The Great Fail
The Great Fail is a true crime inspired, business podcast that examines the greatest success stories of the most prominent and prolific companies, brands, and people and what led to their demise. If you love true crime and stories of massive failures, you've come to the right place! Here we take a forensic look at stories that will irk you, shock you, and have you picking your jaw up off the floor, all while learning the oftentimes avoidable, mistakes that have ended the lives of companies and left boardrooms looking like crime scenes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...
Wed, June 05, 2024
Flashback: Quibi's Sunken Ship
With the latest buzz surrounding Jeffrey Katzenberg's newest venture WndrCo, raising a staggering $460 million, we thought...what better time than now to bring back an old fan favorite episode, Quibi? Launched in April 2020 during a worldwide pandemic, Quibi was a new streaming service focused on premium short-form content. With Co-founders Jeffrey Katzenberg, former Chairman of Walt Disney Studios, and Meg Whitman, former CEO of HP, having almost $2 billion in funding, the support of major Hollywood studios, and tons of A-list celebrity clout. But even with all of that, Quibi was dead on arrival, folding just after just six months. Get the full scoop on this week's episode of The Great Fail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 E67 · Thu, May 23, 2024
Episode 67: Space Shuttle Challenger
On the cold morning of January 28th, 1986, anticipation filled the air as the space shuttle Challenger prepared for its 10th mission. This historic event featured Christa McAuliffe, the first civilian to join a space mission, aiming to inspire students with live broadcasts from orbit. Tragically, just 73 seconds after launch, the Challenger exploded, leaving millions of viewers in shock. In the months that followed, the Rogers Commission, led by former Secretary of State William P. Rogers, was formed to investigate the disaster. What they found would shake America's trust in NASA for years to come. Tune in to Episode 67 of The Great Fail to hear the full story. Special thanks to Adam Higginbotham for his contributions to this segment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 E66 · Wed, May 08, 2024
Episode 66: Zume’s Meltdown
In 2015, Alex Garden, the enigmatic co-founder and CEO of Zume, unveiled an ambitious plan to revolutionize the pizza industry with advanced technology and robots. His concept caught the attention of major venture capital funds, including Jerry Yang, co-founder of Yahoo, and SoftBank's $100 billion Vision Fund. With substantial funding and media attention, Zume seemed poised to transform the food industry. However, despite having all the right ingredients, what led to their downfall was so outrageous it will have you scratching your head and questioning how half-baked the management was. This is sure to be one of the most intriguing failures you've ever heard about yet. Tune in to Episode 66 of The Great Fail to hear the full story. Special thanks to Joanna Fantozzi for her contributions to this segment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 E65 · Wed, April 24, 2024
Episode 65: Action Park’s Final Thrill
In the 1980s, Action Park was a summer hotspot for many in the Tri-State area, attracting visitors from New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Entrepreneur Gene Mulvihill sought to transform the former Great Gorge Ski Resort into his own 'Disney of Jersey'—one of the first modern American water parks. The concept was promising. Yet, the reality took a darker turn with poorly designed rides, inexperienced staff, and unrestricted alcohol, resulting in hundreds of injuries and six deaths. These dangers left many wondering how and why Action Park could continue operating so many years without any repercussions? Tune in to Episode 65 of The Great Fail , to hear the story. Special thanks to Seth Porges, director of Class Action Park, for his insights in this segment. All credits and sources can be found at www.thegreatfail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S4 E64 · Tue, April 09, 2024
Episode 64: The IN-Vince-able McMahon
American wrestling, which most notably revolves around the WWE brand, owes much of its success to the influential presence of the McMahons - Vince McMahon, most of all. There is no doubt about the influence he had on wrestling and the way he turned the likes of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, John Cena, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and Hulk Hogan into household names, as well as his role in creating the blueprint for pay-per-view programming. However, in the wake of the legacy he has left behind, are allegations - a dirty laundry list that includes sexual misconduct and lawsuits claiming his abuse of power. For more than four decades, he was both an executive and a performer in his own show, acting as the diabolical "Mr. McMahon." But to what extent does the fiction intertwine or blur into reality? Tune in to Episode 64 of The Great Fail to hear the story. Special thanks to Abraham Josephine Riesman for her contributions to this segment. For show notes and sources, please visit: www.thegreatfail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 E63 · Thu, October 19, 2023
Episode 63: Quiznos is Toast
Once at the top of the food chain, Quiznos achieved over $2 billion in sales and had nearly 5,000 restaurant chains. But just as things were heating up, the iconic company found itself in a pickle, leaving behind a very sour taste. Tune in to Episode 63 of The Great Fail to listen to one of the most significant and dramatic restaurant collapses in American history. Special thanks to Jonathan Maze for his contributions to this segment, and a shout-out to Adweek and Acast for their support. Sources: A brief history of Quiznos’ collapse The Real Reason Why Quiznos Is Disappearing Across The Country The Quiznos Story: From Huge Success To Huge Bust WHAT HAPPENED TO QUIZNOS SUBS? Wikipedia: Quiznos Quiznos – Failure Case Study Denver-based Quiznos hit by new lawsuits from disgruntled franchisees Three Factors That Led to Quiznos' Epic Decline QUIZNOS: Biggest Collapse in Restaurant History? Quiznos terminates franchisees on heels of suicide Fast Food’s Most Unhinged Mascots Are Back Quiznos is bringing back Spongmonkeys, its creepy rat-like mascots from 20 years ago, as the restaurant looks for a comeback Death of a toasted san
S3 E62 · Wed, October 04, 2023
Episode 62: Kittyhawk: From Moonshot to a Longshot
A surprising announcement rippled through Silicon Valley in the Spring of 2017. A mysterious 'flying car' venture took the spotlight, fueled by rumors of Google co-founder Larry Page's involvement. A marvel of engineering, this all-electric innovation promised to reduce traffic congestion and open the skies for dreamers—a moonshot that captivated engineers, futurists, and tech enthusiasts. But over time, that moonshot started to look more like a longshot. With Page’s financial backing and abundant resources, how could this project have possibly failed? Hear the full story on episode 62 of The Great Fail . Special thanks for Hugh Langley for his contributions to this episode. Shoutout to Adweek and Acast. Sources: Throwback Thursday: The Rise and Fall of Flying-Car Startup Kittyhawk Kitty Hawk, the electric aircraft moonshot backed by Larry Page, is shutting down Inside the rise and fall of Kittyhawk, Larry Page's failed flying car company How Larry Page's flying-car company of the future turned into a stunning failure Kittyhawk: Employees should “blindly” trust Larry Page Where Kittyhawk Failed: The Case of Disruptive Technologies Case Study Larry Page’s Flying Car Failure Is a Lesson For Us All Larry Page’s Kitty Hawk air taxi startup is shutting down Hewlett-Packard: The Flight of the Kittyhawk (A) Harvard Case Solution & Analysis <a href="https://www.business
Bonus · Thu, September 21, 2023
TGF Presents: Marketing Vanguard
