wireless chargers guide.



The best luxurious iPhone dock

The Grovemade Wood MagSafe Stand is a gorgeous premium dock made of wood, leather, and steel for the iPhone 12.

Pros: Elegant, durable stand made with premium materials

Cons: Incredibly expensive, requires a separate purchase the MagSafe Charger, really only for the iPhone 12

Grovemade is known for making premium Apple accessories and the Wood MagSafe Stand is no exception. This U.S.-based company uses real wood and full-grain leather to create a stand that exudes durability and style. This stand has gotten a great review from 9to5Mac and it's easy to see why. However, since this stand is designed to work with Apple's MagSafe charger, we only recommend it if you own an iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Mini, or 12 Pro Max. 

The base is made of solid steel, giving it enough heft so that it doesn't slide around your desk every time you grab your phone. The oval arm is also made of steel, overlayed by wood and trimmed with leather. The MagSafe charger easily connects to the stand through the center of the oval, allowing for up to 14W of charging. You can use your phone in portrait mode or vertically while maintaining a charge. The stand comes in two styles: walnut and maple. Both look fantastic. 

Unfortunately, all of this beauty comes with a steep price. The stand itself costs $120, but that doesn't include the required MagSafe charger. If you don't already own a MagSafe charger, that's another $39 through Apple. If you add in the $19 Apple-suggested 20W power brick that doesn't come with the iPhone 12 and is needed for fast charging, then you are looking at a total of $178. That's quite an investment for one iPhone dock. 

Again, we only recommend this model for iPhone 12 owners that are willing to pay a premium for an elegant charging dock that prioritizes design and build-quality above all else. Apple's MagSafe charger is technically capable of charging any iPhone that supports wireless charging. But Apple's iPhone 12 phones are capable of charging faster through Magsafe, and they're the only models with the magnetic alignment system necessary for getting the charger to stick securely to the back of the device. 

Those magnets are important in this situation since docks like Grovemade's are meant to prop your iPhone up in portrait or landscape orientation rather than lying flat and therefore must hold the phone securely.



The best minimal iPhone dock

The slim and light Mophie Wireless Charging Stand is collapsible, so you can lie your phone flat or prop it up to use it vertically or in portrait mode.   

Pros: Versatile design can switch between pad and stand mode, minimal design, comes with power adapter

Cons: May not work with thicker phone cases

The Mophie Wireless Charging Stand has a simple yet clever design that allows it to switch between a charging pad and an iPhone dock. The stand is adjustable so that you can either prop your phone up or rest it flat, combining versatility with a minimal, no-frills design that comes at a reasonable price.  

The Mophie Wireless Charging Stand can charge your iPhone at 7.5W and comes with its own power adapter, which means you can set up and start charging right out of the box. Mophie also says it should be able to deliver a charge through phone cases measuring up to three millimeters in thickness. This makes it ideal for people who keep light cases on their phones, but those with more heavy-duty protection might need to remove their phone's case. 

The Verge also really loved this stand, and Mophie's charging accessories are regularly recognized as being among the best by The Wirecutter and CNET. It's sleek, yet minimal design helps it stand out in a crowded field. At $29.95, it's reasonably-priced for a useful, well-built charging dock. 



The best cheap iPhone dock

Why spend more, when you can prop your iPhone in this simple, aluminum stand, with protective rubber pads, and space to plug in a charging cable?

Pros: Very affordable, supports portrait or landscape, can accommodate thick cases 

Cons: No cable or adapter included, logo is ugly

You don't have to spend a lot of money to get an iPhone dock, as this cheap phone stand from Lamicall proves. It's made from aluminum alloy, with rubber non-slip pads on the bottom and on the surfaces where your iPhone rests. There's room in between the feet that hold your iPhone in place to plug in a Lightning cable and the round hole in the back of the stand keeps excess cable neatly out of the way.

The design is basic, but practical. The cradle part is 15 millimeters, which is wide enough to take an iPhone with a case on, even if it's quite a thick case. This stand is also pretty sturdy. It can accommodate your iPhone in portrait or landscape orientation, holding it at a useful angle for video calls or watching movies. 

It doesn't come with a cable or adapter, but that shouldn't be a surprise at this price. Unfortunately, there is an unsightly logo on the back which could be annoying, depending on where you position the stand.



The best iPhone dock with an Apple Watch charger

The Belkin PowerHouse Charge Dock juices up both your Apple Watch and iPhone at the same time in style.

Pros: Works with both iPhone and Apple Watch, built-in lightning connector, simple design, sturdy

Cons: Pricey

The Belkin PowerHouse Charge Dock for Apple Watch and iPhone sat on my nightstand for several months while I was using an iPhone and Apple Watch every day. It looked gorgeous and got the job done without cluttering up my bedroom with wires and ugly chargers.

