During the past month, there were news stories that reflected brand identity, brand positioning, brand storytelling, co-branding, logo designs, personal branding, product packaging, product pricing, sponsorships, and more.
EVOLUTION OF THE WORD "PRIDE" AND THE RAINBOW FLAG
During June, we celebrated "Pride Month." Have you ever wondered about the evolution of the word "pride" as well as the origin of the rainbow flag?
According to History.com, "More than three decades before June's annual celebration became official, the concept of "gay pride" had already emerged within the LGBTQ+ community. As early as 1966, a group had adopted the acronym P.R.I.D.E., which stood for "Personal Rights In Defense and Education." The terms "gay pride" and "gay power" were also influenced by the civil rights movement's language of "Black pride" and "Black power."
According to Britannica, "It goes back to 1978, when the artist Gilbert Baker, an openly gay man and a drag queen, designed the first rainbow flag. Baker later revealed that he was urged by Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the U.S., to create a symbol of pride for the gay community. Baker decided to make that symbol a flag because he saw flags as the most powerful symbol of pride.
Baker saw the rainbow as a natural flag from the sky, so he adopted eight colors for the stripes, each color with its own meaning (hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for spirit). The first versions of the rainbow flag were flown on June 25, 1978, for the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day parade. Baker and a team of volunteers had made them by hand. Then he wanted to mass-produce the flag for consumption by all. However, because of production issues, the pink and turquoise stripes were removed and indigo was replaced by basic blue, which resulted in the contemporary six-striped flag (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet). Today this is the most common variant of the rainbow flag, with the red stripe on top, as in a natural rainbow. The various colors came to reflect both the immense diversity and the unity of the LGBTQ community.
It was not until 1994 that the rainbow flag was truly established as the symbol for LGBTQ pride. That year Baker made a mile-long version for the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Now the rainbow flag is an international symbol for LGBTQ pride and can be seen flying proudly, during both the promising times and the difficult ones, all around the world."
While some brands changed their brands to reflect the rainbow colors this past June, many did not.
According to Newsweek, "In a notable shift from recent years, a number of blue-chip corporations and sports organizations are quietly scaling back their public-facing support for LGBTQ+ Pride Month in 2025. About 39 percent of corporate executives say their companies are reducing public Pride efforts this year, according to a recent survey from Gravity Research. That includes less frequent use of rainbow-themed logos, fewer social media posts, and scaled-back sponsorships of Pride events. The change comes as brands grapple with political pressure and the fallout from past controversies, including 2023's high-profile backlash against Bud Light and Target for LGBTQ-inclusive campaigns. This pivot coincides with the Trump administration's scrutiny over both federal and private sector DEI programs.
The muted corporate response this year marks a break from recent traditions. BMW updated its logo across its global social media footprint in June 2024 but did not this year. Cisco, the Silicon Valley tech giant, also skipped updating its logo this year after incorporating the rainbow flag into its logo in 2024. Only four NFL teams changed their logos this year to mark Pride month: the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Chargers. Bank of America is also among the brands that abandoned its Pride marketing and dropped its hashtag #BofAPride for the second consecutive year.
The decision reflects a broader cultural and political shift, with many executives citing the Trump administration's hostile stance toward diversity programs and transgender rights as a core reason for retreating. In January, shortly after Trump's return to the White House, the State Department enacted a "one flag policy," banning U.S. embassies and overseas missions from flying pride or Black Lives Matter flags."
DAVE & BUSTERS AND MATTEL'S HOT WHEELS
Dave & Busters has launched a summer collaboration that targets both kids and nostalgia-loving adults. According to MediaPost, "The restaurant entertainment center chain has joined with toy giant Mattel on an exclusive in-restaurant game based on the classic Hot Wheels cars. The "Hot Wheels Victory Lap" game launched on June 2nd and is only available to play at Dave & Busters. The new in-restaurant video game seats players "behind the wheel of their favorite car" as they race on a virtual track." And the chain also added several Hot Wheels-themed items to its summer menu. There are 174 Dave & Buster's locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
GENESIS AND THE PGA
According to MediaPost, "Genesis and the PGA Tour have signed a multi-year partnership. Hyundai Motor Corporation's luxury brand is the first global official vehicle of the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions through 2030. According to Jose Munoz, president and CEO of Genesis, "Together, we are committed to delivering excellence — whether through enhancing the experience for players, caddies, and fans, or supporting meaningful initiatives like California Rises."
