Howdy folks! I’m Tajj Badil-Abish. I’m currently a freelance creative director based in LA.
As I’ve been diligently building out my suite of Substacks, you could say Three Curious Things was an instant “follow” for me. It wasn’t simply the fact that I knew Schahar personally, but rather how much I treasure curiosity. It’s just such an innate human feeling that’s led me to discover so many fascinating lenses of culture and to learn many invaluable skills.
My findings are pulled out from worlds of culture which I’m easily drawn to: sports, games, and travel. Somewhat “basic,” I suppose. However, I’ve found they each possess an element that could significantly impact their respective industries down the road. Ok, enough chatter. Let’s get into it!
HQ Trivia, but with Netflix money.
Everyone knows Netflix has revolutionized television. Even their rocky foray into live televised events has been impressive. But, quietly Netflix has been carving out more and more space in the gaming industry. If you actually look, you may be surprised to see how built out their game offerings are. Though, that’s all just context.
Curious observation: What’s really caught my eye is their attempt at live gaming with “Best Guess Live!” For those who remember the days of HQ Trivia, it’s a bit of a remake. The recurring weekday evening schedule. The charismatic, lightly comedic host. And of course, the way you split a pot of prize winnings alongside other winners. The game even has a standalone app that you connect with your Netflix account. As Netflix broadens out as a true entertainment platform, let’s see if this will end up being a win for them.
When “home court advantage” becomes a ticketing strategy.
First, as a Celtics fan I feel like this shouldn’t even have come to fruition. Boston should be facing New York in the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals. It is what it is. I truly find this fascinating from a sports fan perspective. The New York Knicks has one of the most die-hard fanbases in the NBA. And the trip to Philly isn’t far at all. I doubt this move will work to Philly’s advantage. Money will unfortunately be the unlock as I’m sure Knicks fans will rush to the resale market.
Curious observation: Ticketing for live events is getting progressively more challenging and more expensive. To add more restrictions in order to preserve an advantage of sorts signals just how much control the ticketing platforms and venues have. Sports are supposed to unite us, even despite rivalries. I’m curious to know if this type of tactic could be implemented in sports with more global stakes - like the World Cup or future Olympics.
Expedia figured out how to sponsor chaos.
iShowSpeed is one of the biggest streamers in the world. One of the major pillars of his content is him traveling to different countries and showcasing his journeys to millions of viewers. Expedia is one of the biggest major travel booking hubs.
Curious observation: What’s most impressive is the aptitude of the partnership. Explorable streams. Clipping. Fan engagement. Expedia found ways to understand Speed’s world and amplify it without making it cringey or too corporate. Their microsite serves as a hub for fans to feel like an active part of Speed’s trek with bookable features of course. Even the portmanteau “Ex-Speed-ia” works.
Expedia’s partnership with streamer iShowSpeed is smart. SO smart. SO SMART that I'm jealous I didn’t work on it.
Three Curious Things is where Shachar explores how ideas take shape across art, culture, and brands. In my day to day work, he does the same with tech companies, usually when something has changed and the story hasn’t caught up.
