Squawk Pod

One year after markets tanked on fears of the coronavirus pandemic, stocks are looking up, and travel is picking up. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby and CNBC’s Phil LeBeau discuss why the airline industry is optimistic about long-term travel demand as more and more people get vaccinated, and why a global minimum tax rate for corporations could mean industry turbulence ahead. Sotheby’s is partnering with digital artist PAK for its first sale of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens. CEO Charles Stewart considers the art world’s journey to digital assets and the audience and aesthetic opportunities this new crypto-art offers. Plus, countries are suspending use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, Moderna is testing its own vaccine on children and babies, and as vaccinations ramp up, offices plan their reopening strategies Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

16 Mar 202141min

White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci is warning state leaders that the nation’s battle with the coronavirus is still “not in the end zone.” He urged Americans to adhere to public health measures despite the ramp-up of vaccinations, pointing to new infection spikes in Europe as a cautionary tale of relaxing too soon. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, member of the boards of Pfizer and biotech company Illumina and former FDA commissioner, says Europe’s rise in Covid cases isn’t predictive of the U.S. trajectory, due partly to the progress in vaccinating the nation. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan also discusses his decision to lift capacity limits on dining, retail and religious institutions, but mask mandates and distancing protocols remain in place in public spaces. Plus, airline travel picks up and Tesla CEO Elon Musk now has a new title.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

15 Mar 202130min

A $69 million price tag for a digital piece has taken the art world by storm. CNBC’s Wealth Reporter Robert Frank shares details of Beeple’s enormous deal. Reddit co-founder and venture capitalist Alexis Ohanian weighs in on NFTs and Leore Avidar, founder and CEO of alternative assets, shares his vision of a world beyond cash. Plus, the Grammy Awards are this weekend; Kevin Liles, CEO of 300 Entertainment, the record label behind Megan Thee Stallion, Fetty Wap, and Young Thug, discusses live music in a post pandemic world.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

12 Mar 202137min

It’s been a year since the World Health Organization officially declared Covid-19 a pandemic on March, 11, 2020. In that time, there have been more than 29 million Covid cases in the U.S. and 527,720 people have died. Today, Pfizer said its Covid-19 vaccine blocked 94% of asymptomatic infections in an Israeli study – a result CEO Albert Bourla called “extremely important.” The study also found the vaccine was at least 97% effective against symptomatic Covid cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Plus, Becky and Joe’s pandemic recipes and Andrew’s favorite workout. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

11 Mar 202125min

Eli Lilly says its Covid-19 antibody therapy reduced the risk of hospitalization and death by 87% in a study of more than 750 high-risk coronavirus patients. Dr. Scott Gottlieb, member of the boards of Pfizer and biotech company Illumina and former FDA commissioner, discusses the news from Lilly and the difficulties around distributing Covid antibody drugs. Kids online gaming company Roblox (RBLX) is going public today through a direct listing on the New York Stock Exchange. Roblox CEO, David Baszucki, discusses the listing, user growth, the path to profitability and why Roblox is so unique. Plus, Tesla’s on a wild ride and inflation has captured investor focus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

10 Mar 202135min

Meme stock trading has changed the trajectory of GameStop, now pushing its own e-commerce transformation, but the trend may also change the game for legacy brands like Discovery and Disney. Sarah Needleman, reporter at the Wall Street Journal, and Nigel Vaz, CEO of one of the world’s largest advertising firms Publicis Sapient, consider which companies can ride the digital wave. Suitsupply CEO Fokke de Jong is betting that post-pandemic, we may finally turn our backs on our sweatsuit wardrobes. The company’s steamy head-turning ad campaign centered closeness in an optimistic vision of the future. Other post-pandemic hopes include: imminent stimulus checks, air travel, and pills for Covid-19 patients.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

9 Mar 202130min

Cue Health has received emergency use authorization from the FDA for over-the-counter and at-home use of its rapid Covid-19 test. CEO Ayub Khattak discusses his vision for at-home health and putting a price on safety. Author and professor Walter Isaacson is out with his new book, “The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race.” Isaacson shares the stories of scientists leading what he calls the third scientific revolution of the modern age and considers the ethics of gene editing technologies like CRISPR. Plus, Disney is digesting the first weekend of its newest film “Raya,” Microsoft is weathering a hack, and the world is watching Oprah’s royal interview.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

8 Mar 202127min

Fed Chair Jay Powell spooks the markets talking about inflation and the Senate is hiding a tax on executive compensation in the 600+ page stimulus bill. The semiconductor supply chain took a hit early in the Covid pandemic since much of the world’s chips are manufactured in places like China and Taiwan. Now the shortage is impacting several companies including Ford and GM. Mark Fields, former Ford president and CEO, discusses the auto industry’s electric future and the headwinds it may face due to the global chip shortage. The newest alternative investment getting attention are NFTs (non-fungible tokens) offering blockchain ownership over digital assets. Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerMedia, and CNBC’s Robert Frank offer takes on this brave new world of who owns what. Plus, Suit Supply has an (interesting) ad campaign for a post-vaccine world. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

5 Mar 202130min