As a special bonus episode this week, we are spotlighting another amazing series on the Adweek Podcast Network. Hosted by Jenny Rooney, Adweek's first chief experience officer, Marketing Vanguard: the podcast, spotlights the people who are driving the industry forward. It will feature valuable, must-listen nuggets of marketing-leadership wisdom, humility, stories, strategic insights, and growth opportunities in an era of ever more complex industry pressures and realities. Together we’ll dive into what's driving the decision-makers of today to move the needle of some of the world’s most exciting brands in incremental or monumental ways. In the world of modern business, adaptability and evolution are often paramount for success. The same holds true for the field of marketing, where Vineet Mehra, the CMO of Chime, exemplifies a career path that embodies the dynamic nature of marketing leadership. In a recent conversation, Vineet shared insights into his professional journey, highlighting how his roles in various industries have shaped his perspective on marketing's role in the growth engine of companies. Listen to this week's episode of Marketing Vanguard to hear how Vineet continues to drive innovation at Chime, while his journey remains an inspiration to those seeking to redefine the boundaries of marketing leadership in an ever-changing world. Listen and subscribe to Marketing Vanguard on Apple Podcasts or find it on Spotify . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 E61 · Thu, August 17, 2023
Episode 61: The Wing(s) Get Clipped
The Wing, a pioneering and exclusive women's co-working space, shattered glass ceilings and secured over $100 million from investors, including WeWork and Airbnb, venture capitalists, and celebrity investors such as Megan Rapinoe, star of the US National Women's Soccer Team, and comedian, writer, and actress Mindy Kaling. At its peak, The Wing held a valuation of approximately $365 million, maintained 11 locations across NY, LA, Boston, and Chicago, and catered to 12,000 members with a waitlist of 9,000. But as The Wing was enjoying its ascent into stardom, its employees would soon threaten to clip the Company’s soaring wings. Tune in to Episode 61 of The Great Fail to hear the story. Special thanks to Adweek’s Olivia Morley for her contributions to this segment and shout out to Adweek and Acast for their support. Sources: Why woke women’s co-working space the Wing failed: ‘A gossipy, very toxic environment’ The Wing Shuts Down After an astonishing rise and fall, the Wing finally folds Perspective: The real reason the all-women workspace failed What Was the Wing? To the extent that it’s remembered, it will be as an artifact of the Trump era. The girlbosses who girlbossed too close to the sun: The demise of ‘women’s utopia’ The Wing was long overdue The exclusive no-men-allowed club that raised $32 million from investors like WeWork just opened a brand new location — take a look inside The Wing CEO Audrey Gelman resigns amid employee ‘digital walkout’ </p
S3 E60 · Wed, August 02, 2023
Episode 60: Bed, Bath &…Bankrupted
For 52 years, Bed, Bath & Beyond was the destination for high-quality home goods merchandise, top brands, and a discovery zone for home shopping that made it inspiring and fun. By January 2014, the company had operated more than 1500 stores in North America and had reached a share price of $70 dollars. Despite all the success, the company would soon become a victim of mismanagement, burdened with debt and unwanted inventory, unaware that its own fate would soon be put on layaway. Tune in to Episode 60 of The Great Fail to hear the story. Special thanks to Seth Basham for his contributions to this segment. Sources: Bed Bath & Beyond Used to Be Great. These Two Are Why. Inside Overstock’s grand plan to reinvent itself as Bed Bath & Beyond All Buy Buy Baby stores losing after last-ditch deal falls through The $11.8 billion mistake that led to Bed Bath & Beyond’s demise 3 key mistakes that doomed Bed Bath & Beyond The rise and fall of Bed Bath & Beyond, the iconic housewares retailer that has filed for bankruptcy and is closing its remaining stores After 52 Years, Why Bed Bath & Beyond Went Bankrupt What Went Wrong at Bed Bath & Beyond The Hidden Reason Behind Bed Bath & Beyond's Demise <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2023/1/10/23547078/bed-bath-and-beyond-bankruptcy-closing-earnings-bbby-stock" rel="noopener nore
Bonus · Wed, July 19, 2023
Flashback: The DeLorean: Time Machine to Nowhere
The DeLorean was one of the most era-defining cars of the ‘80s. Sleek, sexy, and unconventional, this iconic car had much promise-- engineering ingenuity, celebrity fanfare, and media hype. But less than a year after it rolled out its first cars, the Company would collapse in a tailspin of lies, drug scandal, bankruptcy, racketeering, criminal trials, and government conspiracies. Find out what led to the downfall of the DeLorean Motor Company on Episode 40 of The Great Fail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 E59 · Wed, July 05, 2023
Episode 59: Revlon Gets Creamed
In 1952, Revlon created one of the most iconic, paradigm-shifting ad campaigns known as "Fire & Ice," which posed a dramatic twist on why women wore makeup. Instead of seeking male admiration, it empowered women by prioritizing their ambitions and needs. For decades, Revlon spearheaded feminism and cosmetic innovation, establishing itself as the world's second-largest producer, with products sold in 150 countries. However, in 2022, it faced another transformative phase, resulting in Revlon's once-vibrant prominence fading in its luster. Tune in to Episode 59 of The Great Fail to hear the story. Special thanks to Robin Albin for her contributions to this segment. Revlon Sources What Went Wrong at Revlon Why did cosmetic giant Revlon fail? Revlon Proves That You Can Be Too Big To Fail Here’s why Revlon just filed for bankruptcy—no, it’s not because of the #NoMakeup movement Revlon, Beauty Icon In Crowded Market, Files For Bankruptcy Revlon files for bankruptcy in US after supply chain trouble and surging costs Revlon: makeup icon falls to social media rivals Wikipedia: Revlon Citigroup cannot recoup Revlon payouts after nearly $900 million gaffe: U.S. judge Citibank can’t get back $500 million it wired by mistake, judge rules <a href="https://www.inventiva.co.in/stories/what-went-wrong-cosmetics-gian
S3 E58 · Wed, June 21, 2023
Episode 58: When the Wheels Came Off for Schwinn Bicycles
In 1895 , Schwinn was driven by the pursuit of an American dream when bicycling was still a relatively new sport. As one of the longest-standing bicycle companies, Schwinn signified influence and innovation amidst a biking craze that further catapulted their success. But over the years, it would lose its luster after a series of poor leadership decisions that led it to a dead end. Get the full story on Episode 58 of The Great Fail to hear the story. Special thanks to Jay Townley for his contributions to this segment. SCHWINN SOURCES No Hands: The Rise and Fall of the Schwinn Bicycle Company, an American Institution by Judith Crown and Glenn Coleman Schwinn Bicycle Company A Short History of Schwinn: 1990s Bankruptcy though 2021 No hands: The rise and fall of the Schwinn Bicycles Company: an American institution, Judith Crown & Glenn Coleman, Henry Holt&Co. A Rough Ride for Schwinn Bicycle Schwinn Cycle and Fitness L.P. - Company Profile, Information, Business Description, History, Background Information on Schwinn Cycle and Fitness L.P. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S3 E57 · Wed, June 07, 2023
Episode 57: The Downfall of the Mars Hill Church
Mars Hill was a Seattle-based church led by Mark Driscoll- a beloved, endearing, powerful presence in the evangelical Christian community. He built Mars Hill into one of the fastest-growing churches in the nation, with close to 15,000 attendees and an additional 260,000 viewers tuning in online every week. But behind the perfect persona, was a twisted reality waiting to be uncovered. What was revealed in its final days was a trail of abuse, fraud, intimidation, sexism, and a fall from grace that would make it one of the most spectacular collapses in Christianity today. Listen to Episode 57 of The Great Fail to hear the full story. Special thanks to Adweek and Acast and Professor Jeremy Cohen for contributing to this episode. Mars Hill Sources 'The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill': The abuses of a superstar pastor and megachurch ruins left behind Lawsuit: Controversial Pastor Ran Mars Hill Megachurch Like a Crime Syndicate WHO KILLED MARS HILL CHURCH? THERE’S ONE SUSPECT EVANGELICALS SIMPLY AREN’T PREPARED TO INTERROGATE How a Megachurch Melts Down Wikipedia: Mars Hill Church Megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll was an evangelical rock star. Here's how he fell from grace. Wikipedia: Mark Driscoll Special Guest: Jeremy Cohen, Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies, McMaster University Jeremy Cohen is an anthropologist of religion and an Assistant Professor at McMaster University in the Department of Religious Studies, where he teaches courses on topics ranging from cults and conspiracy theories to death and dying, and the occult. His research examines new religious movements seeking radical longevity an
