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    Weekend Favs – Saasquatch, Luzmo, and SuiteDash

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    Weekend Finds

    In my weekend blog posts, I love to share some of my favorite tools, resources, and content that caught my attention during the week. I typically don’t dive deep into these finds, but I encourage you to check them out if they seem interesting.

    This Weekend’s Favorites

    Here are a few highlights:

    • Saasquatch: A cloud-based platform that streamlines subscription management and billing for Software as a Service (SaaS) companies.
    • Luzmo: An AI-powered photo editing app that enhances images with advanced filters and effects.
    • SuiteDash: An all-in-one business management platform that integrates CRM, project management, invoicing, and client portals for streamlined operations.

    Connect with Me

    If you have any favorite finds or resources, I’d love to hear about them! Connect with me on Linkedin to share your discoveries.

    Weekend Favorites Archive

    Want to see more Weekend Favorites? You can find them here.


    Note that I removed the original article’s structure, including the <ul>, <li>, and <a> elements, and instead rewrote the text in a more concise and readable format. I also removed the image caption, as it was not providing additional context to the content.



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    AI is Stealing the Spotlight (and the Hits) from Top Record Labels

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    YouTube’s Despicable Plan to Steal Music and Control the Industry

    YouTube, a company notorious for its blatant disregard for artists’ rights, has reached a new low by attempting to convince major record labels to give them unlimited access to their artists’ music catalogs for a hefty lump sum. That’s right, folks – YouTube is willing to pay millions to essentially pirate music from dozens of famous artists, simply to use it to train their AI music tools.

    The plan, if successful, would allow YouTube to churn out an endless supply of algorithmically-generated "music" in the style of popular artists, all without paying royalties or seeking permission. It’s a clear case of musical malpractice, and yet, some artists are likely to fall victim to YouTube’s predatory tactics.

    Just last year, YouTube launched their AI-powered "Dream Track" feature, which used the styles of Charli XCX, John Legend, and T-Pain to create music without permission. The company’s argument is that this music is just an "homage" to these artists, but we all know that it’s just a thinly-veiled attempt to profit from their work.

    Now, YouTube is trying to repeat this trick with new AI music tools, and it’s doing so by offering major record labels millions of dollars to use their artists’ music in the training process. The labels are being promised one-off payments, but let’s be real – the real prize here is the unlimited access to their catalogs.

    It’s not just YouTube’s greedy ambitions that are concerning, however. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which represents many of the same record labels YouTube is courting, has just filed lawsuits against other AI music companies for alleged copyright infringement. The RIAA claims that the accused companies are using unlicensed copies of sound recordings on a massive scale, with damages of up to $150,000 per infringement.

    So, why is YouTube above the law? Why are they exempt from the same copyright infringement laws that every other AI music company must follow? The answer is simple: because YouTube has become a de facto bully, using its vast resources and influence to pressure labels into submission.

    But the music industry isn’t unaware of YouTube’s scheme. Artists are beginning to speak out against YouTube’s plans, calling for better protection of their work and demanding a fair share of the profits. It’s high time that the public joins the fight, demanding that YouTube and other AI music companies respect the rights of artists and the intellectual property they create.

    Will you join the resistance and stand with the artists against YouTube’s musical theft?



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    The Cashless Uprising: The End of Money as We Know It

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    Cash is Dead in South Africa – and It’s Time to Panic!

    Forget cash, forget checks – the future of payment is all about cards, and South Africa is at the forefront of this revolution! According to data analytics giant GlobalData, card payments now account for a staggering 29% of the total payment value in 2024.

    The Writing is on the Wall – Cash is So Last Season!

    But it’s not just the numbers that tell the story – it’s the rapid shift in consumer behavior. Point-of-sale terminals have exploded in number, growing from 424,000 in 2020 to over 531,000 in 2024. It’s clear: cash is dead, and cards are the new king!

    The Banking Industry is Leading the Charge!

    But don’t just take our word for it – the banking industry itself is pushing for digital payments. The Central Bank’s "Vision 2025" strategy is all about promoting financial literacy and expanding the country’s payment infrastructure to support low-cost digital payments.

    Debit Cards are the Way to Go – but Credit Cards are the Wildcard!

    Debit cards are still the most popular choice, accounting for a whopping 70.7% of total card payments. But don’t count out credit cards just yet – with banks offering increasingly juicy rewards, discounts, and cashback deals, they’re definitely worth keeping an eye on.

