• Tiffany Retools Marketing
    Under its relatively new management at LVMH, Tiffany is now making some major changes to its advertising and marketing strategy. For one, "after 30-plus years, Tiffany has recently discontinued its daily print ad within the New York Times," per WWD. "Tiffany is said to be continuing its relationship with the New York Times with nearly similar spends, just on a primarily digital front. There are also plans for more impactful print ad packages."
  • Nike Remains Most Valuable Apparel Brand
    Despite a sales drop due to the pandemic, Nike has retained its number-one position as "the world’s most valuable apparel brand for the seventh consecutive year in Brand Finance’s annual ranking of the 50 most valuable apparel brands," according to Chain Store Age. "Nike still maintains a considerable lead over second-ranked Gucci, whose  brand value fell 12% in 2020, to $15.6 billion. Rounding out the top 10 were Louis Vuitton ($14.85 billion); Adidas ($14.34 billion); Chanel ($13.24); Zara ($13.15); Uniqlo ($13.07 billion); H&M ($12.36 billion); Cartier ($12.08 billion); and Hermes ($11.65 billion)."
  • OMG, Relax! We Have Enough TP Now -- Maybe Too Much?
    The great toilet paper shortage of 2020, a source of constant pandemic anxiety -- and predictable source of jokes -- is finally coming to an end. We appear to have stockpiled enough, so sales are slowing down, in January falling "more than 4% from the same period a year earlier," per The Wall Street Journal. One enthusiastic TP purchaser quoted in the WSJ "still has 54 rolls, stored in various places throughout her home: in a guest room, the back of a linen closet, the laundry room in the basement. 'I’m not planning on buying for a while,' she said."
  • Hasbro To Market $700 Robotic 'Transformers' Toys
    "Transformers" toys, which change from a car to robot and back again -- a concept taken from the 2007 movie -- have become "an absolutely huge pain" because of their complexity, according to The Verge. But "Hasbro is finally fixing that problem. Not by making the toys simpler, but by making them a lot more complicated and expensive in the form of its new $700 Optimus Prime Auto-Converting Programmable Advanced Robot."
  • Walmart Taps Former Disney Exec As First CCO
    "Walmart has added a new position to its c-suite": chief creative officer, according to Chain Store Age. The retailer's first CCO will be Jean Battany, previously vice president, global creative, at Walt Disney Park Experiences and Consumer products. In her new position, Walmart, Battany aims "to develop breakthrough and innovative marketing at all consumer touch points,” according to her LinkedIn post.
  • Airbnb Intros New Safety Protocols
    Airbnb is imposing some new protocols that address health, safety and bad guest behavior. The plan includes restrictions for certain users for Fourth of July bookings and requires hosts to continue with COVID-19-enhanced cleaning protocol. "As people begin to make plans to reconnect with friends and family, Airbnb is launching the Summer of Responsible Travel, an 8-point plan to help hosts, guests and communities they call home stay safer," Airbnb said in an announcement Monday.
  • Walmart Taps Former Disney Exec For Marketing
    Walmart has hired a former Disney marketing executive for a new position within its marketing department. Jean Battany has been named chief creative officer. Most recently, Battany served as vice president, global creative at Walt Disney Park Experiences and Consumer products. She left Disney in February 2021, after nearly five years in the position.
  • Uber Launches Verification Program, Seeks To Curb Carjackings
    Uber is rolling out a nationwide verification program for riders using payment methods such as prepaid debit cards, gift cards or Venmo in an effort to curb carjacking incidents involving rideshare drivers. Riders who set up an account with an anonymous form of payment will need to upload a drivers license, state ID, or passport before booking a ride. Uber is the first ride-sharing company to require such passenger verification. The process also applies to the Uber Eats food delivery service.
  • BJ's Wholesale Club CEO Unexpectedly Dies
    Lee Delaney, 49, who had been chief executive officer of BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings Inc. for just over a year, died unexpectedly on April 8 due to “presumed natural causes.” Bob Eddy, who serves as chief administrative and financial officer, has been named interim CEO. Delaney joined BJ’s in 2016 as chief commercial officer. He was elevated to president in 2019 and subsequently named CEO. “BJ’s had a strong year with Delaney at the helm, fueled by pandemic-related stockpiling and at-home consumption,” per Bloomberg.
  • Patagonia CEO Calls On Other Companies To Oppose Restrictive Voting Laws
    Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert outlines three steps other American business leaders should take immediately to help protect democracy. The trigger was restrictive voting laws like the election bill that passed last month in Georgia. Forty-seven states have already introduced 361 bills this year that would restrict voting rights, per Fast Company. Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines and Major League Baseball have already registered their opposition to such laws.
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