S3 E56 · Wed, May 24, 2023
Episode 56: FTX - From Irresistible to Criminal
FTX was once touted as the cryptocurrency trading platform with its founder, visionary Sam Bankman-Fried, promising to revolutionize the industry. This once-promising company was on a path to decentralize and democratize a highly complex investment within the crypto world but by 2022, headlines that read, “Scam of the Century”, “Bank Fraud and Conspiracy”, and “Criminal Charges” pointed to a grim future. What happened and who was to blame? Listen to episode 56 of The Great Fail to hear the full story with special guest Jason Notte, staff writer at Adweek. FTX Sources Have celebs learned their lesson from the FTX debacle? The rise and fall of FTX The Collapse of FTX: What Went Wrong with the Crypto Exchange? Tom Brady And Other A-Listers Sued For Fumbling FTX Endorsements FTX Investors Sue Celebrity Endorsers Celebrity Crypto-Hawkers Should Get a Close Look Timeline: The rise and spectacular fall of FTX SBF: THE VIRTUE WAS THE CON Why Did FTX Collapse? Here’s What to Know. Should Sports Stars And Celebrities Endorse Or Accept Crypto Pay After Entanglement In FTX Scandal? <a href="https://fortune.com/2022/12/17/sports-stars-promoting-ftx-crypto-firms-sponsorships-fans-eth
S3 E55 · Wed, May 10, 2023
Episode 55: Silicon Valley Bank: From Boom to Bust
The Great Fail kicks off Season 3 with one of the biggest failures of 2023 thus far, as we watched one of the nation’s largest banks unravel. Once a rising star in the tech industry, Silicon Valley Bank was a paragon for startup founders and venture capitalists reaching dizzying heights of success in 2020. So how did it go from boom to bust just a few short years after? Was it greed, mismanagement, or something more sinister? You won't want to miss this riveting exploration of Silicon Valley Bank's rise and fall. Listen to Episode 55 of The Great Fail to hear the story. Special thanks to Professor Mark T. Williams for his contributions to this segment. Sources For 40 years, Silicon Valley Bank was a tech industry icon. It collapsed in just days WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO SILICON VALLEY BANK What Happened to Silicon Valley Bank? The tech industry moved fast and broke its most prestigious bank Here’s how the second-biggest bank collapse in U.S. history happened in just 48 hours The Ugly Lessons of Silicon Valley Bank’s Collapse Why almost everyone failed to predict Silicon Valley Bank’s collapse Fed's Barr to Congress: SVB's failure is 'textbook case of mismanagement' This is why SVB imploded, says top Fed official FDIC says First Citizens Bank has reached deal to purchase Silicon Valley Bank <a href="https://www.directorsandboards.com/articles/singlesilicon-valley-bank-collapse-lessons-board
Bonus · Thu, December 22, 2022
Flashback: Adapt or Die - The Fall of Tower Records
For over 4 decades, Tower Records was a pioneer in the music industry and the bedrock of record store culture. It was run by rebels and outsiders, where founder Russ Solomon was revered and idolized. Tower would become the mecca for music fans creating a generation that lived by their diehard slogan, “No Music, No Life”. For decades, it seemed like the sun would never set on the iconic yellow and red letters that illuminated so many urban cityscapes. But that light would eventually burn out... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus · Thu, December 08, 2022
Flashback: GameStop - The Big Short....Squeeze
In January 2021, the world watched as Reddit traders faced off with Wall Street elites in a trading mania over GameStop shares. Matei Psatta, one of the traders of the subreddit WallStreetBets, joins us this week to comment on what this means and why the financial markets may never be the same. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus · Fri, November 18, 2022
Flashback: The Blockbuster Bust
People tend to think that Netflix killed Blockbuster – but that's not true. Blockbuster's demise was actually caused by something far more self-destructive, and almost a decade after the fall of this movie rental giant, there are still misconceptions about what really occurred. Get the scoop on how Blockbuster was taken down, here on The Great Fail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Thu, November 03, 2022
Bonus Episode: Introducing Metaverse Marketing
The Great Fail is taking a break this week. Instead of normal programming, The Great Fail is hosting Metaverse Marketing, another podcast series in the Adweek Podcast Network. In this Season 2 premiere, host Cathy Hackl, metaverse and web3 strategist, dives into how the metaverse is changing our world both on and offline. Hackl explores what it truly means to build a community and why it is such a hot topic in Web3 and the metaverse. Follow Cathy on Twitter: @CathyHackl Subscribe to Adweek's Metaverse Marketing on your favorite podcast platform! You can listen and subscribe to all of Adweek’s podcasts by visiting adweek.com/podcasts. Stay updated on all things Adweek Podcast Network by following us on Twitter: @adweekpodcasts. And if you have a question or suggestions for the show, send us an email at podcast@adweek.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E54 · Thu, October 20, 2022
Episode 54: LulaRoe Leggings Stretches the Law
Several legal cases were pending, culminating in January 2019, when a class-action lawsuit led by the Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson was filed against the multi-level marketing Company, LulaRoe. This one alleged that the founders of LulaRoe made false and deceptive representations regarding their business, inspiring thousands of optimistic entrepreneurs to invest their money into the lucrative venture-- only to find themselves drowning in debt, mortgaging their homes, and depleting their life savings. Though many had not yet heard of LulaRoe, this lawsuit would soon topple the billion-dollar enterprise into one of the most well-known scandals in America. Listen to Episode 54 of The Great Fail to hear the story. Special thanks to Professor Kelly Richmond Pope for her contributions to this segment. LulaRoe Sources LuLaRoe Was a Billion Dollar Leggings Empire Until the Lawsuits. LuLaRich Tells the Story The Rise And Fall Of LuLaRoe’ Investigates Scandal Behind Marketing Company The MLM LuLaRoe Has Seen Tons of Controversy — Here's Why Is LulaRoe Still in Business? Amazon's 'LulaRich' Has Everyone Asking the Same Question LulaRich! 9 Lessons You Can Learn From LulaRoe’s Downfall Lessons from LuLaRich that Resellers Can Learn From 4 Shockingly Manipulative Work Moments In The 'LuLaRich' Documentary ‘It’s very culty’: the bizarre billion-dollar downfall of fashion company LuLaRoe These Leggings May Ruin Your Life <a href="https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/lularoe-
S2 E53 · Thu, October 06, 2022
Episode 53: Valeant: Death by Poison Pill
It was a somewhat ordinary day for David Pyott, the CEO of Allergan, back in April 2014. That is until his eyes glanced over at the TV screen in his office, where he learned that billionaire hedge fund manager and activist investor Bill Ackman was about to back the takeover of his company by way of a hostile takeover. The acquirer was none other than the infamous and controversial pharmaceutical company, Valeant Pharmaceuticals. Valeant was a Wall Street darling and one of Canada’s largest companies. So why and how did this transaction lead to Valeant's downfall only a year later? Listen to Episode 53 of The Great Fail to hear the story. Special thanks to Joe Nocera for his contributions to this segment. Valeant Pharma Sources The rise and fall of Valeant Pharmaceuticals The Roll-Up Racket What Valeant’s fall from grace can teach the drug industry THE VALEANT MELTDOWN AND WALL STREET’S MAJOR DRUG PROBLEM Valeant CEO didn’t tell investors real story about sales growth Explaining Valeant: The Main Theories A Buried Scandal, Shedding Of Assets, And Forthcoming Spinoff Means Substantial Upside For Bausch Health The Demise of Valeant Pharmaceuticals: A Case Study in Rotten Culture and Business Ethics Valeant Makes Hostile Bid For Allergan Inside A Hostile Takeover: The Allergan-Valeant War <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milan_Pani%C4%87" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_bla
Bonus · Thu, September 22, 2022
Bonus Episode: Introducing Home / Work