According to PGA Tour in February 2025, "Inspired by the strength and hope of the Greater Los Angeles community, Genesis' charitable initiative, California Rises, will aid in the rebuilding efforts as a result of the California wildfires that devastated the region in January. California Rises will raise funds for the American Red Cross, World Central Kitchen, California Fire Foundation, and the Genesis Inspiration Foundation. These organizations have already made significant impacts in the wildfire response and will continue to play an important role in the ongoing recovery efforts."
MLB PARTNERS WITH ATHLETES UNLIMITED SOFTBALL LEAGUE (AUSL)
According to a statement by Major League Baseball, "In a first-of-its-kind partnership with a women's professional sports league, MLB announced a strategic investment in the AUSL to help the fledgling softball circuit become an established, sustainable entity. The investment, which is part of MLB's ongoing commitment to supporting the growth of softball at all levels, will include joint sales and marketing efforts, extensive promotional support, and broadcasts on MLB Network and MLB.com to raise the visibility of the AUSL and its athletes. With women’s sports, and softball specifically, experiencing an explosive rise in popularity, the AUSL is a new avenue for the world's best softball players to compete professionally. The league's commissioner is Kim Ng, who previously served as senior vice president of baseball operations for MLB and the first female general manager of a major American men's professional sports team while with the Miami Marlins from 2020-2023."
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said, "MLB's investment in the AUSL represents an opportunity to support softball's long-term growth and expand our engagement with these outstanding athletes and their fans. As a part of our broader commitment to growing softball and creating more opportunities for women and girls in sports, this agreement reflects our confidence in Kim Ng’s leadership, the AUSL vision, and the incredible talent of its athletes."
UNITED AIRLINES AND JETBLUE FORM BLUE SKY
According to United Airlines' website, "JetBlue and United Airlines have announced Blue Sky: a new and unique collaboration that gives customers of both airlines even more options to find flights that fit their plans as well as new opportunities to earn and use MileagePlus miles and TrueBlue points across both airlines."
Blue Sky includes the following components, with some starting as early as fall 2025 - subject to regulatory review:
(1) United's MileagePlus customers can earn and use miles on most JetBlue flights. JetBlue's TrueBlue members can earn and use points for flights on United's extensive domestic and international network.
(2) Each airline will offer flights on one another's website and app to make booking across the two airlines' complementary networks simple and easy. Blue Sky includes an interline agreement, not a codeshare, meaning each airline will continue to publish and market flights independently under its own brand and flight numbers.
(3) The benefits of each airline's loyalty program - priority boarding, complimentary access to preferred and extra legroom seats, and same-day standby/switch - will be available when customers travel on the other airline's aircrafts.
(4) As part of the airlines' agreement, JetBlue will provide United access to slots at JFK International Airport (NYC) for up to seven daily round-trip flights out of JFK Terminal 6 to begin as early as 2027. And, as part of a net-neutral exchange, JetBlue and United will exchange eight flight timings at Newark.
(5) United will move its website and mobile app's ability to sell hotels, rental cars, cruises, and travel insurance, on both a stand-alone and package basis, to new technology and services provided by JetBlue's Paisly platform.
Joanna Geraghty, CEO of JetBlue, said, "This collaboration with United is a bold step forward for the industry — one that brings together two customer-focused airlines to deliver more choices for travelers and value across our networks. United's global reach perfectly complements JetBlue's East Coast leisure network, and significantly expands the options and benefits for TrueBlue members, no matter where in the world they are traveling. This is a clear win for our customers and crewmembers, and supports our JetForward strategy."