If you have an iPhone and an Apple Watch, this is the dock you want. It's less pricey than most dual iPhone and Apple Watch docks, but it has a lightning connector and an Apple Watch charging disc built into the design so you don't have any extra wires. you simply plug the Belkin dock in and pop your phone and watch in the dock to charge both up simultaneously.

The only real downside to the dock is that it's expensive in comparison with the other docks in our guide, but that's the price you pay for good looks and concealed cords. 



The best wooden iPhone dock

The Oakywood Apple Charging Station is made of a beautiful hardwood and charges your phone and Apple watch at the same time.

Pros: Beautiful to look at, Easy to use, Included Lightning cable

Cons: Expensive, No AC adapter or Apple Watch cable

The Oakywood Apple Charging Station is fun to look at, and that's our favorite thing about it. The entire station is one slab of solid wood – either maple or oak – with sides that have been cut in tapered geometric designs. It's also very easy to use, but this classy design also means it comes at a relatively high price. 

The flat top of the base features a Lightning connector and a magnetic hold for the Apple Watch. A small piece of micro-suction tape sticks up an inch or so behind the Lightning connector. This is to help your phone stay upright when it is connected to the dock. 

The set-up is fairly straightforward. Connect the included 5-foot Lightning connector to a power brick and plug it in. Unfortunately, this dock does not come with its own AC adapter, nor does it come with an Apple Watch charger. 

The company recommends that you also buy a 2-port USB wall charger for the device. Depending on which brand you buy, this can add anywhere from $13 to $21 to the price of the dock. 

Digital Trends praised this dock for its exceptional appearance as well as its ease-of-use. However, it is fairly pricey at $79, not including a wall charger and Apple Watch cable.



Others we considered and new docks we're looking forward to testing

  • Apple iPhone Dock ($49): This minimalist dock from Apple comes in five finishes that will perfectly match your iPhone and includes a 3.5mm audio jack, but it can be awkward to use with some cases and it puts a lot of pressure on the Lightning connector. It's also expensive. 
  • Anker PowerWave 7.5 Wireless Charging Stand ($49.99): This is a reliable, angled stand that will wirelessly charge an iPhone 8 or later model at the top wireless charging rate of 7.5W. The simple plastic design comes in black or white, but the cooling system, which includes a fan, and the light make it unsuitable for the nightstand.  
  • Pitaka MagEZ Juice ($89): This clever dock is a wireless charger and portable battery pack in one. It's heavy enough to be stable and the 2,000 mAh power bank can slide out, so you can take it with you to continue charging your iPhone. Unfortunately, it relies on magnetism, which means you must use Pitaka's case or insert a metal plate into your existing case. 
  • Satechi Aluminum 2-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand ($59.99): This sleek, wireless charging stand was announced at CES this month and will be released in February. It features a 7.5W wireless charging stand for the iPhone, while the base is capable of wirelessly charging AirPods Pro. It also comes with a USB-C cable in the box. It costs $59.99 and is available for pre-order.
  • Elevation Lab GoStand ($19.95): This tiny device was developed in conjunction with Apple and is made to be as portable as possible. The small, plastic stand has spring-loaded detents that help keep your iPhone in place in either portrait or landscape mode. The stand folds flat when not in use and even fits into the pocket of your gym clothes.  It is listed at $19.95.


The best bra brands of 2021, plus expert advice on sizing

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  • Choosing the right bra is an incredibly subjective process, making it difficult to recommend just one. 
  • We are currently in the process of re-testing dozens of bras in varying sizes and styles in order to find the best for each cup size. 
  • In the meantime, we still recommend the bras in this guide and have offered expert advice on sizing, care, and more just below. 

If you're someone who chooses to wear a bra, you already know how much an ill-fitting choice can affect your day. The straps may fall down, the wires may dig into your ribcage, and the cup gaping can make your breasts feel unsupported. Unfortunately, most of us are set up for discomfort, because so few of us actually know our correct bra sizes. And since so many of us are now shopping online for our undergarments, we're stuck in a perpetual loop of buying bras that fit fine but not great.

In order to make the process a bit more streamlined, and to help you wade through the thousands of bra styles out there, we are constantly testing and re-testing dozens of bra styles in sizes AA up to I. We also chatted with lingerie expert Cora Harrington, the founder and editor-in-chief of The Lingerie Addict, to discuss how to find your perfect size, how to care for your bras to make them last, and more. 

How to find your perfect fit

Measuring yourself for a bra can be a little difficult, so if you have the ability to get fitting in-person, Harrington suggests you go for it. But if not, you can do it yourself — or grab a friend or partner to help you out. The only thing you need is a soft measuring tape. It's also important that you wear an unlined or an unpadded bra in order to get the proper measurements.

