EconWorks Podcast

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Industrial organization insights on antitrust, digital platforms, and competition in ecosystem markets. blog.econworks.com

  1. Are Platforms Breaking Antitrust?

    1d ago

    Are Platforms Breaking Antitrust?

    What happens when the “market” isn’t a product—but a platform? In this episode, we unpack why traditional antitrust tools struggle with platforms and introduce a new way to think about them. From credit cards to Google to sports leagues, not all platforms work the same way—and that distinction matters more than you think. Read the full article and graphic analysis: https://blog.econworks.com/p/when-the-platform-is-the-market?r=562wri Explore more visual economics content: https://econworks.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EconWorks-d3e Substack: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.econworks.com/subscribe

    20 min
  2. Mattresses, Mergers & Vertical Power: AI Wraps Up Season 1

    2d ago

    Mattresses, Mergers & Vertical Power: AI Wraps Up Season 1

    The season finale tackles the FTC’s challenge to Tempur Sealy’s vertical merger with Mattress Firm. Was the merger a smart efficiency play in retail and manufacturing, or did it risk anticompetitive foreclosure? In this episode, AI critiques the expert economic analysis, focusing on vertical merger guidelines, concentration risks, and real-world retail dynamics. We compare the AI take to the court’s perspective and close season 1 with big-picture lessons on how antitrust should handle innovation, efficiency, and evidence in fast-changing markets. Read the full article and the graphic analysis: https://blog.econworks.com/p/ai-v-judge-episode-5-ftc-vs-tempur?r=562wri Explore more visual economics content: https://econworks.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EconWorks-d3e Substack: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.econworks.com/subscribe

    24 min
  3. The $2.5 Billion Question in Pharmaceutical Antitrust

    Jun 5

    The $2.5 Billion Question in Pharmaceutical Antitrust

    In this episode, we examine the economic foundations of reverse-payment antitrust law through the lens of the Takeda verdict. The Supreme Court’s *Actavis* decision shifted the focus from patent validity to payment size—but left unresolved how courts should measure what counts as “large.” We explore the circularity embedded in the framework, the role of damages models, and why jury decisions may ultimately substitute for missing economic methods. Read the full article and the graphic analysis: https://blog.econworks.com/p/the-885-million-question-actavis?r=562wri Explore more visual economics content: EconWorks YouTube Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.econworks.com/subscribe

    22 min
  4. Google’s Ad Tech Empire Under the Microscope: AI Antitrust Critique

    Jun 4

    Google’s Ad Tech Empire Under the Microscope: AI Antitrust Critique

    In this episode, we talk about the complexities of digital advertising in the US. DOJ v. Google ad tech case. Google’s integrated platform dominates ad servers, exchanges, and networks, and critics have accused it of excluding rivals. The AI looks at the main expert arguments about auctions, vertical integration, and market power and compares the criticism to the trial evidence. In this episode we unpack important but technical concepts like header bidding and multi-homing and put them in plain English. We also take a new look at one of the biggest ongoing antitrust battles in tech. Read the full article and the graphic analysis: https://blog.econworks.com/p/ai-v-judge-episode-4-united-states?r=562wri Explore more visual economics content: EconWorks YouTube Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.econworks.com/subscribe

    23 min
  5. When Does Sharing Data Become the Same Thing as Fixing Prices?

    May 29

    When Does Sharing Data Become the Same Thing as Fixing Prices?

    This episode explores the DOJ’s settlement with Agri Stats and the growing antitrust debate surrounding information sharing, algorithmic pricing, and AI coordination. The discussion covers: * why collusion is unstable, * how monitoring systems sustain coordination, * the role of AI pricing algorithms, *and why future antitrust cases may become increasingly difficult to detect and prove. Read the full article and the graphic analysis: https://blog.econworks.com/p/when-does-sharing-data-become-the?r=562wri Explore more visual economics content: EconWorks YouTube Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.econworks.com/subscribe

    25 min
  6. The Handbag Merger That Sparked Debate: AI Critiques FTC v. Tapestry

    May 28

    The Handbag Merger That Sparked Debate: AI Critiques FTC v. Tapestry

    This episode turns to the FTC’s attempt to block the Tapestry (Coach) and Capri (Michael Kors, Kate Spade) merger. The central fight was over how to define the relevant market—a narrow “accessible luxury” segment or something much broader? Using AI, we critique the expert report’s data choices, market framing, and economic analysis, then see how it stacked up against the court’s real-world assessment. This episode explores brand differentiation, consumer behavior, and the challenges of merger review in consumer goods. It’s a fascinating case that reveals a lot about current FTC strategy. Read the full article and the graphic analysis: Explore more visual economics content: EconWorks YouTube Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.econworks.com/subscribe

    20 min
  7. The Texas Anesthesia Stealth Monopoly

    May 22

    The Texas Anesthesia Stealth Monopoly

    This episode of EconWorks looks at one of the most important recent tests of serial acquisition enforcement: the FTC's lawsuit against U.S. Anesthesia Partners. The conversation looks at: * Rollups in healthcare * Definition of the market, * Leverage in negotiations, * Consolidation economics, * and the challenge of reestablishing competitiveness once markets have already changed due to past acquisitions. Significant legal and economic issues remain unsolved because the parties settled the case before the trial. Read the full article and graphic analysis: Explore more visual economics content: EconWorks YouTube Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.econworks.com/subscribe

    22 min
  8. AI Takes on the Apple App Store Market Definition Debate

    May 21

    AI Takes on the Apple App Store Market Definition Debate

    Was the App Store an iOS-only monopoly or was it in a highly competitive multiplatform market? In episode two of the AI v. Judge series, AI takes a deep dive into the epic expert report in Epic v. Apple, including the fight over central market definition. We compare the AI assessment directly to the actual ruling of the court. The podcast features a comparison of broad and narrow marketplaces. Read the full article and the graphic analysis: Explore more visual economics content: EconWorks YouTube Substack This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.econworks.com/subscribe

    22 min
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Industrial organization insights on antitrust, digital platforms, and competition in ecosystem markets. blog.econworks.com

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  • Creator
    EconWorks
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © EconWorks Consulting Inc.
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    EconWorks Podcast