Scott Kirby, CEO of United, said, "Blue Sky reflects our airlines' shared focus on innovation and the customer experience. The JetBlue brand is tied to a great product, and under Joanna's leadership, the airline continues to deliver for customers. We're always looking for ways to give our MileagePlus members even more value and benefits, and this collaboration gives them new, unique ways to use their hard-earned miles and find options that fit their schedules. Plus, our employees are really excited about United's return to JFK for the longer-term and we're all looking forward to starting up flights very soon."
How will this collaboration impact United's and JetBlue's brands? And how many leaders do you know who emphasize the customer experience?
TACO BELL BEVERAGE NEWS
According to Restaurant Business, "Taco Bell is expanding the test of its beverage-focused, in-store concept Live Mas Cafe to another 30 locations in California and Texas by this fall. But the Mexican fast-food chain isn't waiting that long to give customers at its restaurants more drink options. The Irvine, California-based chain is introducing a line of six Refrescas to its restaurants nationwide. The beverages will be priced from $3.79 to $4.49. Both moves are key in the company's plans to make beverages a far bigger part of its overall business. Taco Bell wants to generate $5 billion in sales through beverages every year by 2030, a number that, on its own, would be a Top 20 U.S. restaurant chain and one of the biggest drink providers in the country."
NO MORE KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS AT MCDONALD'S
According to The Street, "In 2022, fast-food giants McDonald's and Krispy Kreme joined forces to test a unique collaboration. It began with nine McDonald's restaurants in Louisville, KY, and the surrounding area, selling three popular Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: the Original Glazed Doughnut, Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles Doughnut, and the Raspberry Filled Doughnut.
In a 2022 press release, McDonald's said that this "small-scale test" will help it "understand how offering new bakery items like Krispy Kreme could impact operations" in its restaurants. The test later rolled out to 160 McDonald's restaurants in Kentucky. By March 2024, McDonald's and Krispy Kreme announced that they were further expanding their partnership after "consumer excitement and demand exceeded expectations." They said Krispy Kreme doughnuts would be available nationwide at participating McDonald's restaurants by the end of 2026. The doughnuts could be purchased individually or in boxes of six, starting at breakfast and lasting throughout the day.
However, this match made in heaven took an unexpected turn: McDonald's and Krispy Kreme both revealed that their partnership will officially end on July 2nd. The surprise decision came after Krispy Kreme revealed in its first-quarter earnings report for 2025 that it faced a net loss of $33.4 million during the quarter. The end of the Krispy Kreme and McDonald's partnership also comes during a time when McDonald's is struggling with weak consumer demand after facing controversy over its menu prices and a temporary E. coli outbreak in a few of its restaurants last year."
DEATH OF LORETTA SWIT
American actress Loretta Swit died at age 87 on May 30th. According to The Guardian, "Swit achieved worldwide fame as Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan, head nurse with a mobile army hospital during the Korean War in the TV sitcom M*A*S*H. She appeared in all 11 years of the show from 1972 to 1983 – longer than the conflict that inspired it. The two-and-a-half-hour M*A*S*H finale aired on February 28th, 1983, and was the most-watched episode of any scripted TV series ever due to its more than 100 million viewers.
Misogyny ran throughout the big-screen version of M*A*S*H in a way that was not present in the 1968 novel by Richard Hooker on which it was based. In the TV version, Major Houlihan, a strict disciplinarian, was the butt of sexist jokes from the surgeons and other men in the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital unit. Swit, who had the only leading female role in the show, took a stand before the fifth series began. She was then allowed to contribute to her character’s development, making Houlihan more three-dimensional, warm, and brave.
Swit said, "I am a feminist, from the top of my head to the bottom of my toenail, and I favor playing strong women." From then on, Swit's character was referred to mainly by her real name rather than as "Hot Lips" and a more human side emerged when Houlihan broke down in front of her nurses, confessing she was hurt by the disdain they held for her because of her stern manner. Swit's performance won her two Emmy awards as outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series, in 1980 and 1982."
