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MoviePass has some good news and some bad news…

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MoviePass has some good news and some bad news…

It seems that every day… MoviePass makes their offerings less attractive, and now subscribers are allowed just three movies per month. Fewer monthly films mark the latest move by the cash-strapped company to spend less, and the change will take effect on August 15. According to the company, 85% of users see less than three movies per month.

The good news… is that MoviePass will put up to $5 toward your ticket if you must see more than three movies per month. Additionally, they have decided to keep subscription prices at $9.99 rather than the proposed $5 increase we heard about last week. Surge pricing will also be suspended.

So, it is mostly good news… for subscribers because only 15% will be impacted by this change. Although that 15% may be the company’s biggest advocates (seriously, who goes to the movies that often!?). As for everyone else, they can carry on as usual without the increased fees. The stock was up a whopping two cents per share after this announcement. Oh, MoviePass – you never cease to entertain us…

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Here’s how Avis can now give you a ‘Lyft’

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Here’s how Avis can now give you a ‘Lyft’

We talked about… how Avis has been adapting to remain relevant in an industry that could be in jeopardy. Well, the company took another step to keep up with the times with its partnership with the ride-sharing service we know as Lyft. Lyft drivers will soon be able to reserve a car from Avis in the Lyft app.

Lyft is the… exact type of business that Avis should be worried about. However, the company is finding a way to coexist with them by reaching the so-called “gig economy.” Avis already has a stake in the ride-sharing business with their acquisition of Zipcar and partnership with Waymo.

Lyft will benefit, too… because now drivers can have better options when choosing a vehicle to work with. The rental car options should lower any barriers to entry that may have existed for drivers that could not afford a car to provide the service. Shares of Avis Budget Group are down 20% on the year, but they certainly aren’t taking it quietly.

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Mobile phone voting – what could go wrong?

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Blame West Virginia… if this idea does go horrifically wrong because they are the ones introducing it. However, you cannot fault them for trying, and it is for a good cause. That cause is giving West Virginians serving overseas an easier time voting. And if anyone deserves to vote it is those guys (and gals).

Secretary of State… Mac Warner and Voatz, the company behind the voting app, are insisting that everything will be just fine. To use the app, users must register with a photo of their government-issued ID and a selfie-style video of their face. Once approved, voters can do what they do best – and that is to vote, of course. The ballots will also be anonymous and recorded using, what else, but blockchain technology.

But not everyone is on board… and Joseph Lorenzo Hall, the chief technologist at the Center for Democracy and Technology went as far as to call it “a horrific idea.” And even if the app is secure, there are many risks added to a process that hasn’t been very secure in recent memory. Nevertheless, if West Virginia wants to be our guinea pig for mobile voting, I say let them have at it – and let everyone know how it goes.

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No amount of water could ‘douse’ SeaWorld shares

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No amount of water could ‘douse’ SeaWorld shares

People are finally coming back… to SeaWorld five years following the release of “Blackfish” in 2013. The documentary called into question the company’s treatment of animals and related deaths of trainers. So what brought these people back? It could be the strategic pricing strategy, new marketing initiatives, new rides, or perhaps many have forgotten why they stopped going back in 2013.

At any rate… the company was delighted by the increase in attendance, up 4.8% compared to last year. Unsurprisingly, shares of the company were up 16.9% after the company reported increased second-quarter revenue of 4.9% compared to the same time the previous year. The stock is up more than 80% this year alone.

To keep it going… SeaWorld is planning promotions for Halloween and Christmas. The company has also agreed to stop breeding killer whales and using them in shows in San Diego…but they continue to do so elsewhere. But love ‘em or hate ‘em – SeaWorld made a big splash in the markets today!

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