Debbie Laskey's Blog

Welcome to Debbie Laskey's insights and commentary about BRANDING, MARKETING, LEADERSHIP, SOCIAL MEDIA, EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT, and CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES. Debbie has worked in high-tech, the Consumer Marketing Department at Disneyland Paris in France, nonprofits, and insurance. Expertise includes strategic planning, brand development, marketing plans and audits, competitive positioning, websites, communications, public relations, employee engagement, customer experiences, and social media marketing.

Friday, June 13, 2025

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring Julia Carcamo

Last year, I launched a Spring Leadership Series to think about leadership in nontraditional ways. As 2024 continued, I presented additional ways to think about leadership during my Olympics Leadership Series and Holiday Leadership Series. With a new year upon us, I've invited 25 thought leaders to share their responses to five questions relating to team-building, reading, and leadership. My #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 began the first day of Spring and continues through June 20th, the first day of Summer.

Before we begin, I'd like to applaud two special individuals for providing the inspiration for this series. First, big applause goes to Erika Andersen, a leadership expert and author who I've had the pleasure of knowing for nearly 15 years, and she's appeared on my blog 13 times since 2011. She wrote an article for Forbes entitled, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders," and that article serves as the core of the series as its first question. Second, I also applaud Joseph Lalonde, a leadership expert and author of a book called REEL LEADERSHIP, for planting the seeds for last year's Spring Leadership Series on my blog. After I read Joe's book, I started looking at movies as well as works of fiction, TV shows, and TV characters with "leadership-tinted glasses."

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Julia Carcamo, based in Louisiana. I "met" Julia on Twitter (now X) back in 2012. Since we were both marketing professionals with a passion for brand-building, marketing communications, and advertising, we decided to collaborate in a "She Said, She Said" format analysis of the 2012 Super Bowl ads in posts that appeared on each other's blogs the Monday following the game. We followed that initial collaboration with several others over the years. Today, Julia is the author of "Reel Marketing, The Art of Building a Casino Brand" and founder of J. Carcamo & Associates, a leading gaming industry consulting firm. She specializes in empowering casino brands to capture attention, grow loyalty, and elevate revenue in competitive markets. With a proven track record in casino and hospitality marketing, she partners with brands to build robust strategies and breakthrough campaigns that make an impact.

QUESTION: Leadership expert and author Erika Andersen wrote an article for Forbes entitled, "How Springtime Can Make Us Better Leaders." In the article, Erika compared gardening to management and leadership. What are your thoughts, or was there something that stood out from the article?

JULIA CARCAMO: Wow! I just loved this article. I, too, am a gardener but never saw the analogy. I have one particular flower bed that nothing seems to thrive in except perhaps weeds, but just today I noticed how colorful those weeds were and how the bees were enjoying them. Now looking back, I realize how often we try to force someone into a role that they are not well-suited for, but when we let them show us where they fit, it suddenly seems to make sense.

QUESTION: What was the most recent example of inspiring leadership that made an impact on you?

JULIA CARCAMO: I work in the casino industry, and leadership is still predominantly male. There are a handful of female general managers, but there is one in particular, who always amazes me. She runs a very profitable operation, but more importantly, she is more concerned with her employees and helping them, as she would call it, thrive. It's not simply about success for her. She feels passionately that everyone under her work roof should be able to thrive in whatever they want to do both professionally and personally She never hesitates to publicly share the remarkable bond with her team. She knows that if her team is thriving, they will create great guest experiences, which will in turn create revenue.

QUESTION: What is your favorite team-building activity, and why?

JULIA CARCAMO: Honestly, I cannot stand anything that's labeled "team-building." I do understand the importance of it, but I feel teams are built when connections are made - not when they struggle together to build a bridge out of match sticks. I accompanied a client to play bingo one night. None of us knew what we were doing, but we had THE best time. Two years later, we're still telling stories about that night. That's what I call team-building.

Monday, June 9, 2025

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring Laurel Aynne Cook

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Laurel Aynne Cook. We connected on Twitter/X as a result of some of my posts about branding and brand marketing. Laurel is an Associate Professor of Marketing at West Virginia University and also serves as the Social Technology And Research (S.T.A.R.) Lab Founder & Director. To quote her faculty page bio, "As a social marketing and public policy researcher, Dr. Cook uses a variety of approaches to address the following three primary streams of research: (1) Health and Financial Well-Being; (2) Consumer Collaboration and Competition; and (3) Social Responsibility. Her research has been published in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, the Journal of Consumer Affairs, the Journal of Business Research, the Journal of Consumer Marketing, and the Journal of Marketing Education. She regularly presents her work at refereed national conferences; and her teaching experience includes digital marketing, consumer behavior, marketing research, strategy, principles, and a doctoral seminar on advanced research. Prior to pursuing a doctoral degree, Dr. Cook worked for six-and-a-half years as a brand manager with Black & Decker. She worked specifically with the Porter-Cable and Delta Machinery brands, and was heavily involved in coordinating product launches and national marketing campaigns."