According to ABC7, "Every time I had a chance to write for her character, we'd get away from the Hot Lips angle and find out more about who Margaret was. She became more of a real person," Alan Alda told The Hollywood Reporter in 2018. The series ended on a happy note for Houlihan, who spends much of the finale debating whether she wants to head to Tokyo or Belgium for her next overseas post. Ultimately she opts to return to America and work at a hospital, citing her father - a career Army man. Swit didn't personally agree that was the correct decision for a military-minded official: "I didn't think that was correct for my Margaret. I think her next move was Vietnam...I still get letters from women all over the world who became nurses because of Margaret Houlihan. To have contributed to someone's life like that is remarkable," she told Yahoo Entertainment."
Swit never had another starring vehicle. She has been quoted as saying, "Actors are always identified with certain parts. To some, Marlon Brando will always be the Godfather. That's just how it is."
Interesting fact: According to The New York Times, Swit's Off-Broadway debut was in Henrik Ibsen's play, "An Enemy of the People" in 1961 - my favorite all-time play!
DEATH OF BRIAN WILSON
Brian Wilson, co-founder of singing group The Beach Boys, died on June 11th. He was the eldest and last surviving of three musical brothers: Brian played bass, Carl lead guitar, and Dennis drums. The Beach Boys rose in the 1960's from local California band to national hitmakers to international ambassadors of surf and sun. Even Beatles' superstar Paul McCartney drew inspiration from Brian Wilson.
DEATH OF FRED SMITH
Frederick Wallace Smith, the founder, executive chairman, and long-time chairman and CEO of FedEx Corporation, died on June 21 in Memphis, Tennessee, at age 80. According to the FedEx website, "Born on August 11, 1944, in Marks, Mississippi and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Smith was a born entrepreneur. In 1962, he entered Yale College to pursue a degree in economics. While at Yale, the young Smith worked as a charter pilot. It was at Yale where he conceived the idea for an integrated air-to-ground system that would ensure overnight delivery, a concept that would eventually become Federal Express. After graduating from Yale in 1966, he served four years in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), which included two tours of duty in Vietnam where he served as a rifle platoon leader, a company commander, and aerial observer/tactical air controller in the OV-10A. He was decorated with the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts for his military service. He left the Marine Corps in 1970 as a Captain, and would often joke that he received his business degree from the USMC.
Smith launched Federal Express in 1973 with a fleet of 14 Dassault Falcon jets and a vision to transform the shipping industry. Under his leadership as its President and CEO, FedEx grew from a small startup into a multinational corporation that redefined global commerce. Today, FedEx is the world's largest express transportation company and is consistently recognized as one of the world's most admired companies. The company employs more than 500,000 team members globally, connects more than 220 countries and territories, and moves nearly $2 trillion in goods annually and more than 17 million shipments per day. Smith's pioneering approach not only created an industry leader but also set new standards for customer focus with the renowned Purple Promise, a globally consistent People-Service-Profit culture, and a brand trusted by shippers and recipients around the world."
DEATH OF TERRY LOUISE FISHER
Former LA prosecutor and creator of iconic legal TV shows, Terry Louise Fisher died on June 10th. According to Museum.TV, "Terry Louise Fisher began her career not in television but as a lawyer in the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. She later sidestepped into a specialty in entertainment law and in 1982 wrote for and produced the Emmy Award-winning series Cagney and Lacey...But she is best known for her work as co-creator (with Steven Bochco) and supervising producer of L.A. Law from 1986 to 1988. L.A. Law, which ended its run in 1994, was considered the quintessential example of 1980's "appointment television," perfectly capturing the greed, glitz, and power-seeking of the decade, and capturing in the process of its narratives an audience intrigued by those very elements. The power struggles among the show's law partners were echoed in Fisher's 1987 legal battle with Bochco, when a negotiation for Fisher to take over from Bochco as executive producer failed and he banned her from the set. Since then, Fisher published two novels, produced other series and several made-for-television movies, and in the mid-l990's she co-wrote Cagney and Lacey: The Return (1994) and Cagney and Lacey: Together Again (1995)."
