Nation's Restaurant News
Pei Wei Asian Diner next week will launch an integrated advertising campaign. The "Wei Better" campaign will include radio advertising, outdoor and digital advertising and emphasize the brand's "refresh" campaign of the past year, as well as recent additions to its menu. The 192-unit fast-casual chain is a division of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based P.F. Chang's China Bistro Inc.
USA Today
Yum Brands' shares fell after second-quarter earnings showed its Pizza Hut same-store sales were damaged by the competition. But there were highlights, chief among which was at Yum's Taco Bell chain. The restaurants's sales were bolstered, in part, by the rollout of its new line of breakfast items.
Cincinnati Enquirer
Procter & Gamble is teaming up with Whirlpool to launch a new home appliance meant to cut down on trips to the dry cleaner by freshening up clothes. The machine, called Swash, is a vertically oriented appliance that fits in a closet or corner of the bedroom, sprays formula on garments to deodorize them, "relax" the wrinkles and tighten fibers. Officials at Cincinnati-based P&G call innovation a top priority.
Chicago Tribune
Navy Pier Inc., the not-for-profit that manages the lakefront entertainment complex in Chicago, has sold naming rights to the pier's entrance park to Chicago's Polk family for $20 million, according to a source. Gateway Park will be renamed Polk Park under the deal. The family operated a chain of furniture and appliance stores in Chicago for more than 55 years.
Detroit News
For the first time, more people are buying or leasing SUVs and crossovers than sedans, according to Colorado-based forecasting firm IHS Automotive. Through May, SUVs and crossovers account for 36.5% of the new vehicle market, compared to 35.4% for sedans. IHS studied vehicle registration data supplied by Southfield-based automotive data firm Polk.
NYSportsJournalism.com
Manchester United Football Club has signed a multi-season sponsorship deal with international food brand Nissin. In the first year of the partnership, there will be co-branded food products worldwide, supported by a "unique campaign linking the club with its products." There will also be Nissin branding on stadium perimeter boards at all domestic games, and on club publications and the club's official Web site. A program called "Hungry to Win" will be the first joint project.
USA Today
New Yorkers of all stripes, famous athletes and celebrities and even Mets stars, their faces pixilated out, tip their caps to All-Star Derek Jeter in a Nike ad saluting him as he retires. The company's ad focuses on Nike's Brand Jordan, and closes with Jeter, at home plate, about to bat, turning to nod at Michael Jordan, who tips his own cap to the star. The 90-second ode to Jeter instantly became a social media rage with its posting on Monday.
AutoExtremist
Peter De Lorenzo lets go (as always) with an analysis of GM's decision to hire Infiniti's Johan de Nysschen to try to fix Cadillac. First off he says it was an inspired move by Cadillac, which has great products, well reviewed, but can't seem to find the right marketing to move the vehicles off dealer lots without greasing the wheels with incentives and other deals. He notes that the veteran who did wonders with Audi, was stifled at Infiniti, but warns that if GM does that, it's game over.
USA Today
GoDaddy may be revamping its image, but it apparently still has miles to clock with Danica Patrick. It's about to pair Patrick in a new commercial, scheduled to debut this week, with Tony Stewart - the NASCAR star and co-owner of her racing team. In the ad, the two keep trying to out-prank each other. It's the first time the racing stars have appeared together in a GoDaddy spot.
Chicago Tribune
NPR is reporting: Comcast has apologized for a service call that broadcast one of its customer service representatives aggressively repeating questions and avoiding a customer's request to cancel his service. The broadcast lasts about eight minutes, and was started about 10 minutes into a disconnection request call, according to the customer.