LAUREL AYNNE COOK: I can relate with and greatly appreciate, the seasonal metaphor used in this article, however, as a consumer behavior researcher, I would like to see more academic references (i.e., perhaps from the leadership or organizational behavior literature) as evidence to support the arguments that were made (e.g., clarity/growth/warmth/optimism leadership attributes). Also, the article could have delved deeper into how leaders strategically cultivate perceptions of clarity, growth, warmth, and optimism to influence stakeholders from a personal branding standpoint (c.f., Montoya & Vandehey, 2002; Shepherd, 2005).

There are some fun (and well disseminated) brand personality traits (e.g., Aaker's Brand Personality Scale) that could also be tied to marketing literature on human-brand analogies. The article also does a great job at targeting business leadership, in general, but there are wide variances in levels (e.g., new, executive) and industries (e.g., creative vs. analytical).

The audience for this article could be more clearly segmented to showcase various needs (e.g., startup founders may interpret growth and clarity much differently than corporate leaders). A stronger call to action for the reader (e.g., checklist, leadership self-assessment) would have been helpful to include as well.

QUESTION: What was the most recent example of inspiring leadership that made an impact on you?

LAUREL AYNNE COOK: I don't have any examples with personal impact, but I'd like to share two examples of leader exemplars that motivate and inspire me.

I follow Leah Thomas (@GreenGirlLeah on Instagram) who is an "eco-communicator" leader in the areas of sustainability and digital activism. She blends cause-related marketing with strong personal leadership, which is perfect for someone like me who studies values-based branding.

I also really enjoy Satya Nadella (Microsoft CEO) on X (@satyanadella) because (A) we have a shared passion for tech, especially being used for GOOD, and (B) he embodies empathetic leadership. His communication is warm, and he has a very strong personal brand.

QUESTION: What is your favorite team-building activity, and why?

LAUREL AYNNE COOK: I think a personal "brand board" (i.e., collage) activity would be a lot of fun. I'm a creative and deeply empathetic person, so I love to balance fun with meaningful engagement. Branding is something that I appreciate personally AND professionally. I teach it, live it, and understand how empowering it can be. Activities designed in a team setting could benefit from a personal branding workshop. I also find a lot of value in mentorship and vulnerability - something this sort of activity could spark for both. A personal twist I'd add would include a prompt to help participants chose a brand archetype that reflects their personal style/leadership.

QUESTION: Which book is on the top of your to-be-read pile, and why?

LAUREL AYNNE COOK: I've been rereading the "Red Rising" series by Pierce Brown. I love to read and while I'm required to read a lot of non-fiction for my job, my preference during my free time is to read fiction series - the longer the series, the better. I also read every evening before I fall asleep - it's one of my favorite times of the day. As a result, it's very rare that I would ever choose to re-read anything. The "Red Rising" series, though, is masterfully written. It fascinates me with its novelty, creativity, clever banter, characters, and exceptional plots. The series also mirrors some of the values I hold dear: challenging unjust systems, being a champion for underestimated voices, and connecting strategy with heart. I've never recommended this series to someone who regretted reading all six books (and counting).

QUESTION: In the past year, has a TV show, film, or work of fiction stood out as a result of its emphasis on leadership?

LAUREL AYNNE COOK: I've got to respond with a bit of sci-fi: "Star Trek: The Next Generation" is, interestingly, often studied in MBA and leadership programs because of the emphasis on leadership by specific characters. For example, Captain Picard often faces situations where there is moral conflict or ambiguity. He responds with calm, diplomatic, and ethical leadership. Nearly every episode is also a mini case study on team dynamics, cross-cultural communications, and values-based leadership. It's an infinite source of inspiration, for sure!

Friday, June 6, 2025

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring Michelle Redfern

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Michelle Redfern, a globally-recognized gender equality, diversity, and inclusion strategist based in Australia. She advises organizations in the business and sporting sectors on DEI strategy development and implementation and works directly with women leaders to advance their careers. She has been recognized as one of Australia's Top 100 Women of Influence and has won awards for her contributions to women's advancement. She is passionate about what sets her soul on fire, closing the global leadership gender gap, and enabling women to have a career that soars!

MICHELLE REDFERN: I appreciate the approach Erika has taken in her article. I'd add one more step in the spirit of Spring and Spring Cleaning: one's own leadership. Stop. Breathe. Reflect. What plants (skills and attributes) are still thriving and serving me well? What plants have previously served me well, but no longer serve the garden and need to be removed? What plants do I need to plant now to serve the vision for the future garden?

The most successful leaders schedule time for reflective practice. They know that people who regularly make time to stop, breathe, and think are 23 percent more likely to be high-performing leaders.

