Celebrate International Day of Education with Sucheta Rawal

Following the November Presidential election, I read an opinion piece in Huffington Post entitled, "I Thought America Was the Best Country to be a Woman, Until Now. Does America Need Another Women's Suffrage Movement?" by Sucheta Rawal. The article provided excellent commentary about the state of women in the United States following the election, and I strongly urge you to read it (link at end of this post).

I was so impressed by the article that I reached out to its writer, Sucheta Rawal, and invited her to appear here on my blog in a Q&A. Sucheta's bio follows below, but first, the reason for publishing the Q&A today.

Are you aware of today's significance? The United Nations (UN) General Assembly proclaimed January 24th as International Day of Education in celebration of the role of education for peace and development with the aim to "ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all" by 2030. 

According to the UN, "Education offers children a ladder out of poverty and a path to a promising future. But about 244 million children and adolescents around the world are out of school; 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math; less than 40 percent of girls in sub-Saharan Africa complete lower secondary school, and some four million children and youth refugees are out of school. Their right to education is being violated and it is unacceptable. Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth, and adults behind."

SHARE THIS: Without inclusive and equitable quality education for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality. ~@UN and @UNESCO #InternationalDayofEducation #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Based on today's emphasis on education, I thought it would be a good fit with Sucheta's passion for learning and cultural diversity. And now, a brief introduction...With a mission to promote meaningful and sustainable travel, award-winning South Asian travel writer, columnist, author, and speaker, Sucheta Rawal has contributed to over two dozen publications including CNN, TIME Magazine, NatGeo, Travel+Leisure, CondeNast, Fodor's, and HuffPost. Sucheta is a three-time TEDx speaker and author of five "Beato Goes To" children's books (based on her travels and featuring her cat) that educate kids about the diversity of the world. She has personally traveled to over 121 countries across seven continents and speaks about her experiences from her firsthand perspective. She also founded the non-profit, Go Eat Give, to raise awareness of different cultures through travel, food, and community service. 

In Sucheta's own words, "My goal is to find the beauty in the world, through its people, cultures, nature, and enable cross-cultural understanding so we have a more cooperative, just, and peaceful future. Through authentic storytelling in my articles, books, blog, and speeches, I inspire others to try new things, meet diverse people, and open their minds to a world that is bigger than themselves."

QUESTION: Please describe Go Eat Give.

SUCHETA RAWAL: I started the non-profit in 2011. The thought behind it was that people want to travel meaningfully and engage with locals but not for as long as a gap year, instead, for two-to-three weeks. The organization provides aid to grassroots projects and offers customized travel experiences to individuals and groups.

QUESTION: Which is your favorite country, and why?

SUCHETA RAWAL: I don't have favorite countries, but I do have favorites in different categories. For example, for food, I like Italy, Israel, and India. I also like Greenland, Ecuador, and Japan. It's hard to choose!

QUESTION: What are some travel tips to "travel meaningfully?"

SUCHETA RAWAL: Before you leave home on a trip, visit places where people from the country you're going to visit gather, for example, churches, temples, organizations, consular offices, etc. It's much better to visit a foreign country when you know someone who can make hotel, restaurant, or activity recommendations - or even meet you for a meal or take you on a tour.

QUESTION: What most stands out to you from the 2024 Presidential election?

SUCHETA RAWAL: Due to women's voting rights, women are equal to men, however, I wonder, are we not preparing women to be leaders?

QUESTION: How do you envision your next five years?

SUCHETA RAWAL: I will continue working on my travel and book projects because my cause is even more relevant today. It's imperative that everyone understands cultural differences but continues to have conversations. To talk and discuss as a collective soul.

QUESTION: In 2022, I wrote a post featuring my list of 15 people I would invite to an amazing dinner party. If you could dine with some leaders from history or the modern era, who would you choose, and why?

(Read my post here:

https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2022/06/my-amazing-dinner-party-of-15.html)

SUCHETA RAWAL: I would invite Vice President Kamala Harris due to her many inspiring firsts and because she was someone who represented "me." As I noted in my Huffington Post piece, "I was elated to see a woman of color who was so well-accomplished and forward thinking. It actually made me interested in watching live news again." Others would include Oprah Winfrey due to her success; Indira Gandhi because she was Prime Minister of India twice in a conservative country; and Mother Teresa for her very giving and generous legacy.

On a related note, I read Sucheta's first book for kids, "Beato Goes to Greenland." Since I share Sucheta's passion for travel, experiencing new cultures, education, and cats, I thoroughly enjoyed the story - and look forward to sharing with two little girls I know. According to the book's description, "The house cat from Atlanta embarks on his quest to see the world. His first stop is Greenland, where his new friend saves him from sleigh dogs."

My gratitude to Sucheta for sharing her leadership and diversity insights and for being a valued member of my blog community.

SHARE THIS: As travelers, we have a unique opportunity to represent not only ourselves but also our countries, cultures, and beliefs. Citizen diplomacy involves all individuals helping to build relationships and promote mutual understanding across borders. ~@Sucheta Rawal #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credit: Ryan Spencer via Unsplash.

Read Sucheta's Opinion piece in Huffington Post, which led to this Q&A:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/opinion-america-woman-2024-election_n_6734daa7e4b0b5b61d3f5e1a

Learn more about the UN's International Day of Education:

https://www.un.org/en/observances/education-day

Connect with Sucheta at these links:

Website: https://suchetarawal.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sucheta.rawal/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suchetarawal

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/SuchetaRawal 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suchetarawal/

Go Eat Give's Website: https://goeatgive.com

Books: https://beatogoesto.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B01GIRLKNE

Words and Terms that Told the Story of 2024

While many marketing and news commentators (including this blogger) have talked about the people, food, brands, films, books, color, and notable deaths that made news during 2024, let's not forget the memorable words and terms that told the story of 2024.

MERRIAM-WEBSTER

According to Merriam-Webster's website, "Merriam-Webster's 2024 Word of the Year is polarization, which happens to be one idea that both sides of the political spectrum agree on. Search volume on Merriam-Webster.com throughout the year reflected the desire of Americans to better understand the complex state of affairs in our country and around the world.

We define polarization as "division into two sharply distinct opposites; especially, a state in which the opinions, beliefs, or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum but become concentrated at opposing extremes."

MSNBC observed that, "The 2024 presidential election has left our country more polarized than ever.” The word was also used to describe divides beyond the U.S. election, as when Forbes warned that in workplaces, "cultural polarization is becoming a pressing challenge."

DICTIONARY.COM

According to Dictionary.com's website, "Each year, Dictionary.com's Word of the Year and short-listed nominees capture pivotal moments in language and culture. These words serve as a linguistic time capsule, reflecting social trends and global events that defined the year. The Word of the Year isn't just about popular usage; it reveals the stories we tell about ourselves and how we've changed over the year. And for these reasons, Dictionary.com’s 2024 Word of the Year is "demure."

To select the 2024 Word of the Year, our lexicographers analyzed a large amount of data including newsworthy headlines, trends on social media, search engine results, and more to identify words that made an impact on our conversations, online and in the real world.

The word demure experienced a meteoric rise in usage in 2024. Between January and the end of August, this term saw a nearly 1200 percent increase in usage in digital web media alone. This sharp rise is mainly attributed to TikToker Jools Lebron's popularization of the phrase "very demure, very mindful" in a series of videos posted to the platform in early August.

Though the term demure has traditionally been used to describe those who are reserved, quiet, or modest, a new usage has spread through social media — one used to describe refined and sophisticated appearance or behavior in various contexts, such as at work or on a plane. This increased focus on public appearance and behavior comes at a time when employees are increasingly returning to offices after hybrid remote work following the pandemic."

OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS

According to Oxford University Press' website, "Following a public vote in which more than 37,000 people had their say, we're pleased to announce that the Oxford Word of the Year for 2024 is 'brain rot.' Our language experts created a shortlist of six words to reflect the moods and conversations that have helped shape the past year. After two weeks of public voting and widespread conversation, our experts came together to consider the public's input, voting results, and our language data, before declaring brain rot as the definitive Word of the Year for 2024. Our experts noticed that brain rot gained new prominence this year as a term used to capture concerns about the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media. The term increased in usage frequency by 230 percent between 2023 and 2024.

Brain rot is defined as “the supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging. Also: something characterized as likely to lead to such deterioration.

The first recorded use of brain rot was found in 1854 in Henry David Thoreau's book Walden, which reports his experiences of living a simple lifestyle in the natural world. As part of his conclusions, Thoreau criticizes society's tendency to devalue complex ideas, or those that can be interpreted in multiple ways, in favor of simple ones, and sees this as indicative of a general decline in mental and intellectual effort."

CAMBRIDGE DICTIONARY

The Cambridge Dictionary's word of the year for 2024 was "manifest," which means to use methods like visualization and affirmation to imagine achieving something you want. The word was chosen in part because of the controversial global trend of manifesting. It was looked up almost 130,000 times on the Cambridge Dictionary website, making it one of the most-viewed words of 2024. According to Cambridge Dictionary's website, "The word jumped from use in the self-help community and on social media to being widely used across mainstream media and beyond, as celebrities such as singer Dua Lipa, Olympic sprinter Gabby Thomas, and England striker Ollie Watkins spoke of manifesting their success in 2024. Mentions of it gained traction during the pandemic and have grown in the years since, especially on TikTok and other social media, where millions of posts and videos used the hashtag #manifest."

