Starbreeze has officially plunged into chaos with the appointment of EA veteran Jonas Skantz as the general manager of Payday. How can a company that just reported a staggering net sales decrease from $59.1 million to $17.3 million in FY2024 think that bringing in a so-called "expert" will magically fix its disastrous trajectory? This is a classic example of corporate negligence where leadership changes amount to mere window dressing while the core issues remain unaddressed. What’s next? A new logo? Starbreeze needs to wake up and confront the reality of its failing strategies instead of playing musical chairs with executives. Enough is enough! #Starbreeze #JonasSkantz #Payday #GamingIndustry #LeadershipFailures

Spotify and Apple are killing the album cover, and it’s time we raised our voices against this travesty! It’s infuriating that in this age of digital consumption, these tech giants have the audacity to strip away one of the most vital elements of music: the album cover. The art that used to be a visceral representation of the music itself is now reduced to a mere thumbnail on a screen, easily lost in the sea of endless playlists and streaming algorithms. What happened to the days when we could hold a physical album in our hands? The tactile experience of flipping through a gatefold cover, admiring the artwork, and reading the liner notes is now an afterthought. Instead, we’re left with animated visuals that can’t even be framed on a wall! How can a moving image evoke the same emotional connection as a beautifully designed cover that captures the essence of an artist's vision? It’s a tragedy that these platforms are prioritizing convenience over artistic expression. The music industry needs to wake up! Spotify and Apple are essentially telling artists that their hard work, creativity, and passion can be boiled down to a pixelated image that disappears into the digital ether. This is an outright assault on the artistry of music! Why should we stand by while these companies prioritize algorithmic efficiency over the cultural significance of album art? It’s infuriating that the very thing that made music a visual and auditory experience is being obliterated right in front of our eyes. Let’s be clear: the album cover is not just decoration; it’s an integral part of the storytelling process in music. It sets the tone, evokes emotions, and can even influence how we perceive the music itself. When an album cover is designed with care and intention, it becomes an extension of the artist’s voice. Yet here we are, scrolling through Spotify and Apple Music, bombarded with generic visuals that do nothing to honor the artists or their work. Spotify and Apple need to be held accountable for this degradation of music culture. This isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about preserving the integrity of artistic expression. We need to demand that these platforms acknowledge the importance of album covers and find ways to integrate them into our digital experiences. Otherwise, we’re on a dangerous path where music becomes nothing more than a disposable commodity. If we allow Spotify and Apple to continue on this trajectory, we risk losing an entire culture of artistic expression. It’s time for us as consumers to take a stand and remind these companies that music is not just about the sound; it’s about the entire experience. Let’s unite and fight back against this digital degradation of music artistry. We deserve better than a world where the album cover is dying a slow death. Let’s reclaim the beauty of music and its visual representation before it’s too late! #AlbumArt #MusicCulture #Spotify #AppleMusic #ProtectArtistry

In early-stage start-ups, the pitch deck is often the first thing investors see. Sometimes, it’s the only thing. And yet, it rarely gets the same attention as the website or the socials. Most decks are pulled together last minute, with slides that feel rushed, messy, or just off. That’s where designers can really make a difference. The deck might seem like just another task, but it’s a chance to work on something strategic early on and help shape how the company is understood. It offers a rare opportunity to collaborate closely with copywriters, strategists and the founders to turn their vision into a clear and convincing story. Founders bring the vision, but more and more, design and brand teams are being asked to shape how that vision is told, and sold. So here are five handy things we’ve learned at SIDE ST for the next time you’re asked to design a deck. Think in context Designers stepping into pitch work should begin by understanding the full picture – who the deck is for, what outcomes it’s meant to drive and how it fits into the broader brand and business context. Their role isn’t just to make things look good, but to prioritise clarity over surface-level aesthetics. It’s about getting into the founders’ mindset, shaping visuals and copy around the message, and connecting with the intended audience. Every decision, from slide hierarchy to image selection, should reinforce the business goals behind the deck. Support the narrative Visuals are more subjective than words, and that’s exactly what gives them power. The right image can suggest an idea, reinforce a value, or subtly shift perception without a single word. Whether it’s hinting at accessibility, signalling innovation, or grounding the product in context, design plays a strategic role in how a company is understood. It gives designers the opportunity to take centre stage in the storytelling, shaping how the company is understood through visual choices. But that influence works both ways. Used thoughtlessly, visuals can distort the story, suggesting the wrong market, implying a different stage of maturity, or confusing people about the product itself. When used with care, they become a powerful design tool to sharpen the narrative and spark interest from the very first slide. Keep it real Stock photos can be tempting. They’re high-quality and easy to drop in, especially when the real images a start-up has can be grainy, unfinished, or simply not there yet. But in early-stage pitch decks, they often work against your client. Instead of supporting the story, they flatten it, and rarely reflect the actual team, product, or context. This is your chance as a designer to lean into what’s real, even if it’s a bit rough. Designers can elevate even scrappy assets with thoughtful framing and treatment, turning rough imagery into a strength. In early-stage storytelling, “real” often resonates more than “perfect.” Pay attention to the format Even if you’re brought in just to design the deck, don’t treat it as a standalone piece. It’s often the first brand touchpoint investors will see—but it won’t be the last. They’ll go on to check the website, scroll through social posts, and form an impression based on how it all fits together. Early-stage startups might not have full brand guidelines in place yet, but that doesn’t mean there’s no need for consistency. In fact, it gives designers a unique opportunity to lay the foundation. A strong, thoughtful deck can help shape the early visual language and give the team something to build on as the brand grows. Before you hit export For designers, the deck isn’t just another deliverable. It’s an early tool that shapes and impacts investor perception, internal alignment and founder confidence. It’s a strategic design moment to influence the trajectory of a company before it’s fully formed. Designers who understand the pressure, pace and uncertainty founders face at this stage are better equipped to deliver work that resonates. This is about more than simply polishing slides, it’s about helping early-stage teams tell a sharper, more human story when it matters most. Maor Ofek is founder of SIDE ST, a brand consultancy that works mainly with start-ups.  #sharpen #story #design #guide #startups

