During the month of May, there were news stories that reflected advertising, brand experiences, brand extensions, brand identity, brand messaging, brand storytelling, brand strategy, celebration marketing, cobranding, customer experience marketing, personal branding, product launches, social media, special event marketing, and more.
"GREY'S ANATOMY" IN TEXAS?
USA Today reported on May 19th, "The "Grey's Anatomy" universe is once again expanding, but this time, far from Seattle. ABC has ordered a new straight-to-spinoff series of the long-running medical drama (21 years) set to premiere in the middle of 2027. Creator Shonda Rhimes and executive producer Meg Marinis are both set to write the show, while star Ellen Pompeo returns as an executive producer. The one-hour medical series will take place in West Texas and follow a rural medical center that offers patients a last chance for care before "miles of nowhere," according to ABC. The network did not reveal whether the spinoff will star any current or former "Grey's Anatomy" actors or feature an all-new cast."
STARBUCKS FITNESS VEST
The coffee brand is joining the weighted vest trend with the highly anticipated release of its own limited-edition version called, the Starbucks Weighted Vest. According to Yahoo, "Designed in collaboration with former InStyle beauty director-turned-fashion designer Kahlana Barfield Brown, it was created not only for convenience but also to support health goals and offer standout style. The five-pound vest is designed for convenience on the go, featuring front pockets and a mesh pouch on the back for holding bottles. Starbucks describes the product as something people would want to wear every morning. Available starting May 21st, the $22 price point is intentional, mirroring the 22 grams of protein found in the ready-to-drink Coffee and Protein beverages that are currently available online and in grocery and convenience stores across the country."
STARBUCKS ENDS AI INVENTORY SYSTEM
Restaurant Dive reported, "Starbucks is saying goodbye to its artificial intelligence (AI) inventory management system nine months after its debut. The tool, which used computer vision to track some parts of the chain's inventory, was announced in September as a method to simplify inventory record-keeping and prevent stockouts. Starbucks has "moved to a single, consistent process across all inventory counts. This approach supports accuracy and product availability in our coffeehouses," according to a company statement.
CINNABON UPGRADES ITS COFFEE
Nation's Restaurant News reported, "Cinnabon, the Atlanta-based chain famous for its cinnamon rolls, announced that it will start selling Seattle's Best Coffee. Cinnabon already has a relationship with Seattle's Best Coffee in international markets. The company believes that an expanded beverage program will pull customers in more often, driving incremental growth through higher customer frequency. Cinnabon also believes that a better-known brand such as Seattle's Best will pull in those customers more often than something it could do on its own. Cinnabon operates nearly 2,400 locations globally, all of which are franchised. The chain has more than 1,300 locations in the U.S."
CO-BRANDING: FRENCH'S MUSTARD AND "MINIONS & MONSTERS"
Announced via a press release, "French's, the #1 Mustard brand in the World, is bringing an unexpected twist to summer through a new partnership with Illumination's riotous new comedy Minions & Monsters, arriving in theaters July 1st. The collaboration showcases how entertainment and food collide, bringing joyful and mischievous energy to life through a custom French's and Minions & Monsters animation, two limited-edition French's products with Minions & Monsters packaging. In the campaign's animated video, the Minions are hard at work at the French's factory until Goomi – a not-so-massive monster – takes over, turning the brand's Classic YELLOW Mustard GREEN. For a limited time, the famous yellow brand goes green with French's Goomi's Green Mustard." Would you put green mustard on a hot dog - even if it tastes the same as yellow mustard?
CO-BRANDING: KFC AND "SUPERGIRL"
The film "Supergirl" will arrive in theaters on June 26th, and fast-food restaurant KFC is celebrating early. The collaboration features three new sauces: (1) Supergirl's Solar Honey Mustard, a golden mustard sauce with a balance of honey and heat; (2) Ruthye's Sweet Chili Revenge, a sweet-and-spicy chile garlic sauce; and (3) Lobo's Wild Ranch, a savory ranch that includes garlic, herbs, onion, sesame, and poppy seed. According to Nation's Restaurant News, "Starting June 8th, participating restaurants will debut a new KFC Supergirl Ultimate Meal and Supergirl Combo Meal. The Ultimate Meal includes the choice of three Original Recipe Tenders or eight nuggets, all three new Supergirl sauces, a biscuit, one side, a 21-ounce Kryptonian Kooler (a blend of Starry, blue raspberry syrup and clear strawberry boba), and one blind-bagged collectible keychain. The combo meal includes the choice of three Original Recipe Tenders or eight nuggets, all three Supergirl sauces, a biscuit, one side of choice, and a regular fountain drink. Further, on June 10th, the KFC x Supergirl Krypto Collectible Bucket will launch in restaurants, inspired by collectible popcorn buckets permeating movie culture. The bucket includes a Puppy Krypto-inspired lid, Supergirl-themed artwork, and is available for $29.99 while supplies last."
CO-BRANDING: COLD STONE CREAMERY AND "SUPERGIRL"
According to the brand's press release on May 27th, "This summer, Cold Stone Creamery is taking dessert to new heights by teaming up with DC Studios and Warner Bros. in honor of Supergirl, flying into theatres nationwide June 26th. Now through July 21st, guests can fuel up like a superhero with an electrifying new ice cream flavor and shake inspired by the bold and fearless spirit of the hero herself. At the center of it all, the new Kettle Corn Ice Cream is anything but ordinary: Supergirl's Cosmic Kettle Corn is made with kettle corn ice cream, caramel, and Supergirl sprinkles - served in a branded cup featuring imagery from the movie. This collaboration delivers a flavor experience that is truly out of this world. Available now at Cold Stone Creamery locations nationwide, don't miss your chance to try these limited-time treats before they disappear into the galaxy! And the thrills don't stop with ice cream. Cold Stone Creamery is also offering guests a chance to enter the Supergirl Sweepstakes now through July 21st. Guests will have the opportunity to win themed prize packages, with the grand prize being an Adult Space Camp Experience for Two at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center – Home of Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama."
CO-BRANDING: PIZZA HUT AND "TOY STORY 5"
The Express Tribune reported, "Four international pop-up locations will open in Los Angeles, London, Seoul, and Madrid throughout June 2026. Each venue will feature an immersive set-up inspired by the sci-fi pizza arcade, along with limited-time menu items, collectibles, and exclusive merchandise. The themed menu includes three Toy Story 5-inspired personal pizzas: Space Ranger Roni, Sheriff's Roundup, and Reach for the Pie. The offerings will also roll out globally across Papa Johns stores from May 26th to July 19th. According to the company, the campaign aims to recreate the imaginative world of Pizza Planet, a key location from the original Toy Story film where characters Woody and Buzz Lightyear famously visit the arcade. A spokesperson for Disney said the collaboration is intended to encourage fans to “embrace imagination” and create new memories connected to the franchise."