COLLINS DICTIONARY

Collins Dictionary has named "brat" as its 2024 word of the year for 2024, defining it as someone "characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude." The dictionary credited British singer Charli XCX with making "brat" one of the most talked-about words in 2024. According to CNN Style, "Accompanied by a virulent shade of lime green, the sights and sounds of brat were everywhere to be found this year – including in US Vice President Kamala Harris' election campaign. In July, Charli XCX gave Harris her seal of approval, proclaiming on X: "kamala IS brat." Memes and t-shirts with Harris' name in the "brat" style followed."

THE ECONOMIST

In a striking commentary on global political trends, The Economist has declared "kakistocracy" as its Word of the Year for 2024. Defined as "government by the worst, least qualified, or most unscrupulous citizens," the term has gained significant traction in public discourse, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with governance across various nations. The word has seen a resurgence in popular use, particularly on social media platforms, where hashtags such as #Kakistocracy and #LeadershipCrisis have trended during major political upheavals. The rise of kakistocracy in the global lexicon also reflects a deeper introspection among voters, who are increasingly vocal about the need for accountability, integrity, and meritocracy in public office.

MOST SEARCHED TERMS ON GOOGLE

According to the tech giant's annual list of top trending searches, the number one search term overall in the United States during 2024 was "election," followed by "Donald Trump," "Connections," "New York Yankees," and "Kamala Harris."

GLASSDOOR

According to HR Dive, "The 2024 word of the year is "divisive," according to Glassdoor's 2024 Best and Worst of Worklife wrap-up. In Glassdoor communities, mentions of the word "divisive" grew 33 percent during 2024, which the organization said was related to a range of issues, including election concerns, toxic workplaces, and shifts in company stances on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives."

GLICKED ENTERS THE LEXICON

While two summer blockbusters from 2023 created a new portmanteau (a word formed by combining the sounds and meanings of other words), "Barbenheimer" derived from BARBIE THE MOVIE and OPPENHEIMER, 2024's pre-Thanksgiving weekend saw the arrival of "Glicked" to promote WICKED and GLADIATOR II. According to CNN, "A lesson learned is that two very high-profile movies can go head-to-head, and both can thrive in the theatrical marketplace."

According to Yahoo Entertainment, "Celebrate "Glicked" by watching both movies either as a double feature or over the course of a weekend and dress the part donning something earthy and Romanesque for Gladiator II and either Galinda pink or Elphaba green for Wicked."

CALIFORNIA REMOVES THE WORD "SQUAW"

The state of California is removing the word "squaw," a derogatory term for indigenous women, from dozens of place names across 15 counties. According to CNN, "For decades, the names of more than 100 of the state's parks, buildings, streets, bridges, and other geographic features and locations have included the term, which is considered racist and offensive toward Native American women, according to a bill signed into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom in 2022. The updated place names were expected to go in effect by January 1, 2025. The upcoming changes are part of nationwide efforts to examine and replace derogatory terms on geographic features." 

SWIFT-ONOMICS

Two terms have appeared as a result of Taylor Swift's international fame: "Visitor Economy" and "Economic Fairy Dust" = the impact on local economies where she performs because visitors flock to each location's airports, hotels, restaurants, and more - and Swift dusts the cities with an economic boom.

KAMALA-MEMTUM

During the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August, upbeat Democrats rode a wave of "Kamalamemtum," or Kamala momentum.

NOVID

It may be nearly five years since the Corona Virus or Covid pandemic changed everyone's lives, but NOVID has become the term to stand for NEVER HAD COVID.

ADDITIONS TO MERRIAM-WEBSTER

During October, Merriam-Webster announced the addition of 200 new words and definitions. Some of the additions include: beach read, true crime, heat index, For You Page, nepo baby, far right, far left, and MAGA. According to Peter Sokolowski, Editor at Large for Merriam-Webster, "Our lexicographers monitor a huge range of sources to select which words and definitions to add. From academic journals to social media, these give us a very thorough view of the English language." And according to Gregory Barlow, President of Merriam-Webster, "The one constant of a vibrant living language is change. We continuously encounter new ways of describing the world around us, and the dictionary is a record of those changes."

During 2024, leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry wrote that five buzzwords lost their meaning. These buzzwords were synergy, alignment, leverage, collaboration, and culture. Eikenberry explained that, "when they become overused buzzwords, the cynicism in our minds mutes the power of the message." His suggestions for using these words to communicate effectively were: use them less often, choose synonyms, and define them again. He wrote, "Buzzwords exist and are a part of life. How we use them (or not) as a leader and communicator is entirely up to us. Choose how you use them wisely and your communication success will improve."

And, lastly, since this past year on December 25th, Christmas and Hannukah took place on the same day (for the fourth time since 1900), a new term appeared: Chrismukkah as a pop-culture portmanteau referring to the merging of the holidays of Christianity's Christmas and Judaism's Hanukkah.

As the famous writer Joseph Conrad wrote, "My task which I am trying to achieve is by the power of the written word, to make you hear, to make you feel - it is, before all, to make you see. That — and no more, and it is everything."

What words and terms will define 2025? We'll have to wait and see - but in the interim, join me on October 16th, 2025, to celebrate National Dictionary Day, which is celebrated on the birthday of Noah Webster. Browse through your dictionary in your free time and learn new words.

Image Credit: KHQ.

Curious as to which are the most misspelled words by State?

https://www.rd.com/article/most-misspelled-words/

A Look Back at 2024 through the Lens of Krispy Kreme

Many brands are successful at telling and sharing their stories or their brand purpose. Some brands excel at this form of marketing, also known as brand storytelling. However, there are few that rival the effectiveness of Krispy Kreme. Here's a look back at 2024 through the lens of this clever food brand.

But first, some history. According to Wikipedia, "Krispy Kreme, Inc. (previously Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.) is an American multinational doughnut company and coffeehouse chain. The company was founded by Vernon Rudolph, who bought a yeast-raised recipe from a New Orleans chef, rented a building in 1937 in North Carolina, and began selling to local grocery stores. Steady growth preceded an ambitious expansion as a public company in the period from 2000 to 2016, which ultimately proved unprofitable. In 2016, the company returned to private ownership under JAB Holding Company, a private Luxembourg-based firm. In July 2021, Krispy Kreme became publicly traded again on the Nasdaq. The brand name is a deliberate non-standard spelling of 'crispy cream,' for marketing effect."

Although initially based on informal advertising, such as word-of-mouth, in 2006, Krispy Kreme began using television and radio advertisements. On a personal note, when my aunt first heard that a Krispy Kreme store was moving into her Southern California suburb, she could hardly contain her excitement and was one of the first to purchase a dozen.

In March 2021, Krispy Kreme announced that they were providing a free Original Glazed doughnut every day (except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) for the rest of that year to customers in the United States who could prove that they had received a COVID-19 vaccine.

Truly an international company, Krispy Kreme operates in Canada, Egypt, France, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Lebanon, Turkey, India, Dominican Republic, Iceland, Ireland, Kuwait, Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Russia, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Morocco.

And now, how does Krispy Kreme align its brand with the important dates on the calendar to stay relevant and in consumers' minds? It's simple while simultaneously imaginative: the brand celebrates holidays!

Doughnuts are decorated to celebrate many holidays, and in the process, stays top of mind with customers and fans:

* DECEMBER 29-31, 2023: To celebrate the new year, two dozen doughnuts cost $20.24

* FEBRUARY: Valentine's Day Heart-Shaped Collection: You Color My World!, You're Berry Sweet!, Without You, I'd Crumble!, and I Love You A-Choco-Lot!

* FEBRUARY: Super Bowl Chocolate Iced Kreme filled football doughnuts

* MARCH: St. Patrick's Day Collection

* MARCH 17: Free Original Glazed GREEN doughnut by walking into a store wearing green

* MARCH: Spring Minis Collection for Easter

* APRIL: Total Solar Eclipse Day Collection

* APRIL: Show a friendship bracelet for a free Original Glazed Doughnut due to the success of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour

* APRIL 15: Pay only sales tax for an Original Glazed Dozen Doughnuts

* MAY 12: Mini Doughnut Collection for Mother's Day

* MAY: Dolly Parton's Southern Sweets Doughnut Collection: Dolly Dazzler Doughnut, Peachy Keen Cobbler Doughnut, Banana Puddin' Pie Doughnut, and Chocolate Creme Pie Doughnut

* JUNE 7: National Doughnut Day (of course!)