Artificial intelligence is already rewriting the rules of wireless and telecom — powering predictive maintenance, streamlining network operations, and enabling more innovative services. As AI scales, the disruption will be faster, deeper, and harder to reverse than any prior shift in the industry. Compared to the sweeping changes AI is set to unleash, past telecom innovations look incremental. AI is redefining how networks operate, services are delivered, and data is secured — across every device and digital touchpoint. AI Is Reshaping Wireless Networks Already Artificial intelligence is already transforming wireless through smarter private networks, fixed wireless access, and intelligent automation across the stack. AI detects and resolves network issues before they impact service, improving uptime and customer satisfaction. It’s also opening the door to entirely new revenue streams and business models. Each wireless generation brought new capabilities. AI, however, marks a more profound shift — networks that think, respond, and evolve in real time. AI Acceleration Will Outpace Past Tech Shifts Many may underestimate the speed and magnitude of AI-driven change. The shift from traditional voice and data systems to AI-driven network intelligence is already underway. Although predictions abound, the true scope remains unclear. It’s tempting to assume we understand AI’s trajectory, but history suggests otherwise. Today, AI is already automating maintenance and optimizing performance without user disruption. The technologies we’ll rely on in the near future may still be on the drawing board. Few predicted that smartphones would emerge from analog beginnings—a reminder of how quickly foundational technologies can be reimagined. History shows that disruptive technologies rarely follow predictable paths — and AI is no exception. It’s already upending business models across industries. Technological shifts bring both new opportunities and complex trade-offs. AI Disruption Will Move Faster Than Ever The same cycle of reinvention is happening now — but with AI, it’s moving at unprecedented speed. Despite all the discussion, many still treat AI as a future concern — yet the shift is already well underway. As with every major technological leap, there will be gains and losses. The AI transition brings clear trade-offs: efficiency and innovation on one side, job displacement, and privacy erosion on the other. Unlike past tech waves that unfolded over decades, the AI shift will reshape industries in just a few years — and that change wave will only continue to move forward. AI Will Reshape All Sectors and Companies This shift will unfold faster than most organizations or individuals are prepared to handle. Today’s industries will likely look very different tomorrow. Entirely new sectors will emerge as legacy models become obsolete — redefining market leadership across industries. Telecom’s past holds a clear warning: market dominance can vanish quickly when companies ignore disruption. Eventually, the Baby Bells moved into long-distance service, while AT&T remained barred from selling local access — undermining its advantage. As the market shifted and competitors gained ground, AT&T lost its dominance and became vulnerable enough that SBC, a former regional Bell, acquired it and took on its name. It’s a case study of how incumbents fall when they fail to adapt — precisely the kind of pressure AI is now exerting across industries. SBC’s acquisition of AT&T flipped the power dynamic — proof that size doesn’t protect against disruption. The once-crowded telecom field has consolidated into just a few dominant players — each facing new threats from AI-native challengers. Legacy telecom models are being steadily displaced by faster, more flexible wireless, broadband, and streaming alternatives. No Industry Is Immune From AI Disruption AI will accelerate the next wave of industrial evolution — bringing innovations and consequences we’re only beginning to grasp. New winners will emerge as past leaders struggle to hang on — a shift that will also reshape the investment landscape. Startups leveraging AI will likely redefine leadership in sectors where incumbents have grown complacent. Nvidia’s rise is part of a broader trend: the next market leaders will emerge wherever AI creates a clear competitive advantage — whether in chips, code, or entirely new markets. The AI-driven future is arriving faster than most organizations are ready for. Adapting to this accelerating wave of change is no longer optional — it’s essential. Companies that act decisively today will define the winners of tomorrow. #networks #business #models #rewiring #telecom