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Small Business Daily Podcast 12/02/2025
Welcome back! Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories: a mix of AI breakthroughs, media shake-ups, cybersecurity dealmaking, and fresh tools and funding that matter for founders, operators, and creators. Here’s what you need to know, why it matters, and where the opportunities may be.
Akamai acquires WebAssembly function-as-a-service startup Fermyon
By Maria Deutscher — December 1, 2025 | Source
Akamai is buying Fermyon, a WebAssembly-based FaaS platform known for ultra-fast cold starts (~52 ms) and efficient edge execution. The move tightens Akamai’s edge compute stack and positions it more directly against Cloudflare Workers, while keeping support for Fermyon’s open-source Spin and SpinKube projects. For developers and cost-conscious teams, this could mean lower latency and potentially cheaper, bursty workloads at the edge.
The White House launches a "media bias" tracker on its website for news reports that President Trump disagrees with, citing outlets including the WaPo and CNN
By Scott Nover — November 28, 2025 | Source
A new White House page highlights and criticizes coverage deemed biased, drawing swift backlash from press advocates. After launch, the tracker required a correction and briefly went 404, raising questions about accuracy and intent. For media watchers, it’s another flashpoint in the ongoing tension between the administration and the press.
Trump’s verbal attack on CBS News’ Nancy Cordes, in which he called her a ‘stupid person’, echoes several recent moments when he lashed out at female reporters
By Melissa Quinn — November 28, 2025 | Source
President Trump’s latest insult aimed at CBS’s Nancy Cordes continues a pattern of disparaging remarks toward female journalists. Press advocates warn such rhetoric can chill tough questioning and endanger reporters. Newsrooms are weighing how to respond while maintaining rigorous accountability reporting.
A look at Daily Mail owner Jonathan Harmsworth’s decades-long push to add the Telegraph to his family empire, his vision for the title, and more
By The Guardian — November 29, 2025 | Source
Lord Rothermere’s long-running ambition to add the Telegraph to the Mail empire underscores a broader consolidation of right-leaning UK media. Beyond business synergies, the bid would shape editorial direction and influence in a fragmenting news market. For advertisers and readers, ownership shifts could recalibrate reach and perspective.
Melania Trump launches Muse Films, her new production company, ahead of the release of an Amazon MGM Studios feature documentary about her in January 2026
By Patrick Hipes — November 29, 2025 | Source
Melania Trump unveiled Muse Films ahead of a January 2026 documentary release. While details on future projects are sparse, the move signals a pivot into executive production and brand-building. Expect more politically adjacent entertainment projects to test box office and streaming appetite.
Sources: Vanity Fair and Condé Nast executives are unsettled by the allegations against Olivia Nuzzi and are likely to let her temporary contract expire
By Max Tani — November 30, 2025 | Source
Following allegations surrounding journalist Olivia Nuzzi, Vanity Fair leadership is reportedly leaning toward letting her temporary contract lapse. The episode spotlights newsroom ethics and source protection amid a competitive scoop culture. Editors are balancing reputational risk with the demands of high-impact reporting.
Omnicom’s DM9 returned three Cannes awards after a NC state senator and CNN Brazil found the company had used AI to manipulate their content and used it for ads
By Emmanuel Felton — November 30, 2025 | Source
Omnicom agency DM9 returned Cannes awards after AI-altered content surfaced, including manipulated footage from a state senator’s TED Talk. The controversy highlights consent, authenticity, and legal exposure risks in AI-enabled advertising. Brands and agencies face mounting pressure to implement stricter AI governance and clear approvals.
Sources: White House officials discussed antitrust concerns over Netflix’s interest in WBD, questioning if a deal would give Netflix too much power in Hollywood
By Charles Gasparino — November 30, 2025 | Source
Senior officials reportedly weighed potential antitrust issues if Netflix pursued Warner Bros. Discovery, reflecting skepticism toward further media consolidation. A tie-up would reshape streaming and studio dynamics, concentrating content and distribution heft. Regulators’ posture could influence strategic moves across Hollywood in 2026.
How Animaj, a startup in Disney’s Accelerator Program, uses AI to drastically speed up the animation process, while also claiming to let artists stay in control
By Corinne Reichert — December 1, 2025 | Source
Animaj says its AI can generate hundreds of thousands of animated poses in an instant, driving down time and cost. Positioned as artist-first, the tools aim to preserve creative control while boosting throughput. Studios and indie creators alike may find new speed-to-market advantages.