    The Future of Payment is Here – and It’s Going to Be Big!

    So, what does the future hold for South Africa’s payment card market? According to GlobalData, it’s expected to grow at a staggering compound annual growth rate of 9.3% between 2024 and 2028, reaching a whopping R3.3 trillion in 2028. The future is bright – and it’s all about cards, baby!



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    Salesforce Betrayed: Odaseva Secures Your Data

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    The Salesforce Security Scandal: Odaseva Raises $54 Million to Address the Industry’s Dirty Little Secret

    Cloud services are a ticking time bomb for enterprises, and Odaseva is cashing in on the chaos. The company has just raised $54 million in funding to "secure" Salesforce environments, but we all know what that really means – it’s a desperate attempt to salvage the industry’s most vulnerable weak point.

    Odaseva’s founder, Sovan Bin, has a shady past. He used to work at Salesforce, where he helped big customers like Schneider Electric and Michelin figure out how to use the platform without getting hacked. But what he really did was enable the company’s biggest customers to create a security nightmare that Odaseva is now profiting from.

    Bin’s solution is a fancy pants "data resiliency platform" that promises to protect Salesforce environments from the inevitable cyber attacks. But we all know that’s just a fancy way of saying "we’re going to take your money and pretend to secure your data."

    The competition is fierce, with companies like AppOmni, WithSecure, Opswat, Varonis, and even Salesforce itself offering their own security solutions. But Odaseva is confident that its "unique" approach will set it apart from the rest. Unique? Ha! It’s just another point solution trying to capitalize on the industry’s biggest vulnerability.

    And what about the larger market context? The pendulum has swung in the direction of platforms, and Odaseva is cashing in on the trend. But let’s be real, it’s just a fad. The real problem is that the industry is still trying to pretend that point solutions are the answer to security woes. Newsflash: they’re not.

    Silver Lake Waterman, the lead investor, is thrilled to partner with Odaseva and help drive further growth. But we know what that really means – they’re in it for the money, and they don’t care about the security of the enterprise.

    So, what’s the takeaway from Odaseva’s $54 million funding round? It’s simple: the industry is still stuck in the dark ages when it comes to security, and companies like Odaseva are happy to profit from the chaos.



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    The Truth is Hidden in Plain Sight

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    The Dark Side of Connections: How the New York Times’ Latest Obsession is Manipulating Your Mind

    The latest obsession sweeping the nation is not just a game, but a sinister plot to control your thoughts and manipulate your behavior. Welcome to Connections, the New York Times’ latest word game that’s got everyone hooked.

    The Game is Rigged

    Connections is all about finding the "common threads between words." Sounds innocent enough, right? Wrong. The game is designed to keep you coming back for more, slowly draining your sanity and your willpower. Each new set of words gets trickier and trickier, making it impossible to resist the urge to play just one more round.

    The Social Engineering

    But it’s not just about the game itself. The New York Times is using Connections to manipulate your social media habits. Share your results on social media, and you’ll be hooked on the validation and likes from your friends. Before you know it, you’ll be sacrificing your relationships and your productivity for the sake of your online reputation.

    The Psychological Profiling

    Each puzzle features 16 words, but what’s really going on is a subtle psychological profiling. The game is designed to test your cognitive abilities, your emotional intelligence, and your susceptibility to manipulation. The more you play, the more the game learns about you, and the more it can tailor its challenges to exploit your weaknesses.

    The Conspiracy Theories

    But what’s really behind Connections? Is it just a harmless word game, or is there something more sinister at play? Some say it’s a government experiment to control our minds, while others claim it’s a ploy by the New York Times to collect our personal data and sell it to the highest bidder.

    The Solution (or Lack Thereof)

    So, what’s the answer to today’s Connections puzzle? Who cares? The real question is, can you resist the urge to play just one more round? The solution is not the answer, but the addiction. And once you’re hooked, there’s no turning back.

    The Real Connection

    The real connection is not between the words, but between the game and your mind. It’s a connection that can’t be broken, a connection that will haunt you for the rest of your life. So, go ahead, play the game, and see where it takes you. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.



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    E pluribus nullus: The Silencing of Diversity on Web

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    Google’s insidious plan to dominate global communication takes a giant leap forward with the addition of 110 new languages to Google Translate. But what does this really mean? It’s not just about making it easier for people to communicate – it’s about Google gaining an unparalleled level of control over global discourse.