* JULY 4: Fourth of July Collection

* JULY/AUGUST: Go USA Olympics Collection

* JULY/AUGUST: Passport to Paris Collection: Creme Brulee Doughnut, Double Chocolate Eclair Doughnut, and Raspberry & Vanille Creme Doughnut

* AUGUST: Pumpkin Spice Essentials Collection

* SEPTEMBER: Barbie 65th Birthday Collection: Barbie Pink Doughnut, Barbie Berries 'n Kreme Doughnut, Malibu Dream Party Doughnut, and Barbie Sweet 65th Doughnut

* OCTOBER: Super Moon Super Doughnut

* OCTOBER: Halloween Ghostbusters Collection

* NOVEMBER 5: Show your "I Voted" sticker and receive a free Original Glazed Doughnut

* NOVEMBER: Thanksgiving Pies Collection: Chocolate Silk Pie Doughnut, Lemon Creme Pie Doughnut, Blueberry Crisp Doughnut, and Apple Crumble Doughnut

* DECEMBER: Merry Grinchmas Collection: Grinch Doughnut, Grinchy Claus Doughnut, Cindy Lou Who Merry Berry Tree Doughnut, and Santa Belly Doughnut

With all these themed doughnuts, there is no doubt as to why Krispy Kreme is one of the most beloved and well-known sweet treat brands in the world. This effective brand storytelling may be the secret ingredient.

SHARE THIS: A great salesperson knows how to tell a story in which the product is the hero. ~Peter Guber #BrandStorytelling #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credits: Krispy Kreme.

Food Branding News of 2024

While there were countless brands that made news during 2024 due to name changes, logo changes, and entire brand refreshes, how many FOOD brands can you recall that transformed themselves and made news?

Here's a recap of the memorable food industry brands that made marketing news during 2024:

FLAVOR OF THE YEAR (January)

McCormick & Company, the top-selling maker or seasonings and spices, named Tamarind as its "2024 Flavor of the Year." Tamarind comes from a tree that commonly grows throughout Africa, Mexico, Asia, and India, and produces pods containing the acidic and tangy-sweet flavor that can be added to a number of foods, such as potato chips, ice cream, and coffee. According to CNN, "McCormick partnered with Black Tap Craft Burgers, a restaurant with seven US locations and known for its over-the-top foods, to feature tamarind in milkshakes, burgers, and fries beginning on February 1, 2024, for a limited time."

TROPICANA'S LIMITED EDITION PACKAGING (January)

While Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI, was on everyone's mind at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, one company did not want it anywhere near its brand. Tropicana, the top-selling orange juice brand, released limited-edition bottles with a slight change to its name. On the bottles, the letters "A" and "I" were removed from the name so that it showed as "TROPCN." According to the company, the marketing campaign highlighted "the fact that there is nothing artificial, and never has been anything artificial" in the orange juice.

SUBWAY'S SIDEKICKS (January)

What goes best with a foot-long sandwich? How about a foot-long cookie? Subway announced that its new Sidekicks menu would feature "a collection of three new foot-long snacks: a foot-long cookie, a foot-long churro, and a foot-long pretzel, all costing between $2-$3." The company partnered with Auntie Anne's to create the pretzel and Cinnabon to create the churro.

APPLEBEE'S DATE NIGHTS (January)

Applebee's offered a limited number of subscription date night passes for $200. The pass covered a year of weekly date nights starting on February 1 and ending on January 31, 2025. The pass was valid 52 times and covered up to $30 of food and non-alcoholic beverages.

THE SOUR TASTE OF SELF-CHECKOUT (February)

Do you use self-checkout? According to a study by researchers at Drexler University published in the Journal of Business Research, "Regular checkout featuring a human cashier makes customers more loyal to a store and more likely to revisit in the future than self-checkout. The study comes as some companies remove self-checkout machines and others adjust their self-checkout operations. Customers feel more rewarded by a store and feel like they were treated more valuably when using regular checkout because it involves less effort and cashiers handle the scanning, bagging, and payment process, the researchers found. Regular checkout also makes people feel that they are receiving the service they are entitled to as customers, the study found."

In addition, a survey from hospitality product provider Tensator revealed that 33 percent of retail shoppers chose not to complete a purchase because of a bad experience with a self-service kiosk. Consider how these negative experiences - where customers would like to pay and complete transactions - can - and do - affect a brand experience.

COCA-COLA'S NEW FLAVOR (February)

Coca-Cola launched its newest flavor, Coca-Cola Spiced, to cater to America's changing demographics. The company explained that the new Spiced flavor blended the traditional Coke flavor with raspberry and spiced flavors.

BEVERAGES AND SUBWAY (March)

PepsiCo, Inc. reached a 10-year agreement to become the exclusive provider of beverages at all Subway sandwich shops in the United States replacing rival Coca-Cola.

OREO'S JOKE ON APRIL FOOLS' DAY (April)

On April Fools' Day, Oreo shared the best post after changing its brief description to: "We're done."

Oreo posted the following message on Twitter/X:

"After time and consideration, we have made the decision to separate the cookie and the creme duo that you all know to be as OREO cookies. There are no secrets or anyone to blame, we are just two best friends who met at a very young age and have grown over the past 112 years in our own ways. We appreciate your continuous support as we enter this new chapter, separately."

A follow-up post stated: "Just the Creme and Just the Wafer hit shelves 4/31."

However, April has only 30 days. So, if you had not realized that this content was an April Fools' Day joke, that final message provided the gotcha!

MCDONALD'S AND KRISPY KREME (April)

Beginning in 2024, Krispy Kreme's doughnuts would be available at McDonald's restaurants. Will you order a Big Mac, French fries, and a Krispy Kreme doughnut?

McDONALD'S BILLBOARD AD (April)

Have you ever smelled a billboard? McDonald's created a scented billboard in the Netherlands. The company installed a tray of French Fries into the billboard and then used ventilators to suck and diffuse the scent. The billboard was also placed within 2,000 feet of a McDonald's restaurant so that customers could follow the scent.

MCDONALD'S GRANDMA MCFLURRY (May)

On May 21st, McDonald's released its newest McFlurry flavor for a limited time, the Grandma McFlurry, a sweet treat that mixed syrup, vanilla ice cream, and crunchy candy pieces. According to McDonald's, it's "like grandma's favorite treat that she hid in her purse. Grandmas have always held a special place in our hearts, and today, they're having a major moment influencing culture - inspiring trends in fashion, decor, and now, even food with our newest McFlurry." 

SPECIAL K'S LATEST PACKAGING (June)

In an amazing first, Special K featured a pregnant woman on its cereal box. The box, which showed Molly Baz with an exposed pregnant belly, was available for purchase on the Kellogg website. It's part of the brand's "Special for a Reason" marketing campaign, which features "inspiring individuals."

DR PEPPER'S MARKET SHARE NEWS (June)

After years of slowly gaining market share, Dr Pepper inched ahead of Pepsi as the number two soda brand in the United States, according to Beverage Digest. FYI, Coca-Cola leads the sector by a comfortable margin. Founded in 1885 in Waco, Texas, Dr Pepper established a small but devoted following in the American South. Today, Dr Pepper experiments with new flavors including Strawberries & Cream and Creamy Coconut.

COSTCO'S HOT DOG PRICE (June)

Costco announced that the price of its hot dog would remain at $1.50. Costco had been selling its hot-dog-and-soda combo for $1.50 since it first hit menus in the mid-1980's. The price tag has held steady over the years despite inflation — otherwise it would be closer to $4.40 today. According to NPR, "The $1.50 hot dog and the $4.99 rotisserie chicken are what experts have called an example of loss-leader pricing - a strategy in which companies sell certain products below their market cost in order to get customers in the door and, ideally, putting more profitable goods in their carts."

SCRUB DADDY AND DUNKIN' DONUT (June)

To celebrate this year's National Donut Day on June 7th, Dunkin' teamed up with Scrub Daddy to create a limited-edition Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy. According to Scrub Daddy's website, "This delicious duo is perfect for scrubbing away donut crumbs and wiping up iced coffee spills...Despite appearing good enough to eat, these scrubbers are not for consumption...and edible donuts are not included."

COLD STONE CREAMERY AND MINIONS (June)

Known for its customizable ice cream options, Cold Stone Creamery announced its partnership with Illumination's "Despicable Me 4" film with the release of its Despicamallow Ice Cream. According to a press release, "The new creation, called Mega Minion Marshmallow Meltdown, features Despicamallow Ice Cream, Chocolate Chips, Marshmallows, and Yellow & Blue Sprinkles, inspired by the mischievous antics of the Minions. Cold Stone will also feature Heist Cream Cake with layers of moist Yellow Cake and Despicamallow Ice Cream with Yellow & Blue Sprinkles and wrapped in fluffy White Frosting featuring the Mega Jerry Minion. Guests can dive into these limited-time offerings at participating Cold Stone Creamery locations nationwide from June 12 through July 30."

S'MORES ANYONE? (July)

Ramen is not the first food when thinking about dessert. However, Cup Noodles launched a new limited-edition s'mores-flavored instant ramen. Ready to eat via microwave, the product came with a sauce-based flavor blend of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers. According to Nissin Foods USA Senior VP of Marketing Priscilla Stanton, the limited-edition offerings of Cup Noodles were an effort to expand beyond a "pantry staple." The line-up of flavors included Pumpkin Spice, Everything Bagel, and Breakfast (which is a mixture of the classic breakfast combination of maple syrup pancakes, sausage, and eggs).

STARBUCKS AND PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE (August)

Nothing says fall better than pumpkin drinks or Starbucks' Pumpkin Spiced Latte, but the coffee giant announced that its Pumpkin Spice Latte would return to stores on August 22nd, earlier than ever. 

