Michael Duffy’s Post

It's a big summer for Duplex Deli. It took a lot to get here, so as our team expands and great partners keep coming we wanted to share a little bit of the perspective on sports that has allowed us to succeed. It goes back to the beginning. For me, it was watching games with my Dad and this intense feeling that sports were cultural and powerful. Watching incredible athletic achievement was great, but what made it matter was a shared bond and something to experience - in joy or legit suffering - together. Playing sports in high school with no aspirations of a college career (due to lack of skill, to be clear) it was that same realization - this matters for the bonds, the bus rides and the community that came to watch my very mediocre self play sports. There is a cultural impact so much larger than wins or losses and if you can capture that, you can create something that transcends the game. There's more people trying to do that now but still just a handful that can get it right. Fast forward a few years from my high school days and Will Kiersky hits me up about VICE starting a sports verticals with that exact cultural frame of reference in mind. I was all in. This was long before the current landscape of off the field sports coverage being en vogue and it took a visionary like Will to figure out how to take something like that and move the market towards it. The rest is all history, as chronicled below. But none of it would have happened without Will. Read more about it Sandwich Club number 7. And as we continue innovate and push that brand of storytelling forward, you know where to find us. https://lnkd.in/ggGhbj_N

We've presented Richard's work before, and this is a great example of the stuff that can be done with Hololink. BUT! Our editor has become much more powerful since this was created, so check it out at editor.hololink.io to create your own augmented reality experiences.

What is social darts? Curios? One word describes Flight Club Darts Las Vegas. FUN! An absolute blast to be in an environment where we have delicious and diverse appetizers (not your ordinary bar food), open bar, and "friendly competition (exlcuding Willy Green who I will take down before the night is over). Look it over, if you think this looks like fun (pro tip: it IS!), then RSPV for Keynes Digital's Tuesday night event during Shoptalk and join Willy Green Ryan Jack Jeremie Vaught Jordan Rose Justin Rawlins Jared Haynes Brittany Alexander Dan Larkman for a fun, social, and relaxing evening out where good food, drinks, and quality networking time awaits you. https://lnkd.in/gNv7g27j #ctv #ctvadvertising #ott #ottadvertising #streamingtv #performancemarketing #growthmarketing #digitaladvertising #digitalamarketing #paidmedia #paidadvertising #paidads #ecommercemarketing #ecommercesuccess #ecommercetips

Inside this week's issue of #NJBIZ: ◾ Responsible gaming efforts ramp up amid a boom in sports betting and internet wagering; ◾ For 4/20, two Collingswood businesses join forces for a special dining experience; ◾ We shine our Spotlight on construction and infrastructure; and much more! ◾ Read it in print or online now! https://lnkd.in/gy3mkaM4

https://lnkd.in/ePt5GV8i In recent years, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has seen a notable decline in viewership. To put it in perspective, the 1998 NBA Finals averaged nearly 29 million viewers, while recent Finals have often hovered around the 10–12 million mark. This trend isn’t just about changing consumer habits; it’s also improving accessibility. Fans are often faced with expensive streaming options, regional blackouts, and rising ticket/concession prices—all of which create friction for the consumer. That’s why I love this new initiative by the Phoenix Suns. Today, the Suns announced a value menu at Footprint Center (see article below), lowering the price of concessions to make the in-arena experience more affordable for families. Earlier this year, the Suns terminated their partnership with Bally Sports and are now broadcasting games on local television stations. The decision cost the Suns millions in guaranteed money but at least doubles their reach to 2 million households. These moves signal a broader product strategy of reducing friction and meeting fans where they are. Product teams in any industry can take a page from this playbook. By removing barriers—be it pricing or accessibility—organizations can reconnect with their audience and build a more loyal fan base. This isn’t just about sports; it’s about rethinking product delivery to serve people, not just profits. Anyways, let's go Knicks.