DEATH OF ANNE BURRELL
Food Network star Anne Burrell died on June 17th at age 55. She was born in a small town near Syracuse, New York, and discovered her passion for food early - inspired by her mother's cooking and Julia Child. She attended the Culinary Institute of America, trained in Italy, and eventually became a Food Network TV star. Her signature spiky hair and bold personality made viewers of all ages smile and laugh - and want to cook alongside her.
DEATH OF MORTIMER MATZ
Mortimer Matz died at age 100 in New York City on June 26. He was recognized as the co-creator of the annual Nathan's hot dog eating contest that began in the early 1970's in New York City. However, he claimed that it was a Coney Island tradition dating back to 1916. In 1975, while publicizing the fledgling New York City Marathon held in Central Park at the time, he suggested that the race be expanded to all five boroughs. In 1976, to celebrate the nation's bicentennial celebration, it was. Matz has been referred to as "a public relations impressario and trendsetter for providing a raincoat to arrested clients to hide their handcuffs when paraded on a perp walk for the benefit of news reporters," according to The New York Times.
HAWAII'S CLIMATE CHANGE TOURIST TAX
Hawaii became the first U.S. state to establish a climate impact fee. This fee will represent an additional tax on tourists to fund climate change resiliency projects and environmental stewardship within the islands. The country's inaugural "Green Fee" will raise Hawaii's current transient accommodations tax (TAT) by 0.75 percent for a total of 11 percent placed upon the nightly lodging rate. The fee will apply to travelers staying in hotels, short-term vacation rentals, and for the first time ever, cruise ships. For a nightly hotel rate of $300, that would be an extra $2.25 each night. This new tourist tax will go into effect on January 1st, 2026.
STARBUCKS' LOYALTY PROGRAM
According to Delish, "Beginning June 24, the Seattle-based coffee giant nixed its 25-star bonus for customers who bring their reusable cup. According to a Starbucks spokesperson, you'll earn double stars on your order instead. It will likely just result in fewer points overall. Implemented in 2022, the initial 25-star bonus plan was available for all loyalty members. With it, you could earn enough to hit the 100-point redemption level by bringing a personal cup just four times to snag a qualifying coffee, tea, or snack for free. For the uninitiated: You typically earn stars/points by making purchases at Starbucks — usually one star per dollar spent, but sometimes, with bonus multipliers for special promotions or payment methods. Instead of 25-star bonus per visit with a reusable cup, you'll NOW only earn double stars on your purchase."
One fan showed his outrage on social media, "I thought we wanted to ENCOURAGE people to bring in reusable cups, not contribute to the plastic waste epidemic with single use cups. Hey Starbucks, did you forget the mission statement?"
TRUMP'S "TACO" TRADE BRANDING
According to The Hill, "President Trump has fielded questions from the Oval Office in recent weeks about Elon Musk’s drug use, sensitive matters of diplomacy, and the ethics of accepting a Qatari jet as a gift to be used as Air Force One. While he's chafed at some of those questions, few set him off like the one he received about the concept of the Wall Street TACO trade, an acronym that stands for "Trump Always Chickens Out." The TACO trend has struck a particular nerve with the president, who built his brand on his business acumen and presents himself as a master dealmaker.
The TACO acronym has caught on in political circles in recent weeks, though the term was coined by a Financial Times columnist. The acronym is a reference to traders on Wall Street becoming less reactive to Trump's tariff announcements based on the pattern that he will ultimately pull them back or kick them down the road. The president initially threatened tariffs on Mexico and Canada in early February but ultimately delayed imposing them. Trump imposed sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs on dozens of nations on April 2nd but announced one week later that there would be a 90-day reprieve where the tariffs were lowered to 10 percent."