CARVEL ICE CREAM (August)

Carvel Ice Cream announced that on August 15th, it would kick off the fall season with the re-introduction of its Pumpkin Cheesecake menu items. Initially offered in 2023, pumpkin lovers rejoiced with these limited-time items: Pumpkin Cheesecake Soft Serve, Pumpkin Cheesecake Scooped, Pumpkin Cheesecake Shake, Pumpkin Cheesecake Sundae Dasher, Pumpkin Cheesecake Flying Saucer, and Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream Pop.

PIZZA HUT'S TABLE (August)

Pizza Hut offered customers who were moving to a few cities something extra. The pizza chain offered a special pizza box that turned into a miniature table with an order of a large regular-priced pizza in Dallas, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Orlando, Florida. Pizza Hut explained that it chose those cities based on a Penske Truck Rental list that ranked those cities among the country's top moving destinations. The table box's corrugated structure folded into a base that could support a pizza box - and the table was only available through take-out. According to Pizza Hut's Chief Marketing Officer, "Many can relate to the chaos that comes with moving, and the last thing you want to worry about is unpacking to enjoy a hard-earned meal at the end of a long day."

COCA-COLA AND OREO (September)

Coca-Cola and Oreo announced their partnership with two limited-edition products: Oreo Coca-Cola Sandwich Cookies and Coca-Cola Oreo Zero Sugar limited-edition soda.

KRISPY KREME AND BARBIE DOUGHNUTS (September)

To celebrate the 65th birthday of Mattel's Barbie doll, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts partnered with Mattel and launched the limited-edition Barbie Collection featuring four doughnuts: the Barbie Pink Doughnut, the Barbie Berries ‘n Kreme Doughnut, the Malibu Dream Party Doughnut, and the Barbie Sweet 65th Doughnut.

CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY NAMECHANGE (September)

Remember when Dunkin' Doughnuts dropped the word "doughnuts" from its name? Or when Kentucky Fried Chicken became KFC to move away from the "fried chicken" emphasis in its name? Well, the 155-year-old Campbell Soup Company announced that it would drop the word "Soup" from its name and rebrand as The Campbell's Company. The company owns snack brands including Goldfish, Snyder's of Hanover, Cape Cod, Pepperidge Farm, and others. Therefore, the brand wishes to move away from the idea that it's only soup.

HERSHEY'S FORAY INTO FITNESS MARKET (October)

While everyone associates the Hershey brand with chocolate and its own town in Pennsylvania, the company is now expanding into the fitness market with a new product line of energy drinks and protein powders. Will the flavors be chocolate? Time will tell if this will be a successful line extension or a bad idea.

GOLDFISH NAMECHANGE TO CHILEAN SEA BASS (October)

According to CNN, "The Pepperidge Farm snack brand is tweaking its name for a limited time to "Chilean Sea Bass," a more grown-up title. It's part of a strategy to attract adults and re-establish its relevance amid a decline in snacking following a pandemic peak. But the Chilean Sea Bass snacks won't appear on shelves: Bags featuring the unique branding are only being sold online for one week the last week of October. Goldfish reminds people that the traditionally branded bags are still available at retailers nationwide. Fun Fact: The tweaked name is a nod to the snack's roots. Pepperidge Farm launched Goldfish in the United States in 1962 initially aimed at adults as a bar snack. Since the 1990's, however, Goldfish has been sold as a snack for kids with playful packaging."

SUBWAY'S FOOTLONG COOKIE GETS DRESSED FOR HOLIDAYS (October)

According to Restaurant Business, "Subway is getting a jump on the winter holiday season with its launch of the Double Chocolate Peppermint Footlong Cookie. It has a 12-inch-long base of double chocolate cookie dough that's packed with chocolate and white chocolate chips, swirled with peppermint extract, and topped with red and white candy cane pieces. It's served warm and comes packaged in a holiday gift box."

RAO FLOAT APPEARS IN MACY'S DAY PARADE (October)

According to the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade website, "Rao's is an Italian-American restaurant founded in East Harlem, New York City, in 1896 by Joshua Anthony Rao, who moved with his parents from Italy to the United States. In December 2006, Rao's opened a second restaurant in Las Vegas. In 2024, it was announced that Rao's Homemade would sponsor a float called "Pasta Knight" in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The float will display a scene made entirely of food and other kitchenware depicting a knight on horseback with a white flag that says "Rao's Homemade" in a battle against a dragon."

KFC CANDLES (November)

KFC (formerly Kentucky Fried Chicken) teamed up with Homesick Candles to launch two candles for the holiday season: a bucket of chicken candle and a buttery biscuit candle.

RETURN OF SELF-SERVE MILK AND SUGAR AT STARBUCKS (November)

According to CNN, "The return of milk and sugar stations is a small step for Starbucks, but it represents something much bigger for the world's largest coffee chain. It's an acknowledgment that Starbucks went too far in overloading its baristas with endless ways to prepare drinks."

Did these changes cause you to purchase more or less? Did these changes stand out in your mind? Were they good strategic decisions? What food brands will stand out during 2025. Tune in next January for a recap.

Image Credits: Oreo and Tropicana. 

MY Choices for TIME Magazine's 2024 Person of the Year

In December, TIME Magazine announced its choice for its annual Person of the Year recognition. Since today is Inauguration Day of the new American President, I thought it would be an appropriate day for me to share MY choices for TIME's Person of the Year.

SNOOP DOGG

Rapper, actor, record producer, and entrepreneur Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., better known by his stage name of Snoop Dogg, re-imagined his personal brand during 2024 by becoming a judge on the NBC TV show, "The Voice;" appearing in a myriad of television ads for T-Mobile; and serving as a commentator at the Paris Summer Olympics - with special dressage clothing with his friend Martha Stewart.

Snoop has said, "As a kid born in the 1970's, my mom used to put on a TV show called Charlie Brown. And there was a character on there named Snoopy. And I used to love him to death. And my mama said I started to look like him so much 'cause I watched him all the time, and that's what they used to name me."

Snoop spoke with CNBC's Maria Bartiromo in 2019, about how social networking has become an important means to further his brand. "I realize that that's the key nowadays. You have to be in the media as far as with the Internet and the social activity that's goin' down with the computers nowadays. So, I try to have my hands in everything that's movin', you know, from YouTube to MySpace to Twitter to, you know, whatever is popping, I'm tryin' to get involved with it and make sure that my name and my brand is on it. And I make it personal so it's not somebody doin' it for me. It's me doin' it in actuality."

SIMONE BILES

Simone Biles added more medals to her count during the Paris Summer Olympics to become the greatest athlete of all time in gymnastics. Following her withdrawal from the 2021 Summer Olympics citing mental health concerns, she competed in Paris in 2024 to earn four medals (the silver medal in floor exercise and three golds in the vault final, team, and all-around). Her 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals make her the most decorated gymnast in history.

ARIANA GRANDE AND CYNTHIA ERIVO

These two actresses and singers star in the film version of the musical Wicked, which takes place before the story of The Wizard of Oz. Fans eagerly awaited the film's arrival in theaters on November 22nd. 

According to Variety, "Universal's adaptation of Act One of the popular Broadway musical was number one in North America with $114 million from 3,888 theaters over its first weekend...Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, landed in theaters after more than a decade in development and a promotional push (including 400 brand partnerships) that rivaled the ubiquity of Barbie. Universal needed the song-and-dance film to strike a chord with moviegoers because Wicked: Part Two, which chronicles the musical's second act, arrives on the big screen in November 2025. The two films cost a combined $300 million to produce, not including the mega marketing budget."

Ariana Grande-Butera is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Regarded as a pop icon, she is an influential figure in popular music and is known for her four-octave vocal range which extends into the whistle register. She began her career as a child actress by appearing in the Broadway musical "13" in 2008. She signed with Republic Records and released her retro-pop and R&B-influenced debut studio album, Yours Truly in 2013, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

Cynthia Chinasaokwu Onyedinmanasu Erivo is a British actress and singer. She has received several accolades, including a Daytime Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. She is one of the few artists to receive nominations for the EGOT. She made her West End (London theater) debut in the stage musical The Umbrellas of Cherbourg in 2011.

KAMALA HARRIS

When Kamala Harris made history (or HERstory) when chosen by Joe Biden and eventually becoming the first female Vice President of the United States (and also the first Black woman and the first woman of Indian heritage in that role), she said on November 7th, 2020, "While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last — because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities."

When President Joe Biden decided to end his candidacy for re-election after a poor June 2024 debate performance, he endorsed Kamala Harris to run as the Democratic nominee. Harris stepped in and ran an inspiring campaign. Not every politician could have done that. She earned the support of Biden's backers, and in a short time, she raised millions of dollars.

While the election winner was not what half the country wanted, Harris said in her concession speech, "I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions, and aspirations. Where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own body and not have their government telling them what to do. We will never give up the fight to protect our schools and our streets from gun violence. And America we will never give up the fight for our democracy, for the rule of law, for equal justice, and for the sacred idea that every one of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, has certain fundamental rights and freedoms that must be respected and upheld.