The "balk" stops here with Mat Ishbia's slam dunk approach to reengaging fans. I’ll admit it—I’m a bigger football fan, but I’ll be far more likely to head to a Phoenix Suns game than a Cardinals game now! In behavioral economics, "balking" happens when potential customers don’t even engage with a product or service because the perceived cost—financial, emotional, or effort—is simply too high. Whether it's skipping Disneyland due to long lines, avoiding a remodel because the process seems too stressful, or skipping live sports due to the cumulative cost of tickets, parking, and concessions, balking stops transactions before they even start. In the pool supply industry, I saw customers balk at the high cost of chemicals and opt for DIY alternatives like bleach and baking soda. While less effective, the lower price made the effort seem worthwhile. Ishbia’s decision is the antidote to balking: Instead of asking fans to weigh the value of a $15 hot dog, he’s removing the barrier altogether, creating permission to engage. This strategy is about more than cheaper snacks—it’s about fostering a diverse fan base, building loyalty, and boosting overall sales volume. Fans feel welcome, and they’re more likely to spend, return, and cheer their hearts out. Whether you’re selling software, running a marketing campaign, or managing e-commerce pricing, ask yourself: Are we encouraging customers to engage with our value? Are we removing barriers to create seamless, inviting experiences? Ishbia’s move is a case study in how aligning pricing with customer realities can spark deeper engagement and long-term loyalty. When businesses prioritize connection over immediate revenue extraction, everyone wins.

Pound for pound, this is one of the best creative concepts and execution of all time. It was a fun, and brutally honest attempt, to reclaim some semblance of relevance in hopes of saving a dying brand. However, it didn't work. To me, the biggest problem is that the Creative mostly resonates with my generation, persons who had already written off Radio Shack. All the nostalgic characters were largely irrelevant to younger customers who never considered Radio Shack a viable alternative. A new generation of customers, which the brand desperately needed, didn't understand most of the pop culture references. Despite what the Cannes Lion community wants us to believe, advertising isn't art, and Creativity isn't enough. Advertising must achieve a commercial objective, and money spent on talent and production must produce an ROI. Radio Shack filed for bankruptcy a year after its massive bet on paid media failed to pay off. Fun ideas are fun, but effective ideas are even better. Don't be bamboozled by a charismatic creative director looking to produce something that will be better for his/her portfolio than your bottom line.

Thursday’s Refresh on all things gaming! 🎲 🔹 Culinary Union workers continue their strike, and Nevada regulators propose new leadership to revitalize Virgin Hotels Las Vegas! 🏨
🔹 Las Vegas Strip revenue dips for a fourth month, with slot machines soaring but baccarat stumbling. 💵
🔹 Graton Rancheria takes legal action against Koi Nation's casino plans, spotlighting tribal sovereignty debates in California. 📜 🔹 ... and more in today’s episode. Want to dive deep into the ever-changing industry? Click over to CDCGaming.com for all the details. #CDCGamingConnect #GamingIndustry #CasinoNews #VegasUpdates #TribalGaming #HospitalityIndustry #GamingEconomy #GamingBusiness

Our Engagement Manager and resident #wargamer Kevin Williamson had a great conversation today with Seth Crofton about Maslow's hierarchy of needs and whether it could be adapted for professionalizing the industry. At #ConnectionsUS this year, a great presentation was given on professionalizing #wargaming and it started with defining the term #wargame, what makes up a wargame and what components are required to constitute a wargame. Could we take Maslow's model and categorize those components into #wargaming functions and/or needs? "Just because I have miniatures doesn't mean I have a wargame" - Seth Crofton What does the client (player) need for their specific use case and could we as a community come together to develop a restaurant menu of sorts for them to choose from? A Level I-IV may vary in component requirements but give options to the client to create the experience they wish to have. Food for thought on your Monday and we wish you well from Battle Road.

Case Study: How FatCats Boosted Revenue and Delighted Guests with Their Thrilling Game Room In this case study, we delve into the thrilling journey of FatCats Bluffdale and explore how their game room, powered by Betson Enterprises, became the cornerstone of their success.