"Start by measuring around the fullest part of your rib cage," Harrington says. That is typically directly under the fullest part of your breasts, where the band of your bra rests. Write that number down. Next, measure around the fullest part of your breast, which Harrington notes is typically around your nipples. "If you have softer breast tissue or more pendulous breasts, which happens as you age or after breastfeeding, your tissue may be softer," Harrington says. "So you may have to lean forward slightly to get an accurate measurement." Once you have it, write it down. 

The first number, which is the one around your ribs, is your band size. Some brands, especially those catering to smaller breast sizes, may use what Harrington calls the plus-four method, which just means that they add four to your rib measurement to get your band size. But if there isn't a note for that, then the measurement itself is your band size. 

Your cup size correlates to the difference between your first measurement and the second. A one-inch difference means your an A-cup, a two-inch difference is a B-cup, and so on. Harrington is quick to note, though, that these measurements are for US sizing only, so make sure to check conversion charts if you're buying from international brands. 

A proper bra should fit comfortably, with the bras neither digging into your shoulders or slipping off of them. Your breasts should fill the cup with no gaping or spilling. And the gore of the bra, which is the center strip of fabric and wire between the two cups, should lay flat against your chest.

Caring for your bra

"Ideally, you should be washing your bra after every two or three wears," Harrington says. If your bra is particularly sweaty, like after a hard workout or a long day outside in warm temperatures, you should wash it immediately.

Hand-washing is ideal, too, and is actually not as hard as you think. Fill a clean sink or basin with cool to tepid water — just not scalding hot, as that can damage the bra. Add a cap of detergent. You can get specialty lingerie washes, but a non-scented detergent that's marketed for sensitive skin is also fine. Toss in your bras and use your hands to swirl them around the water and detergent. (You can use a toothbrush on areas that need extra attention.)

Let them soak, and then rinse with cool water. Just make sure not to wring them out — you can damage the elastic if you do. Then, just toss them over your shower rod, or on a drying rack, and let them air dry. 

If all of that sounds like way too much time, Harrington does say you can toss your bras in the washing machine, so long as you proceed with caution. "You should put your bras in a lingerie wash bag, so they don't tangle," she says. "And make sure the cycle is on gentle or handwash, and that it's using cold water." You do still need to air-dry, though, as the heat from your dryer can really ruin the fabric and elastic of your bra. 

With all that in mind, find the best bras in 2021 just below, and make sure to check back soon for our update. 

Here are the best bras in 2021:

SEE ALSO: The best women's underwear you can buy

The best bra overall

At ThirdLove, it's all about the fit, and oh, how these bras fit, thanks to the intelligent Fit Finder quiz and optional half sizes.

Pros: Careful sizing guide, great fit, and comfortable material that doesn't irritate the skin even after a long day of wear

Cons: The Classic T-Shirt Bra isn't the sexiest bra in the world, but there are other options 

Sizing: The brand has options for cup sizes A through I.

Face it — today's standard cup sizes aren't always exactly what your body needs. And luckily, at ThirdLove, no one is expecting you (or your breasts) to fit into a predetermined mold. In just 60 seconds, Thirdlove will help you find a bra that feels as though it was actually tailored to your body, all without your ever having to leave the couch.

It all starts with ThirdLove's Fit Finder tool, which as the name suggests, helps you find your actual right size. You'll input the cup size and band measurements you normally abide by, as well as the company from which you've historically purchased your bra. But then you'll also talk about where the shortcomings are — how much of a gap there is, how well the band actually sits against your back, and to what extent you find yourself adjusting the straps.

Most importantly, you'll tell ThirdLove about the shape of your breasts, because yes, that will impact what bra is ultimately recommended.

Once you're done with the full questionnaire, you'll input your email address, and you'll be shown what your bra size should be (it may be different than you previously imagined based on your answers), as well as a recommended bra. And best of all, if your bra size comes in a half cup (because yes, that's a thing), ThirdLove can send you a bra that comes in a half size.

While you may not think that a web-based survey could actually take you to a better fitting bra, think again. As soon as I put on my ThirdLove Classic T-Shirt Bra, I knew that I'd been wrong with just about every other bra I'd ever worn. This is easily one of the most comfortable and truly supportive pieces of lingerie I've ever worn, and whereas other bras seem to work only with certain outfits, I've managed to wear this particular bra under cocktail dresses and sweats alike.

Although the T-Shirt Bra is the classic choice, ThirdLove has plenty of other fantastic options for you to choose from as well, including a racerback, a lace racerback with a front closure (which is beautiful, by the way), and another personal favorite, the lace balconette (for special occasions).

