Broadcasting & Cable
WrestleMania 33 was a huge success for WWE, setting a new record as the most-watched WrestleMania ever. It was seen by a record 1.95 million people on the WWE Network alone and drew Camping World Stadium a record $14.5 million in revenue. The event also broke records for digital and social media engagement and merchandise sales.
Fortune
The pizza maker has launched two pilot programs that incorporate organic produce and gluten-free crusts. Four organic toppings (Roma tomatoes, green peppers, yellow onions, and mushrooms) are being tested in the Lexington, Ky., market. Its gluten-free crust will be available in four Los Angeles, Phoenix, Nashville, and St. Louis.
Drug Store News
Aromatherapy has successfully made the transition from those niche health food markets to mass outlets, where it is fast becoming an integral piece to the overall health and wellness offering. The category realized healthy growth in 2016. The majority of shoppers - as much as 80% - are female.
Brand Channel
Unilever is launching Baby Dove, the first new product category from Dove since Dove Men+Care in 2010. The launch follows a series of local launches in other markets including Canada (where first-time Millennial moms and social media influencers were invited to sample the products), Poland and Portugal.
Associated Press
The Detroit Institute of Arts is launching a campaign that includes a different ad every day for a year to help highlight the museum's offerings. The campaign was developed by Leo Burnett Detroit. Ads will run online, on digital billboards and on radio and will feature visitors engaged at the museum in a variety of ways.
Chain Store Age
Amazon Cash allows consumers to add cash to their Amazon.com balance by showing a barcode at a participating brick-and-mortar store, with the cash then applied immediately to the consumer's online Amazon account. Walmart already offers a similar type of service for customers without a credit or debit card, as does PayPal.
The Wall Street Journal
The Framingham, Mass.-based company is in preliminary talks with a number of private-equity firms for a potential sale, according to "The Wall Street Journal," citing people familiar with the matter. The discussions may not lead to a deal, it said. The move follows a failed merger with rival Office Depot Inc. Staples stock jumped nearly 10% on the news.
CNN Money
Dozens of brands pulled their ads from the show after 'The New York Times' reported $13 million in settlements paid out to women accusing Fox star Bill O'Reilly of sexual harassment. A lawyer for one woman is calling for an independent investigation of Fox News, and the National Organization for Women is seeking O'Reilly termination.
Chain Store Age
Jenna Lyons, president and executive creative director, is stepping down. She will remain with J.Crew as a creative advisor until her contract expires in December. Lyons, whose responsibilities include the oversight of all product design, visual and brand presentation, will not be replaced and her duties will be transitioned to other members of the executive team.
Bloomberg
Suitors are courting Panera, and possibly JAB, Starbucks, and Domino's. The fast casual/bakery chain, which has a market value of about $6.5 billion, is working with advisers to study the options, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing the private process. Panera declined to comment.