Fast Company
Defending U.S. Open champ witek and American upstart Ben Shelton have become new ambassador for the cult athletic shoe brand On, which is backed by tennis legend Roger Federer. "These two, along with the legendary Federer, are helping On reach its goals to push beyond its success in running," per Fast Company. "The brand sees tennis as an underestimated and under-invested sport when it comes to performance footwear, and a potential key to boost its overall cultural footprint in the United States."
Supermarket News
Rite Aid is considering its bankruptcy options due to opiod-related legal settlements and subsequent looming debt. "The filing would cover the pharmacy retailer debt, which now sits over $3.3 billion, and pending legal troubles linked to the allegation of Rite Aid’s role in the opioid crisis," per Supermarket News.But the filing would not affect settlements with federal, state, and private individuals to resolve the opioid liabilities. Instead, the company will treat them as general unsecured claims.
Hypebeast
It's not unusual for celebrities to hit the reset the button on their Instagram after a breakup. Now, iconic fashion brand Versace has done the same."sparking speculation by fans online that the fashion house is heading in a new direction," per HypeBeast. "The blank Instagram page comes after Tapestry Inc. announced it is acquiring Versace’s parent company Capri Holdings."
QSR magazine
Former Jimmy John’s CEO Gregg Majewski is heading up multiconcept platform Craveworthy Brands. "Craveworthy began with four concepts—Wing It On, Krafted Burger + Tap, Budlong Hot Chicken, and Lucky Cat Poke Company," per QSR Magazine. "It also now comprises legacy brands Genghis Grill, BD’s Mongolian Grill, and Flat Top Grill, which came fully into the fold when Majewski, who had joined as Mongolian Concepts’ CEO in spring 2021, bought out the company in April. That expanded Majewski’s portfolio to 90-plus stores across 25 states, with 40-plus more in development."
The New York Times
Many consumers are prone to oversharing on Vanmo, a mobile wallet system with a social media component. "Venmo is a strong example of how even as social norms shift on the ways we use technology, the companies and their apps don’t change much," per The New York Times. "Venmo was founded in 2009 as a music start-up that let users buy songs from bands through a text message. By the time eBay acquired it in 2013, it had become a mobile wallet service that was trendy among younger people who were gung-ho about sharing information about themselves online."
Chicago Tribune
McDonald’s will face a racial discrimination lawsuit tied to text messages CEO Chris Kempczinski sent former Mayor Lori Lightfoot in 2021 about the shooting deaths of two Chicago children after the a U.S. District Court judge refused to dismiss the case. "Kempczinski had appeared to blame the children’s parents for their deaths in text messages sent to Lightfoot, which led to calls for the CEO’s resignation when the texts were made public," per the Chicago Tribune. "Kempczinski apologized, including by sending an apology video to employees, suppliers and franchisees. He also hosted a town hall meeting at McDonald’s headquarters."
Little Black Book
Subway and Dentsu Canada have created a fanny pack to carry the fast casual brand's signature sandwich in honor of National Sandwich Month. "Revealing the ‘Footlong Fanny Pack' alongside Carat (media) and Veritas (PR and social), the teams offered Canadians a brand new way to take their sandwiches on the go, all while maintaining taste, temperature, and crucially, structural integrity," per Little Black Book.
Marketing Brew
Connected TV and social media platforms remain the top two channels in which advertisers say they will increase their investment, according to new data from Advertiser Perceptions, a research firm that tracks the attitudes of marketers and agencies. The reason is simple: advertisers perceive the channels as more measurable and more affordable than other platforms, and believe that return on investment is growing, Nicole Perrin, Advertiser Perception’s SVP of business intelligence, told Marketing Brew.
The New York Times
Curzon Cinemas, a chain with 16 locations in Britain, is allowing dogs to attend select movie screenings with their owners. "London is a paradise for pooches, which are regularly found at the feet of their owners at restaurants, pubs, on trains and in many other public places," per The New Tork Times. "Movie theaters may be next to welcome dogs, thanks in part to the pandemic."
The New York Times
Shoppers might have access to Shein fashion items via displays in Forever 21 brick and mortar stores. "Shein, the e-commerce retailer founded in China, is teaming up with the parent of Forever 21 to expand its reach into Americans’ closets," per The New York Times. "The tie-up will bring together two of the biggest names in the fast-fashion sector online and in malls across the country."