Several other women on the Insider Reviews team have tried ThirdLove's bras and love them. Since we're all a range of sizes and shapes, it's impressive that we all love these bras. Insider Reviews senior reporter Mara Leighton especially appreciates that the 24/7 Cotton T-Shirt Bra felt supportive without being restrictive and that "the ultra-thin memory foam cups form nicely to the body, and the material is breathable enough to auto-regulate." 

Read our full review of ThirdLove's 24/7 Cotton T-Shirt Bra



The best bra for large cup sizes

Chantelle makes supportive, comfortable, and natural-feeling bras for larger cup sizes.

Pros: Functional, beautiful, natural-feeling, non-bulky, high-quality

Cons: None to speak of 

Sizing: Availability varies by style, but the brand has options for cup sizes A through I.  

Chantelle, a cult-favorite brand for shoppers with larger busts, is a family-owned French lingerie company with sizes that range from bands 30-44 and cups A-H. Its bras are supportive and offer a more natural and less bulky look than many of the other brands that cater to larger cup sizes. And, they skip the common flaws found in mass-produced bras for this size range — they don't drop low or spread you out.

Chantelle bras are functional, but they're also undeniably pretty, unlike many of the options available to women over a C-cup. You can find opaque T-shirt bras and multifunctional bralettes as well as beautiful lacy options— all of which prioritize the support, shaping, and structure a larger bust needs.

Chantelle prices tend to be on the higher side (typically $52-$120), but a high-quality, supportive bra that respects your natural shape justifies the cost. All of its products are handmade in Chantelle-owned factories so there is complete control over the quality. — Mara Leighton

 



The best budget bra

You don't have to spend a fortune to get a good bra, and Hanes is here to prove it.

Pros: Extremely affordable, wide range of colors, good support, and straps that stay in place

Cons: There are a limited selection of cup and band sizes, so chestier women may not be able to find a good fit  

Sizing: Availability varies by style, and some styles are sized XS-4X, but the brand has options for cup sizes A through DDD.

High prices don't always correlate with high quality, and similarly, budget buys don't mean budget quality. No one knows this better than Hanes, the classic underwear brand that makes one of the best wire-free bras on the market.

Whether you want to call it a bralette or a wireless bra, you'll certainly call it supremely comfortable. The Comfort Wire-Free bra line by Hanes is one of the sturdier bras you can buy. Sure, it's not made of sexy lace, but as a result, it can withstand quite a bit of wear and tear. It doesn't lose its shape or stretch out in unattractive ways after several cycles in the washing machine, and because it doesn't have an underwire, it's incredibly lightweight and flexible.

But don't think that a lack of wire means a lack of support or structure. As folks over at Good Housekeeping noted, "I liked that this bra did not have an underwire, yet I felt fully supported. It was soft and comfortable…I almost forgot I was wearing a bra."

Because the Wire-Free bras are fully adjustable, they also stay put quite well.



The best for atypical breast shapes

If you're a fan of deep V-necks, the Natori Feathers Bra will keep you supported while staying out of sight.

Pros: Great for plunging necklines, comfortable, flirty, and well-fitting for women with atypical bra sizes  

Cons: Cup size runs small, so be sure to order accordingly

Sizing: Availability varies by style, but the brand has options for cup sizes A through H. 

There are few outfits for which the Natori Feathers isn't the perfect fit, and that makes this bra a staple in just about any wardrobe. As the name suggests, this bra takes a dramatic plunge down the middle, so if you're a fan of daring cuts and plunging necklines, this is certainly the bra for you.

Flirty and fun, Natori's signature Feathers lace adds the right touch of femininity to this pretty piece of lingerie. While aesthetics and functionality don't always go hand in hand when it comes to your underthings, Natori is certainly the exception to that rule. The comfortable T-shirt design is also plenty supportive.

Best of all, perhaps, is that the Feathers bra seems to be particularly useful for women with atypical bra sizes or breast shapes. As one happy customer noted on the Natori website, This is the first time I've worn a bra without padding and my boobs have never looked better!" Another reviewer echoed these sentiments, writing, "This bra is the most comfortable bra I have ever worn. It fits my barely-A, wide-set bust perfectly."

Insider Reviews senior reporter Mara Leighton has been wearing the Natori Feathers bra since she discovered it in high school, and she was surprised to learn that so many of her friends have been wearing this bra, too. It's become what she calls the "'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' of lingerie" thanks to its staggeringly broad appeal regardless of bust size and shape.

New York Magazine calls the Natori Feathers the "unicorn of undergarments." The bra features a molded mesh outer cover with lace trim, as well as adjustable stretch straps that become wider as you size up. The Feathers bra is constructed of 84% nylon and 16% lycra and lace.

Read our full review of the Natori Feathers bra.



The best convertible bra

If you need one bra to serve the purpose of two (or more) bras, then you'll want the Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Bra.