Monday, June 2, 2025

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring Rebecca Herold

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Rebecca Herold. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, and with over 30 years of IT, security, and privacy experience, Rebecca is the founder of The Privacy Professor Consultancy (2004) and of Privacy & Security Brainiacs SaaS services (2021). She has authored 22 published books so far, and co-authored NIST catalogs NISTIR 7628, NISTIR 8259, SP 800-213, NISTIR 8425 and TN 2066. She has served as an expert witness for cases covering HIPAA, criminals using IoT devices, social engineering, stolen personal data of retirement housing residents, and tracking app users with Meta Pixels. Rebecca hosts Data Security & Privacy with the Privacy Professor, and since early 2018, she has hosted the Voice America podcast/radio show, Data Security & Privacy with the Privacy Professor.

REBECCA HEROLD: I spent my childhood in a very rural area of north-central Missouri, where my father was the Superintendent of Schools for the small town and farming community a couple of miles from interstate I-35. The weather there was very tumultuous (as it still is), especially during each spring.

When I was a student there one year, the first week in April, I had a birthday party with everyone outside, in beautiful weather, wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts. One week later the "Great Blizzard" hit, and over 60 inches of snow and high winds shut down the always busy I-35 interstate. Supposedly one of the largest blizzards in US history. People were literally stranded in their cars on the interstate, some completely covered, in subzero temperatures, in what seemed to most of them to be in the middle of nowhere. At a time before there were cellphones.

Instead of staying in our warm home, my father heard on his CB radio (that he always had on and listened to, especially for the State Patrol and Sheriff's communications) about all the vehicles snow covered and immobile on the interstate. He wasted no time, and started making calls to the many farmers (which included all the school board members), and many others who were in the school district. He coordinated over two dozen area residents with snowmobiles, and farmers with over a dozen field tractors with horse and livestock trailers, to go onto the interstate and bring all the stranded tourists to the school auditorium.

He asked our school cooks if they wanted to help by making food, drinks, coffee, and hot chocolate for the stranded travelers who would be staying in the auditorium overnight, and actually ended up being two, and for some, three, nights. He let the cooks, teachers, and other staff know that he'd understand if they didn't want to go out into the weather, but everyone in the area did not hesitate to help. The travelers were grateful, and actually all said they greatly enjoyed the hospitality, food, and cots with blankets and pillows that were provided to them in the gymnasium, where they also played some pickup basketball games during the days. After three nights, all the travelers' vehicles were dug out of the snow and back to their travels. Dad was there the entire time, making sure the travelers had what they needed, that everyone was staying safe, and that the volunteers were recognized and appreciated.

Dad was born a leader. He never sat back and waited for others to fix a problem. Instead, he was the first to recognize where there were going to be problems if he did not take action. That spring may have made Dad a better leader, but from what I witnessed, it revealed the great leader he already was. He also provided a model of great leadership to all the volunteers and to all the travelers who benefitted from his quick actions, all of which exemplified a great leader.

QUESTION: What was the most recent example of inspiring leadership that made an impact on you?

REBECCA HEROLD: In today's world, there are very few examples of inspiring leadership. In fact, it seems like we're going through an era of lost leadership. I was heartened to see, though. what appears on the surface to be an unlikely collaboration between two very different people to make an impact in actually inspiring and meaningfully teaching the general public about science facts and the need for a healthy, natural environment in their project to improve by reversing some of the devastation of the environment.

A climate and engineering expert recently teamed up with a graphic novelist artist to create a graphic novel that became the single bestselling book in France in 2022. And as a result, it is now inspiring positive changes for mitigating the destructive harms resulting from climate change in that country. The book is entitled, "Le Monde sans Fin," translated to English, "World Without End," by Jean-Marc Jancovici and Christophe Blain, published in October 2021. It gave me some hope that, if we have enough such initiatives throughout the world, not only for the environment but also for privacy rights, cybersecurity protections, societal improvements, and so many other necessary improvement areas, that perhaps, there can be positive changes in the years to come.

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Best Social Media Post of the Month for May 2025

How many social media posts do you recall? Do some go viral because they are for charity, like the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? Or do some go viral because they happened at the right moment in time, like the Oreo tweet when the lights went out at the 2013 Super Bowl? Or do some go viral and become memorable simply because they're funny?

In a new monthly series on my blog - appearing during the first week of each month - I am sharing the best social media post of the preceding month. The choice may appear on Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc.

According to Google, "The best social media post of the month is typically one that effectively combines high engagement with relevance to current events, holidays, or trending topics, while also aligning with your brand identity and authentically connecting with your audience; this could include a thought-provoking question, a relatable story, a visually appealing image, a timely meme, or a behind-the-scenes look, depending on your platform and target demographic."

Without further ado, the post that earns my recognition as the best social media post of the month from May 2025 was shared on May 8th, 2025, by the encyclopedia brand Encyclopaedia Britannica on Twitter/X (and also on Instagram). Since the smoke atop St. Peter's Square at the Vatican was white, the eyes of the world were on the balcony of St. Peter's Square awaiting news of a new Pope.