Among the top 10K artists streamed in Australia from 2021 to 2024, Australian artists fell ~20% as algorithms make English-speaking artists compete globally
By The Australia Institute — November 30, 2025 | Source
A report finds domestic artists’ share among Australia’s top 10K streamers dropped about 20% since 2021. Global algorithms increasingly pit local acts against worldwide catalogs, squeezing visibility. Industry groups are pushing for investment and policy shifts to support local music in algorithmic ecosystems.
A profile of Klay, whose app will let users remake songs using AI; Klay has raised ~$10M and is the first AI startup to close deals with the three major labels
By Abram Brown — November 29, 2025 | Source
AI music startup Klay has raised about $10 million and struck deals with all three major labels, a first for the category. Its app lets users remake songs with AI, opening new creative and commercial possibilities. Licensing clarity could accelerate consumer adoption while protecting rights holders.
Filing: Fox News seeks to dismiss Newsmax’s antitrust lawsuit filed in Wisconsin, after a Florida judge dismissed an earlier version of the case in September
By Matthew Keys — November 29, 2025 | Source
Fox is moving to dismiss Newsmax’s renewed antitrust suit, arguing it reprises claims already tossed in Florida. The fight underscores the fierce competitive and carriage dynamics inside conservative cable news. Outcomes could influence bargaining power and distribution strategies across the niche.
NBC says the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade drew a record 34.3M viewers across NBC and Peacock, up 8% YoY; NBC’s live broadcast averaged 25.4M viewers
By Kimberly Nordyke — November 28, 2025 | Source
The parade delivered record cross-platform viewership, fueled by Peacock streaming and enduring holiday appeal. Live tentpoles remain powerful in a fragmented landscape, offering brands rare mass reach. Expect networks to double down on live events as appointment viewing anchors.
SmartSort AI (V4.1) 🚀
By — December 1, 2025 | Source
SmartSort AI 4.1 is a background utility that organizes desktop and downloads folders using local OCR and optional Gemini-powered renaming. It promises faster file cleanup, smarter naming, and an impact dashboard—useful for freelancers and small teams drowning in docs. A lightweight way to boost admin productivity without heavy IT lift.
Runway rolls out new AI video model that beats Google, OpenAI in key benchmark
By Ashley Capoot — December 1, 2025 | Source
Runway’s Gen 4.5 tops the Video Arena leaderboard, edging out models from Google and OpenAI on blind comparisons. The system improves understanding of physics, motion, and camera moves, and rolls out to all customers this week. For marketers and creators, higher fidelity and control could shrink production timelines and costs.
OpenAGI emerges from stealth with an AI agent that it claims crushes OpenAI and Anthropic
By Michael Nuñez — December 1, 2025 | Source
OpenAGI’s Lux agent claims an 83.6% success rate on the Online-Mind2Web benchmark, training on screenshots and action sequences to operate desktop apps—not just browsers. The company touts lower costs and on-device potential via Intel optimization, plus built-in safety refusals for sensitive tasks. If real-world reliability matches lab results, agentic workflows could get significantly more practical for SMEs.
Cybersecurity M&A Roundup: Cyber Giants Strengthen AI Security Offerings
By Kevin Poireault — December 1, 2025 | Source
November saw brisk consolidation: Palo Alto Networks agreed to buy Chronosphere for $3.35B, Safe Security acquired Balbix, and Zscaler snapped up SPLX, among others. DOJ also ended its review of Google’s acquisition of Wiz, which is expected to close in 2026. For buyers of security tools, the trend points to more integrated AI-driven platforms—and fewer point solutions.
Marc Benioff, Jack Altman, and Sapphire Ventures invested $9 million in this sales tech startup. Check out its pitch deck.
By Shubhangi Goel — December 1, 2025 | Source
Jeeva AI raised $9M to scale an agentic sales platform that coaches outreach across channels and helps find leads based on ongoing conversations. With ~300 paying customers (including JLL), the team plans to split funds between GTM and improving its models. The scrappy "two cents" outreach tactic hints at a creative, data-driven sales culture.
AIC T-Hub launches second Lab2Market cohort to support research-led startups
By Our Bureau — December 1, 2025 | Source
AIC T-Hub’s 16-week Lab2Market is back, backing 19 research-led startups across AI diagnostics, clean energy, automation, and more. The program connects teams to compliance, certification, pilots, and investor access to accelerate commercialization. It’s a focused bridge from lab innovation to market traction.