The Great Fail is proud to present Home / Work, a new marketing podcast that is not about marketing. Hosted by AMA Marketing Hall of fame inductee Antonio Lucio, Home / Work is about the real talk on the good, bad, ugly, and extraordinary of balancing life and work. We will bring true role models of our industry together with their partners to discuss how they do it. On the premiere episode of Home / Work, Antonio sits down with Carla Hassan, Chief Marketing Officer of JPMorgan Chase, and Tariq Hassan, Chief Marketing and Digital Customer Experience Officer of Mcdonald's to discuss balancing two incredible careers while raising a family, what they learned while raising a family during the pandemic, and why they don't consider themselves a "power couple." Subscribe to Home / Work on your favorite podcast platform or by visiting adweek.com/podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E52 · Thu, September 01, 2022
Episode 52: Bikram Yoga, From Super-Heated to Overheated
Bikram Choudhury was the founder of the wildly popular hot yoga practice that many considered to cure ailments, detoxify bodies, and change lives. At the height in 2006, there were 1,650 studios in at least 40 countries, but by 2013, a series of allegations surfaced when one by one, women stepped forward with accusations that included sexual assault, rape, and abuse against the man revered as a guru. Listen now to hear about the rise and fall of the Bikram Yoga empire on Episode 52 of The Great Fail. Special guest Dave Emerson, Founder of Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga. And shoutout to our partners at Adweek and Acast. Bikram Yoga Sources He made a fortune from his trademarked Bikram yoga, but now his empire is in tatters The incredible rise and fall of yogi-to-the-stars Bikram Choudhury 'He said he could do what he wanted': the scandal that rocked Bikram yoga Bikram yoga's moral dilemma Wikipedia: Bikram Choudhury New Netflix Documentary Shows Bikram’s Dark Side, So Why Are Yogis Still Doing It? Bikram is Back: The Unapologetic Tour The Horrifying Cult Origins of Bikram Yoga: Rape, Harassment and Lies The Overheated, Oversexed Cult of Bikram Choudhury Global Yoga Market Outlook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E51 · Thu, August 18, 2022
Episode 51: Why the World Unfriended MySpace
Before there was Facebook, there was MySpace, once the world’s most dominating social networking company. In the summer of 2005, one of the biggest deals in internet history made headlines when News Corp., famously known as Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, acquired MySpace for $580 million in cash. In the business realm, it seemed that with the backing of the media giant, MySpace would have the world at its fingertips. And to the outside, it appeared that Myspace was going to be unstoppable. Find out how MySpace got unfriended on Episode 51 of The Great Fail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E50 · Wed, August 03, 2022
Episode 50: Terra: Crypto’s TERRA-ble Crash
We’re doing a special episode on cryptocurrency this week and covering what occurred in May of 2022 when the world watched as one of the biggest projects imploded. Once valued at $400 billion, the project was known as TerraUST, a stablecoin that was going to transform the crypto market and the way that traditional payments would be made in the future. Instead, investors watched as its market value dropped by almost 99% within 24 hours. What led to this death spiral and more importantly, what does the future hold for crypto investors? Our special guest Omid Malekan, Adjunct Professor at Columbia Business School, will break down the story in Episode 50 of The Great Fail. Terra Sources How a Trash-Talking Crypto Founder Caused a $40 Billion Crash Terra Was Too Big to Fail, and It Failed: Bloomberg Crypto TerraUSD’s collapse will take down every other algorithmic stablecoin, crypto analysts say TerraUSD ‘stablecoin’ delisted from crypto exchanges How $60 Billion in Terra Coins Went Up in Algorithmic Smoke The Fall of Terra: A Timeline of the Meteoric Rise and Crash of UST and LUNA The Terra (LUNA) Collapse: 4 Lessons To Be Learned (Opinion) The Real Reasons Behind the Crypto Crash, and What We Can Learn from Terra’s Fall Luna Crypto Crash: What Happened To Terra Luna? Who is Do Kwon, the ‘lunatic’ who created a $60 billion cryptocurrency that collapsed in days? <a href="https
S2 E49 · Wed, July 20, 2022
Episode 49: Von Dutch, From Price Tags to Toe Tags
Back in the early 2000s, the Von Dutch ubiquitous trucker hats were seen everywhere- and their line of denim brought us the classic low-rise, sometimes frayed at the hem, sometimes with tons of bling, but never without the iconic “Von Dutch” stamped logo. That uniquely distinctive font bared the cool culture Americana aesthetic. Von Dutch’s popularity was so tremendous that in 2003, the Company was raking in $33 million in sales from their jackets, denim, t-shirts, and trucker- until the brand got hit with counterfeiting. But the story of Von Dutch isn’t just about rhinestones and rip-offs, it was a story about deception, betrayal, murder, and a scandal that would serve as the epitaph of its tombstone. Find out how it all went down in Episode 49 of The Great Fail. Join Retail Brew's community of retail professionals by subscribing here ! Sources: Inside The Messy, Chaotic Downfall Of Von Dutch A New Docuseries Explores the Rise and Fall of Von Dutch Drug fronts, murder, and Paris Hilton: the rise and fall of Von Dutch The Untold Story of Von Dutch Wikipedia: Von Dutch S.C. man shot dead in Venice Beach How Von Dutch’s Trucker Hat Empire Ended in Chaos and Death 1999 Week Before There Was Snapchat: A Look Back At The Biggest Stars Of 1999 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus · Wed, July 06, 2022
Bonus Episode: The Speed of Culture Podcast
This week we’re releasing a bonus episode from one of our sister podcasts on the Adweek Podcast Network called The Speed of Culture Podcast . In this episode, host Matt Britton talks to Ken Ohashi about bringing a brand’s DNA into focus. Ken is a marketing expert with years of experience in the retail industry with brands like Aéropostale, and the Authentic Brands Group. Having acquired the iconic suit brand Brooks Brothers prior to the pandemic, Ken found himself navigating a new, potential post-office wear world during the Covid 19 pandemic and what that means for a brand synonymous with formal wear. We’ll return in 2 weeks with another episode of The Great Fail. Thanks to our partners Adweek and Acast. www.TheGreatFail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E48 · Wed, June 22, 2022
Episode 48: Phar-Mor, From Savior to Misbehavior
Get ready to hear about the most scandalous retail pharmacy chain of all time that was Phar-Mor. We hear about companies and financial misconduct frequently–stories of cooked books and misappropriated funds are hardly rare, but often leave us questioning–how do companies manage to pull these off, and more importantly how do they get past trained professionals, auditors and investors? In this episode, our featured guest Professor Kelly Richmond Pope of DePaul University, a forensic accounting expert with a specialty in corporate crime, will explain how an accident exposed a $1 billion fraud and took down one of the nation’s largest retail chains. Listen now to Episode 48 on The Great Fail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E47 · Wed, June 08, 2022
Episode 47: Kmart, From Blue Light Special to Candlelight Vigil
Who doesn’t remember Kmart? At its height, Kmart was the second-largest retailer in the United States, operating 2,400 stores with 350,000 employees. The company was generating around $37 billion a year in sales, ranking 2nd to Sears. But by 1990 it would see a tectonic shift, with its fortunes beginning to change. Find out how a series of missteps and poor management would bring down an American staple that had ruled retail for over 100 years. Listen now to Episode 47 on The Great Fail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E46 · Wed, May 25, 2022
Episode 46: Carrian Group Swim with the Fishes
Carrian Group was a tale made for fiction, running the gamut of corruption, human greed, fraudulent accounting, and false profits that spanned across countries. Despite it being almost 4 decades since the collapse of this huge conglomerate, we still don’t know the full story - but what we do know was that behind this catastrophic failure stood some very fascinating characters-The Prime Minister of Malaysia, a charismatic CEO, several government officials, some high-level executives and between them, all aligning to create a labyrinth of business dealings that would blow up into a high-profile investigation, the murder of an auditor, and a mysterious drowning, eventually ending up as one of the largest bankruptcies in Hong Kong history. Find out how it went down on Episode 46 of The Great Fail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E45 · Wed, May 11, 2022