So, Encyclopaedia Britannica, everyone's favorite encyclopedia, posted, "Get ready to update your Pope Facts, everyone." The image included Official Titles, Most Common Papal Names, Number of Popes Made Saints, Longest and Shortest Reigns, and more. This was definitely an interesting way to align the brand with the news of the moment. And then, the brand quickly updated its post's image with details regarding the new Pope in a few categories.

Brands that can align their products or services to an event, holiday, or trending news that everyone is talking about have the potential to be memorable. And Encyclopaedia Britannica definitely succeeded in my book!

What brand do you think will stand out during June, and why?

Image Credit: Encyclopaedia Britannica via Twitter/X.

Saturday, May 31, 2025

Marketing News of the Month of May — Part 2: Co-Branding, a 70th Anniversary, and More

During the last couple of weeks, there were news stories that reflected brand experiences, brand identity, brand naming, brand storytelling, celebration marketing, co-branding, personal branding, pricing, and more. There were so many marketing stories in the news that this recap serves as the second part for May.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S HEALTH

According to a statement from Biden's office on May 18th, "Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for a new finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing symptoms. On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone. While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management. Biden, 82, and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians."

Following this announcement, one wondered why the American Cancer Society was silent. There were no explanations, no interviews, nothing. Doctors from around the country were interviewed on television and on radio broadcasts, but this was an excellent opportunity for ACS. Then, the next day on May 19th, the American Cancer Society joined the conversation and provided comprehensive analysis of prostate cancer in an article published by NPR.

DISNEYLAND'S 70TH ANNIVERSARY

Beginning on May 16th, 2025 and continuing through summer 2026, "The Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration honors seven decades of happiness and many moments of joy. Celebrate Happy with limited-time entertainment, colorful décor, themed food and beverages, collectible merchandise, and much more! No celebration is complete without some tasty treats, and over 70 items have arrived for this milestone anniversary. From brand-new creations, like the Mickey-shaped celebration waffles and specialty cold brrr-ew, to nostalgic eats inspired by the past, like the Mickey hat cookie and W.E.D. chili cheese baked potato, [don't] miss out on these limited-time menu items."

According to long-time Disney partner, Dooney and Bourke, "Since opening its gates on July 17th, 1955, Disneyland has continued to enchant guests with beloved attractions, immersive lands, and ever-evolving experiences. Disneyland park-goers can expect special entertainment, limited-time merchandise, and festive decorations honoring this milestone."

David Caranci, Walt Disney Imagineering manager for creative development, told Travel & Leisure during a media preview event, "We don't live in the past, but we honor the past. We honor our history, culture, and tradition as we look to the future."

DICK'S SPORTING GOODS BUYS FOOT LOCKER

According to CNBC, "Dick's Sporting Goods announced that it plans to acquire rival Foot Locker as it looks to expand its international presence, win over a new set of consumers, and corner the Nike sneaker market. While the companies are longtime rivals — both competing to sell the same brands in their stores — Dick's is almost double the size of Foot Locker in terms of revenue. In their most recent fiscal years, Dick's reported $13.44 billion in revenue, while Foot Locker reported $7.99 billion. Dick's said it expects to operate Foot Locker as a stand-alone business unit within its portfolio and maintain the company's brands – Foot Locker Kids, WSS, Champs and atmos."

Foot Locker CEO Mary Dillon said, "By joining forces with Dick's, Foot Locker will be even better positioned to expand sneaker culture, elevate the omnichannel experience for our customers and brand partners, and enhance our position in the industry."

Dick's CEO Lauren Hobart said, "The two businesses will be run as separate entities and the consumer may or may not know that Dick's and Foot Locker are one. The combination of them for the consumer is not the most important thing, it's making sure that there's two powerful brands that are meeting all consumer needs, wherever, whenever, however they want to shop."

Will there be different customer experiences? Time will tell.

ESPN'S NEW STREAMING SERVICE NAME

According to SportsPro, "ESPN has confirmed its new all-encompassing direct-to-consumer (DTC) offering, which combines both its linear networks and its existing ESPN+ streaming service, will simply be known as "ESPN" and will cost US$29.99 a month when it launches in the autumn. Previously, known as flagship, the platform will offer the league's most valuable content – including the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), and the College Football Playoff (CFP) – without a cable subscription for the first time."

ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro explained, "We are providing everything ESPN has to offer directly to fans and all in one place. As we thought about the name, we kept returning to the fact that, across every generation, ESPN is the most trusted, loved, and recognized name in sports, and that we should keep it simple and double down on the power of ESPN. Our straightforward approach to name and pricing will help fans cut through the clutter, and provide them compelling options to access all our content within the enhanced ESPN app. It will be the ultimate sports destination for personalized experiences and features, and, on top of that, fans will be able to choose to bundle ESPN with the industry-leading Disney+ and Hulu streaming services."