APPLE'S RE-NUMBERING ITS OPERATING SYSTEMS
Announced in early June at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple is changing the way the company names its software updates. According to CNET, "This is an approach that may seem familiar to anyone who's familiar with Windows 95 or a 1957 Chevy. Apple is rebranding its operating systems by using the last two digits of the upcoming year. So the current iOS 18 will be replaced by iOS 26, not iOS 19, when it arrives in the fall of 2025. That is, the new numbering system reflects the last two digits of 2026, rather than the current year of 2025, similar to how new automobile models are introduced. Samsung and Microsoft have both used year-based naming systems. The change should make it simpler for users to keep track of what operating system is the most up-to-date."
And if you were wondering, the current iPhone model is iPhone 16, which came out in September 2024. As CNET reported, "The iPhone 17 lineup is expected to be announced in September, but there's no word on it being renamed to iPhone 26 rather than iPhone 17."
SALE OF LOS ANGELES LAKERS
For a sports team long associated with celebrities, winning, and the term "Show Time," it's apparently time for a new era. As reported by ABC7Los Angeles, "The Buss family's decision to sell a controlling stake in the Lakers at an eye-popping franchise valuation of $10 billion marks the end of nearly a half-century when one of the most valuable properties in the sports world was run by an eccentric father and his sometimes squabbling children...The Lakers and the Buss clan have been inextricable since 1979 - the longest active ownership tenure in the NBA - but Mark Walter's stunning sports coup Wednesday, June 18th, effectively ends this improbable era.
Mark Walter, who heads a group that already bought 27 percent of the Lakers in 2021, has a sterling reputation in Southern California for his group's stewardship of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The iconic baseball team has become a perpetual World Series contender with bold, aggressive financial moves grounded in smart organizational planning ever since Walter's firm, Guggenheim Partners, paid $2 billion to wrest the Dodgers from the reviled Frank McCourt in 2012.
Magic Johnson, a former LA Laker and partial owner of the LA Dodgers, said, "Mark Walter is the best choice and will be the best caretaker of the Laker brand. The proof is in the pudding on what he's been able to accomplish with the LA Dodgers. Mark has been nothing short of a winner notching 2 World Series and 11 NL West divisional titles in the last 12 years!"
Dave Roberts, LA Dodgers Manager, said, "He's really committed to the city of Los Angeles in various ways, and sports is something that he's very passionate about, and certainly Los Angeles sports. Speaking (as) a Dodger employee, he's very competitive and he's going to do everything he can to produce a championship-caliber team every single year and make sure the city feels proud about the Lakers and the legacy that they've already built with the Buss family."
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH AND L.L. BEAN
In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, outdoor retailer L.L.Bean went "off the grid" for the second consecutive year, pausing all social media channels to prioritize time outside and encourage followers to join them. Beginning May 1st and ending May 31st, the company wiped its social media profiles clean, leaving behind expert-informed resources, tips, and tools to support people in getting outside for their own mental well-being.
The brand's social media messaging read, "Off the grid. See you June 1st" and featured a photo of a mountain, tent, and hiker.
Shawn Gorman, L.L.Bean Executive Chairman, said, "My great-grandfather, Leon Leonwood Bean, believed that nature is the most powerful antidote to the stresses of life, a conviction confirmed by modern research. Our priority at L.L.Bean is to support our customers on their outdoor journeys, outfitting them in quality gear and creating greater accessibility to outdoor activities. We're honored to partner with Mental Health America and Strava to encourage as many people as possible to experience the restorative power of time spent outside."
POPE LEO AND AI
According to CNET, "Pope Leo XIV, who took over leadership of the Catholic Church in May, is revealing one area that he'll be focusing on: Artificial Intelligence. The Pope has called for tech companies to develop a "superior ethical criterion" against which AI should be evaluated. This message was delivered to tech leaders from Google, Meta, OpenAI, and IBM, who attended the second annual conference on AI and its ethics in Rome.