Episode 45: How Jawbone went from Wearable to Terrible
Many regarded Jawbone as one of the pioneers in wearables. After making its mark as a Bluetooth headset maker, it pivoted to capitalize on the new and highly desirable fitness tracking market. This pivot and expansion into a hot new area allowed Jawbone to attract funding from top-tier Silicon Valley venture capital firms and helped them amass a world-class board that included Yahoo’s CEO Marissa Mayer and Warner Music Group’s COO Robert Wiesenthal. With all the funding in the place and the right team behind it, it seemed like Jawbone would be unstoppable. So how did a groundbreaking industry pioneer find itself entangled in corporate espionage, public embarrassment, and a string of unhappy customers? Get the full story on Episode 45 of The Great Fail. For full show notes please visit www.TheGreatFail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E44 · Wed, April 27, 2022
Episode 44: Zillow Offers, From Flip to Flop
In September 2021, Sean Gotcher, a Nevada-based real-estate agent, released an infamous TikTok video that ignited a tremendous amount of attention and criticism after alluding to a real estate iBuyer that may have been fixing home prices and engaging in market manipulation. Although many claimed this to be outrageous speculation, it would be a few weeks later when Zillow announced that it was shutting down its home-flipping business, Zillow Offers, after losing $381 million. Did Gotcher’s video accelerate the collapse of Zillow’s iBuying division? Find out how it went down in Episode 44 of The Great Fail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 Enull · Wed, April 13, 2022
Special Announcement + Encore Episode: MoviePass Roll the Credits
Cinephile and film enthusiast, Stacy Spikes sought to reinvent the way people watched movies. His answer was MoviePass, a subscription-based service that allowed people to watch any movie, at any theater, at any time for one monthly fee. It was ground-breaking, well-suiting the Company to disrupt an entire industry. But what occurred next would see MoviePass topple from being a blockbuster hit to a box-office bomb. A special thanks to Stacy Spikes for sharing his experience in founding MoviePass. Get that and more on a special Encore Episode of The Great Fail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E43 · Wed, March 30, 2022
Episode 43: Ayds Gets a Trim Down
Since the 1930s, Ayds was a popular appetite suppressant touted by Hollywood celebrities and starlets. Despite being a success and household name for over 40 years, Ayds would find itself at the precipice of a PR nightmare, eventually, “crowning” itself as one of the greatest product flops in history. Find out how it all went down in Episode 43 of The Great Fail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E42 · Wed, March 16, 2022
Episode 42: Circuit City: Electronic Retail Giant Short-Circuits
The rise and fall of Circuit City is a fascinating tale full of ups and downs, when one Company paved the path and dominated the consumer electronics market only to perish after almost 6 decades. From having the largest selections, the best prices, and the brightest talent, Circuit City went from an all-American retail success story to one of the greatest failures in corporate history. Find out how on The Great Fail , Episode 42. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E41 · Wed, March 02, 2022
Episode 41: Ctrl+Alt+Del, Microsoft’s Mixer
On June 22, 2020 Microsoft’s live game streaming service, Mixer, made a stunning announcement. After 4 years of building out its channel for gamers and its beloved community of streamers and fans, they were shutting down. As millions of Mixer active users, and even their own employees were blindsided by the news, it begged the question that was on everyone’s mind- how could this have happened to Microsoft, one of the most powerful and endemic gaming companies in the world? Featuring special guest Phil Ranta CEO of Wormhole Labs, previously Head of Gaming Creators, North America at Facebook, and the Head of Creators at Mobcrush. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S2 E40 · Wed, February 16, 2022
Episode 40: The DeLorean: Time Machine to Nowhere
The DeLorean was one of the most era-defining cars of the ‘80s. Sleek, sexy, and unconventional, this iconic car had much promise-- engineering ingenuity, celebrity fanfare, and media hype. But less than a year after it rolled out its first cars, the Company would collapse in a tailspin of lies, drug scandal, bankruptcy, racketeering, criminal trials, and government conspiracies. Find out what led to the downfall of the DeLorean Motor Company on Episode 40 of The Great Fail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus · Thu, November 11, 2021
Coming Soon: Season 2 of The Great Fail
The Great Fail is coming back with Season 2 on February 16, 2022! In the meantime, enjoy a new show from our friends at Wondery. During the 1-900 number craze of the Nineties, one company provided the vast majority of phone sex. American Telnet was an empire founded by the man who called himself “The Telephone Pimp.” He ran the company “like General Motors” and got filthy rich doing it. But for the (mostly) women who answered the calls and delivered fantasies 24-7, it was a different story. The powerful stigma against sex work was always lurking just beneath the surface, until it threatened to tear apart the whole company. Hosted by Tina Horn (Why Are People Into That?), OPERATOR is an eight-part series about big ambitions, Shakespearean-level corporate backstabbing, men and women at the cutting edge of a technological revolution...and on the front lines of a sexual one. Listen to Operator now! http://wondery.fm/OP_The_Great_Fail Special thanks to our partners at AdvertiseCast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E39 · Wed, September 22, 2021
Episode 39: Final Buzzer for Modell’s Sporting Goods
On February 21, 2020, Mitchell Modell, CEO of the largest family-owned sporting goods retailer in the United States went on national TV and made a shocking announcement-he asked viewers to help save his company from financial collapse. The 130-year-old brand at one point was a fixture in the northeast U.S. as the premier sporting goods retailer. Find out how Modell’s winning streak came to an end on Episode 39 of The Great Fail. Thank you to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E38 · Wed, August 25, 2021
Episode 38: The Final Descent for Trump Shuttle
Leather seats, marble floors, chrome buckles, and pearl necklaces- that was just the beginning of the luxurious Trump Shuttle saga. Back in 1989, Donald J. Trump, graced the covers of Time Magazine with the byline “Young, handsome and ridiculously rich.” He had just acquired Trump Plaza and with his growing casinos in Atlantic City, was looking to further boost his business brand by adding a luxury airline to his empire. But in less than 3 years, Trump Shuttle would be seeing its final descent. Get the story on Episode 38 of The Great Fail. Thank you to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E37 · Wed, August 11, 2021
Episode 37: How Pier 1 Imports Sank
In its heyday, Pier 1 Imports had 18,000 employees and over 1,000 stores worldwide, bringing us the most eclectic and quirky array of home furnishing design and décor products-- from love beads, exotic rattan chairs to other treasured goods. For over 5 decades, Pier 1 took the reins of the home décor retail market, never thinking that its wares would ever go out of style. Find out how Pier 1 sank on Episode 37 of The Great Fail. Thank you to our sponsor Inkl.com and to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E36 · Wed, July 28, 2021
Episode 36: MoviePass Roll the Credits
Cinephile and film enthusiast, Stacy Spikes sought to reinvent the way people watched movies. His answer was MoviePass, a subscription-based service that allowed people to watch any movie, at any theater, at any time for one monthly fee. It was ground-breaking, well-suiting the Company to disrupt an entire industry. But what occurred next would see MoviePass topple from being a blockbuster hit to a box-office bomb. A special thanks to Stacy Spikes for sharing his experience in founding MoviePass. Get that and more on Episode 36 of The Great Fail. Thank you to our sponsor Ping Identity and to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus · Thu, July 15, 2021
Encore Episode: Adapt or Die, The Fall of Tower Records