DEATH OF GEORGE WENDT

Everyone who watched the TV series "Cheers" during the 1980's and early 1990's will remember the actor who sat at the corner bar stool drinking beer and complaining about life. And whenever that character would enter the bar, everyone yelled, "NORMMMM!" Actor George Wendt passed away on May 20th. According to NBC Entertainment, "Watching him walk through that door and head to his barstool, America couldn't wait to say hi to Norm every Thursday night. George Wendt was an essential part of the genius of "Cheers" and he will be missed by the millions who loved him. Norm was all of us. A regular guy who finished his hardworking day wanting to be surrounded by friends and a frosty beverage. We're proud to raise a glass and toast a true comedy legend."

SELENA GOMEZ UNVEILS HER OWN OREO

Following in the footsteps of Lady Gaga and Post Malone, Selena Gomez, singer, actress, and investor has added a new title: a cookie creator. According to NBC, "Her custom Oreo is a sweet and spiced flavor combo. It features two chocolate and cinnamon-flavored wafers, and the filling is made with a layer of chocolate and cinnamon cream mixed in with sweetened condensed milk and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Gomez was inspired by her love of horchata, a sweet drink made from rice or nuts and cinnamon. The limited-time cookies go on sale on June 2nd online."

NO MORE FREE BREAD AT RESTAURANTS?

According to Food & Wine, "There's something undeniably magical about that moment at a restaurant when a basket of warm, complimentary bread arrives at your table. It's a simple gesture, but it feels like a little celebration: a soft roll, a crisp heel of sourdough, maybe even a golden square of focaccia, all arriving before you've even ordered." But now, some restaurants are beginning to charge for that bread basket.

"This notion of paying for something that has always been free might be hard to swallow for some customers. If more Mexican restaurants suddenly started charging for chips and salsa, we'd have a customer uprising on our hands. When a restaurant is struggling to stay afloat, charging for food would be a great way to get back into the black. Yes, customers will grumble about paying a few dollars for bread that used to be free."

How will this aspect change the overall dining customer experience? Time will tell.

TOYOTA PRIUS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

According to ABC News, "This year marks a milestone in the automotive landscape: the Toyota Prius turns 25. The first Prius, a small sedan, arrived in 2000, posting amazing fuel economy numbers. Then the second generation Prius arrived with its now-legendary hatchback shape, and it was off to the races. Well, off to the race of becoming a paragon of fuel efficiency. Toyota sold millions around the world as a showcase of its hybrid technology. Then two years ago, the fifth-generation Prius arrived.

Back in the year 2000, hybrid cars were new and quite the novelty. There were only two of them available in the US: the original generation of Prius, and a small two-seater from Honda called the Insight. Today, hybrid vehicles are everywhere. Especially coming from Toyota. Many of the brand's current models are now hybrid-only. The Prius has never been anything but a hybrid. And these days, the Sienna minivan, the Crown (in both sedan and wagon-like Signia versions), and even the stalwart Camry have hybrid power as standard. There are no longer non-hybrid versions of any of them.

Some have wondered where the Prius fits these days, since hybrid power is now available across the car world. Its role may be less important than it once was, but it's still a symbol of Toyota's pioneering move 25 years ago."

BP PULSE AND WAFFLE HOUSE

According to MSN, "Waffle House, the national chain restaurant known for its yellow signs, drip coffee, and big breakfast platters, is getting into the EV business. The company announced a partnership with BP Pulse on May 20th, which will see DC fast chargers installed at restaurants in Florida, Texas, Georgia, and other locations in the South. This is good news for EV road trippers who want to maximize their charging efficiency, jolting their Hyundai Ioniq 6 or Lucid Air Grand Touring while they top off their own caffeine reserves."

BURGER KING AND HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON MOVIE

Leading up to the live-action movie remake to be released in theaters on June 13th, Burger King unveiled a new menu inspired by the movie. According to Joel Yashinsky, Chief Marketing Officer of Burger King, "At Burger King, we love to bring partnerships to life that create an awesome experience for families. Our new collaboration with How to Train Your Dragon is going to be fun for both kids and kids at heart."

The fast food chain invites customers to "take a trip to the Isle of Berk" with four new menu items that will be available for a limited time:

(1) Dragon Flame-Grilled Whopper: a quarter-pound of flame-grilled beef served on a red-and-orange-marbled bun colored with natural spices and vegetables, topped with American cheese, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, pickles, ketchup and mayo.

(2) Fiery Dragon Mozzarella Fries: melty mozzarella cheese, peppers and Fiery Calabrian chili pepper-breading, served in a "one-of-a-kind Toothless-inspired carton."

(3) Soaring Strawberry Lemonade: lemonade made with sugar, fruit puree, and natural flavors.

(4) Viking's Chocolate Sundae: vanilla soft-serve with Hershey's chocolate syrup and black and green cookie crumbles.

KRISPY KREME'S PAC-MAN DOUGHNUTS

On May 12th, according to the brand's website, "Krispy Kreme announced an a-maze-ing collaboration with Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc., for PAC-MAN's 45th Anniversary, celebrating the global, cultural icon with all-new doughnuts inspired by the classic game. PAC-MAN is one of the most recognized video game characters of all time and has made an impact on the world by connecting with people across ages, borders, and genders through the power of play for over 45 years, just as Krispy Kreme connects people through the sweetness of enjoying and sharing doughnuts."