NEW LIMITED-EDITION OREOS
CNN reported, "K-pop group BTS made waves in March with their first concert together in nearly four years. Now the famed boy band is teaming up with Oreo, one of America's most famous cookie brands, for a limited-edition flavor. [Since] limited-edition releases help the more-than-century-old Oreo brand maintain its cultural relevance, the BTS partnership could help it capitalize on the increasing popularity of Korean pop culture. The collaboration also provides an extra boost to BTS as the band retakes the global stage after the years-long hiatus during which the K-pop landscape saw massive changes.
The BTS cookie, on sale June 1st, will be filled with a sweet creme that was curated to taste like hotteok, a brown sugar-stuffed pancake popular in South Korea, which the seven band members ate growing up. Their cookie wafer will be purple, a nod to the color associated with BTS and its fan base, known as ARMY. The wafers are engraved with one of 13 designs, three of which spell out a message to fans when put together, as well as a design with the seven band members' names. BTS' cookies will be sold in more than 80 countries. That's more than the four non-US countries where Selena Gomez's horchata-inspired cookies were made available."
BRANDING LESSON FROM WNBA'S PORTLAND FIRE
Here's an interesting marketing story from Marketing Brew.
"How do you market a sports team without any players? It's an age-old question for expansion teams, and one that Kimberly Veale, SVP of marketing and communications for the WNBA's Portland Fire, has had to answer twice in the past couple of years — she joined the Fire from 2025 expansion team the Golden State Valkyries. This year's expansion teams, the Fire and Toronto Tempo, had to wait even longer than usual to fill out their rosters. While the Valkyries were able to draft their first players for the 2025 season in December of 2024, CBA negotiations dragged on for months during the offseason this year, pushing the 2026 expansion draft to April. But the Fire weren't going to wait that long to start marketing the brand."
Veale explained, "There's the brand-build piece of this that we had to navigate with the Valkyries, and then also navigate with the Fire. [Portland] was excited about who's going to be on the roster, and everything that was going on in this unique scenario was completely outside of our control. For us, it was really about establishing the brand, who we were, and who we wanted to be from a community perspective."
More from Marketing Brewm "While Veale and her team waited to welcome their players, they leveraged other assets, like their jerseys and game schedule, early in the year to fuel the fandom into the spring. Now, with a full roster on the court, they're leveraging player personalities, a tried-and-true team marketing tactic, to further grow brand equity in a city that's growing into a strong women's sports hub. Unlike most expansion teams, the Fire isn't a brand-new franchise, technically speaking, as Portland had a WNBA team with the same name from 2000 to 2002. That history meant that Veale's approach to brand-building was more about "integrating ourselves back into the Portland community 24 years later, rather than starting from scratch." To start generating, or regenerating, the hype, the team debuted its jerseys in January. The Fire tapped its NBA counterpart, the Trail Blazers, to help promote the jerseys, a strategy Veale said she learned from her time with the Valkyries."
Once the expansion draft happened, the team went from zero to 11 players. So, all of a sudden, the team had a lot of personality, thus, making its marketing much easier.
DISNEY LAWSUIT OVER FACIAL RECOGNITION
NBC News reported, "During May, a class action lawsuit was filed against The Walt Disney Co. over Disneyland's use of facial recognition technology at park entrances. The suit alleges that the company does not adequately disclose its use of the technology and is not transparent about how the collected data will be used. The class action suit is seeking at least $5 million. According to attorney Blake Hunter Yagman, "When American families and their children visit a theme park, let alone a brand that's as ubiquitous as Disney, they shouldn't sacrifice their privacy rights when they enter. And as facial recognition becomes more common, and it proliferates in public places, especially, it's more important than ever that we protect people's privacy rights, because there are civil rights implications and privacy implications to collecting someone's biometric information, especially without adequate consent, which is what we've alleged. So we look forward to litigating our case in court." On its website, Disney states that the technology is optional and is meant to help with re-entry to the parks and prevents fraud. These lanes, located at the entrances to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park, use images of a person's face captured at the entrance, along with the image of the person's face saved when they first used their ticket or pass. All data is deleted within 30 days."
END OF A TV ERA: STEPHEN COLBERT SAYS GOODBYE
On Thursday night, May 21st, Stephen Colbert taped his final episode as host of "The Late Show." According to NBC New York, "Colbert's 11 seasons bridged the rise of Trump and his return to the White House, the pandemic, the fall of Joe Biden, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States Capitol under attack in 2021, and the rise of Artificial Intelligence."
CBS reported, "He said goodbye to "The Late Show" in the franchise's finale after a 33-year run, saying he was "lucky enough to be here for the last 11 years" and never took the experience for granted. In the opening of the show, he emphasized the "joy" that the show brought him and cast members throughout his 11 years and over 1,800 episodes as host...Before the show, it was speculated that Pope Leo XIV might be Colbert's final guest, and Colbert jokingly tried to introduce him before a cast member said Leo refused to come out of his dressing room. The show's actual final guest was none other than Paul McCartney, who performed on the same stage at the Ed Sullivan Theater with The Beatles during their American television debut on February 9th, 1964. He was a guest on the show in 2019 and in 2009, when David Letterman was still the host. The entire set of "The Late Show" is being donated to the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, a city where Colbert has deep roots. Colbert attended Northwestern University and performed in Chicago with the famous Second City improv troupe at the beginning of his comedy career."
"The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" had been the No. 1 late-night program for nine consecutive seasons, CBS said last year. In September, it won the Emmy for outstanding talk series and received a standing ovation from the Emmys crowd. CBS had announced last July that it would end "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and retire "The Late Show" franchise at the end of this season. The company said it was "purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night," but that explanation was met with skepticism from viewers and media critics, who questioned whether political motives were involved."
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a video tribute, "At a time when algorithms are shaping so much of what people see, hear and even believe, Stephen has been a touchstone shared by millions. His satiric voice, backed by what is clearly a deep moral core and a love of this country, has had a way of cutting through the noise and helping show us who we are as a country." Stephen Colbert will be missed.