For over 4 decades, Tower Records was a pioneer in the music industry and the bedrock of record store culture. It was run by rebels and outsiders, where founder Russ Solomon was revered and idolized. Tower would become the mecca for music fans creating a generation that lived by their diehard slogan, “No Music, No Life”. For decades, it seemed like the sun would never set on the iconic yellow and red letters that illuminated so many urban cityscapes. But that light would eventually burn out. Find our how on The Great Fail. Thank you to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Thank you to our sponsors at Ping Identity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E35 · Wed, June 30, 2021
Episode 35: United Airlines, Fly the Not-So-Friendly Skies
On April 9, 2017, passengers of United Airlines Flight 3411 watched as aviation officers dragged out a fellow passenger, Dr. David Dao. He was one of the individuals involuntarily bumped off the plane after United Airlines overbooked its flight. Ripped from his seat by law enforcement officers, Dr. Dao was knocked unconscious-- his glasses falling off his face, and his body dragged by the arms down the aisle, leaving a trail of blood and bodily fluids in his wake. If that wasn’t shocking enough, it was what occurred afterward that continued to shock the entire world. Tune in to Episode 35 of The Great Fail , for the public relations nightmare that was United Airlines Flight 3411. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus · Thu, June 17, 2021
Encore Episode: Bre-X: Fool's Gold
By 1995, Calgary's Bre-X became a $6 billion company when it declared it had discovered the world's largest gold mine within the jungles of Indonesia. What followed years later would entail all the elements of a Hollywood story: lies, betrayal, the collapse of an empire and a badly decomposed body. Thank you to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Thank you to our sponsors at Ping Identity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E34 · Wed, May 19, 2021
Episode 34: How HQ Trivia Crashed
When HQ Trivia went live in 2018, it was an instant hit, generating a tremendous amount of mass appeal and gaining an immediate cult following that went beyond anyone’s expectations. They also had the blessings of the most influential people-from the celebrity world to the investment world. What would follow would be a set of glitches, cheating bots, internal turmoil, a toxic work environment, mismanagement of funds, and a tragic drug overdose. Get the full scoop on what led to the downfall of one of the biggest blockbuster app launches. Check out Episode 34 on The Great Fail. Thank you to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E33 · Wed, May 05, 2021
Episode 33: XFL’s Fatal Fumble
When Vince McMahon announced that he would be creating a new football league-- a grittier, more violent, and more entertaining version called the XFL, many seemed to think this idea would be an ultimate touchdown. When the highly anticipated, highly publicized event premiered on NBC in February of 2001, it received 54 million television viewers that weekend, the most the network had ever seen at one time. But a series of fumbles and mishaps would lead to the original XFL becoming one of the worst shows in history. Mark Perry, editor, and founder of XFL News Hub joins us this week to break it down from the club seats. Check out Episode 33 on The Great Fail. Thank you to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E32 · Wed, April 21, 2021
Episode 32: Archegos Capital, A Greek Tragedy
On March 26, 2021, the financial world awoke to the news that rattled some of Wall Street’s biggest players. To the outside world, and at the center of it all were some unfamiliar and obscure names-- Archegos Capital and its Founder Bill Hwang. The word on the street was that Archegos defaulted on billions of dollars of loans, creating a contagion amongst some of the world’s biggest banks that now faced billion-dollar losses. What would be uncovered would become one of the most astounding and outrageous financial failures in modern-day history, which all could’ve been entirely preventable. Thank you to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail And special thanks to our sponsor this week: Mint Mobile Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E31 · Wed, April 07, 2021
Episode 31: Kodak: Missing the Moment
Kodak dominated the consumer photography market for over a century and their downfall seems to be obvious in their inability to adapt to the digital age. But when you look closer at the company’s history, you’ll come to see that ironically what made them so successful was what ultimately killed off the Company. John Kotter, best-selling author, and professor at Harvard Business School will help break down how Kodak was a lesson in how a series of mistakes, including the culture at Kodak, could forever damage a once picture-perfect pioneer. Thank you to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail And special thanks to our sponsor this week: Ping Identity Podcast Smith A.I. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E30 · Wed, March 24, 2021
Episode 30: Theranos: A Bloody Mess
Theranos’ groundbreaking proprietary technology promised to revolutionize healthcare with just a drop of blood from a finger prick. The company, led by its founder Elizabeth Holmes, would raise over $900 million and become a darling in the tech community. That is until a Wall Street Journal exposé revealed a scandal that astounded and paralyzed the entire VC and medical world, unraveling the $9 billion organization. Justin Maxwell, a former employee and one of the lead designers speaks about what makes an organization toxic and why the corporate culture within Theranos was the precise environment that allowed for the cover-up of secrecy, paranoia, and deception. Thank you to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail And special thanks to our sponsor this week: Mint Mobile Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E29 · Wed, March 10, 2021
Episode 29: Borders' Final Chapter
When Borders was founded in 1971, it was one of the most pioneering companies in the book business quickly becoming one of the most dominant players in the space. For 40 years, it was known as one of the retail behemoths, but then came the digital age…Border’s last CEO Mike Edwards discusses what we all can learn about digital transformation, the evolution of businesses, and lessons from managing a Company on the brink of failure. Thank you to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail And special thanks to our sponsor this week: Mint Mobile Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E28 · Wed, February 24, 2021
Episode 28: McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook gets McFired
McDonald’s, the world’s largest restaurant company, made a shocking announcement in late 2019 when it abruptly removed its CEO Steve Easterbrook. What would be uncovered would include individual and class-action lawsuits alleging attempted rape, sexual harassment, and blurred lines spurred by the #MeToo movement that would rock the corporate world and dethrone what everyone thought was the golden boy of the golden arches. Thank you to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail And special thanks to our sponsor this week: Work Social Mint Mobile Ping Identity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E27 · Wed, February 10, 2021
Episode 27: GameStop: The Big Short....Squeeze
In January 2021, the world watched as Reddit traders faced off with Wall Street elites in a trading mania over GameStop shares. Matei Psatta, one of the traders of subreddit WallStreetBets, joins us this week to comment on what this means and why the financial markets may never be the same. Thank you to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail And special thanks to our sponsor this week: Work Social and Skillshare Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E26 · Wed, January 27, 2021
Episode 26: Hertz So Bad
Did the 2020 global pandemic kill off Hertz? The Company’s stock price which at one time went as high as $150/share, had fallen to as low as $0.40 cents/share after it declared bankruptcy in May of 2020. At first glance it seemed like the lockdown and impact on travel demand ultimately swallowed up this iconic 102 year-old brand. However, when you peel back the layers and study Hertz’s history, you’d discover that many people over the years were holding shovels and digging the Company’s grave. Check out this week’s Episode 26, Hertz So Bad. Thank you to this week’s sponsors and to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Work Social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E25 · Wed, January 13, 2021
