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Business Insider
2 hours ago
- Business Insider
The hot, new celebrity side hustle
Everybody wants to be Ryan Reynolds. Donald Trump wants to be Ryan Reynolds. The " SmartLess" podcast guys want to be Ryan Reynolds. Even Klarna wants to be Ryan Reynolds. I don't mean they want to star in "Deadpool" or marry Blake Lively (though neither of those is a bad deal). I mean that they're all slapping their brands on mobile phone networks in an attempt to make a little extra bank. If you're familiar with Mint Mobile, a mobile phone network that offers inexpensive prepaid plans, it's probably because you've seen Reynolds in an ad for it. The actor-turned-entrepreneur bought an estimated 25% stake in the company back in 2019, positioned himself as its spokesperson, and then sold it to T-Mobile for $1.35 billion in 2023, with Reynolds reportedly making $300 million off the deal. The concept of Mint Mobile isn't new: Virtual mobile network operators, which are telecom companies that offer mobile services without owning their own network infrastructure, like towers and stations, have been around for a long time. Some examples, besides Mint, include Cricket Wireless and Boost, though the latter is becoming a full-on wireless carrier and investing in its own 5G network. Reynolds offered a new spin by successfully attaching a big-name brand or celebrity to one. His achievement seems to have inspired others to get in on the game, including the president, some podcast hosts, and a buy-now-pay-later company. "It's all Ryan Reynolds' fault. Sort of," says Avi Greengart, the founder and lead analyst at Techspontential, a research and advisory firm. In June, the Trump Organization announced the launch of Trump Mobile. Its website says the service will offer "All-American performance" on a $47.45 a month plan that includes unlimited talk, text, data, and calls to 100 international destinations. The Trumps are also selling a $499 gold-colored phone to accompany the plan. Everyone else on this list is thinking that if Ryan Reynolds can do it, why can't they? The same month, Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, and Sean Hayes, actors and the hosts of "Smartless," said they are starting SmartLess Mobile, which promises to be "direct-to-consumer, data-sane, and refreshingly BS-free." Their website boasts, "Friends don't let friends overpay." SmartLess' value proposition is that it offers inexpensive, limited data plans that start as low as $15 a month. The argument is that most people have plans that give them unlimited cellular data, but they don't actually need all that download capacity, given how widely available WiFi is, so they wind up overpaying. "The quick math is about half of the country use 10 gigs or fewer, but it's almost impossible not to buy unlimited," says Paul McAleese, the CEO of Smartless Mobile and a mobile industry veteran. "Why we did it is because we recognize that gap, that data gap, which is really unique compared to any other product category. You don't go into the grocery store and buy 40 gallons of milk and consume two and then do it again the next month." As The Wall Street Journal noted around that time, celebrity cellular brands seem to be everywhere. Consumer brands are joining in, too. Klarna, the Sweden-based buy now, pay later company, is launching a mobile network of its own, too. In June, it invited consumers to sign up for a waitlist to join its $40-a-month plan. It may seem strange for an installment lender to get in the wireless game, but the company says it's a step in continuing to build its "neobank offering." "Everyone else on this list is thinking that if Ryan Reynolds can do it, why can't they?" says Craig Moffett, a cofounder and senior research analyst at MoffettNathanson, an equity research firm. It's not dissimilar to the rich and famous hopping on the liquor train in recent years. There's Reynolds' gin, Snoop Dogg's wine, George Clooney's tequila, Kendall Jenner's tequila, Kevin Hart's tequila. In a way, telecom is the new tequila. "It's a sign of the times that every celebrity's reason for getting up in the morning is to think of ways they can monetize their celebrity," Moffett says. Mobile virtual network operators, which industry insiders call MVNOs, buy excess network capacity in bulk from major carriers — AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile — and sell it under their own brands. They profit from the differential between the wholesale rate they get and the amount they charge customers. "It is a capital-light alternative without having to invest considerable sums in acquiring a licence, constructing a network, and so forth," says Paolo Pescatore, a telecom analyst at PP Foresight. He says that it can also work for brands that have a similar business to tack on an extra service for their customers, such as Comcast's XFinity Mobile, which it can tie in with its broadband service. For carriers, MVNOs are a way to make money off of capacity they're not using and try to reach niche markets they may not be able to connect with on their own — customers of different demographics, who speak different languages, and who have different interests. Their brands are very general, and in their marketing, they have to appeal to the general population. It's low risk. If the thing fails, no harm, no foul. "Big carriers are not the most creative kind, and their advertising focuses on big customer segments. They don't have the time, effort, and focus to go after smaller customer segments," says Roger Entner, the founder and lead analyst at Recon Analytics, a research and analytics firm. "It's low risk. If the thing fails, no harm, no foul." MVNOs are just a small sliver of the mobile market. Entner estimates there are about 15 million MVNO customers in the US (that excludes people who use MVNOs tied to cable companies, which are an additional 19 million or so). By comparison, the major carriers have upwards of 340 million. Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel, the author of "Cultural Intelligence for Marketers," says that because consumers tend to distrust the big telecom players, an MVNO may signal a "perception of independence" for potential users. It gives an "illusion of being separate from the major telco brands," she says, even if that's far from the case. Klarna is working with AT&T, SmartLess is with T-Mobile, and the Trump Organization says they're working with all three major carriers. For the brands and individuals trying to launch mobile networks, the hope is that they have enough clout with their existing fan bases to get them to switch networks and sign up. Maybe you love Jason Bateman so much you feel like you have to have his phone plan, or you're so entrenched in Klarna's payments system and app, you switch your network to them. Or, in the case of the Trump family, you're MAGA. And given the president's long history of putting his name on things and promoting them, from buildings to steaks to wine, the move seems like a natural extension. "The only surprising thing about Trump Mobile is that he didn't try this already," Greengart says. McAleese, from SmartLess, says that while he's aware this may look like following in Reynolds' footsteps, that's not what's going on. Arnett served as a spokesperson for the Canadian company Freedom Mobile, which he also ran, back in 2018. "Will did that job, frankly, before Ryan ever did," he says. Just because celeb-affiliated mobile networks are blooming does not mean they will flourish. It's a tough business to be in. ESPN failed at its MVNO efforts two decades ago, even with all the power of, you know, ESPN — though that attempt was also before the iPhone existed. It's an easy business to start, but it's a hard business to operate, Moffett explains. "The MVNO network operator provides almost everything you need to get started. But once you spend money on marketing and customer service, it turns out to be a really tough way to make money," he says. "To succeed, you need to achieve meaningful scale, and very, very few MVNOs ever do." Phone plans are sticky. It takes time and effort to switch your carrier from one brand to another, though the barrier is getting a bit lower these days. It's especially difficult if your phone plan is how you're paying off your device, or you're on a family plan with multiple lines. Many MVNOs don't offer plans with more than one or two lines, and few help customers finance their devices. Where a lot of them run into a buzzsaw is when there's not enough differentiation going on. As much as people may idolize certain celebrities or relate to certain brands, it's just not clear that they do so enough to want their entire consumer lives to reside in their ecosystems. Beyond the branding, a lot of these networks aren't particularly special in terms of the price or service they offer. Maybe they'll get some people, via social media posts and ads, but it may not be enough to grow and sustain a thriving business operation. "Where a lot of them run into a buzzsaw is when there's not enough differentiation going on," Entner says. "They bring nothing unique to it." He was skeptical of Klarna's move, too. "It's a lower-cost acquisition channel, because if you're already paying off your burrito, they can also say, 'Hey, by the way, I know you're broke. Here's cheap service on top of it,'" he says, referring to Klarna's BNPL deal that allows people to break up a DoorDash order into multiple installments. "'I know so much about you, so I can tailor my offer exactly for you.' That's the logic. I probably don't agree with it, but knock yourself out." A Klarna spokesperson says in an email that "unlike most new MVNOS, we're not starting from scratch, nor are we jumping on the bandwagon" and that its mobile offering has been in the works for many months as part of a multiyear strategy. "We're not trying to 'win' mobile or become the biggest carrier — this isn't about scale for its own sake," the spokesperson says. "It's about solving a very real problem for the tens of millions of consumers who already trust Klarna to help manage their finances." SmartLess's McAlease says they "wish everyone well" who's trying to launch an MVNO right now, because competition is good for the industry, but "they're just kind of on that unlimited train, and that might work for them and for their audience." Initial marketing efforts have focused on the SmartLess guys, for obvious reasons — you've got three big celebrities and a giant podcast in the mix, so why not? But it will soon shift more to what actually differentiates it. "You're going to start seeing much more product- and price-focused things over the course of the next while," McAelase says. "It's always tricky for MVNOs to break through the noise, and we're fortunate to have a brand and principles that are happy to do that." Pescatore says that MVNOs have been more successful in other countries, such as the supermarket Tesco's mobile network in the UK. But it's challenging. "There are opportunities in a mature market like the US, given the price of existing services from mobile network providers. Ultimately, it needs to tightly integrate and complement the existing service and offer something truly novel to attract subscribers," he says. The track record of these projects working out may not deter brands and public figures from trying. Entner says he knows of multiple MVNOs that are in development. Apple has long faced speculation that it might launch an MVNO, though it always denies it. Apple did not respond to a request for comment. Will all these projects work out? It seems unlikely, but it could happen. Some of these packages are pretty cheap, and hey, if you like some actor enough to switch your cellphone plan for them, by all means.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Surgepays Inc (SURG) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Revenue Growth and Strategic ...