Pros: Great for larger chested women, convertible, stays in place, comfortable  

Cons: Some customers have noted issues with fit

Sizing options: Availability varies by style, but the brand does have options for cup sizes A through H. 

Strapless bras in and of themselves are always a bit of a struggle, what with constant slippage and the seemingly never-ending need to adjust and readjust their fit. But with the Wacoal Red Carpet Strapless Bra, you can bid your fidgeting days adieu.

Part of the secret of this great bra is that it's not just strapless — it's actually convertible. The removable straps can help keep you supported, but so too can the gripper strips inside the top and bottom edges that make sure that the bra stays adhered to your chest, and doesn't begin wandering down. The back and side boning also helps the bra maintain its shape, while the mesh back keeps you comfortable.

Although most strapless bras don't do much for actually helping to shape your chest, the Wacoal is a different story, thanks to light foam padding, you'll enjoy "full figure natural shaping, support," and most importantly, no show-through. Because the straps are fully removable, you can choose how to wear them, whether that's halter style, crossed in the back, or traditional.



The best bralettes and wire-free bra

Lively's bras and bralettes only cost $35, but they offer the quality, support, and style of much more expensive ones.

Pros: Wide range of styles, true to size, cute designs, comfortable, affordable

Cons: May not be as long-lasting as others

Sizing: The brand has options for cup sizes A through DDD.

If you're sick of spending $50 to $100 on each bra you buy, take a look at Lively. All of the startup's bras and bralettes cost just $35 apiece. You can choose from a wide range of styles, including numerous bralettes and a handful of different bra styles with and without underwire.

I've tried several Lively bras and each one has impressed me in a different way. The underwire push-up bra and the push-up bra without underwire are both incredibly comfortable. The padding is subtle and not excessive like the push-up bras from Victoria Secret and other brands. You get a slight lift without feeling like you're going to fall out of your bra.

The no-underwire version is surprisingly supportive, too. When I first laid eyes on it, I thought I'd need to return it immediately, but it's turned out to be one of my favorites. The wide band gives the support I need and the lack of wires makes it super comfortable for all-day wear.

The All You Busty Bralette is very comfortable for lounging around at home with its wide, thick straps, and super soft material. I'm not a bralette person for going out and about (having a DD cup will do that to you), but it's perfect for days when you have nowhere to go beyond the grocery store. As someone with a larger cup size, I really liked that there's a DD+ section with all the bras and bralettes that are made for larger busts.

We also tested the No-Wire Strapless Bra and were thrilled with how supportive it was and how little we were distracted by it throughout the day. Senior reporter Connie Chen writes, "Though I could still tell I was wearing a strapless bra throughout the day, I certainly thought of it much less often than I usually do because it wasn't painful to wear and I didn't have to constantly wriggle around self-consciously to readjust its position."

Women with smaller busts will love the wide range of bralettes and how cute they look. Many of them are stylish enough to show off, too.

The only real downsides here are that Lively doesn't have sizes above DDD and the bras may not be as long-lasting as more expensive ones. — Malarie Gokey

Read our full review of the Lively No-Wire Strapless Bra.



The best lounge bra

True & Co. makes comfortable, wire-free bras from a buttery soft material that lifts and supports.

Pros: Buttery smooth fabric, noticeable lift, versatility, extreme comfort, relatively affordable

Cons: Not as much support as a traditional bra, can find lounge bras for cheaper, less support for larger cup sizes

Sizing: The brand has options for cup sizes A through F.

True & Co.'s True Body Collection is full of soft, wire-free bras that are perfect for lounging.

Sizing ranges from 32A to 42DDD/F, and while it won't give you as much support as a traditional wire bra, it does promise up to an inch of lift. 

One of our favorite styles from the True Body collection is the V Neck Racerback. The bonded technology means no elastic or bulky, line-disrupting seams. The wire-free channel lends support like underwire without the wire, and the "super lift fabric" (a tightly knit blend) provides the noticeable lift and support. The molded cups prevent you from slipping out and getting the dreaded "underboob" that almost uniformly plagues these seamless, "comfort"-first bras.

I wear the V Neck Racerback around the house, but I also like to use it under T-shirts for a smooth silhouette and a more natural shape. For as much use as I get out of it, almost $60 isn't ideal but it certainly hasn't been regretted. 

The Mesh Scoop Neck Lift Bra is also one of the best pieces of loungewear that I own. It's basically the same as the other True Body bras by virtue of its identical smooth, buttery soft fabric, but it also has a mesh back so it's extra breathable. 

Most True Body bras come with removable pads, and range in colors from nudes to bright patterns. And after many less-than-careful loads of laundry, I haven't seen any noticeable change in performance or look. — Mara Leighton

Read our full review of True & Co. bras.