Episode 25: Wirecard's Fall From Grace
Despite a global pandemic unraveling in 2020, the executives of Europe’s largest fintech company Wirecard found themselves in precarious positions. The Company’s CEO, Markus Braun, was arrested for masterminding an intricate embezzlement scandal, a key executive was reported dead in the Philippines, and the COO became a wanted fugitive. Hear how the “Enron of Germany” went from being a national pride to a national shame on Episode 25 of The Great Fail. Thank you to this week’s sponsors and to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/search/The%20Great%20Fail PolicyGenius nordVPN Skillshare Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E24 · Wed, December 16, 2020
Episode 24: Milli Vanilli: A Sensational Flop
When Milli Vanilli’s Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus were first introduced to the world, they rose to fame instantly with their god-like bodies, model good looks and ability to rock the stage. Their first song Girl You Know It’s True came out in March of 1989, and altogether the band had 5 singles that entered the top five of the Billboard Hot 100, 3 of which went straight to number one. But no one would ever imagine that their legacy would end up in a tragedy. Check out Episode 24 of The Great Fail. Thank you to this week’s sponsors and to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/search/The%20Great%20Fail SkillShare Grammarly BetterHelp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E23 · Thu, December 03, 2020
Episode 23: SkyMall’s Crash Landing
At its peak, SkyMall was a staple of airline travel with an annual circulation of approximately 20 million copies of its catalog found in the seat pockets of every major airline in the United States. Known for its whimsical and unique merchandise, it quickly won the hearts of many travelers and by 2009 had generated approximately $80.5 million in revenue, making it one of the largest e-commerce websites in the world. How did a fun, innovative company with a monopoly on its market become an internet after-thought by 2015? Find out on Episode 23 of The Great Fail. Thank you to this week's sponsors and to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/search/The%20Great%20Fail PolicyGenius BetterHelp BitTrust IRA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E22 · Wed, November 18, 2020
Episode 22: Quibi's Sunken Ship
Quibi, a new streaming service focused on premium short form content, was launched in April 2020 during a worldwide pandemic. Between Co-founders Jeffrey Katzenberg, former Chairman of Walt Disney Studios and Meg Whitman, former CEO of HP, they had almost $2 billion in funding, the support of major Hollywood studios and tons of A-list celebrity clout. But even with all of that, Quibi was dead on arrival, folding just after six months. Get the dirt on Episode 22 of The Great Fail. Thank you to this week's sponsors and to our partners at AdvertiseCast. https://www.advertisecast.com/search/The%20Great%20Fail BetterHelp Grammarly BitTrust IRA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E21 · Wed, November 04, 2020
Episode 21: Motorola’s Dead Zone
The rise and fall of the iconic Motorola was on so many levels, heart-wrenching. Once pioneers of all things radio, Motorola paved the way for set-top boxes, modems, DVRs, semiconductors and then after that, mobile phones. In 2004, the unveiling of their Razr created a media frenzy, selling more phones than any other mobile handsets at that time. So how was this remarkable, trailblazing brand condemned to a slow death that eventually bled decay across its entire organization? Listen to Episode 21 of The Great Fail to find out. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Special thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Policygenius BetterHelp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E21 · Wed, November 04, 2020
Motorola’s Dead Zone
The rise and fall of the iconic Motorola was on so many levels, heart-wrenching. Once pioneers of all things radio, Motorola paved the way for set-top boxes, modems, DVRs, semiconductors and then after that, mobile phones. In 2004, the unveiling of their Razr created a media frenzy, selling more phones than any other mobile handsets at that time. So how was this remarkable, trailblazing brand condemned to a slow death that eventually bled decay across its entire organization? Listen to Episode 21 of The Great Fail to find out.
S1 E20 · Wed, October 21, 2020
Episode 20: The Dunbar Heist: The Perfect Crime….Almost
Welcome to a Special 20th Episode Edition. On September 13, 1997, 6 men pulled off the biggest cash heist in American history. In less than 30 minutes, they made their way into the Dunbar Armored facility and walked away with $18.9 million, leaving behind no evidence or clues. For years it seemed like the cleanest job anyone could have hoped for, and the case began to turn cold. But then one man’s misstep ruined what could've been the perfect crime. Find out how on this week’s episode of The Great Fail. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E19 · Wed, October 07, 2020
Episode 19: The Slaying of Echo Fox
When Echo Fox burst into the world of eSports, it was a glowing beacon – a shining example of what the burgeoning world of competitive gaming could look like. It was the first celebrity-driven team, managed by pro athletes that understood the parallels between sports and gaming. But that promise soon vanished into thin air, consumed by lawsuits, restraining orders, death threats and drug-fueled parties. Get the play-by-play on Episode 19 of The Great Fail. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E18 · Wed, September 23, 2020
Episode 18: How Color Labs Bled Out
When Color Labs launched their highly anticipated photo-sharing app Color in 2011, it was one of the most fervently hyped startups in the venture capital world. Co-Founder & CEO Bill Nguyen was equipped with everything you could ask for: extremely deep pockets, an all-star executive team and the backing of some very influential and wealthy people. But even with all of that, Color crashed and burned before it could even get off the ground. Find out how it all went so wrong on Episode 18 of The Great Fail. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E17 · Wed, September 09, 2020
Episode 17: Luckin Coffee’s Bitter Brew
Heralded as the “Starbucks of China,” Luckin Coffee burst onto the scene in 2018 when it opened its first location in Beijing. The Company achieved unicorn status within a year and soon became a Wall Street darling, doubling its valuation to $12 billion just 8 months after it’s IPO. The Company had been growing at a blinding pace and had just become the largest coffee chain in China when the empire began to topple…To hear the full story tune in to Episode 17 on The Great Fail. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E16 · Wed, August 26, 2020
Episode 16: The Blockbuster Bust
People tend to think that Netflix killed Blockbuster – but that's not true. Blockbuster's demise was actually caused by something far more self-destructive, and almost a decade after the fall of this movie rental giant, there are still misconceptions about what really occurred. Get the scoop on how Blockbuster was taken down, here on Episode 16 of The Great Fail. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E15 · Wed, August 12, 2020
Episode 15: The Unraveling of American Apparel
American Apparel was, at one time, the fastest retail rollout in American history boasting more than 280 stores in the world’s hippest neighborhoods. The man behind the brand, Dov Charney, pioneered the radical movement for "ethically made, sweatshop free" clothing and received the most prestigious accolades. So how did this brand end in a series of disgraceful events that would send it spiraling downwards from the upper echelons of the fashion world? Get it here at Episode 15 of The Great Fail. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E14 · Wed, July 29, 2020
Episode 14: How Zima Got Iced
In 1993, Coors Brewing Company launched one of the most unique, innovative beverages of all time. Zima, a clear malt lightly carbonated alcoholic drink sold an astounding 1.3 million barrels after going national in 1994 and centered around the mystique of its infamous tagline, “zomething different.” But even with all the success, a series of calamitous missteps would have it getting iced out of the market in just a few short years. Get the scoop on Episode 14 of The Great Fail. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E13 · Wed, July 15, 2020
Episode 13: Who Killed Toys R’ Us?
