Walmart is looking at entering the subscription-video space to compete with Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, sources confirmed — and the retailing giant is planning to launch the service through its Vudu digital-entertainment division, Variety has learned. Vudu has set plans to launch a low-cost subscription video-on-demand package in the fourth quarter of 2018, according to sources.

Sergio Marchionne, the former chief executive officer of Fiat Chrysler and architect of the automaker’s dramatic turnaround, has died. He was 66. His death was confirmed Wednesday by Exor NV, the holding company of Fiat’s founding Agnelli family, just days after Marchionne was replaced as CEO. His health had declined suddenly following complications from shoulder surgery.

Clear, a developer of biometric technology for security, ticketing and other consumer platforms, has signed a deal to become the official biometric identity and ticketing partner for MLB. Clear will work in conjunction with Tickets.com (an MLB company that has deals with 23 teams). Already approved and in use by U.S. Homeland Security, it enables members to use touch to enter ballparks via a separate security lane.

Chick-fil-A announced that, after 20 years, it will retire the popular, promotional Cow Calendar to "greener pastures.” But it wasn't just the actual wall calendar filled with photos of the company's iconic “Eat Mor Chikin” cows that was popular among fans. Rather, it was the monthly free food offers it contained. The offers in the calendar have an estimated value of at least $30.

Lance Armstrong has been building a media and event-organizing brand over the last two years, and corporate sponsors are starting to take notice. Growing awareness of the widespread issue of doping in cycling may have helped shift attitudes, but Armstrong's charm has also helped win back fans. It’s a significant shift from recent years. The disgraced cyclist admitted in a 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey to using performance-enhancing drugs during his career.

Starting in 2020, the North American International Auto Show will move from January to June. NAIAS envisions "dynamic outdoor experiential brand activations" such as ride-and-drives, "dynamic vehicle debuts," demonstrations of autonomous and automated driving, and off-road challenges, "immersing and engaging the media and consumers in memorable product experiences.”

Hims is one of a crop of direct-to-consumer, hipster-branded startups selling prescription drugs to men through the internet. But where others focus on one health issue (like hair loss or erectile dysfunction), Hims wants to build a brand that serves men with many different ailments, including acne. Launched in November, Hims makes it possible for men to get a prescription after a quick online consultation with a doctor.

Sleeping Giants urged people to collect screenshots of ads on Breitbart and then question brands about their support of the site. Sleeping Giants correctly guessed that many companies did not know where their digital ads were running, and advertisers were caught off guard. As hundreds of brands blocked their ads from appearing on Breitbart, the people behind Sleeping Giants maintained their anonymity — until this week.

IHOP explained why it underwent a fake name change last month, when it briefly called itself IHOb. “We take our burgers as seriously as our pancakes,” it said, explaining why it substituted a "b" for burgers for the "P" for pancakes in its name. But while its president has no doubts, the company has yet to disclose whether its gambit, which promoted its lunch and dinner business, enhanced its bottom line.

Tesla Inc. has asked some suppliers to refund a portion of what the electric-car company has spent previously, an appeal that reflects the auto maker’s urgency to sustain operations during a critical production period, according to a memo sent to the suppliers and viewed by the Wall Street Journal. Tesla is framing the request as essential to its continued operations, and describes the refund as an investment in continuing growth for all players.