And we will continue to wage this fight in the voting booth, in the courts and in the public square. And we will also wage it in quieter ways: in how we live our lives by treating one another with kindness and respect, by looking in the face of a stranger and seeing a neighbor, by always using our strength to lift people up, to fight for the dignity that all people deserve. The fight for our freedom will take hard work. But, like I always say, we like hard work. Hard work is good work. Hard work can be joyful work. And the fight for our country is always worth it. It is always worth it. To the young people who are watching, it is okay to feel sad and disappointed. But please know it's going to be okay. 

...And I'll close with this. There's an adage a historian once called a law of history, true of every society across the ages. The adage is, only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case. But here's the thing, America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars. The light, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service."

Who would you have chosen if you were the Editor of TIME Magazine?

Image Credits: Kapwing.com (TIME template), REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (Kamala Harris), Variety via Getty Images (Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande of WICKED, PA Images via Getty Images (Snoop Dogg), and Mike Blake/REUTERS via CNN Newsource (Simone Biles).

Read the full transcript of Kamala Harris' speech:

https://time.com/7173617/kamala-harris-concession-speech-full-transcript/

Listen to "Defying Gravity" from Wicked's soundtrack:

https://youtu.be/qeqj5GnoFUY?si=P0DfRafBl10-Ky0M

Marketing News of the Week: Advertising, Branding, Community Support, and More

During the last week, there were news stories that reflected advertising, brand identity, community stewardship, employee experience, personal branding, and more.

INSENSITIVE ADVERTISING

According to EuroNews, "Pakistan's national airline has said that an ad campaign showing a plane heading toward the Eiffel Tower was never intended to evoke the memories of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. The illustration shows a plane superimposed over the French flag and tilted toward the Paris landmark, with the words "Paris, we're coming today." The ad was posted on X by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on 10 January, the day the company resumed flights to European Union countries after a four-year ban by the bloc's aviation safety agency. On January 14th, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar described the ad as an act of "stupidity." PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez said, "We want to make it clear that we had no intention to hurt the feelings of anyone. The Eifel Tower was shown in the ad because it's one of the best places in the world."

LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES

Due to the catastrophic wildfires that have been raging in the Los Angeles area since January 7th and the destruction they have caused, many organizations have stepped up to provide food and clothing to the people most affected. In addition, many brands have shown their dedication to being thoughtful corporate citizens. 

Living Spaces, the furniture company, stated on its website, "We Support LA. Free mattress set for fire victims. As of January 16th, the company has donated 192 mattresses for LA fire relief. According to the website, "We want to extend our heartfelt support to the communities and families impacted by the recent wildfires. Los Angeles is our home, and we stand with you in recovering and rebuilding from the devastation. To help ease the burden, we are offering a Revive Hawaii mattress and foundation in any size to anyone who has lost their home. Just show us your FEMA or insurance paperwork, and we will make sure you have what you need to get a good night’s sleep. From our family to yours, we are here for you."

According to MLB.com, "As devastating wildfires ravage the Los Angeles area, the sports world is hoping to provide whatever help it can for those who have been impacted by the disaster. MLB, other major professional sports leagues and 15 Los Angeles sports organizations are partnering with Fanatics to produce an "LA Strong" merchandise collection, beginning with t-shirts and expanding to other products. Fanatics and the participating leagues and teams will not profit from the sale of items in this collection, with donations going directly to the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. The American Red Cross provides assistance to those affected by the fires and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation provides much needed support and equipment to first responders."

The Walt Disney Company committed $15 million to help with response and rebuilding efforts. The money will help services on the ground, such as the American Red Cross, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and more. CEO Bob Iger said, "As this tragedy continues to unfold, The Walt Disney Company is committed to supporting our community and our employees as we all work together to recover and rebuild from this unbelievable devastation. Walt Disney came to Los Angeles with little more than his limitless imagination, and it was here that he chose to make his home, pursue his dreams, and create extraordinary storytelling that means so much to so many people around the world."

ROYAL WARRANTS AND PRINCESS OF WALES

In what could easily be called the biggest brand ambassador news from England, according to Tatler, "As reigning monarch, King Charles decides which members of the royal family are permitted to hand out royal warrants, signifying their own personal use of a specific brand. Kate Middleton is set to break from decades of tradition and bestow her first set of royal warrants for the first time ever, it has been confirmed. When the Princess of Wales announces her decisions, it will mark the first time in over 70 years that a royal bearing the title Princess of Wales has had the opportunity to grant the honour – an opportunity that was not bestowed upon Princess Diana.

It's one of the highest honours a British brand can receive: a seal of approval from the Princess of Wales herself, who has said she wishes to recognize British skills and industry. Catherine's impact on the world of British business is monumental. The so-called 'Kate Effect,' referring to the stratospheric uptick in sales of a garment worn by the mother-of-three, has reportedly added one billion pounds to the fashion industry as of 2021. For any brand, be it a style favourite or a technological go-to, receiving an official nod as one of Catherine's personal staples will surely see sales skyrocket.

Over the years, the Princess of Wales has built up a portfolio of preferred brands, especially when it comes to fashion. Many will expect Alexander McQueen, considered Catherine's go-to fashion house, to soon bear her coat of arms. From her Victorian-inspired lace wedding gown designed by creative director Sarah Burton, to the red double-breasted coat that she wore for her milestone return to the Together At Christmas carol concert last December, the Princess of Wales turns to the legendary designer for her most personal of engagements.

As for Catherine, no timeline has been specified for the awards, but brands throughout the country will be waiting with bated breath to see if they might benefit from the 'Kate Effect.' From Mulberry to Manolo Blahnik, Boden to L.K Bennett – for a royal as synonymous with style as the Princess of Wales, the list is both extensive and exclusive."

According to the Independent, "Companies holding a royal warrant are recognised for providing goods or services to the monarchy and are allowed to use the coat of arms of the royal they are associated with on packaging, as part of advertising or on stationery. Companies are also required to demonstrate that they have an appropriate environmental and sustainability policy and action plan – a requirement brought in by Charles as the Prince of Wales. A royal warrant is usually granted for up to five years and reviewed in the year before it is due to expire so that a decision can be made as to whether it should be renewed for another period of up to five years. Last year more than 500 companies were granted royal warrants, a list which was largely drawn from companies that previously held a royal warrant of appointment from Queen Elizabeth II or from King Charles when he was Prince of Wales."

STARBUCKS POLICY

Starbucks announced that it was reversing a 2018 policy that invited everyone into its stores, and now, if you want to hang out or use the restroom at Starbucks, you will have to buy something. Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson said the new rules are designed to help prioritize paying customers, "We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores. By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone."

STARBUCKS MISSION

Starbucks announced its new mission statement, "To be the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world, inspiring and nurturing the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time."

According to the brand's website, "Our mission statement defines what sets Starbucks apart – our identity and our responsibility in the world. Our name, Starbucks Coffee Company, also captures our role. Coffee reflects our commitment to source, roast and serve the highest-quality coffee, and Company captures our role in bringing people together to inspire and nurture the human spirit. According to Brian Niccol, Chairman and CEO, "When the barista hands the customer their cup of coffee, it is this moment of connection that doesn't happen in any other moment in the day, for a lot of people. The humanity of that moment is really powerful. When you stop and think about it, what are we all about? We provide the best coffee in the world, and we do it with the purpose of having these moments of connection with each other. If we keep it very straightforward – coffee, people and humanity – we're going to be in really good shape." 

BAN OF RED DYE

According to Good Housekeeping, "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revoked the use of Red Dye No. 3 in food and ingested drugs as of January 15th. Over 20 consumer advocacy groups had argued for the removal of Red Dye No. 3 from food and dietary supplements citing studies that high doses of the color additive had been linked to cancer in rats. The move follows California's 2023 ban, which prohibits the sale of foods containing Red Dye No. 3 in the state starting in 2027, and aligns the U.S. with much of the world, including the European Union, Australia and New Zealand, where the dye is already restricted.

Not everything containing Red Dye No. 3 falls into the food categories below. The dye is also used in drugs and dietary supplements. If you're unsure, check the product's ingredient label before purchasing, and keep in mind that Red Dye No. 3 may also be listed as "Red No. 3," "Red 3," or "Red #3." 

Common food products that can contain Red Dye No. 3 include:

*Sprinkles

*Icing

*Baking mixes

*Cereals

*Berry- and cherry-flavored candy

*Strawberry milk

*Peppermint candies

*Soda

*Fruit cocktail

*Cookies

*Maraschino cherries

*Smoked sausages, bacon and other types of processed meats

*Ice cream and frozen yogurt treats

*Chewing gum and mints

*Biscuits

*Fruit and vegetable juices

*Seasoning mixes and marinades

MORE MACY'S CLOSURES

Macy's is expected to close 65 locations by the end of 2025, an increase from the 50 locations the company said it would initially close this year. The retailer announced back in February 2024 plans to shut down 150 "underproductive" Macy's store locations by 2026. The plan "is designed to return the company to sustainable, profitable sales growth. According to Tony Spring, Macy's Chairman and CEO, "Closing any store is never easy, but as part of our Bold New Chapter strategy, we are closing under-productive Macy's stores to allow us to focus our resources and prioritize investments in our go–forward stores, where customers are already responding positively to better product offerings and elevated service."

CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF DEI

Axios reported that Meta (parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads) is eliminating its DEI efforts, effective immediately, including ones that focused on hiring a diverse workforce, training, and sourcing supplies from diverse-owned companies. Its DEI department will also be eliminated. In a memo leaked to the outlet, Meta said it was making these changes because the "legal and policy landscape surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in the United States is changing."

DEATH OF BOB UECKER

According to AP, "Bob Uecker, who parlayed a forgettable playing career into a punch line for movie and TV appearances as Mr. Baseball and a Hall of Fame broadcasting tenure, has died at age 90. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement, "Bob was the genuine item: always the funniest person in any room he was in, and always an outstanding ambassador for our national pastime." Uecker was best known as a colorful comedian and broadcaster whose sense of humor and self-deprecating style earned him fame and affection beyond his .200 batting average...Uecker often joked, "Career highlights? I had two. I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets."...He got his big break off the field after opening for Don Rickles at Al Hirt's nightclub in Atlanta in 1969. That performance caught Hirt's attention, and the musician set him up to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He became one of Carson’s favorite guests, making more than 100 appearances - and it was Carson who dubbed Uecker 'Mr. Baseball.' And the name stuck."

SUPER BOWL 59

The biggest football game of the year takes place three weeks from today - on February 9th! Which brand's ads are you looking forward to watching?

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

Image Credits: Fanatics and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

2024 Was the Year of #BrandIdentity Changes

Was your brand in the news during 2024? If not, don’t despair. There were many other brands that made headlines during 2024.

Here's a recap of interesting brands that either rebranded, changed their logo, changed their name, co-branded, formed an interesting partnership, created a unique hashtag to match a campaign, changed iconic packaging, or in some other way made branding or brand marketing news during 2024. What stood out as memorable to YOU?

BRAND IDENTITY:

1. Chrismukkah is a pop-culture portmanteau (a word formed by combining the sounds and meanings of other words) referring to the merging of the holidays of Christianity's Christmas and Judaism's Hanukkah. It was first seen in the 19th century, and after World War II, Chrismukkah became popular in the United States - but is also celebrated in other countries. The term has been used when the two holidays occur on the same day, as on December 25th, 2024. The first day of Hanukkah and Christmas have only coincided a handful of times since 1900, according to the Jewish Federations of North America. The holidays started on the same day in 1910, 1921, 1959, 2005, and 2024. (December)

2. While known as the ultra-low fare leader, Frontier Airlines introduced a suite of new products ranging from luxurious first-class seating and complimentary seat upgrades to unlimited companion travel and enhanced rewards. (December)

3. Kraft Mac & Cheese launched a new "Everything Bagel Mac & Cheese" flavor in response to "Zillennials," aka, a mix of Gen Z and Millennials, consumer behavior. (December)

4. A new term was coined due to the arrival of two films at the box office: "GLICKED" was a portmanteau (a word formed by combining the sounds and meanings of other words) to promote WICKED and GLADIATOR II. (November)

5. Comcast announced that it would spin off most of its cable television networks including MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, E!, Syfy, and the Golf Channel into a separate company. Comcast's NBCUniversal is keeping Bravo, the NBC broadcast network, the Peacock streaming service, NBC Sports, and the Universal theme parks. (November)

6. According to Nation's Restaurant News, "Thanksgiving Eve, also referred to as "Drinksgiving" or "Blackout Wednesday," has become one of the busiest nights of the year for bars and restaurants." (November)

7. Mountain Dew got a makeover with the word MOUNTAIN reappearing on cans and bottles following a nearly two-decade-long hiatus. According to CNN, "The PepsiCo-owned beverage is unveiling a new logo and packaging design that drops its sharply angular font and abbreviated title for imagery that evokes its rustic roots, as well as bringing back its namesake title to cans and bottles. Consumers will see the new look roll out beginning in May 2025. (October)

8. The Los Angeles Clippers basketball team unveiled their new brand, establishing a set of marks that blend the team's past, present, and focus on the future with naval blue, ember red, and Pacific blue. The new logo features a Clippers "C" that surrounds the points of a compass and an oncoming ship with basketball seams on the hull, a nod to the organization's maritime roots and a symbol of its direction. (October)

9. Breaking a 50-year tradition, Southwest Airlines announced that it will begin selling assigned seats. Previously, customers would board planes by section rather than by specific seats. (August)

10. Copenhagen, Denmark's capital city, announced that it would offer free perks to tourists who make sustainability choices, such as walking, biking, taking public transportation, or picking up litter. Tourists could get a free kayak rental, free cup of coffee, or free ice cream. (August)

11. The Philadelphia Zoo celebrated its 150th anniversary. According to Dr. Jo-Elle Mogerman, President and CEO of America's first zoo since October 2023, "On July 1, 1874, the Zoo held its grand opening. On that day, more than 3,000 guests experienced the first zoo in America. Since then, we've welcomed nearly 100 million guests from our city, region, country, and around the world, connecting them to the wonders of wildlife and inspiring action to protect what is precious on our planet." (July)

12. 2024 Paris Summer Olympics took place during two weeks in July and August. Here were some ways that the Paris Olympics brand stood out:

• Was that a boat parade? Despite months, if not years, of naysayers saying it couldn't be done, the parade of athletes in the Opening Ceremony took place along the Seine River in an incredible manner. No host country will ever match the originality, creativity, and artistry of that opening arrival of athletes.
• The Olympic cauldron shone brightly in a large balloon and hung high in the sky (via a tether) each night so that Parisians could see and enjoy it.
• According to the Olympics, "The LOGO for Paris 2024 combines three separate symbols – the gold medal, the flame, and Marianne, the personification of the French Republic. Each of these symbols reflects a part of the French identity and values. It is also the first time in history that the same emblem has been used for both the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games. The MOTTO of the Olympic Phryge and Paralympic Phryge is: "Alone we go faster, but together we go further," representing the ways in which the mascots, and the people of the world, can make each other better by working side-by-side."
• Which athletes stood out to you? To me, American gymnast Simone Biles with her four medals, American swimmer Katie Ledecky with her four medals, and Swedish and American-born pole vaulter Armand "Mondo" Duplantis with his gold medal and world record. Duplantis summed up his experience eloquently, "If I don't beat this moment in my career, I'm pretty ok with that. I don't think you can really get much better than what happened."
• For the Paris 2024 Olympics, 206 countries participated. Of those countries, 11,000 athletes participated. The United States, France, and Australia had the largest country representations – each between 450-600. And the least represented countries were Belize, Liechtenstein, Nauru, and Somalia – each sent only one athlete to compete. Russian and Belarusian athletes competed as "Individual Neutral Athletes" – because the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to suspend both countries from competition due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. And finally, for the first time, the IOC announced that an equal number of men and women athletes competed at the Olympics.
• This Paris Games hosted Olympians of a wide range of ages. The youngest competitor was skateboarder Zheng Haohao of China at 11-years-old; and the oldest was 65-year-old Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo, an equestrian from Spain. Zeng Zhiying (age 58) competed at table top tennis and made her Olympic debut almost four decades after she missed out on being selected to represent China in Los Angeles in 1984. Zeng represented Chile and is affectionately called "The Table Tennis Grandma."
• The number of medal events was 329. The United States won total 126 medals (40 Gold, 44 Silver, and 42 Bronze), China won 91 total medals (40 Gold, 27 Silver, and 24 Bronze), and host country France came in fifth with 64 total medals. According to NBC, "Medalists at the Paris Olympics will get to own a piece of the one of the world's most iconic structures. An original piece of the Eiffel Tower is included at the heart of each Olympic and Paralympic medal this year as host nation France puts its own stamp on the 2024 medals...Approximately 5,084 medals were created: 2,600 for the Olympics and 2,400 for the Paralympics."
• Unfortunately, a disappointing asterisk will forever tarnish the Paris Olympics. American gymnast Jordan Chiles won the bronze medal for floor exercise, however, there was an appeal of the score. The dispute may be a months-long or even years-long battle over the gymnastics scores, and time will tell as to how this drama unfolds. Another reason why this is sad is that the photo from that floor exercise medal/victory ceremony will forever be etched into all viewers' minds as one of the highlights from the Paris Olympics. America's two gymnasts (Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles) bowed down to Brazil's gold medal winner.
• And, regarding medals, did you know that medals can equate to a financial reward other than advertising endorsements? According to Business Insider, "US athletes receive $37,500 for a gold medal, $22,500 for a silver medal, and $15,000 for a bronze medal. Hong Kong offers the highest reward of $768,000 for gold medalists."
• What products stood out due to their co-branding with the Olympics? Some of my favorites included the Minions from their mini-movie integrated into the Opening Ceremony and inclusion on athletes' attire, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts with their "Go USA" collection "to fuel your dreams and sweeten your victories," Chipotle (meals aligned with various athletes), designer Ralph Lauren (Team USA's Opening and Closing Ceremonies apparel), GK Elite (Team USA's Women Gymnasts' apparel), Visa, and Samsung. And let's not forget that each day during the competition, there was a unique Google Doodle!