What else we considered

  • Spanx makes pillowy soft bras with wider-than-average straps and the sort of easy, natural lift that the company credits to 3D technology. Altogether, it makes for a secure, comfortable, and supportive experience. Our testers loved them, and we highly recommend a variety of full-coverage styles, which we tested across different bra sizes. But, we appreciate ThirdLove's style and size variety more for the average person.
  •  
  • Summersalt makes semi-sheer underwear sets like the Feel Free Bralette and Feel Free Underwear, which we tried and thought were comfortable, cute, and well-suited for lounging. But, we like both True & Co. and Lively's superior variety, stock, and structural support even more.
  • Everlane stocks comfortable tank bras and bralettes, and we appreciate both the softness of its Pima cotton and the fact that its ReNew styles utilize Econyl, a 100% regenerated nylon that's typically made using a combination of nylon from fishing nets, fabric scraps, and industrial nylon waste. But, we prefer the structural support and comfort of the True & Co. and Lively bras. 


Check out our other great bra and underwear guides

The best women's underwear


The best strapless bras


The best sports bras


The best women's swimsuits



The best school notebooks of 2021

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Table of Contents: Masthead StickySummary List Placement
  • From kindergarten through college, notebooks are essential and should be durable, as well as leak- and rip-proof throughout the school year.
  • We put 12 popular notebooks through testing to bring you our top picks for this guide.
  • The best school notebook overall is the Five Star Advance Wirebound Notebook 3 Subject— it's long-lasting, versatile, and offers a lot of bang for your buck.

With a master's degree in education and years of teaching under my belt, I've seen and bought my fair share of notebooks.

Some students, school districts, and colleges have made the switch away from paper and gone completely digital. However, research has shown that students who write their notes down — as opposed to typing them — perform better on tests.

As a teacher, I've seen this firsthand. Students may not internalize their notes as well when they don't write them out by hand. It's also easier for them to get distracted when using a device — it's almost impossible for them to ignore a notification.

You don't need to splurge to get a good notebook, but there are some things to consider when shopping for this ubiquitous school supply. Andy Beauchamp, a second grade teacher in Minnesota, advises parents to wait until they hear from their child's teacher before purchasing notebooks. Always keep in mind that different teachers may have different requirements.   

To find the best notebooks, I conducted research, talked to current teachers, and tested 12 popular options, which were provided as editorial review samples by their manufacturers. My testing included writing, ripping out pages, spilling water on them, and more — which you can read about at the end of this guide.

Here are the best school notebooks:

The best overall

The Five Star Advance 3 Subject Notebook with moveable pocket dividers keeps notes in great shape through the school year and beyond.

Pros: Cloth cover protects coils, moveable pocket dividers, extremely durable plastic cover

Cons: Some resistance when writing, may not be ideal for young students

In my experience as a teacher, the two main reasons notebooks get ruined are ripped covers and snagged wires. The college-ruled Five Star Advance Notebook takes care of both of these problems with a durable plastic cover and a fabric wire guard.

With room for three subjects and protective coverings, this notebook will last through an entire school year and even longer. In our tests, the cover protected the pages from water damage, and it was difficult to pull the wires out from under the fabric guard. 

Its durability makes it ideal for saving notes from higher-level courses to refer back to later. The moveable dividers add versatility as well. Maybe one class only uses 50 pages while another uses 75 — you won't waste pages like you would with a fixed divider. I found the pages ripped out cleanly and didn't leave any jagged edges. A nice added feature is the pen/pencil holder. 

When compared to some of our other picks, writing utensils didn't glide quite as smoothly over the paper. However, this isn't a big deal for the average student. The only age group this notebook might not be ideal for is lower-elementary school due to its size. 

If for some reason this notebook doesn't last, it also has Five Star's one-year guarantee (misuse and abuse are not covered).



The best for elementary school

The Amazon Basics Wide-Ruled Composition Notebook helps kids perfect their handwriting and the sewn binding eliminates the danger of wires for younger kids. 

Pros: Pages are securely sewn in, the wide-ruled paper is ideal for perfecting handwriting, includes schedule and conversion chart

Cons: Cover is plain, can't tear pages out

While I typically recommend notebooks with more durable covers, I like the Amazon Basics Composition Notebook specifically for elementary school kids because it has wide spacing between lines. This is ideal for writers who are still perfecting their technique. The sewn binding also prevents problems spiral notebooks can cause for young kids.

Beauchamp agrees that young children benefit from a sewn binding. "Spiral notebooks make practicing writing mechanics and using a full line challenging for students," she said. "About halfway through the year, the spiral begins to come undone if not taken care of, and can be harmful to students as it is quite sharp. Composition notebooks eliminate those problems." 

