Brands that aren't afraid to take a stand are more appealing to consumers. So says Marcus Collins,  Wieden+Kennedy's head of strategy. The University of Michigan marketing professor "has spent his career both studying and executing how brands can better utilize culture to connect with their audiences," per Fast Conmpany. "In his new book 'For The Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be,' Collins reveals all that he’s learned about how culture influences so many of our decisions, and how marketers can be more effective in tapping into it."

More Americans are reporting disinterest in buying an electric vehicle, according to a monthly JD Power EV report. "In March, 21% of new-vehicle shoppers said they were 'very unlikely' to consider an EV, up from 18.9% in February and 17.8% in January," per USA Today. "In contrast, the percentage of car shoppers who say they are 'very likely' to consider an EV was 26.9% in March, largely flat this year. Persistent worries about charging infrastructure and vehicle pricing [are] dampening enthusiasm, the report said. EV’s market share of all new-vehicle sales dropped to 7.3% in March, down from a record high of 8.5% …

Eli Lilly is aiming for fast-track approval of one of its diabetes drugs for use in an even bigger secondary market: to treat obesity. "Cutting just several months off the approval process could yield $30 billion in additional value," per Reuters. "The success doesn't, however, speak to the effectiveness of the government program used to get there."

Several Chicago business owners say they will boycott Anheuser-Busch products including Bud and Bud Light Goose Island 312 in reaction to the ongoing saga involving transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. 2Bears Tavern Group said all of its bars "are discontinuing Anheuser-Busch InBev products as a result of the brewer’s anti-transgender actions and statements." 

Pet owners, especially those who don't want to put their snub-nosed or large dogs in the cargo area of commercial jets, are happy to spend $9,000 for a stress-free trip across the Atlantic Ocean on K9 Jets, a private aviation company. "More than 200 pets, the majority of them dogs, died on flights in the last decade, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, which does not specify whether the pets were in cargo," per The New York Times. 

Bruce McCall, whose career included stints at Campbell-Ewald, J. Walter Thompson and Ogilvy & Mather, has died at 87 from complications arising from Parkinson's disease. "Though known to the non-enthusiast reading population for the more than 80 covers he created for The New Yorker and the many illustrations and humorous essays he contributed to that tony East Coast periodical, as well as to the madcap 1970s comedic juggernaut The National Lampoon, McCall distinguished himself to the car-loving world with his acerbic and always hilarious work for Car and Driver and Automobile Magazine," per Car and Driver. 

The company that owns Ruth’s Chris Steak House is selling to Darden Restaurants, which also owns Capital Grille, Eddie V’s, LongHorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Yard House, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen and Seasons 52. "Ruth’s — which was founded in 1965 after Ruth Fertel bought Chris Steak House in New Orleans — generated $505.9 million in revenue in 2022 and reported same-store sales growth of 4.5% last quarter," per USA Today.

The striking Hollywood writers, who call AI an existential risk, apparently have nothing to worry about. "To see how imminent that threat is, THR had ChatGPT write a scene — about TV writers going on strike — and reviewed it," per the Hollywood Reporter. While the shape of the scene that was generated isn’t horrible. the dialogue has no punchlines and no recognizable voices. 

Nissan took an unconventional approach to promote its new electric Ariya SUV -- a four-hour YouTube video. "What could have led to outrage instead became a viral success, attracting more than 17 million views and thousands of positive comments," per Fast Company. "The secret to Nissan’s success was that the ad was specifically produced for a popular YouTube channel: Lofi Girl, a 24/7 livestream of relaxing instrumental beats, accompanied by the animated video of a girl penning notes while a cat peacefully naps in the background. Nissan’s ad not only uses a similar soundtrack, but also a closely aligned aesthetic. The …

Cadillac is finally reaching a younger customer with its Lyriq electric vehicle, but those same millennials are getting frustrated with the long wait for delivery. "It’s a frustrating stumble, and a customer service headache for GM," per Bloomberg. "Cadillac message boards and Lyriq social media groups on Facebook are crackling with customers complaining about the wait and how communication among GM, its dealers and customers has either led to confusion or left them in the dark. Some buyers have abandoned their reservations, while others are waiting and grumbling."