Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates "Amazon Is Good for Small Business," Premiering December 8

What makes the "everything store" so ubiquitous? In large part, it's the small and medium-sized businesses that use Amazon to sell their goods. This year, more than 1.9 million of these businesses participated in its marketplace, which accounted for some 60 percent of Amazon's retail sales. But was it ultimately good for them? On one hand, Amazon opens up a truly global market to smaller retailers and offers massive logistics support. But on the other, the tech giant's immense market power makes it a gatekeeper between retailers and consumers, which often means hefty fees for prime placement or what some sellers complain are the costs of superfluous services. Critics also rail against Amazon's use of its own private label brands that can be weaponized to undermine competitors. In the midst of this historic transition in shopping, award-winning debate series Intelligence Squared U.S. holds a debate on the motion "Amazon Is Good for Small Business."

Arguing in favor of the motion are tech executive Kunal Chopra, former General Manager for Amazon Fashion who has spent decades working at the forefront of e-commerce, and economist Mark Jamison, who served on the FCC transition team for President-elect Trump. Arguing against the motion are writer Rana Foroohar, business columnist for the Financial Times and global economic analyst for CNN, and historian Stacy Mitchell, one of the leading strategists working on issues related to Amazon who was recently profiled by the New York Times.

The debate will be released publicly on Friday, December 10 via public radio, video and the Intelligence Squared U.S. podcast. However, there is a private virtual preview screening on December 8 at 4:00 PM ET that will include a live press avail and roundtable with all four debaters following the debate. Media can email raypadgett@shorefire.com for press access.

FOR THE MOTION - BIOS

* Mark Jamison, Economist, American Enterprise Institute 
Mark Jamison is a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he works on how technology affects the economy, and on telecommunications and Federal Communications Commission issues. He has served on the FCC transition team for President-elect Trump, as a special adviser to the chair of the governor of Florida's internet task force, and as president of the Transportation and Public Utilities Group. He is the author of several books and publications on technology and policy and is currently a professor at the University of Florida.

* Kunal Chopra: Tech Executive & Former Amazon GM 
Kunal Chopra is a technology and business executive who has spent decades working at the forefront of e-commerce. Kunal has held several leadership positions in the tech sector, including as a General Manager for Amazon Fashion and Microsoft and Director of Product for Groupon. He is currently the CEO of Kaspien, a company that provides software and services for e-commerce. Kunal is a frequent media commentator and a member of the Forbes Technology Council.

AGAINST THE MOTION - BIOS

* Rana Foroohar: Global Business Columnist, Financial Times & Author, "Don't Be Evil" 
Rana Foroohar is a widely celebrated author and commentator on the economy, technology, and business. She is a columnist for the Financial Times and a global economic analyst for CNN. Rana's first book, "Makers and Takers," explored why capital markets no longer support business and was shortlisted for the Financial Times McKinsey Book of the Year award. Her latest, "Don't Be Evil: How Big Tech Betrayed Its Founding Principles -- And All Of Us," "presents a sweeping indictment of technology companies and their reach into every aspect of our lives," according to The New York Times.

* Stacy Mitchell: Strategist & Author 
Stacy Mitchell is one of the leading strategists working on issues related to Amazon, e-commerce, and small business in America today. A historian by training, Stacy writes frequently on Amazon for media and academic journals alike. She is co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a national research and advocacy organization. In 2020, Stacy was profiled in the New York Times for her analysis of Amazon's power and her leadership in building a broad coalition to challenge it.

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED U.S. DEBATES (IQ2US)
Intelligence Squared U.S. (IQ2US) was founded to address a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. Through its award-winning live debates and associated programming, the nonprofit company serves as a model for responsible media in a new age - fair, intelligent, nonpartisan - while restoring critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to public discourse. Recently recognized as "Best Podcast Event of 2020" by Adweek, Intelligence Squared U.S. reaches millions through multi-platform distribution, including public radio (the show airs in all top 25 markets that carry specials), podcasts, video live streaming, newsletters, interactive digital content, and on-demand apps including Roku and Apple TV. With over 190 Oxford-style debates and counting, plus additional podcast and video content, IQ2US has encouraged the public to "think twice" on a wide range of provocative topics for over a decade. Author and ABC News correspondent John Donvan has moderated since 2008.

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