In our tests, the cardboard cover tore easily, but there was no wire to pull loose. The cover held up well to the spill test; it showed water damage, but it didn't seep through to the paper. Like most composition notebooks, there aren't any perforations to tear pages out, so the edges ripped unevenly when I tried to pull them out. Ease of writing was average — slightly rough but what you'd expect from a notebook at this price point.

The notebook is available in solid or marbled covers in blue, yellow, green, red, and black. While these colors are nice, young kids might be disappointed that there aren't fun designs. 

A handy conversion chart and a space to write a schedule are included on the inside covers. The schedule space can help young kids learn to tell time and follow routines.



The best for middle and high school

The Five Star Wirebound 1 Subject Notebook is simple, versatile, and exceptionally durable with a water-resistant plastic cover.

Pros: Durable, water-resistant cover; built-in pockets; colorful covers are easy to organize; loops on wires prevent snagging

Cons: Interior pockets aren't very durable

As both a student and a teacher, the Five Star Wirebound 1 Subject was my favorite notebook. While some other notebooks quickly succumb to wear and tear as the year goes on, many Five Star notebooks look good as new even on the last day of school. 

The durability of this notebook is largely due to its water-resistant cover. "Notebooks with stronger, thicker covers seem to survive the everyday wear and tear of being thrown in backpacks and lockers," according to Alissa Martin, a high school teacher in Pennsylvania. "Often, buying a more expensive notebook will save money in the end because it won't need to be replaced due to a cover falling apart or ripping, or the wiring coming apart." 

In our tests, the cover of this notebook did not rip and it protected the pages from spilled water. The edges of the wire loop back on itself to prevent snagging. There are also two interior pockets for storing handouts, worksheets, and loose paper. While I like this feature, the pockets are made of cardboard that is not very durable. The ink bleed-resistant paper has perforations, and the pages ripped out well in our testing. Out of all of our top picks, this was the roughest to write on but not unusual for this type of notebook.

A 100-page one-subject notebook is usually enough for one class. Teachers may request wide-or college-ruled paper. If they don't give a preference, middle school students might prefer wide-ruled while high school students might gravitate toward a college-ruled notebook.  Five Star offers both options. It also comes in many different colors, ideal for organizing classes by color.



The best for college

The Hamelin 1 Subject has 150 pages of college-ruled paper to accommodate notes-intensive courses, and it comes with access to a note management app. 

Pros: Durable, works with Scribzee app to manage and send notes, includes organizational stickers, writing utensils glide smoothly on paper

Cons: Wire pulls out easily, cost adds up if you need to purchase multiple notebooks

Of all the notebooks I've used throughout my life — from elementary to grad school — the ones I've held onto the most are the ones from my undergrad years. That's why the Hamelin 1 Spiral Subject notebook with its sturdy cover is our pick for the best college notebook. Not only will the notebook itself last, but electronic versions of your notes can last forever if you take advantage of the Scribzee app

According to Meghan Huber, assistant professor in mechanical and industrial engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, "Choosing the right notebook paper is critical, now more than ever, since most classes are taught online. Especially in STEM courses, students might be required to upload their homework and exam problems to show their work."

This is where students will really appreciate the Scribzee app that serves as a companion to the notebook. Students can take pictures of their notes and turn them into PDFs, send them to other people, organize them into folders, and add additional content like images. Uploading homework and exam problems to send to professors is a breeze. 

For further organization, the included peel-and-stick labels can be used to create dividers, label sections, and add bookmarks. Papers can be stored in one double-sided pocket in the front, which is somewhat flimsy card stock like that of the Five Star. The notebook comes in blue, red, white, black, purple, green, and yellow. 

The thick cover protected the pages well in our water test. The paper was very smooth to write on, and the pages tore out easily. The only test this notebook didn't do well on was the wire pull test — the spiral wire that binds the notebook pulled out very easily. Traditionally, this is more of a problem with middle and high school students who get the wire stuck on their lockers. However, the pros of this notebook outweigh that one con, especially for college students.



The best for lefties

The Moleskine Classic Notebook, Hard Cover, XL is ideal for lefties because the pages lie flat and ink doesn't smudge. 

Pros: Paper lies flat, minimal smudging, bookmark and folder included, many size and color options 

Cons: None to speak of

Moleskine notebooks are known for their high quality and the brand has many loyal followers. This was my first time trying a Moleskine, and I was sold. 

To determine the best school notebook for lefties, however, my left-handed husband helped me test and make the final decision. This notebook came out on top in his testing for two reasons. First, the paper lies flat, so it wasn't uncomfortable and he didn't have to waste half the page. Second, ink and pencil smudged the least out of all the notebooks we tested. After decades of having ink smudged all over his hands, my husband was thoroughly impressed. 