The Krispy Kreme x PAC-MAN Collection features three new doughnuts in a nostalgic custom PAC-MAN game dozen box and will be available for a limited time:

(1) PAC-MAN Party Doughnut: an Original Glazed Doughnut piped with yellow buttercreme flavored icing, sprinkled with celebration sprinkles and topped with a PAC-MAN piece.

(2) TEAM GHOST Doughnut: an unglazed shell doughnut filled with chocolate flavored Kreme, dipped in black icing, decorated with PAC-MAN maze and topped with Team Ghosts piece.

(3) Strawberry Power Berry Doughnut: an unglazed shell doughnut filled with strawberry flavored Kreme, dipped in red icing and topped with white sprinkles and green leaf icing.

JETBLUE RUNS ON DUNKIN'

No, that's not a flying donut in the air, it's a co-branded JetBlue and Dunkin' airplane. According to MSN, "JetBlue and Dunkin', America's largest coffee and donuts brand, unveiled a new Dunkin'-themed livery in honor of their longstanding partnership. The vibrant design of the freshly painted Airbus A320 aircraft, appropriately named Brewing Altitude, features Dunkin's iconic pink and orange branding brought to life with a playful donut and coffee motif. The plane celebrates almost two decades of partnership between the two brands. Dunkin' coffee first became available on JetBlue planes in 2006. Five years after that, the companies inked a deal to make the coffee and donut chain the carrier's "exclusive onboard coffee provider" and Dunkin remains so to this day. Starting May 19th through September 1st, passengers who fly on the themed jet on Mondays will earn status upgrades."

POLLO LOCO'S NEW TAGLINE

During May, according to Marketing Dive, "El Pollo Loco launched a re-brand and accompanying campaign as the fast-casual grilled chicken chain continues its ongoing three-year strategy around strengthening its identity, keeping pace with culture, and increasing awareness. A new tagline, "Let's Get Loco," a double entendre that serves as both a call to action ("What should we have for dinner? Let's get Loco") and a play on the Spanish word for crazy. In this case, the chain wants to engage with consumers around the passions for which they "go loco."

OSCAR MAYER'S WIENERMOBILES

According to Marketing Dive, "The Wienie 500 took place two days before the Indianapolis 500, a race where fans consume nearly 30,000 hot dogs, per press materials, and is intended to mark the official kick-off of summer. The partnership speaks to the growing importance of marketing around live sports, including motor sports, as a way to engage with ad-wary consumers. The event also represents the first time all six of the brand's hot-dog-shaped vehicles will be in the same place at the same time in over a decade and will be the first competitive race for the fleet. The Wienie 500 is part of a partnership between Oscar Mayer and Indianapolis Motor Speedway that names the brand the official hot dog of both the speedway and the Indianapolis 500. The race is the latest in a string of promotional stunts from the company involving its iconic vehicle."

Kelsey Rice, brand communications director at Oscar Mayer, explained, "As a brand known for sparking smiles in disarmingly delightful ways, it's only fitting that we bring a race of epic proportions to the Speedway and celebrate a timeless tradition: delicious meats and a little friendly competition to kick off a summer of wieners."

SESAME STREET AND NETFLIX

On May 19th, Sesame Street announced that, "We are excited to announce that all new Sesame Street episodes are coming to Netflix worldwide, and new episodes will also release the same day on PBS stations and PBS Kids platforms in the United States, preserving a 50+ year relationship. The support of Netflix, PBS, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting serve as a unique public-private partnership to continue to help children everywhere grow smarter, stronger, and kinder."

PEPSI'S LATEST AD CAMPAIGN

According to Marketing Week, "What would it look like if female footballers had always been given the big-budget marketing campaigns of the men's game? In its latest campaign called "Refresh the Game," Pepsi offers an answer to this question. Spotlighting a squad of players including England footballers Lauren James and Leah Williamson, the film inserts them into iconic Pepsi football moments, from Pelé's 'Join the Pepsi Generation' 1974 film to David Beckham's 2003 cowboy-themed spot called 'Wild West.'"

According to senior marketing director Cathy Graham Kidd, "Pepsi wants to celebrate these women, celebrate their personalities, their spirit, and their skills, with the campaign - but do it in a way that is reflective of this incredible, rich history that we have as a brand."

DENMARK'S RETIREMENT AGE

On May 22nd, Denmark's parliament adopted a law raising the retirement age of its citizens from 67 to 70. The age will rise to 68 in 2030, to 69 in 2035, and to 70 by 2040. The retirement age at 70 will apply to all people born after December 31st, 1970. How will this new law affect the Danish lifestyle brand?

The retirement age varies throughout Europe: in Sweden, the age is 63; in Italy, the age is 67; in France, the age is 64; and in the United Kingdom, the age is 66.