END OF SCHLITZ BEER
According to NBC News, "The Pabst Brewing Co. has confirmed it is ceasing production of the iconic lager that has quenched the thirst of American beer drinkers for 177 years. That means other retro beer brands in what could be called the Pabst portfolio, like bottles of Blatz and Old Milwaukee, will also be harder to find. The demise of a blue-collar beer like Schlitz marks the end of an era. The Joseph Schlitz Brewing Co. was founded in 1849 by a German immigrant who took over a small Milwaukee brewery after marrying the widow of the original owner, August Krug, and renamed the business after himself. While "The Beer that Made Milwaukee Famous" soon became the Schlitz slogan, it was actually the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that helped turn the brand into a national name, when word spread that the company had been shipping barrels of beer to aid the devastated Windy City. By the 1950s, Schlitz was the biggest brewery in the United States. Budweiser overtook Schlitz that same decade. Schlitz was sold in 1982 to the Stroh Brewery Co., which stopped brewing the beer in Milwaukee. Then Schlitz was sold to Pabst in 1999, which in recent years had brewed it at an Anheuser-Busch plant in Texas."
DISAPPEARANCE OF PONT NEUF BRIDGE IN PARIS
The Pont Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris, vanished overnight on May 21st as French artist JR, dubbed the "French Banksy," transformed it into "The Cave of Pont Neuf." The site will be open to the public for three weeks from June 6th to June 28th, free of charge, around the clock.
LeMonde reported, "A giant cave has been inflated around the French capital's oldest bridge. The monumental illusion engulfs the 17th-century monument, which has allowed Parisians to cross the Seine for more than 400 years. The project, called a "prehistoric cliff" and an "alpine cave," has been in the works for over a year and creates a rocky appearance by blending white, black, and various shades of gray."
AFP Photo reported, "JR, who began his career as a street Paris grafitti tagger and has become one of the best known figures on the French art scene, created the work as a tribute to the duo Christo and Jean-Claude. They wrapped the Pont Neuf in fabric in 1985, drawing millions of visitors, as well as the Arc de Triomphe in 2021."
JR explained that he wanted to "juxtapose the rough and the wild with the refined elegance of Paris, creating a dialogue between the past and present."
Let's take a walk back in time as Galeria reported, "On September 22, 1985, Christo and Jeanne-Claude transformed Paris's oldest bridge into a groundbreaking modernist work of art. The entire structure and its 44 lamps were covered in 440,000 square feet of golden fabric, trussed with 36,300 feet of rope. The project began in 1975 but was halted by the French bureaucracy and considered a major triumph when finally completed ten years later. As with all their installations, the resources that went into it were astounding. Around 300 workers were needed to complete the $2.5 million project, and Christo personally attended to details such as the wrapping of lamp standards."
AUCTION OF ORIGINAL EIFFEL TOWER STAIRCASE
According to Artcurial auction house based in Paris, France, "In late May, Artcurial's Art Deco department will present a piece of Eiffel Tower history: a section of the original spiral staircase dating from 1889, designed under the supervision of Gustave Eiffel. This piece, section number one of the staircase connecting the second and third floors, is estimated at 120,000-150,000 euros ($160,000-$200,000). Measuring 2.75 metres in total height (2.60 metres to the landing) and 1.75 metres in diameter, this structure made of steel and riveted sheet metal, with 14 steps resting on a cross-shaped base, was part of the spiral staircase that once allowed visitors to reach the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Built for the 1889 World's Fair, this spiral staircase connected the various levels of the tower designed by Gustave Eiffel and his colleagues. During the modernisation work carried out in 1983 to install new lifts, the staircase was dismantled. On December 1st, 1983, twenty sections were sold at auction directly from the Eiffel Tower during a sale organised by Maîtres Ader, Picard and Tajan. The section on display today corresponds to lot number 1 from that historic sale. Having remained in the same private collection for over forty years, this piece has been restored by the workshops responsible for the maintenance of the Eiffel Tower, ensuring the preservation of its structure and original features."
Sabrina Dolla, Art Deco design director at Artcurial Paris, explained, "When you buy a piece of the Eiffel Tower, you're buying a piece of Paris along with all the imagination and symbolism it represents."
EuroNews reported after the auction, "Just 14 rust-coloured steps, arranged in a spiral. Yet this section of staircase went under the hammer for 450,160 euros (approximately $522,000) on May 21st during a sale at the Artcurial auction house."
SUMMER LINE-UP AT SONIC
BusinessWire reported, "Starting May 26th in the SONIC App and at SONIC locations nationwide beginning June 1st, SONIC is serving up a limited-time lineup for every summer moment: the return of fan-favorite Red, White & Blue Slush Float; the new Tropical Heat SONIC Smasher (two patties made with Angus beef, melty pepper jack cheese, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and creamy mayo topped with a sweet-and-spicy jalapeño pineapple glaze on a soft potato bun): and the Tropical Cream Slush (a blend of pineapple and coconut slush swirled with vanilla soft serve and real pineapple pieces). The Red, White & Blue Slush Float returns just in time to celebrate America's 250th birthday – bringing bold color, classic flavor, and all-out summer nostalgia. This layered treat combines icy blue raspberry slush, creamy vanilla soft serve, and real strawberries for a sweet, refreshing sip that's as festive as it is craveable - for just $2.50, all summer long. And this year, it's served in limited-edition cups rolling out this summer, celebrating America's 250th with designs inspired by iconic U.S. landmarks."
WALDORF ASTORIA'S JAPANESE TEA
Forbes reported, "The storied British tradition of afternoon tea is also flourishing on this side of the pond as American tea rooms offer a wide array of afternoon tea settings, complete with brimming cups of tea, warm scones, and delectable finger sandwiches. New York City is home to more than its fair share of tea rooms ranging from exquisite venues to quaint, intimate settings.
Opened to the public in 1931, Waldorf Astoria New York has been a fixture of New York City society for more than a century, earning its place as a beacon of sophistication and elegance in the cultural capital of the world. Following complete transformation the property re-opened in 2025, retaining the scale and beauty of the original Art Deco architecture reimagined with fresh contemporary furnishings that pay homage to the original Waldorf Astoria New York while ushering in a new era for the hotel.
Yoshoku, the intimate kaiseki-inspired, fine dining destination at Waldorf Astoria New York, has unveiled a modern Japanese Afternoon Tea that marries the hotel's legendary afternoon tea tradition with the inventive spirit of Yoshoku's cuisine. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Ry Nitzkowski, this distinctive service combines seasonal flavors, artisanal teas and curated indulgences to offer guests a refined and immersive journey.