13. Netflix announced that it will open two massive venues with experiences and shops themed to its shows. The experiential complexes called "Netflix Houses" would open in empty retail space in Dallas and Philadelphia. According to ABC, "For Netflix, it's just the latest move in a series of efforts to broaden its profile and income beyond standard streaming, even though the bulk of its profits come from its core business." (June)

14. After years of slowly gaining market share, Dr Pepper inched ahead of Pepsi as the number two soda brand in the United States, according to Beverage Digest. FYI, Coca-Cola leads the sector by a comfortable margin. Founded in 1885 in Waco, Texas, Dr Pepper established a small but devoted following in the American South. Today, Dr Pepper experiments with new flavors including Strawberries & Cream and Creamy Coconut. (June)

15. The Rubik’s Cube, invented in 1974 by Hungarian architect Ernő Rubik, celebrated its 50th anniversary. Originally called the "Magic Cube," this iconic puzzle sold over 500 million units worldwide and remains a beloved tool for teaching geometry, problem-solving, and cognitive skills. Naturally, to commemorate its 50th anniversary, a special edition Rubik’s Cube was released and featured classic boxy edges, slower turning, and traditional stickers, along with a gold side and an anniversary logo. (May)

16. McDonald's created a scented billboard in the Netherlands. It installed a tray of French Fries into the billboard and then used ventilators to suck and diffuse the scent. The billboard was also placed within 2,000 feet of a McDonald's restaurant so customers could follow the scent. (April)

17. Delta Airlines offered a special flight from Austin to Detroit on April 8,, specifically for umbraphiles (people who are passionate about eclipses, especially solar eclipses). Delta flight 1218 operated on an A220-300 and featured premium viewing due to the aircraft’s extra-large windows. The flight departed from Austin at 12:15 p.m. CT and landed in Detroit at 4:20 p.m. ET – timed to give those on board the best chance of safely viewing the solar eclipse at its peak. The April 8 eclipse was the last total eclipse over North America until 2044, according to Warren Weston, Delta Air Lines Lead Meteorologist.”

According to Eric Beck, Managing Director of Domestic Network Planning at Delta, “This flight was the result of significant collaboration and exemplifies the close teamwork Delta is known for – from selecting an aircraft with larger windows to determining the exact departure time from Austin. Thanks to teams across the company, the idea of viewing a total eclipse from the air became a reality for our customers. And once at their seats, customers were greeted with co-branded goodie bags filled with items like ISO-certified eclipse viewing glasses from Warby Parker, limited-edition Sun Chips – which were on sale to the general public for only four minutes – and Delta-branded swag including special-edition solar eclipse socks.” (April)

18. Can you believe Facebook celebrated its 20th anniversary? It counts over three billion active monthly users – a third of the world’s population. But Facebook’s age is starting to show. According to Euronews, "Scroll through Facebook today and you'll find less posts from your actual friends and more sponsored ads harassing you to purchase things you searched for once, fake news articles with comments from conspiracy theorists, and old family friends documenting every aspect of their lives." (February)

19. An early version of The Walt Disney Company's internationally-recognized mascot, Mickey Mouse, that was featured in the 1928 short film, "Steamboat Willie," entered the public domain for the first time. (January)

20. Hello Kitty brand announced the celebration of its 50th anniversary during 2024. (January)

PERSONAL BRANDING:

1. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a longtime theater lover, made her Broadway debut in a one-night-only walk-on role in the Tony-nominated romantic comedy musical "& Juliet," a modern take on Shakespeare's tragedy that imagines what would have happened if the female protagonist survived and took control of her own life. (December)

2. With a record 99 Grammy nominations and acclaim as one of the most influential artists in musical history, Beyonce and her legacy will be the subject of a new course that will be offered for one unit at Yale University in 2025. Beyonce follows in the footsteps of other musicians as the subject of college courses including Bob Dylan and Taylor Swift. (November)

3. Claudia Sheinbaum was elected and took office as Mexico's first female president in the nation's more than 200 years of independence. (October)

4. Within minutes of the first and only Presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on September 10th, singer-songwriter-businesswoman Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris. (September)

5. Norah O'Donnell, who has been the anchor of the evening broadcast for nearly five years, announced that she will transition to a new role as senior correspondent after the 2024 Presidential election. (August)

6. History was made when President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the 2024 Presidential race. His decision affected Vice President Kamala Harris' future and her personal brand - as well as former President Donald Trump. (July)

7. Two terms appeared as a result of singer Taylor Swift's international fame: "Visitor Economy" and "Economic Fairy Dust," translated to mean the impact on local economies where she performs because visitors flock to each location's airports, hotels, restaurants, and more - and Swift dusts the cities with an economic boom. (June)

8. In a historic decision on May 30, a New York jury found former President Donald Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records, marking the first criminal conviction of a United States President. While the legal repercussions are still to be determined, so, too, is the impact on his personal brand. (May)

9. Since baseball phenomenon Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers deferred much of his $700 million salary toward the end of his ten-year contract, he needed other ways to earn money. So, he did what many other professional athletes do, he signed endorsement deals. He also created his own logo with New Balance – the design depicts Ohtani rounding first base – with plans to use it on future projects around the world. (March)

10. Catherine, Princess of Wales, disappeared from January through March of 2024, and many British Royal watchers wondered why. There was so much conjecture that the Princess explained her cancer diagnosis and treatment in a recorded video message. (March)

11. Are you familiar with the rapper known as Snoop Dogg? He has evolved his personal brand from a hip-hop icon to a mainstream personality. He’s best buddies with lifestyle guru Martha Stewart, has been a "special correspondent" for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, and most recently, served as a judge for NBC’s TV show, “The Voice.” According to Huffington Post, "Snoop has undergone a transition over the years from 1990's gangsta rapper to a family-friendly face who has co-starred in a variety show with Martha Stewart, made his own cereal, and partnered with dozens of recognizable brands." (January)

NAME CHANGES:

1. Taco Bell tested a new restaurant that was not focused on tacos. Instead, the newly-opened cafe concept in San Diego was called the Live Más Café, and featured a beverage-centric menu with milkshakes, coffee drinks, and fruity iced drinks. (December)

2. Once broadcaster Hoda Kotb announced her departure from NBC's morning line-up of "The Today Show" and "Today with Hoda and Jenna," the fourth hour needed a new name and will be temporarily called "Jenna & Friends" until a permanent co-host is named. (November)

3. A federal judge ordered Oakland airport officials to stop using "San Francisco Bay" in its name, amid a trademark dispute with San Francisco officials. U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Hixson issued a preliminary injunction against the Port of Oakland, which operates the airport, from using the name at its facilities and in advertising. San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu released a statement after the injunction was issued, "For months, we have tried reasoning with Oakland officials to avoid litigation and come up with alternative names that would work for all of us. Unfortunately, those efforts were not productive, and we had no choice but to ask the court to step in and protect our trademark. San Francisco has invested millions in making San Francisco International Airport the world class airport it is today. We have built an incredible brand, and we are happy the Court agreed that brand should be legally protected from trademark infringement." (November)

4. King Charles III established the Prince's Trust nearly 50 years ago when he was the Prince of Wales. Now it will be known as the "King's Trust." He launched the trust to help disadvantaged youth overcome challenging circumstances, get employment, or launch their own businesses. It has become one of the United Kingdom's leading youth organizations, and to date, has helped more than 1.3 million young people. The King's Trust has also launched a new logo and new tagline "Working for young people." (October)

5. According to CNN, "The Pepperidge Farm snack brand is tweaking its name for a limited time to "Chilean Sea Bass," a more grown-up title. It's part of a strategy to attract adults and re-establish its relevance amid a decline in snacking following a pandemic peak. Pepperidge Farm launched Goldfish in the United States in 1962 initially aimed at adults as a bar snack. Since the 1990's, however, Goldfish has been sold as a snack for kids with playful packaging." (October)

6. The 155-year-old Campbell Soup Company announced that it would drop the word "Soup" from its name and rebrand as The Campbell's Company. The company owns snack brands including Goldfish, Snyders of Hanover, Cape Cod, Pepperidge Farm, and others. Therefore, the brand wishes to move away from the idea that it only sells soup. (September)

7. The diner chain Perkins Restaurant and Bakery changed its name after 66 years to Perkins American Food Co. This means that the word "bakery," which had been part of its brand identity for five decades, disappeared, but actual bakeries will remain in the restaurants. According to Toni Ronayne, Perkins President, "The refreshed name really speaks to our American values and the American comfort food we deliver." In addition to the new name, the logo will feature an updated green color, and restaurants will be remodeled featuring brighter flooring plus new tables, silverware, and uniforms. (June)

8. Banknotes featuring King Charles III finally entered circulation in the United Kingdom. This marked the first time that the Bank of England changed the monarch on its notes, and this is only the second time that the monarch has appeared on banknotes issued by the Bank of England - the first was Charles' mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Charles' portrait appears on the 5, 10, 20, and 50 pound notes; and the rest of the design remains the same as the current notes that feature the late Queen Elizabeth II on their fronts. The Bank of England expects the new notes "to enter circulation very gradually." According to the British Retail Consortium, "Fewer Brits use cash. In 2023, there was an increase in cash usage for the first time in a decade, making up about 19 percent of total transactions. Cards still make up the overwhelming proportion of money spent, at 85 percent." (June)