Release Date: August 13, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Positive Points Surgepays Inc (NASDAQ:SURG) reported a sequential revenue increase of 8.9% for Q2 2025, totaling $11.5 million. The company has provided strong revenue guidance of $75 to $90 million for 2025 and $225 to $240 million for 2026. The Lifeline wireless program has scaled significantly, with activations projected to reach 80,000 to 90,000 subscribers by September 2025. Surgepays Inc (NASDAQ:SURG) has signed a multi-year agreement with AT&T, providing access to a reliable network and enhancing their telecom infrastructure. The company has achieved a significant increase in pre-paid top-up revenue, with July 2025 revenue almost four times higher than the previous year. Negative Points The transition from the federally funded ACP program has impacted year-over-year financials, contributing to a net loss of $7.1 million for Q2 2025. Gross profit remains negative, with a loss of $2.7 million for the second quarter of 2025. Cash and cash equivalents have decreased significantly, from $11.8 million at the end of 2024 to $4.4 million as of June 30, 2025. The company faces challenges in balancing resource allocation between different business segments, such as Lifeline and Link Up. There is a risk of increased competition in the market, which could impact pricing and subscriber growth. Q & A Highlights Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with SURG. Q: What are the key drivers for the acceleration in Lifeline activations? A: Brian Cox, President and CEO, explained that the growth is driven by focusing on states with higher margins similar to ACP. The company has retooled its platform for Lifeline and state-specific programs, leveraging experience and infrastructure from previous programs. The company is also expanding sales channels and utilizing its seasoned team to drive growth. Q: How does Surgepays balance priorities between Lifeline and Link Up businesses? A: Brian Cox highlighted that the focus is on known revenue streams, particularly Lifeline, due to its predictable returns. The company prioritizes resources on Lifeline activations in specific states to achieve cash flow positivity, while Link Up requires more market adoption efforts. Q: Is the Lifeline program primarily through retail networks or other methods, and what commissions are involved? A: Brian Cox stated that in states with additional funding, the company uses tents for activations, similar to ACP distribution. In states without extra funding, activations are primarily online. Commissions vary, but the focus is on maximizing returns from states with additional funding. Q: How does Surgepays handle competition in the marketplace? A: Brian Cox noted that while competition exists, Surgepays differentiates itself through its compensation model for salespeople and its proprietary enrollment platform. The company focuses on keeping field agents happy and efficient, which helps in growing subscriber numbers. Q: Are there any devices involved in the Lifeline program, and how are they managed? A: Brian Cox confirmed that the company provides smartphones to customers, which enhances customer retention and acquisition. The cost of the phones is partially offset by connection credits in some states, making it a viable strategy for customer engagement. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
11 Investment Must Reads for This Week (Aug. 12, 2025)
You can find original article here Wealthmanagement. Subscribe to our free daily Wealthmanagement newsletter. 'Despite cryptocurrencies like bitcoin being compared with gold as a diversifier, crypto will usually fall further than stocks when markets are taking a downturn, even though, like gold, the asset isn't directly correlated with stocks and bonds.' () 'A net 37 per cent of fund managers are overweight EM equities, the highest level since February 2023, according to the monthly poll by Bank of America.' () 'With a Section 351 exchange, investors may be able to reallocate some of that position without triggering capital gains taxes. They transfer those assets to a newly created ETF and receive shares of that fund in exchange.' () 'Although real estate ETFs represent a small subset of that universe, with 64 ETFs and $81 billion in AUM, the vehicle is continuing to attract steady inflows—and in turn is extending the REIT industry's reach into the retail market.' () 'Private market assets may dominate the headlines, but investors are turning their focus to contemporary liquid alternatives. Key strategies like derivative income, defined outcome, and digital assets are reshaping the landscape while traditional alternatives see limited momentum.' () 'With so many firms reporting earnings or sharing recent investor presentations, I thought it could be useful to highlight three charts from each of the many publicly traded firms' recent presentations that provide an interesting perspective or unique insight on the present and future of private markets.' () 'Institutions such as pensions and endowments are increasingly concerned their negotiating power may be sapped as private equity funds allocate more money to doctors, lawyers and other everyday customers who pay full freight. Other big-money investors are asking how much of each private equity deal they'll have to share with funds marketed to individuals, leaving less available for themselves.' () 'According to the 2025 PLANSPONSOR Recordkeeping Survey, 3.9% of plan sponsors offered alternative investments in their retirement plan in 2024, up from 2.2% one year earlier.' () 'The investment manager also listed four new investment themes that didn't appear in a previous version of its records filed with the SEC: tax-managed equity long-short, climate solutions, private credit, and multi-asset private markets. The documents don't indicate that any of the strategies are available today.' () 'The Stanger NL BDC Total Return Index – which has been measuring the quarterly performance of non-listed BDCs since December 2015 – has now recorded positive total returns in 12 consecutive quarters, and all but one over the past five years.' () 'Opportunities for private credit investors are increasing in tandem with private equity's interest in the space, market participants say. Others highlight the value of flexible and hybrid capital in the uniquely regulated world of sports investing.' () Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