Located just steps from famed Park Avenue, Yoshoku is an intimate fine dining destination within the Waldorf Astoria New York that reimagines kaiseki through a distinctly New York lens. Anchored by the iconic "Wheel of Life" mosaic and neoclassical murals celebrating the rituals of food and gathering, Yoshoku offers a deeply seasonal six-course tasting menu, personalized à la carte options and a modern Japanese afternoon tea experience. Guided by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, Yoshoku celebrates natural textures, subtle imperfections and quiet elegance to create a contemplative and artful dining experience.
The Japanese tea service at Yoshoku blends the elegance of Waldorf Astoria New York with the thoughtful simplicity of Japanese craft. More than a classic afternoon tea, the experience takes quiet cues from kaiseki, emphasizing balance, seasonality, and artful presentation. Guests enjoy Japanese-inspired tea sandwiches, warm scones and delicate pastries. Standout bites include the wagyu pastrami with yuzu pickle, 1000 island, shaved cabbage and Havarti cheese; tsukemono, featuring house pickles and whipped sudachi cream cheese; and warm scones such as a cream scone brightened with sudachi zest."
Nicholas Bathurst, Director of Food & Beverage at Waldorf Astoria New York, explained, "At Yoshoku, we've reimagined the storied tradition of afternoon tea through a Japanese lens, blending the elegant service guests expect from Waldorf Astoria New York with the seasonality, precision and sense of discovery that define the restaurant. It's a thoughtful Western interpretation of Japanese cuisine that honors the evolution of an iconic New York ritual."
GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE ANNIVERSARY
On May 27th, 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge, also known as the jewel of the city by the Bay, San Francisco, welcomed pedestrians. The next day, vehicles crossed the bridge. Here are some fun facts from GoCarTours:
(1) When the Golden Gate Bridge was completed in May 1937, it was both the longest and tallest suspension bridge in the world. The main span stretches 4,200 feet, and its towers soar 746 feet above the water.
(2) The Golden Gate Bridge is 1.7-miles in length. It takes 2-3 minutes to drive by car, 10-15 minutes by bicycle, and 30-to-45 minutes to walk one-way.
(3) The Golden Gate Bridge was named after the Golden Gate Strait, the body of water it crosses. The strait itself was named in 1846 by Captain John C. Fremont, who thought the entrance to the bay looked like a "golden gate" to trade with the East.
(4) The iconic "International Orange" color of the Golden Gate Bridge was originally just a primer. Consulting architect Irving F. Morrow noticed that the bright reddish-orange primer stood out perfectly against the blue water and gray fog of San Francisco, ultimately convincing officials to ditch the standard black and silver design.
(5) Despite being an engineering marvel built to withstand magnitude-8 earthquakes, the Golden Gate Bridge is highly susceptible to severe gales. The bridge has only been closed to traffic a handful of times in its history, nearly all of which were due to extreme wind speeds.
And lastly, SFGate reported, "On May 24th, 1987, the Golden Gate Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic and opened to pedestrians to celebrate its 50th anniversary. While organizers expected 80,000 people, an estimated 300,000 to 800,000 people flooded the bridge, causing the heavy central span to sag roughly seven feet and temporarily flatten out."
HAMBURGERS, 80 YEARS, AND 80 CENTS
According to ABC7 News, "On May 15th, L.A.'s legendary Original Tommy's burger chain kicked off a celebration of its 80th anniversary by offering 80-cent chili cheeseburgers in a one-day-only deal. The signature burgers, which normally cost $5.50, will be available for 80 cents from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at all of the chain's locations in California and Nevada. The main celebration was held at Original Tommy's first restaurant, the iconic "Shack" located at the intersection of Beverly and Rampart boulevards in the Westlake district." In an interview at the landmark location, a spokesman said he believes Original Tommy's is, "iconic to all the Angelenos, simply because the location has been 24 hours a day, seven days a week since the opening. So it's always available: pre-Dodger games, post-Dodger games, late nights, after the clubs, we're always here."
PAPAL PROMOTION BY CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Marketing Brew reported, "No ballgame experience is complete without peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Or, in Chicago, a pope hat. At the Chicago White Sox' game on August 11th against the Cincinnati Reds, all fans in attendance will receive a team-branded hat shaped like a mitre, the ceremonial headdress worn by religious leaders including Pope Leo XIV, who is perhaps the most famous White Sox fan alive. The pope's status as a certified White Sox fan has been well-documented — he was photographed in a White Sox cap at the Vatican and attended Game 1 of the 2005 World Series. Naturally, that level of papal support was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the team."
ETSY'S NEW CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Retail Dive reported, "Etsy's app debut within ChatGPT marks the company's deepening relationship with OpenAI. Last September, ChatGPT introduced Instant Checkout, which allowed shoppers to buy items directly in the AI platform. Etsy was the first company to let shoppers make purchases using the tool, quickly followed by Shopify merchants. By the spring of this year, OpenAI began rethinking the Instant Checkout experience to focus on product discovery. The company "found that the initial version of Instant Checkout did not offer the level of flexibility that we aspire to provide, so we’re allowing merchants to use their own checkout experiences while we focus our efforts on product discovery,” ChatGPT said in a March statement. During the Instant Checkout integration, Etsy saw ChatGPT was successfully helping its customers discover new items, and shoppers arrived at Etsy after using ChatGPT to learn about products before ultimately buying them."
TOY PROMOTION FOR "TOY STORY 5"
There are numerous co-branding tie-ins with Disney's upcoming movie "Toy Story 5," and according to Variety, "The movie tees up an all too familiar question. What's a toy's purpose when childhood is increasingly dominated by screens? Woody and Buzz reunite to stop technology (in the form of a new Lilypad smart tablet) from taking over kids' lives." According to the Disney Store's website, "Celebrate the release of Disney and Pixar's highly anticipated "Toy Story 5" with Mystery Minis from Funko. Each blind box includes one of the 12 mini vinyl characters from the movie, but you won't know which one you have until you open the box. Old favorites like Buzz and Woody are among the series, along with new characters Smarty Pants and Snappy. With some characters rarer than others, you'll be excited to collect them all."