APPLE AND TARIFFS

According to the AP, "In response to Trump's tariffs on China, Apple CEO Tim Cook said during May that most iPhones sold in the U.S. during the current fiscal quarter would come from India, with iPads and other devices being imported from Vietnam. After Trump rolled out tariffs in April, bank analysts estimated that a $1,200 iPhone would, if made in America, jump in price anywhere from $1,500 to $3,500." Still waiting to buy a new iPhone? How will tariffs, i.e., higher prices, impact the Apple brand?

CHINA'S BYD OUTSELLS TESLA

According to NTD (a New York-based, global television network founded in 2001 by Chinese-Americans who fled communism), "Chinese automaker BYD in April sold more battery electric vehicles in Europe than Tesla for the first time, according to an automobile market research firm. Experts warn that this is the result of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP's) ongoing dumping practices in world markets. Globally, BYD has surpassed Tesla to become the world's largest EV seller. To continue its gains in the EU market and to bypass EU tariffs, BYD is building an EV production base in Hungary that will start operation in October. It's also building a factory in Turkey that is expected to start production in March 2026. When fully operational, these two factories will have a total production capacity of 500,000 cars per year."

MCDONALD'S CLOSING COSMC

According to CNN, "McDonald's is pulling the plug on its CosMc's spinoff two years after the alien-themed spinoff launched. The chain announced that all five locations will close in June. CosMc's, named after an alien McDonald's character, opened in 2023 in response to fast-growing specialty coffee and beverage chains that have become popular with Gen Z consumers." But this spin-off did not resonate with any demographic and did not align with the McDonald's brand.

E.L.F. COSMETICS AND PRICING

According to ABC News, "Oakland-based e.l.f Cosmetics, known for its affordable and cruelty-free makeup and skincare products, announced it's raising prices by $1 starting on August 1st. According to the brand's announcement on Instagram, "Not gonna lie, inflation and tariffs are hitting us hard. Bringing you the best of beauty is getting more $$$ but we're committed to keeping the quality high and prices e.l.f.fordable. We are keeping an [eye] on the tariff situation as it evolves." However, 75 percent of the brand's products will remain at $10 and under to remain true to its affordable positioning.

On a related note, Walmart and Nike will also be raising prices due to tariffs.

NEW CHAPTER FOR 23ANDME

According to the BBC, "Two months after U.S. bankruptcy filing, the DNA testing firm 23andMe has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals for $256 million. 23andMe said Regeneron had committed to comply with its privacy policies as part of the deal, and that Regeneron has security controls in place to protect user data."

Mark Jensen, Chair of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of 23andMe, said, "We are pleased to have reached a transaction that maximizes the value of the business and enables the mission of 23andMe to live on, while maintaining critical protections around customer privacy, choice, and consent with respect to their genetic data."

George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., co-Founder, Board co-Chair, President, and Chief Scientific Officer of Regeneron, said, "Regeneron is a science-driven, patient-focused biotech company that understands the power of genetic research to improve the lives of individuals, as well as the way society treats and prevents illness as a whole. Through our Regeneron Genetics Center, we have a proven track record of safeguarding personal genetic data, and we assure 23andMe customers that we will apply our high standards for safety and integrity to their data and ongoing consumer genetic services."

HARVARD UNIVERSITY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

According to NPR, "Without its international students, Harvard is not Harvard. Harvard relies on nearly 7,000 international students from more than 140 countries to come to its campuses. This is more than 25 percent of its total enrollment, according to 2024-2025 data from Harvard. Harvard has hosted international students under the F-1 visa program for 70 consecutive years, the university said in its federal lawsuit against the Trump administration. This program, provided by the U.S. government under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and overseen by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, allows international students to pursue their education at Harvard."

And Harvard is not unique. Thousands of high schools, colleges, and universities have similarly hosted international students through visa programs.

According to Scott Weinhold with the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, "The experience of studying in the United States not only shapes the lives of individuals, but the future of our interconnected world. The ties formed between U.S. and international students today are the basis of relationships for future business and trade, science and innovation, and government relations."

India sent the most international students to the U.S. for higher education with more than 331,000 students enrolled, according to the 2023-2024 data from Open Doors.

China followed as the second leading country with more than 277,000 students, including nearly 123,000 graduate students, studying in the U.S.

Combined, India and China account for more than half of all international students in the country.

According to NAFSA: Association of International Educators, 1.1 million international students at U.S. colleges and universities contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy during the 2023-2024 academic year and supported more than 378,000 jobs.

NO MORE PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

According to Reuters, "The federal government is winding down production of the penny coin following a bi-partisan effort to nix the lowest-denomination of U.S. currency over cost concerns, according to a plan outlined by the Treasury Department on May 22nd. The department placed its final order for blank pennies in May, it said in a statement. It expects to stop putting new pennies into circulation by early 2026. In February, President Trump directed Treasury Secretary Bessent to cease production of the coin because he described penny minting as wasteful. The change means that businesses will have to start rounding the prices of cash transactions up or down to the nearest five-cent nickel as the number of pennies in circulation dwindles. Americans have debated for years whether the penny should be dropped from the line-up of American currency. Supporters argue it helps keep consumer prices down and is a source of income to charities. For its critics, the coin is a nuisance that ends up being discarded in drawers and piggy banks. There are approximately 114 billion pennies currently in circulation in the U.S., according to the Treasury Department."

