Six years ago, when the Vatican announced that Pope Francis would be stopping in Philadelphia as part of his visit to the United States, local businesses responded en masse. Manayunk Brewing Company made Papal ale. The pope’s likeness appeared on pizza boxes. Local station WZMP started a “popecast.” But no welcome stuck in local memory…
How Consistency Helped Alaska Airlines Ascend From Pandemic Turbulence
How do airlines protect passengers during a pandemic without sacrificing their company’s spirit? It’s a delicate safety dance. Since Covid-19’s arrival, Alaska Airlines has banned more than 700 people–including an Alaska state senator–from flights for violating safety policies. It’s also made playful distance markers, choreographed ’80s parody videos and extended frequent-flyer perks. As the holiday…
Sales Associates Are Evolving to Become the New Rising Stars of Retail
As recently as the 1990s, one of the areas where retailers excelled was high-touch customer service. Then came the aughts. “I think we went through this period in the early 2000s where companies were pulling sales associates out of the store because they were trying to save money and reduce costs. And then ecommerce came,”…
Jolie Hunt on Breaking the Mold of a PR Agency for Her Communications Company
Jolie Hunt set out to create a different type of strategic communications agency when she launched Hunt & Gather in 2014. Hunt was shaken by her brief, unpleasant stint as AOL’s chief marketing officer. It was the first time in her career that hard work didn’t equal professional success, and she knew it was the…
Brian Robbins, David Nevins Divvy Up Paramount Pictures in Major Restructuring
ViacomCBS unveiled yet another major restructuring Monday morning, this one focused on Paramount Pictures, which will now have separate leadership for its film and TV units. Nickelodeon chief Brian Robbins will run the movie division–as president and CEO of Paramount–while Showtime chairman and CEO David Nevins will take over Paramount Television Studios, both adding the…
AT&T Sells TMZ Assets to Fox Ahead of WarnerMedia-Discovery Merger
Fox Entertainment has acquired TMZ and all its media properties from WarnerMedia, in AT&T’s latest entertainment-related divesture. Top line In the deal, Fox will own and operate all TMZ-branded linear, digital and experiential assets, which includes two syndicated magazine programs airing on 18 networks affiliated by Fox television stations, as well as TMZ’s celebrity and…
Delta’s New Ad Campaign Takes Aim at Travel-Related Climate Guilt
Sustainability-minded consumers want to do good things for the planet–but that gets a little complicated when it comes to air travel. Delta Air Lines’ new ad campaign, launched today, speaks directly to that conflicted traveler. “Isn’t it a paradox,” a voiceover in the new spot muses, “that the love for this world that gets us…
Road to Brandweek: How Kimberly-Clark Is Building Brand Equity Responsibly
Zena Arnold leads Kimberly-Clark’s global marketing team with the goal of driving growth for some of the most iconic CPG brands including Huggies, Cottonelle and Kleenex. Arnold is known for her innovative approach to holistic marketing in addition to her ability to cultivate a best-in-class digital marketing function to create powerful, purpose-driven experiences for consumers….
LinkedIn Adds Dark Mode
Dark mode has arrived on LinkedIn. The professional network rolled out the feature to all members worldwide Monday, saying that it was a “highly requested” addition to the major redesign it debuted last September. LinkedIn said its team took “a thoughtful approach” to ensure that dark mode took accessibility and inclusivity considerations into account and…
CPG Manufacturers Are Spending Less on National TV Ads
The makers of toothpaste, fabric softener and pet food aren’t dedicating as much money to television commercials as they did last year. CPG manufacturers, excluding alcohol brands, spent an estimated $4.6 billion on national linear TV ads between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, a 6.1% decrease compared to the same period in 2020, according to…