VISA, SOCCER, AND TED LASSO: ADVERTISING AND BRAND PARTNERSHIP
Ted Lasso is, perhaps, one of the most famous fictional soccer coaches, so it makes sense to feature Jason Sudeikis, the actor who portrays him, in a series of ads for the upcoming World Cup. USAToday reported in mid-May, "Visa continues its longstanding partnership with FIFA and is the official Worldwide Payment Technology Partner of the tournament. They announced the "Tap In" campaign on May 18th to create a parallel between the tap-in goal, known as the easiest form of scoring, and how fans seamlessly tap their cards to pay for everything they need to enjoy the World Cup. Jason Sudeikis is the star of a series of ads that show how speed, security, and fun are key elements of the tournament. The comedian and actor whose most recent success is "Ted Lasso" is shown in various scenarios using his Visa card with his signature positivity and wittiness...While Visa has its headquarters in Foster City, California, outside of San Francisco, executives are careful to present it as a global company just like the World Cup is a global tournament. One of the ads makes this clear in a fun, lighthearted way. Sudeikis asks to have a hot dog for every country where Visa is accepted (it's more than 200). He starts listing several nations: Australia, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, the United States, Ivory Coast, and South Africa. A worker behind the counter hands him a hot dog for each country, and the actor is about to keep rattling off countries, but the hot dogs run out." That's effective advertising!
PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR WOMEN'S SOCCER
MarketingBrew reported, "The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) finds itself at something of a pivotal moment. Season 14 is well underway, which is nothing to scoff at in women's sports years, but the NWSL is less than half the age of the WNBA, which is celebrating its 30th season, has the institutional backing of the NBA, and arguably occupies more of the cultural conversation in women’s sports than any other pro league. This year, though, with North America hosting the men's World Cup for the first time in more than three decades, interest in soccer has been kicked up a notch.
According to Rachel Epstein, NWSL's new CMO with sports marketing experience from ESPN, "The opportunity is to do more storytelling and create culturally relevant content that helps to engage casual fans and creates entry points for newer fans." Other ways for the NWSL to create new fans will be through collaborations with brands in the auto category, beer and spirits categories, pharma and fitness categories, and QSR (quick service restaurant) brands.
TENNIS STAR BILLIE JEAN KING'S COLLEGE GRADUATION
Cal State Los Angeles reported on May 18th, "Billie Jean King's marathon academic career concluded on Monday, May 18th, when she received her Bachelor of Arts in History. It took just 65 years. The beloved tennis icon, equality champion, and arguably Cal State LA's most famous alumna celebrated her accomplishment by volleying signed tennis balls to her fellow graduates seated in the lower bowl of the Shrine Auditorium. King, 82, began her studies in 1961 when the college was still named Los Angeles State College. She left three years later before completing her degree to concentrate on her burgeoning professional tennis career. Her storied tennis career included 12 Grand Slam singles championships (including five Wimbledon and four U.S. Open titles), 16 women's doubles titles, and 11 in mixed doubles. From 1966 to 1975, King finished ranked No. 1 in six of 10 year-end polls. And now she has added another major accomplishment to her long list.
King said, "More than 60 years have passed before I returned to the classroom to complete my degree in history. Talk about delayed gratification, and I came back with a purpose. I had unfinished business, and it is important to me to finish what I started. I like completing things. It's like shaking hands at the net after a match...I just don't think I understood the impact, the positive impact. Sometimes you think I'll try something and it'll be nice. This isn't nice, this is magnificent. My hope is that [I inspire others] to go back."
WHATABURGER REVIVES RESTAURANT EXTERIOR
QSR reported, "Whataburger has two new restaurant prototypes, and it has customers to thank. Chief development officer Todd Ewen says design development started with listening. Guests told the company that they missed some elements that made "Whataburger feel like a Whataburger," and he admits that the 76-year-old company moved away from that across its recent iterations. Billy Bias, director of design, notes that Whataburger used the A-frame from the beginning of its history until the mid-2000s. Now it’s coming back.
The prototypes take different approaches. One has the well-known A-frame, built with a larger dining room. Another is streamlined and rectangular shaped. The former is 3,000 square feet while the latter is around 2,000 square feet. Previous Whataburger designs have been approximately 3,500 square feet. Both will have the chain's classic orange and white stripes, natural wood tones, expanded glass elements, modern materials, flexible seating, and dedicated areas for mobile ordering and third-party delivery. In fact, each design will have two dedicated doors—one will lead guests right to the counter while the other directly leads to the online order pickup area. In addition to customer appeal, the prototypes also increase efficiency, particularly for back-of-house workers using improved equipment and kitchen flow. It's also more cost-effective - Bias says Whataburger has used masonry to build the exterior for the past decade and a half, but now it's going with a fiber cement option that allows for one subcontractor on site and speedier construction. The new designs will debut in Whataburger's home state of Texas, followed by expansion in North Carolina, Florida, Arizona, South Carolina, and Georgia. Construction is expected to start later in 2026, and openings should start in early 2027.
According to Todd Ewen, chief development officer, "The A-frame, the orange and white stripes, they're just not design features — they're really tied to memories. For our customers, it's going to be the road trips for the family, the chess club, in the restaurant after the football games, etc. So we just think that is going to ring true for the customers. And then in new markets, we think it's going to really stand out."
CO-BRANDING: BED BATH & BEYOND AND THE CONTAINER STORE
According to Retail Dive, "Bed Bath & Beyond’s co-branded store concept with The Container Store is coming to fruition. The home retailer announced the first location opened on Saturday, May 17th, in Fort Worth, Texas - The Container Store's home state. In addition to store opening giveaways and promotions, the location will accept old 20 percent off Bed Bath & Beyond coupons. The co-branded formats combine The Container Store's organizational products and design services with Bed Bath & Beyond's home items. The layout allows customers to shop for products by room, including kitchen, bath, and bedrooms. The new store also brings back elements of Bed Bath & Beyond's former stores, like the towel wall and bed displays...The two companies are coming together in a move that helps Bed Bath & Beyond build out its brick-and-mortar presence. The two companies plan to take a phased approach over the coming months to expand the co-branded concept to The Container Store's 98 locations and website."
Amy Sullivan, president of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., said, "This is an exciting step forward as we continue bringing our Everything Home vision to life. By bringing together the strengths of these two iconic brands, we're creating a more connected shopping experience that combines inspiration, organization, solutions, and value for customers across every room in the home."
IKEA CUTS JOBS AND PARTNERS WITH BEST BUY
Retail Dive reported, "Inter Ikea Group announced it's cutting 850 jobs as it focuses on increasing sales growth, reducing prices, and boosting traffic across its channels. The company aims to complete the job cuts by the end of the year and expects about 300 affected positions to be in Sweden. The job cuts at Ikea also come as the broader home sector of retail faces challenges, including a weak housing market, low consumer confidence, and tariff policies. The company has been working to expand its touchpoints with customers through new store openings and a partnership with Best Buy. The two retailers last summer began piloting Ikea shop-in-shop concepts within select Best Buy stores. The partnership expanded last week as Best Buy opened consultation spaces within two Ikea stores."
