Dominique Olivier
A whole lotta gain, a whole lotto lose: the tale of Tonda Dickerson
By the time she was driving her bleeding ex-husband to the hospital, Tonda Dickerson had already been sued by her co-workers, taken to court by a truck driver, and become Alabama’s most unlikely millionaire. And it all started with a single lottery ticket. Dominique Olivier tells a story that is worthy of a movie, not just a country song.
Dominique Olivier
Artificial intelligence isn’t emotional intelligence: you have (not) been warned
We’ve slapped warning labels on everything from cigarettes to vodka to energy drinks. But when it comes to one of today’s biggest threats to mental health, the packaging is spotless. No disclaimers, no alerts - just a friendly blinking cursor and a "therapist" that wants you to keep talking. Dominique Olivier unpacks a worrying use case for AI.
Dominique Olivier
The Merch Awakens: The Real Star Wars Empire
In the summer of 1977, a sound was heard that changed the world forever. This wasn’t the sound of a politician’s voice, or the chanting of protesters - no, this was the distinctive sound of a lightsaber powering up. And through some brave entrepreneurial strategies, George Lucas used it to begin a toy revolution.
Dominique Olivier
WeTransfer: rage against the machine
The rule of thumb on the internet is that unless it's obvious what the product is, the product is probably you. WeTransfer's attempt to change its Ts & Cs is proof, as explained by Dominique Olivier.
Dominique Olivier
The boxer and the million-dollar burger
What did George Foreman, the man who once flattened Joe Frazier in two rounds, know about small kitchen appliances? Apparently, quite a lot - at least when it came to selling them. Dominique Olivier tells the story of George Foreman Grill, a wild success for Salton that made the boxer fabulously wealthy.
Dominique Olivier
Dumb luck: the Timothy Dexter story
In a world obsessed with optimisation and five-year forecasts, there’s something deeply satisfying about success that arrives by mistake. And as mistakes go, Timothy Dexter was incredibly good at turning them into happy accidents. Dominique Olivier tells his story.
Dominique Olivier
The catch that’s catching up with us
Beneath the waves, a silent collapse is underway. As fish stocks dwindle, so do the jobs, meals and communities built around them. But it’s not too late for us to make a meaningful change. Dominique Olivier explains how to balance conservation with people whose livelihoods depend on the ocean.
Dominique Olivier
DreamWorks: when collaborators become competitors
When you sideline a rainmaker, you can’t act surprised when they start making it rain somewhere else. This is the story of how one botched promotion led to the creation of a real thorn in Disney’s side - and set a whole new direction for the animation industry. Welcome to the tale of DreamWorks, as told by Dominique Olivier.
Dominique Olivier
“Big Ostrich” – Feathers, food and a high-flying future
Ostriches might not fly, but their numbers (and their impact) are soaring. From dusty Karoo farms to global sustainability debates, this big bird is quietly paving the future of meat production. Welcome to the surprising world of ostrich farming, as explained by Dominique Olivier.
Dominique Olivier
Klarna: a canary in the American debt coal mine
When lunch needs a payment plan, something’s gone sideways. Klarna’s rollercoaster ride through the American dream is a cautionary tale with extra guac. All is not well in America, as Dominique Olivier explains.
Dominique Olivier
Red Bull: the thing with wings
With over two-thirds of the energy drink market in a vice grip, Red Bull isn’t just a beverage - it’s the undisputed overlord of its category. But what does any of this have to do with death-defying stunts, football teams and the youngest Formula 1 driver in history? Welcome to perhaps the best example of lifestyle marketing in the world.