9. Jaguar Land Rover rebranded and changed its name to JLR, but despite the new corporate identity, the Land Rover models (Defender, Discovery, and Range Rover) will continue to include the Land Rover badges due to the 75 years of history in the Land Rover brand. (June)

10. Beginning in February 2025, the Boy Scouts of America will officially become Scouting America. The new name displays a clear emphasis on inclusion. (May)

11. The city of San Francisco has 42 cable cars and dedicated Car 53 to singer Tony Bennett, whose iconic song, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” featured a line about “the city where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars.” (March)

12. While Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI, has been on everyone's mind these days, one company did not want it anywhere near its brand. Tropicana, the top-selling orange juice brand, released limited-edition bottles with a slight change to its name. On the bottles, the letters "A" and "I" were removed from the name so that it showed as "TROPCN." According to a company press release, the marketing campaign highlighted "the fact that there is nothing artificial, and never has been anything artificial" in the orange juice. (January)

LOGO RE-DESIGNS:

1. Jaguar unveiled its new logo combining upper and lower case letters into one word as it promises its future will be fully electric. According to CarDealerMagazine, "Utilizing a new font, designed especially for the manufacturer, the logo spells the word JaGUar. The car maker has also unveiled "Strikethrough," a barcode-like 16 horizontal lines of equal weight - which will be used across its brand image. There's also more exuberant colors and a reimagined Jaguar leaping car (the leaper) and a monogram JR to be stamped across its cars and advertising." (November)

2. According to Fast Company, "Verizon announced a new logo and updated brand system. Gone is the Verizon electricity-inspired checkmark, which has been with the brand in some permutation for more than 20 years. The new red wordmark features a glowing ribbon "V" that is strikingly similar to Netflix's signature N...Verizon will turn the V into signage for stores and other installations. They also imagine the V in physical spaces, shaping an entryway as the brand, and as abstract designs on newly designed employee uniforms, a collection of casual, mix-and-match tees, totes, and cross-body bags." (July)

PACKAGING RE-DESIGN AND/OR NEW PRODUCT PACKAGING:

1. Toy maker Mattel went into crisis mode once shoppers noticed that the packaging for its WICKED dolls included a website for pornography rather than the movie's correct website. Some consumers tried to make Mattel's loss their gain: Multiple sellers listed the toys on eBay for as much as $500 rather than the $40 regular price. (November)

2. The New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) Board voted to pass the congestion pricing plan in New York City, setting the base toll at $9 through 2027. (November)

3. According to Axios, "Ford plans to give new EV buyers a free charging unit and free installation in an industry first. EV sales have been lagging behind expectations as many consumers remain wary of the unknowns and inconveniences around regularly charging their vehicles at home and on the road. So Ford announced that anyone who buys or leases a new Ford EV during the fourth quarter 2024 will qualify for a free EV charging unit and home installation through the Ford Power Promise program." (October)

4. The Atlantic did something unusual for a magazine in 2024: increased the number of issues it prints. The 167-year-old magazine, once known as The Atlantic Monthly, increased its pace of publication from 10 issues to 12, returning to a monthly publication for the first time since 2002. (October)

5. In an amazing first, Special K featured a pregnant woman on its cereal box. The box, which shows Molly Baz with an exposed pregnant belly, was available for purchase on the Kellogg website, part of the brand's "Special for a Reason" marketing campaign, which features "inspiring individuals." (June)

6. Venice, Italy, became the first city in the world to charge an entry fee for day-trippers. Anyone visiting Venice as a tourist for the day - except those who live in the local region - must pay the five Euro fee ($5.40 USD) if they arrive between 8am and 4pm. Tourists who stay overnight will not have to pay since an overnight tax is already added to their hotel bills. (April)

7. This year, on April Fools' Day, Oreo posted the best post after changing its brief description to: "We're done." Oreo posted the following message on Twitter/X: "After time and consideration, we have made the decision to separate the cookie and the creme duo that you all know to be as OREO cookies. There are no secrets or anyone to blame, we are just two best friends who met at a very young age and have grown over the past 112 years in our own ways. We appreciate your continuous support as we enter this new chapter, separately." A follow-up post stated: "Just the Creme and Just the Wafer hit shelves 4/31."

However, since April has only 30 days, that final post provided the gotcha! (April)

STRATEGIC BRANDING CAMPAIGNS:

1. WICKED the musical film partnered with dozens of other brands in a promotional blitz very similar to the BARBIE film in 2023. Some notable brand partnerships and/or co-branding campaigns: Starbucks, Lego, Ulta Beauty Stores, Vera Bradley, Croc's sandals, Hasbro's Monopoly, Kellogg Company's Rice Krispies Treats, and Lexus. (November)

2. To celebrate the 65th birthday of Barbie, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts partnered with Mattel and launched the limited-edition Barbie Collection featuring four doughnuts: the Barbie Pink Doughnut, the Barbie Berries 'n Kreme Doughnut, the Malibu Dream Party Doughnut, and the Barbie Sweet 65th Doughnut. (September)

3. Adidas sneakers brand partnered with jewelry brand Swarovski to launch a Swarovski-crystal covered edition of its Impact baseball cleat with a retail price of $440. The shoe was available in two choices, either Light Purple or Ice Lavender. Despite the crystals, the shoe featured cushioning and support for on-field performance. But who would wear these shoes anywhere other than on a red carpet? (September)

4. Known for its customizable ice cream options, Cold Stone Creamery announced its partnership with Illumination's "Despicable Me 4" film with the release of its Despicamallow Ice Cream. According to a press release, "The new creation, called Mega Minion Marshmallow Meltdown, features Despicamallow Ice Cream, Chocolate Chips, Marshmallows, and Yellow & Blue Sprinkles, inspired by the mischievous antics of the Minions. Cold Stone will also feature Heist Cream Cake with layers of moist Yellow Cake and Despicamallow Ice Cream with Yellow & Blue Sprinkles and wrapped in fluffy White Frosting featuring the Mega Jerry Minion. Guests can dive into these limited-time offerings at participating Cold Stone Creamery locations nationwide June 12 through July 30." (June/July)

5. Hello Kitty partnered with Nordstrom to celebrate Hello Kitty’s 50th anniversary. Nordstrom unveiled a pop-up shop featuring women’s and men’s apparel, accessories, home and entertainment, beauty, plush and toys, and pantry items – all inspired by the global icon. According to Nordstrom, “We are excited to partner with Sanrio to celebrate Hello Kitty’s milestone anniversary with this special shop and bring her world to life through immersive in-store and online experiences. Hello Kitty has been a beloved pop culture icon for the last 50 years as a powerful symbol of friendship, kindness, and inclusivity, and we look forward to offering our customers a unique and nostalgic product assortment across categories to celebrate this momentous occasion.” (June-August)

6. New Balance partnered with Archive, a resale company, to launch its in-store trade-in program in nearly 100 participating U.S. retail locations. When customers bring in gently worn footwear, they will receive a voucher for their next purchase. Interesting fact: According to New Balance, secondhand products supplied by customers sell 2.6 times faster than its new products. (June)

7. Did you see the solar eclipse on April 7th? Some brands made news with their promotions including Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Vermont Teddy Bear, Doritos, and the Empire State Building. (April)

8. McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts formed a partnership to sell Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at McDonald’s locations starting in late 2024. (March)

9. In celebration of the new chapter in DreamWorks Animation’s action-comedy franchise, Kung Fu Panda 4, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and DreamWorks Animation partnered to raise awareness about the plight of the real wildlife depicted in the film. According to WWF, “To connect viewers with what they see on screen and the real world, WWF has created several resources to educate, inspire, and motivate audiences to take action to protect species such as the giant panda. Educators and parents alike can explore WWF Wild Classroom resources such as toolkits, worksheets, videos, and learning activities to keep the momentum about conservation going after the film is over. WWF also has symbolic adoptions of some of the species featured in the film, which can serve as a meaningful contribution to helping protect wildlife. Partnerships like this are critical in helping to meet the general public where they are, such as in movie theaters, to stress the importance of taking steps to help protect our planet. Click here to learn more about the characteristics of each species featured in the film and access the full suite of resources.” (March)

10. Burt's Bees teamed up with Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing to create a lip balm with the flavor of ranch dressing and buffalo wings. According to CNN, the lip balm sold out immediately. (January)

With all these changes, one wonders if brands that don’t make changes have staying power. Do logos need to be refreshed every so often? Do brand names need to change every so often? How do these changes impact brand equity and customer/fan/stakeholder recognition? These are important questions before considering, planning, and executing strategic branding changes.

What brand will make news during 2025? Swing by #DebbieLaskeysBlog in January 2026 for a comprehensive recap!

Image Credit: Bright Pink Agency.

Check out more about WWF's partnership with DreamWorks Animation:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/blogs/sustainability-works/posts/dreamworks-and-wwf-team-up-for-wildlife-conservation-with-kung-fu-panda-4