Retail Dive also reported, "Deepening their partnership, Best Buy recently opened consultation spaces at two Ikea locations. Customers can now access select Best Buy services within the Ikea planning stations at both stores located in Frisco, Texas, and Tampa, Florida. Best Buy Blue Shirt employees are on site to speak with shoppers about appliance and technology options as they plan out updates or remodels to their kitchen spaces. The employees can also place Best Buy orders and coordinate delivery and installation for customers without leaving the Ikea store. The move flips around an existing partnership between the retailers, wherein Ikea’s U.S. business has shop-in-shop kitchen and storage planning services inside select Best Buy locations. The Ikea at Best Buy shop-in-shops, which span 1,000 square feet, were first piloted in 2025 at 10 stores. Ikea U.S. is also expanding and refining its store fleet in 2026 with 10 new locations, including its first city-center store in Los Angeles and its first location in Oklahoma."
Ikea U.S. Chief Operations Officer Rob Olson said, "By bringing together our home furnishing expertise, products, and services with Best Buy’s leadership in appliances and technology, we’re creating a one-stop destination where customers can design their dream kitchen, storage solutions or laundry space with ease."
CHANGES IN WASHINGTON, DC: REFLECTING POOL, ARCH, AND KENNEDY CENTER
CNN reported, "Workers with boots dyed an "American Flag Blue" have painted over about two-thirds of the iconic Lincoln Memorial REFLECTING POOL, covering the dull gray with bright azure following a directive by President Trump to expedite the pace of the project. Earlier in May, Trump laid out a timeline that put the project on track to be done by the end of May. However, workers told CNN that they need another month, while Trump said the project "should be completed" by July 4th, ahead of the country's 250th birthday...As Trump is charging forward with overhauling the Reflecting Pool, controversy and derision have intensified, bringing a lawsuit that threatens to stop the project mid-paint job, potentially leaving the 2,800-foot pool on the National Mall only partially painted in the blue color he chose."
CNN also reported, "President Trump's quest to have the tallest ARCH in the world took one step closer to being realized on May 21st after a key agency approved a revised design of the structure. However, the overall height of the monument will be lower than previously proposed. While the arch remains 250 feet tall in the revised design, the overall height of the structure shrank with the removal of an eight-foot-tall base that had been included in a previous version presented to the Commission of Fine Arts, an agency that advises the president and Congress on design plans for monuments, memorials, coins, and federal buildings. Four gold lions that had previously adorned the side of the arch along the base have also been removed – a change the CFA had pushed for given that lions are not native to the United States. When the elevation off the ground is included, the previous plan would have brought the total height of the monument to over 280 feet. Now it's more than 270 feet. The approval came despite an overwhelmingly negative public response to the project."
And on May 29th, a federal judge blocked President Trump from adding his name to the KENNEDY CENTER. According to NPR, "The Washington, D.C. arts complex was named for the late president John F. Kennedy. The judge also temporarily blocked the administration from closing Kennedy Center for a planned two-year renovation that was slated to begin in July. In his ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Christopher Cooper wrote, "The Kennedy Center's organic statute makes crystal clear that the Center is to be named for President Kennedy, and it cannot bear any other formal name or public memorial based on the Board's unilateral say-so. Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name, and only Congress can change it. And all signage and online materials referring to the "Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts," the "Trump Kennedy Center," or anything similar must be removed within 14 days.""
NIKE'S BRAND IDENTITY
Retail Dive reported, "The legendary sportswear giant is beset by challenges related to tariffs, deflating growth in China, and an overall uncertain global environment. A lack of clear marketing vision may be further amplifying its problems, with a recent stumble around the Boston Marathon indicative of Nike's difficulties replicating the aspirational messaging it once delivered with a rare level of finesse. Take the Boston Marathon last month: An outdoor ad that read "Runners Welcome. Walkers Tolerated." rankled disability advocates and played like an odd bit of punching down in an area where Nike has felt more pressure from rivals like Hoka, On and Brooks Running. Nike quickly pulled the ad, explaining it views athletes as its most honest critics and the greatest champions of its brand. Despite its relatively minimal media footprint, the "Walkers Tolerated." misstep nevertheless became fodder for rivals and stirred plenty of discourse around the brand's perceived misalignment with its target consumers."
Fura Johannesdottir, global chief creative officer at Interbrand, noted the bigger consumer emphasis on inclusion, "They were doing something that the brand would have gotten away with 20 years ago, but it misses the mark today because the audience — simply the value system — has changed."
And according to Jenn Szekely, president at design agency Coley Porter Bell, "Nike's recent marketing efforts have not focused on long-term brand building, and as a result, have felt disjointed."
Lastly, Nate Jaffee, senior vice president of integrated strategy at the creative communications agency Praytell, said, "Mass marketing and Michael Jordan [as the content/storytelling that] carries the brand and creates a halo for everything — I think that's over."
HONDA'S SALES DECREASE
CNN reported, "The auto industry's massive pullback from its electric vehicle plans has claimed another victim: Honda, which posted its first annual loss since 1955 - the first time in 70 years. Honda and other global automakers downshifted their EV ambitions after the Trump administration changed US emissions rules and ended a $7,500 tax credit for American buyers. EV sales fell sharply after the tax credit went away in September, and the recent spike in gasoline prices has not sparked a significant increase in EV demand by US buyers...Those changes led automakers to return their focus on selling large gasoline powered trucks and SUVs, on which they made the most profit. But the shift has been costly to automakers, who have been forced to write down the value of their large-scale EV investments. For its fiscal year ending in March, Honda reported it took a 1.6 trillion yen, or nearly $10 billion, hit to its earnings, wiping out what would have otherwise been a potential $7.4 billion profit for the year. Instead, it posted a net loss of 403.3 billion yen, or $2.6 billion."
PIRELLI CYBER TIRE
Autoweek reported, "Pirelli just announced a major step forward in its strategy to transform tires into AI-enabled road-monitoring agents, the company said at the recent SelectUSA Investment Summit, where it presented what it has named its Cyber Tire technology. Toward that end, the Italian tiremaker acquired a 30 percent stake in Swedish 3D-AI company Univrses, strengthening the integration of advanced computer vision technologies into Pirelli's Cyber Tire system...Pirelli announced it will make the tires in it's Rome, Georgia, plant, but didn't give a specific date for start of production."