What other recent marketing buzz caught your attention? Since there's always something happening that impacts marketing, read #DebbieLaskeysBlog for the scoop!

Image Credits: JetBlue and The Walt Disney Company.

Travel Back in Time: The Original Disneyland Rides:

https://www.undercovertourist.com/blog/original-disneyland-rides/

Check out the Guide to the 70th Anniversary at the Disneyland Resort:

https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/guide-to-the-70th-anniversary-at-disneyland-resort/

Learn more about the new Krispy Kreme x PAC-MAN Collection:

https://www.krispykreme.com/promos/pac-man

Watch Pepsi's "Refresh the Game" ad:

https://youtu.be/HYPpQxPnm5I?si=gMvvhzwMIk67RjZ6

Friday, May 30, 2025

SPRING LEADERSHIP SERIES 2025 – Featuring Annette Franz

For today's post, I'd like to introduce Annette Franz based in Southern California. Annette is the founder and Chief Experience Officer of CX Journey Inc. She's a Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP) who has dedicated her professional life of 30+ years to understanding and enhancing the experiences for both employees and customers, thereby driving retention, satisfaction, and engagement. She's a consultant, speaker, and author of three books: Customer Understanding: Three Ways to Put the "Customer" in Customer Experience (and at the Heart of the Business); Built to Win: Designing a Customer-Centric Culture That Drives Value for Your Business; and Employee Understanding: A Three-Pillar Framework for Designing a Great Experience and Driving Business Success.

ANNETTE FRANZ: I loved the article and love the analogy. Her five points were spot on. The one that especially resonated with me, given the release of my new book on Employee Understanding, was her point about "preparing the soil." Listen to employees. Listen, ask, hear. So important. And then create an environment that allows your people to thrive and grow.

QUESTION: What was the most recent example of inspiring leadership that made an impact on you?

ANNETTE FRANZ: I have been a long-time follower and fan of Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller. In a recent article, he talked about a quote from Simon Sinek ("When we help ourselves, we find moments of happiness. When we help others, we find lasting fulfillment.") and the mindset shift from "me" to "we." This reminded me of another great leader that I admire, someone I interviewed many years ago, Peter Aceto, CEO of Tangerine Bank. We talked about his book, Weology, which has a slightly different spin on the concept but with equally great outcomes. Take care of your people, and the business thrives.

Friday, June 13, 2025

SHARE THIS: Teams are built when connections are made - not when they struggle together to build a bridge out of match sticks. ~@jccarcamo #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Monday, June 9, 2025

SHARE THIS: Star Trek: The Next Generation is often studied in MBA and leadership programs because of the emphasis on leadership. ~@LaurelAynne #FunFact #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Friday, June 6, 2025

SHARE THIS: The most successful leaders schedule time for reflective practice. ~Michelle Redfern #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Monday, June 2, 2025

SHARE THIS: In today's world, there are very few examples of inspiring leadership. In fact, it seems like we're going through an era of lost leadership. ~Rebecca Herold #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Saturday, May 31, 2025

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S HEALTH

DISNEYLAND'S 70TH ANNIVERSARY

DICK'S SPORTING GOODS BUYS FOOT LOCKER

ESPN'S NEW STREAMING SERVICE NAME

DEATH OF GEORGE WENDT

SELENA GOMEZ UNVEILS HER OWN OREO

NO MORE FREE BREAD AT RESTAURANTS?

TOYOTA PRIUS CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

BP PULSE AND WAFFLE HOUSE

BURGER KING AND HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON MOVIE

KRISPY KREME'S PAC-MAN DOUGHNUTS

JETBLUE RUNS ON DUNKIN'

POLLO LOCO'S NEW TAGLINE

OSCAR MAYER'S WIENERMOBILES

SESAME STREET AND NETFLIX

PEPSI'S LATEST AD CAMPAIGN

DENMARK'S RETIREMENT AGE

APPLE AND TARIFFS

CHINA'S BYD OUTSELLS TESLA

MCDONALD'S CLOSING COSMC

E.L.F. COSMETICS AND PRICING

NEW CHAPTER FOR 23ANDME

HARVARD UNIVERSITY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

NO MORE PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

Friday, May 30, 2025

SHARE THIS: Take care of your people, and the business thrives. ~@AnnetteFranz #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SHARE THIS: Getting to know people beyond their professional roles and skills, is critical to building a strong team. ~@AnnetteFranz #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SHARE THIS: Great leaders acknowledge mistakes, embrace constructive criticism, and use those lessons to grow. ~@AnnetteFranz #SpringLeadershipSeries2025 #DebbieLaskeysBlog