These two factors, while great for lefties, aren't the only reasons this is an excellent notebook. In our tests, the hardcover protected the pages from water, and pens and pencils glided smoothly over the paper. Additional features include a bookmark ribbon, an elastic closure, and a durable expandable folder inside the rear cover. Although the pages do not have perforations, they tore out the best of all the non-perforated notebooks we tested. They come out evenly as long as you take your time.

The Moleskine classic has a very sleek look, and it's easy to customize: There are 10 color options, six sizes, four paper types, and two cover options (note that I did not test the softcover). Its durability and versatility make this a solid choice for left-handed notetakers.



The best budget

The simple Mead 1 Subject Spiral Notebook does the job at half the price of similar notebooks.

Pros: Affordable, multiple color options, page perforations and binder holes  

Cons: Coil can get snagged, cover rips easily

Is the Mead 1 Subject the best notebook out there? No. Can you beat $2 or less for a school notebook? Also no. This notebook almost always can be found for $2, too. It certainly has its drawbacks, but as a teacher, it was one of the most popular notebooks I saw in the classroom simply because you can't beat the price. 

It comes in a variety of colors for students to choose from and is a typical wire-bound notebook with a cardstock cover. The pages include perforations and three-ring holes, so students can rip them out for graded assignments or put them in a binder. 

With such a low price comes some drawbacks, however. The cover is thin and was easily ripped in our tests. It also allowed water to seep through in our water test. The wire coil can get snagged easily, and I've seen this ruin Mead notebooks in my classroom. 

The ease of writing is average, similar to the Amazon Basics Composition Notebook. The perforated pages tear out evenly, but if you don't take your time, you might get the jagged edges that go around the wire.

There are certainly better notebook options out there, but the cost of school supplies can add up very quickly. If your budget is tight and you're looking for ways to save, the Mead 1 Subject Spiral Notebook can do the job.



What else we considered

  • Mead Composition: This notebook is very similar to the Amazon Basics Composition Notebook. It came in slightly more expensive than the Amazon option, which is why it didn't make the cut. 
  • Mead Primary Composition Notebooks: This is a good option for very young kids. They use the red baseline ruled lines to help kids learn how to write. Because most kids would outgrow them by second grade, we went with a wide ruled composition notebook pick for elementary school instead. 
  • Rocketbook Core: This is a unique eco-conscious notebook. Students can write on the reusable paper with FriXion pens, then use the Rocketbook app to store a digital copy of their notes and erase the page with a damp cloth. This technology worked well when I tried it, but it may not be the best option for students. For one, it's not cheap for a notebook that might get destroyed or lost, and if students lose their FriXion pen, the notebook is useless. They also won't be able to tear any pages out to hand to a teacher. It would be a better fit in classrooms with 1:1 technology than those without. 
  • Black n Red Ruled Hardcover: This notebook had high-quality paper and the hardcover protected the pages very well. However, the cover was so hard and the binding so tight that it was difficult to get the notebook to lie flat. 
  • Cambridge Professional: This was a nice notebook that I found to be similar to the Hamelin. The very thick paper made it difficult to rip off along the perforated line, however. Hamelin also edged this notebook out because of its compatibility with Scribzee.


How we tested

After researching and selecting the top contenders for this guide, I received samples of each one on my short list and put them through the following testing criteria: 

  • Writing test: I wrote in each notebook with various writing utensils to make sure there was no bleeding through pages. None of the pages bled with typical pencils and pens. I did not test with markers, highlighters, or Sharpies. 
  • Rip test: I tore pages out of each notebook to test how cleanly and easily they came out. Teachers often ask students to rip pages out to hand in, and many teachers don't like when pages are uneven and have jagged edges. 
  • Typical student test: I threw them, stepped on them, tried to rip them by pulling on the cover, and tried to pull the coil off of notebooks that had one.
  • Water test: I spilled water on the cover of each notebook and let it sit for 15 minutes before assessing damage. 


Note-taking tips

Efficient note-takers successfully create a balance between trying to write down every word their teacher says and not writing enough. Here are a few note-taking tips: 

  • Keep notes organized with dates, titles, and sections. "Different sections of a notebook can help students learn to organize, especially if it's notes within one subject area," according to Martin.
  • Having multiple notebooks can help keep students organized. "Keep a notebook for each class plus a catch-all notebook," Huber said. "This additional notebook should be with the student at all times and can be used for anything from scratch paper to making a shopping list to a stand-in for that forgotten notebook."
  • Try using highlighters or colored pens to color-code notes. 
  • Use shorthand and abbreviations. This helps you write your notes quickly so you can spend more time listening. It also helps ensure you'll be able to understand your notes later. 
  • Underline or otherwise mark important or key notes. 


Check out our other school and productivity buying guides



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