The company said, "Cyber Tire is the world's first hardware-and-software system capable of collecting data and information from sensors embedded in tires, processing them through Pirelli's proprietary software and algorithms, and, by communicating in real time with the vehicle's electronics, enabling new functionalities integrated with driving and control systems to enhance the driving experience and increase safety levels, as well as supporting connected infrastructure. In addition to, say potholes, it can detect water, ice, or snow on the road and, in the future, anyway, send that data to cars behind it so they know to slow down."
PIZZA CONSUMPTION
Nation's Restaurant News reported, "The headlines are not kind to pizza right now. Pizzerias have fallen from Americans' favorite restaurant category to sixth place, trailing coffee shops and Mexican restaurants. Two forces are squeezing the category from opposite sides: Inflation has pushed consumers to cut back on how often they order, and third-party delivery platforms have systematically captured the customer relationship, taking the margin, the data, and the loyalty that formerly belonged to the operator. The result is visible in the numbers. Consumers are ordering smaller pizzas with fewer toppings, franchise owners are watching margins compress from both ends, and structural shifts like the rise of weight loss medications are quietly pulling portion sizes and order frequency down further." Have you cut down on the amount of pizza you eat?
PIZZA HUT'S NOSTALGIA
Nation's Restaurant News reported, "Pizza Hut began shifting away from its full-service model in the early 2000s to keep up with changing consumer habits. By the Great Recession of 2008, the chain expedited conversions into its delivery/carryout (delco) model and by 2018, dine-in represented just 10 percent of the business. But sometime in the past few years, consumers began clamoring for all things nostalgic. In fact, new research from Technomic finds that more consumers, especially younger consumers, are embracing nostalgia, and marketing around the idea of reminiscing can boost purchase intent by as much as 50 percent. This is why we've seen McDonald's embrace McDonaldland and Pizza Hut sibling Taco Bell launch a Decades menu featuring throwback items. It's also why nearly 155 Pizza Hut restaurants are maintaining the brand's Red Roof features, such as red cups, checkered tablecloths, vinyl booths, Tiffany-style lamps, and classic arcade games. According to parent company Yum Brands, these nostalgic locations are driving engagement across social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram...Pizza Hut could use a tailwind. The company is currently undergoing a strategic review put into place by Yum Brands late last year. The chain shed 8 percent of its systemwide sales last year, further ceding market share to Domino's. In the past 10 years, the chain has closed over 1,500 locations, according to Technomic data, with plans to shutter 250 more this year."
GIORDANO'S PROMOTION TIED TO GAS PRICES
Nation's Restaurant News reported, "Pizza lovers will get at least one benefit from rising gas prices. The Chicago-based pizza chain Giordano's is rolling out a new promotion, "Summer Savings – Save a Gallon," in which loyalty members can get discounts based on the price of a gallon of gas in its hometown. The discount will be available on any pizza order. Every Monday throughout the summer, the 60-unit chain will update the discount based on the average cost of a gallon of regular gas, according to AAA — that's about $5.22 right now, for instance. Nick Scarpino, CEO of Giordano's, called the promotion "our way of giving guests a little extra value while still enjoying the pizza traditions they love." Starting the last week of May, the offer applies to any order that includes either the chain's Stuffed Deep Dish, Thin Crust, or Tavern-Style pizza, and with a minimum price of $15."
FERRARI GOES ELECTRIC
Reuters reported, "Ferrari shares plunged by more than 8 percent on May 26th as investors and critics reacted coolly to the Italian luxury sports carmaker's new Luce electric car, questioning whether it remained true to the brand's identity. The four-door, five-seat family car, costing 550,000 euros ($640,000), is a radical departure for the prancing horse marque...Unveiled late on May 25th, the Luce marks Ferrari's entry into the fully electric segment, a major milestone for a luxury carmaker traditionally associated with high-performance combustion engines and their distinctive sound...The Luce, named after the Italian word for "light," is expected to begin deliveries in the fourth quarter. It is aimed at new markets, including China, where electric vehicles account for a growing share of premium car sales. Ferrari is also targeting a new generation of wealthy buyers, including technology-sector entrepreneurs in hubs such as Silicon Valley, as it seeks to broaden its appeal beyond its traditional customer base."
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, who held various leadership positions in Ferrari for more than 20 years before an acrimonious departure in 2014, said the new model was a betrayal of Ferrari's history, "I hope that they take off the prancing horse (logo) from that car."
US automotive expert Lauren Fix said, "[The Luce] looks like a Nissan Leaf." The Leaf retails at less than a 10th of the price.
JAGUAR AND STELLANTIS ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP
Car and Driver reported, "On May 20th, Stellantis and Jaguar Land Rover, or JLR, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), according to the two automotive conglomerates. The companies will work together to explore opportunities to collaborate on product development in the United States...Eventually, the partnership could give JLR access to Stellantis's North American factories, which could help the British manufacturer skirt U.S. import tariffs."
BOARD GAME TRANSFORMS INTO CAFE EXPERIENCE IN SAN DIEGO
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported, "Fans of the popular children's board game Candy Land will be able to step inside its whimsical sugary world this summer when the Candy Land Café debuts at a Little Italy restaurant. San Diegans will be the first in the U.S. to experience the Candy Land Café, which seems fitting, since the game itself was invented in San Diego 78 years ago. In 1948, grade-school teacher Eleanor Abbott was recuperating from a battle with polio in a San Diego hospital when she conceived the game to entertain the children recovering in her hospital ward. She sold the game concept to Milton Bradley the following year, and it became the toymaker's top-seller. Hasbro purchased the rights to the game in 1984. Candy Land features a playing board with a winding 134-space trail that players traverse through magical lands like the Peppermint Forest, Peanut Brittle House, Gumdrop Mountain, and Lollipop Woods on their way to King Kandy’s Castle.
The game-themed pop-up installation is the latest creation of Bucket Listers, the special events producer that brought two similar concepts — The Malibu Barbie Café and “Golden Girls” Christmas Experience — to San Diego last year. Like the previous two pop-ups, Candy Land Café will set up at the Bayside Kitchen and Bar at 2137 Pacific Coast Highway in Little Italy. It will open July 9th, a few weeks before San Diego Comic-Con, and will run for a limited time. Derek Berry, president of experiences for Bucket Listers, said Candy Land Café will be more than a restaurant. Visitors will be able to travel the trail through the building as if it were the board game itself and sample food items inspired by the sweets-themed lands of the game. The restaurant's menu will include rainbow burgers, chocolate BBQ sliders, milkshakes, and a shareable Chocolate River fondue experience. There will also be cocktails for adults."