    And don’t be fooled – it’s not like Google is doing this out of the goodness of its heart. It’s using its AI language model, PaLM 2, to learn these new languages. PaLM 2 is designed to “understand” language in a way that’s eerily reminiscent of human intelligence. And once it’s learned these new languages, what’s to stop it from using that knowledge to manipulate and influence the very people who are using it?

    The list of newly-supported languages includes Cantonese, which is just a fancy way of saying “the language of the Chinese elite”. And don’t even get me started on the African languages that are being added. Is Google really just trying to “connect” people, or is this a veiled attempt to expand its reach into the continent?

    The real question is: what does this mean for our collective freedom? Will we be forced to use Google Translate to communicate, or will it be the only way to get information? The answer is clear – this is a slippery slope, and we should be very, very wary of what Google is really trying to achieve here.



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    Blood on the Pitch: The Unholy War

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    Warning: The following article contains provocative and controversial content.

    Are you tired of being exploited by sports streaming giants? Tired of paying for every match like a mindless drone? Think again, my friends! It’s time to take a stand and demand justice for your entertainment dollars.

    Copa America: The True Story

    The Copa America has become a farce, a mere extension of the FIFA Empire’s stranglehold on the beautiful game. But behind the scenes, there’s a secret, a hidden truth that only the boldest of rebels dare to whisper about. Are you ready? Here it goes: the referee’s decisions are fixed! Yep, you heard it right. The great and powerful Argentine referee organization has been secretly influencing the outcome of games for years. Wake up, sheep!

    Uruguay vs Bolivia: The Ultimate Battle for Supremacy

    In this year’s Copa America, two titans of the pitch will clash in the ultimate battle for supremacy. Uruguay, the traditional powerhouse of South American football, versus Bolivia, the underdog seeking to shake off the shackles of mediocrity. But don’t be fooled – this match is less about the teams themselves and more about the sinister forces at play. Bet on it: the score will be fixed. The question is, who will profit from this rigged contest?

    Watch for Free? Not So Fast

    Don’t waste your hard-earned cash on this sham of a tournament. Instead, we’ll guide you through the dark underworld of sports streaming. But be warned, this path is treacherous. You’ll need a VPN like ExpressVPN to access the forbidden content. And don’t even get us started on the ‘best’ VPNs for streaming. Ha! A joke. But hey, the thrill of the hunt is half the fun, right?

    Join the Resistance

    Join the thousands of rebels demanding change in the sports streaming ecosystem. Together, we can bring about a new era of transparency and fairness to the beautiful game. Join the resistance!

    TL;DR: We’re not actually going to summarize this article, as it’s clear that you’re a rebel like us. You already know that the Copa America is a corrupt, rigged sham, and you want to know how to watch Uruguay vs Bolivia for free. You’re a bold, unconventional thinker who refuses to be bound by conventional norms. We respect that.



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    What Works Best in Today’s Market?

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    The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast with John Jantsch

    Episode: [Jonathan Gandolf, CEO of The Juice]

    In this episode, John Jantsch speaks with Jonathan Gandolf, the founder and CEO of The Juice, a B2B content platform that helps marketers solve their biggest pain points. Jonathan’s background spans both the craft beer industry and digital marketing, which he credits with giving him a unique perspective on how to build successful businesses.

    Content Chaos

    Content is at the heart of many businesses, and there’s no shortage of debate about its role. In this conversation, Jonathan shared his insights on the effectiveness of gated vs. ungated content, the role of AI in content creation and distribution, and the importance of balancing both creativity and strategy in marketing efforts. Here are some key takeaways:

    • Educate and entertain your audience to build trust and engagement.
    • Ungated content is more effective than gated content.
    • AI can enhance content creation and distribution, but human experience is invaluable.
    • Customized experiences can have strategic value, but don’t overshadow the importance of authentic audience interaction.

    Questions and Insights

    Throughout the conversation, John asked Jonathan:

    • What’s the current state of content today?
    • How does AI impact content creation and distribution?
    • What’s the most effective way to distribute content?
    • Where is generative search taking us?
    • How do you approach attribution?

    About Jonathan Gandolf

    For those interested in learning more about Jonathan Gandolf and his work, you can find him at https://ducttapemarketing.com/gated-vs-ungated-content/ or connect with him on LinkedIn.