There was a time when adults and kids alike agreed that Toys R’ Us was a place of pure magic. It was the most exciting thing for a child- an experience, a destination, a privilege...and everyone wanted to be a Toys R’ Us kid. The Company went public in 1978 and transformed the toy selling business into a $12 billion industry by 1990. Today, though, the famed brand is little more than a nostalgic memory. How did things go so wrong? Find out on Episode 13 of The Great Fail. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E12 · Wed, July 01, 2020
Episode 12: How Pan Am Vanished Into Thin Air
Once the world’s most famous airline, Pan Am was a company that created magic in the sky. The glamour and excitement of flying one of their routes was an experience cultivated by a world-class crew: experienced engineers, sophisticated stewardesses and the dashing former fighter pilots at the controls. For a while, it seemed like Pan Am was doing everything right. So how did it vanish, so abruptly, in December of 1991? Get the behind-the-scenes story on Episode 12 of The Great Fail. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E11 · Wed, June 17, 2020
Episode 11: The Death of Atari: From Legend to Landfill
Atari kick-started the home video game console movement back in the 1970s and 80’s and paved the way for today's gaming industry when it launched the trailblazing Atari 2600, along with several blockbuster games. It was a pop culture icon and a galvanizing force within the industry. So how did it find itself bankrupt and in a New Mexico dumpsite (literally) by 1983? Find out on episode 11 on The Great Fail. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E10 · Tue, May 19, 2020
Episode 10: Adapt or Die: The Fall of Tower Records
For over 4 decades, Tower Records was a pioneer in the music industry and the bedrock of record store culture. It was run by rebels and outsiders, where founder Russ Solomon was revered and idolized. Tower would become the mecca for music fans creating a generation that lived by their diehard slogan, “No Music, No Life”. For decades, it seemed like the sun would never set on the iconic yellow and red letters that illuminated so many urban cityscapes. But that light would eventually burn out... Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E9 · Wed, April 29, 2020
Episode 9: A Fatal Flop: The U.S. COVID-19 Testing Debacle
On January 10, 2020, Chinese scientists posted the genome of a strange new virus that was beginning to spread worldwide. Within a week, virologists from Berlin quickly developed the first diagnostic test to detect this novel coronavirus and was published by the World Health Organization as the standard method to quickly test people around the world. By February, these test kits were shipped to almost 60 countries. For some reason, the United States was not one of them. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E8 · Wed, April 15, 2020
Episode 8: Gawker’s Demise: Sex, Pride & Celebrity Porn Tapes
For over 13 years, Gawker was one of the most popular sources for the latest on gossip, news, and entertainment. When it wasn’t breaking news and celebrity exposès, it was breaking its viewership records, seeing over 62 million unique visitors on its site each month. But, a sex tape and a Silicon Valley billionaire would start a bloodbath that would ultimately bring down Gawker’s multi-million dollar media empire. Find out on how Gawker found itself posting its own obituary on Episode 8. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E7 · Wed, April 01, 2020
Episode 7: How Juicero Squeezed Itself Out
Juicero’s $700 juicer took Silicon Valley by storm in 2016. The brainchild of Doug Evans, a raw food enthusiast, was one of the most sought after products, already boasting $120 million in funding. Kobe Bryant was one of its investors, Oprah promoted it on one of her lavish giveaways and it even won over healthy living fanatics like Gwyneth Paltrow and Dr. Oz. Find out how this high-flying juicer got squeezed out of the limelight only a year and a half after its unveiling on Episode 7 of The Great Fail. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E6 · Wed, March 18, 2020
Episode 6: Special COVID-19 Episode: Whistleblower from Wuhan
We are dedicating this episode to Dr. Li Wenliang, the doctor who was credited as being one of the first to try and warn the public about the outbreak of COVID-19 in the early days. He was quickly reprimanded by the Chinese officials, accused of spreading rumors, and forced to sign a public statement of apology. The Great Fail that prevented Dr. Li’s warnings became a global crisis that led to the coronavirus becoming a pandemic today. Here is this week’s story on the Whistleblower from Wuhan. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus · Wed, March 11, 2020
Minisode #1: Funny Fan Flops
This week’s minisode includes a failed prophylactics business, fake catering and grasshopper protein powders. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E5 · Thu, March 05, 2020
Episode 5: Crazy Eddie: The Fall of an Electronics Empire
Before Best Buy, Target and Fry’s Electronics, there was Crazy Eddie, which created the blueprint for consumer electronic retailers. With their deep discounts and iconic Crazy Eddie ads, they were one of the top performers on Wall Street from 1984 to 1987. But beneath all the success, were internal rivalries, deep jealousy, plots of deceit and betrayal, and a huge family secret that would ultimately unravel this multi-million dollar enterprise. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E4 · Thu, February 27, 2020
Episode 4: We Didn't Work: Failure of WeWork's IPO
WeWork was one of the most highly anticipated IPOs in 2019. It received funding from the biggest investment banks and investment funds. Linked to celebrities like Ashton Kutcher, Hugh Jackman, and Mark Zuckerberg, the charismatic CEO Adam Neumann was on a trajectory to creating a movement for coworking space rentals across the globe. What would follow would be the crumbling of the WeWork brand, the failure of its IPO, the disgraceful exodus of WeWork employees and the ousting of its leader. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E3 · Wed, February 19, 2020
Episode 3: Bre-X: Fool’s Gold
By 1995, Calgary’s Bre-X became a $6 billion dollar company when it declared that it had discovered the world's largest gold mine within the jungles of Indonesia. What followed years later would entail all the elements of a Hollywood story: lies, betrayal, the collapse of an empire, and a badly decomposed body. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E2 · Wed, February 12, 2020
Episode 2: Walking on Broken Google Glass
On its debut, it was heralded as one of the best inventions of 2013. Google launched Project Glass as its first wearable that would rock the world. Glass quickly became the must-have product for celebrities and CEOs, and was on a fast track to becoming a culturally defining device that would cross over to mainstream success. So how did it end up on the DOA list just two years after its launch? Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S1 E1 · Wed, February 12, 2020
Episode 1: The Downfall Of LA Gear
In the 80's and early 90's, LA Gear became one of the most iconic brands with celebrity endorsements that included Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, Hakeem Olajuwon, Joe Montana, and Wayne Gretzky. This quintessential company captured the hearts of men, women, and kids and for a minute, was third in sales behind Nike and Reebok. How one of the hottest companies, could commit a series of missteps that landed it on its deathbed by the late 90's, will have you doing the maniac flashdance. Tune in on AdvertiseCast: https://www.advertisecast.com/TheGreatFail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Trailer · Sun, February 09, 2020
Season 1 Trailer
What makes greatness fail? How do some of the most successful brands, companies, ideas become obsolete?Welcome to The Great Fail, a podcast that examines and explores case studies of the most famous and infamous cases. Here we share stories that will irk you, shock you, and have you picking your jaw up from the floor. This isn’t your typical classroom lecture hall– the stories are delivered in a whodunit murder mystery because some of these incredible, and oftentimes avoidable, mistakes are truly a crim Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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