Matt Proux, senior vice president of global experiences for Hasbro, said the company is always looking for new ways to bring its brands to life beyond the game board, "Candy Land Café transforms a timeless favorite into a multisensory experience, inviting fans to explore, engage, and play in a way that feels immersive, joyful, and entirely new, while staying true to the magic of the original game."
JAMES BOND AUDITIONS
Did you see the statement during May from Amazon MGM Studios? It read: "The search for the next James Bond is underway. While we don't plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we're excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right."
Daniel J. Voelker is a bestselling author, trial attorney, and forensic historian - and has developed a unique reputation for examining the James Bond character in depth, tracing Ian Fleming's inspirations, exploring Bond's cultural mythology, and uncovering the real people, places, and mysteries that helped shape the world of 007. He has written about the lasting appeal of the character across literature, film, and popular culture. According to Voelker, "“The next Bond is not just another actor taking a role. He is inheriting one of the most recognizable characters in modern film history. The decision will not only affect the future of the franchise, but also how a new generation understands the mythology and cultural power of James Bond."
SHARE THIS: The next Bond is not just another actor taking a role, he is inheriting one of the most dangerous and valuable myths in movie history. If the producers get this wrong, the world will know it. If they get it right, they do not just cast a star, they launch an era. ~Daniel J. Voelker #PersonalBranding #JamesBond007 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
SHARE THIS: Seven actors have played James Bond in nearly 30 films since the 1960s. Can you name all seven? #FunFact #PersonalBranding #JamesBond007 #DebbieLaskeysBlog
MORE RECOGNITION FOR WORLD CHAMPION LA DODGERS
Sports Business Journal reported, "The Los Angeles Dodgers not only won consecutive World Series titles but also built a business juggernaut in the process, a powerful combination that drove its honor as "Team of the Year" at the Sports Business Awards in New York on May 20th. Playing in a renovated Dodger Stadium, the club drew more than 4 million in attendance for the first time in 2025, becoming the first MLB franchise to do so since 2008. One estimate projected their sponsorship revenue to exceed $200M for the year, a 17 percent year-over-year increase. That represents a total of 76 partners with an average deal size said to be approximately five times the league average. Of those 76 sponsors, 20 are Japanese brands, and the World Series averaged a record 12.1 million viewers in Japan. (Just after the consideration period for the award, the Dodgers added another Japanese brand, Uniqlo, as Dodger Stadium's field's naming sponsor.)"
When accepting the award, Dodgers CEO Stan Kasten thanked "the hundreds of folks in baseball operations, the thousands of employees on the business side, and the millions of Dodgers fans in Los Angeles, throughout the country, and increasingly around the world who are also becoming fans of Major League Baseball...We have the brand, which was extraordinary when we got here, and we think we've helped to expand that brand. When you are selling out your stadium and doing as well as you can locally, then you look to brand extensions. And we have a host of subsidiary, ancillary companies that we have built around our brand all benefiting our company, our team, and our fans."
On a final note, the Dodgers' seven-game victory over the Blue Jays in the World Series was also honored with MLB's acceptance of the "Event of the Year" award. Go Dodgers...let's THREE-PEAT!
OREL HERSHISER ADDS HIS NAME AND LEGACY TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP
DodgersBeat reported, "Orel Hershiser's name already carries plenty of weight around Dodger Stadium. Now, one of the most beloved pitchers in franchise history is putting that name on a new local business venture. Hershiser has officially joined the ownership team of Orel Hershiser Chevrolet in Chino, with a grand re-opening ceremony on May 28th. For Dodgers fans in the Inland Empire (of Southern California), the event has the makings of a mini-reunion. Hershiser is expected to be joined by several familiar names from Dodgers history and the current club, including Mike Scioscia, Mickey Hatcher from the legendary 1988 club, former Dodger pitcher Joe Kelly, broadcast partner Joe Davis, as well as current Dodgers Miguel Rojas. The dealership's grand re-opening gives Hershiser another visible connection to the region where he remains one of the most respected figures in Dodgers history. His new role with the Chino dealership also keeps him in the public eye beyond his work as a broadcaster, where he continues to explain the game with the same precision and competitive insight that defined his playing career...[For those who don't recall Hershiser's personal brand], Hershiser spent most of his 18-year major league career with the Dodgers and became known for his durability, command, intelligence, and big-game poise. Nicknamed "Bulldog" by manager Tommy Lasorda, he finished his career with 204 wins and later returned to the Dodgers family as a broadcaster, where his voice has become part of the nightly rhythm for fans watching from home."
Talk about the power of personal branding. Could you open a car dealership based on the strength of YOUR name?
COLLINS DICTIONARY'S TIMELY DEFINITION
This dictionary brand is mentioned at the end of each year when it announces its "word of the year" for the next year, however, it shared a TIMELY post on Instagram and Twitter/X on May 5th to celebrate the Met Gala that took place the previous day. The post read as follows: "#WordoftheDay - FASHION. Noun. Style in clothes, cosmetics, behaviour, etc., especially the latest of most admired style."
MET GALA FASHION
And let's not forget the annual Met Gala that took place in New York City on Monday, May 4th. The outlandish fashion that appeared on the red carpet did not disappoint. However, from a marketing perspective, more than 50 brands quickly aligned their products with the event's fashion with posts on Instagram - ranging from booksellers and libraries featuring book covers to desserts such as doughnuts, cakes, and candy. Read my recap post from May 7th (link below).
What other recent marketing buzz caught your attention? Since there's always something happening that impacts marketing, read #DebbieLaskeysBlog for the scoop!
Image Credits: Artcurial, The French's Food Company LLC and Universal Studios, France24, Oreo, and AmazonMGM Studios.
Fun fact answer: James Bond has been brought to life by Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan, Timothy Dalton, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, David Niven, and the original, Sean Connery.
Watch Paul McCartney sing with Stephen Colbert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG0HFw0edXY
Check out some of Christo's art:
https://christojeanneclaude.net/artworks/realized-projects/
and
https://galeriemagazine.com/8-iconic-artworks-christo-legacy/
I personally saw THE UMBRELLAS, Christo's exhibit in California:
https://christojeanneclaude.net/artworks/the-umbrellas/
Read Daniel J. Voelker's analysis on casting the next James Bond:
https://voelkerlitigationgroup.com/TheNewBond.pdf
Read my post: See How Some Brands Celebrated the Met Gala! (May 7, 2026)
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2026/05/see-how-some-brands-celebrated-met-gala.html
Read "All the Marketing Collabs with "The Devil Wears Prada 2" via CNN:
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/28/entertainment/devil-wears-prada-2-marketing