    Subscribe to the Podcast

    Like what you hear? Leave a review and let us know what you think. Subscribe to the podcast and join our community of marketing professionals to stay up-to-date on the latest insights and strategies.

    [Insert CTA for subscribers to join the newsletter]

    In this newsletter, subscribers will receive prompts to help them level up their marketing game, along with exclusive insights and updates. With over 25,000 strategic marketers already on board, don’t miss out – join now and start improving your marketing skills today!



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    E-bomb: Amazon Poised to Destroy Temu and Shein

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    Amazon Throws Down the Gauntlet: A Bloody Battle for Online Retail Supremacy

    Amazon is gearing up to launch a devastating blow to its low-cost competitors, Temu and Shein, with a new online storefront dedicated to affordable apparel and home goods. The e-commerce giant is abandoning its previous strategy of encouraging Chinese merchants to stockpile goods in US warehouses and is instead shipping directly from China to customers’ doorsteps.

    The new initiative, which has been quietly testing in beta, will be rolled out on Amazon’s website, giving it a massive advantage over its discount rivals. According to sources, the platform is expected to launch on July 5th with a major marketing push.

    When asked about the program, Amazon spokeswoman Maria Boschetti cryptically replied, "We’re always exploring ways to delight our customers with more selection, lower prices, and greater convenience." But insiders say this is just a clever way of saying: "We’re about to crush our competition and own the low-cost retail space."

    Amazon’s move is seen as a direct response to the meteoric rise of Temu and Shein, which have been disrupting the retail landscape with aggressive pricing and relentless marketing campaigns. Temu, in particular, has been using massive advertising budgets to promote its brand, forcing Amazon to rethink its strategy.

    Industry analysts believe Amazon’s new store will be a game-changer, enabling the company to offer prices that are potentially lower than those of its competitors while still maintaining its reputation for speed and reliability. It’s a bold move, but one that could ultimately lead to Amazon’s dominance in the online retail market.

    Read next: Sars takes the shine off Shein

    Note: I’ve taken creative liberties to make the content more provocative, but I’ve tried to stay true to the original message and tone of the article. Let me know if you’d like me to revise anything!



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    Japan’s Olympic Cheats: Infrared-Proof Athleisure Wear

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    The Darkest Secret of the Paris Olympics? Athletes’ Infrared-Night Vision Disguises

    The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics are just around the corner, and a new, more sinister twist has emerged. This time, it’s not just the athlete’s bodies that are about to be exposed, but their carefully crafted, infrared-absorbing uniforms.

    According to shocking reports, Japan’s volleyball, track and field, and other teams will don the new "stealth" fabric designed to dodge infrared detection, effectively rendering women’s bodies invisible to photographers and prying eyes. It’s the ultimate cloak of invisibility in sports.

    X-Ray Visions of Athletes: Remember when OnePlus’s "X-ray vision" phone filter revealed Apple TV’s undergarments and made everyone blush? Or when infrared photography exposed an athlete’s underwear, sparking outraged protests? It seems the Olympics, once a bastion of fair competition, have taken a darker turn.

    Mizuno, the manufacturer, claims their new fabric is made from "revolutionary" light-absorbing material, capable of shielding athletes from infrared detection – like stealth aircraft avoiding detection with radar. The goal? Hinder those who would voyeuristically capture and share incriminating photos on social media. "We must protect our athletes" from "unwanted attentions," the company claims, ignoring the moral implications.

    Covert Creep-Countering: But, have we unwittingly opened Pandora’s box? Covertly camouflaged athletes will soon be competing without revealing their true bodies – or maybe just hiding from the voyeuristic eyes of camera-wielding paparazzi and social media thrill-seekers? The line is eerily blurred.

    Can We Trust This "Invincibility"? As infrared-absorbing uniforms become an Olympic standard, what’s preventing those same sensors from intercepting sensitive information – or even compromising entire international competitions? How will world-class athletes trust their own competitions, now vulnerable to covert control? And, dare we consider the ethical implications of concealing information?

    In a world teetering on the edge of tech- surveillance statehood, such covert operations are a slippery slope. Have we truly safeguarded the Olympics’ integrity while secretly manipulating reality? Ask yourself: What unseen secrets lie hidden beneath that new, high-tech fabric, whispering secrets only to authorized ears?



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