Marketing Currents is a weekly current events news service that highlights unique and relevant business and marketing campaigns throughout the school year. The questions provided for student discussion will help to create a bridge between industry strategies/trends and the topics you are covering in class.
Heinz is offering condiment consumers in Sao Paulo the chance to grow tomatoes from a plantable label. Click here to read the story at thedrum.com. Discussion Questions: What is sustainability? Why do you think brands create marketing campaigns focused on sustainability? How does this story provide an example of that? Read more…
Subway is drawing a direct link between the “Eat Fresh Refresh” strategy and a sales boost in the summer period, including its highest weekly average unit volume transactions in eight years. The planned multiyear overhaul touches across the chain’s business, with a menu makeover consisting of 11 new and improved Read more…
Costco, home of the ultimate big box store, is not mincing words about what it’s like to run a consumer business in the middle of a pandemic. Click here to read the story at cnn.com. Discussion Questions: What is supply chain? Why is the supply chain important to a business? Read more…
Digital transformation has touched every industry and changed how we understand marketing and selling. With e-commerce at the forefront of our spending habits — in 2020, a $4.28 trillion habit — business and marketing strategy must also transform to accommodate this change. Because of this, I believe artificial intelligence (AI) Read more…
Taco Bell is testing a tasty monthly subscription service. In about 20 participating restaurants across Tucson, Arizona, customers can pay between $5 to $10 per month for a Taco Lover’s Pass, which gives subscribers one taco a day for 30 days. The app-based program is currently active until November 24. Read more…
The Oregon-based coffee chain rang its IPO bell on the Nasdaq this Wednesday. The company, which was founded three decades ago by a couple dairy farmers with a pushcart, and whose menu includes beverages like chocolate macadamia nut espresso and nitro infused cold brew, is now trading under the ticker Read more…
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 saw more false advertising food and beverage cases filed than any year prior, continuing a trend in this area. One hundred seventy-seven actions were filed in 2019, up from 164 in 2018, and 145 in 2016 and 2017. To put these numbers in context, there Read more…
While most companies struggled early in the pandemic, Peloton was increasing its forecasts. Now, the connected-fitness pioneer is doing the opposite. In its Q4 earnings call, the company posted a $313.2m loss, and a lower-than-expected forecast for Q1 2022. So what happened? Click here to read the story at thehustle.co Read more…
Last Saturday, after a three-mile hike through the Presidio, I stood in a throng of tourists looking at the Golden Gate Bridge. As the crowd snapped photos of the landmark, I decided to join in. Click here to read the story at nytimes.com. Discussion Questions: What is product development? What Read more…
Gap Inc.’s Athleta and Old Navy banners have been getting all the attention lately, given a recent deal with Simone Biles for the former and a shift to store-wide inclusive sizing at the latter. But that may be about to change. Click here to read the story at adweek.com. Discussion Read more…