The framework the Pope is asking for would ensure that AI takes "into account the well-being of the human person not only materially, but also intellectually and spiritually." In his June 20th message, the Pope also pointed to AI's unprecedented and rapid access to information as potentially impacting children's development the most.
The Vatican doesn't have any regulatory power but that hasn't stopped it from being vocal about the ethics of AI. In 2020, the Vatican created the Rome Call for AI Ethics, a document about the ethical considerations of AI algorithms. IBM, Microsoft, and Qualcomm signed on, agreeing to abide by the principles. The Pope's firm stance on AI is similar to that of his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, who urged that AI be used only to benefit humanity."
ARMY'S SALUTE TO WALT DISNEY
According to ABC7NY, "Rocky the Bulldog, the proud mascot of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division, is celebrating a milestone birthday today on June 13th. It's been approximately 60 years since Walt Disney first received a letter from the 3rd Infantry Division's commanding general asking if he would create a mascot for his so-called "Dogface Soldiers."
Brigadier General Stephen Capehart, deputy commanding general of support, explained, "The idea came for a bulldog mascot from World War II. Two soldiers talking about what is probably the best animal to represent the 3rd Infantry Division. And Rocky became our mascot."
Retired U.S. Navy Captain Cappy Surette, now a Senior Manager for Disney Experiences Public Affairs, adds, "Walt had one of his animators named Dale King, who worked for Disney legend Bob Moore, create Rocky the Bulldog." Ever since, Rocky has remained an iconic and beloved symbol of strength, toughness, and pride for the division.
To commemorate this year's milestone, the division welcomed a real-life four-legged Rocky to Fort Stewart, Georgia: a 2-year-old rescue bulldog who also happens to have been born on the 4th of July. Brigadier General Capehart explained, "The American Kennel Club donated Rocky to us because they realized we did not have a live mascot, and that's how Rocky joined the division."
When asked to describe Rocky in three words, Sgt. Anthony Herrera said, "Steals the show. It doesn't matter how good you are or how well you're doing at your job, once Rocky shows up all eyes go to him, and he's the center of attention. And he's what everybody's there for. When Rocky shows up to a formation, you automatically see the smiles. You already feel this connection with the history of our division."
JUNE 14TH SPLIT SCREEN
NPR reported the events of June 14th as a "split-screen moment" in America by highlighting the contrast between two events: A military parade in Washington D.C., celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Army (which also fell on President Trump's 79th birthday) set against "No Kings" protests all across the country against the executive branch of government and the apparent lack of checks and balances by the other branches of the federal government.
THE BATTLE BETWEEN BATTERY BRANDS
According to Fortune, "Duracell has filed a lawsuit against Energizer. The battery companies are battling over Energizer's claims that its Max batteries last 10 percent longer than Duracell. Duracell, which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway, says it has suffered "irreparable reputational harm" because of the ads. The companies have a long history of lawsuits against each other."
The complaint, filed June 13th in a Manhattan federal court, is the latest in a long series of legal battles between the two companies, "The Energizer MAX False Advertising is a clear effort by Energizer to expand its market share — at Duracell’s expense — by confusing and misleading consumers about the comparative performance of Energizer MAX batteries and Duracell Power Boost batteries with blatantly false advertising in a transparent, and unfair, effort to drive sales."
Duracell hopes to end the ad campaign and seeks monetary damages. The battles between the two companies go back almost 80 years when Duracell first entered the market in 1946. Energizer was then known as Ever Ready and invented the AA battery in 1907.
INTRODUCING RITZ-CARLTON'S YACHT COLLECTION
According to Travel+Leisure, "Since the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection launched in 2022 with its first ship, Evrima, it marked the start of a major trend for first-time luxury travelers at sea. Since then, hotel operators including the Four Seasons, Orient-Express, Aman, and Waldorf Astoria, have invested in ships — following The Ritz-Carlton's lead."
Tina Edmundson, the president of Marriott International's luxury brands, said, "When Evrima set sail in 2022, the Ritz-Carlton became the first luxury hotel brand to enter the world of yachting, ushering in a new era of hospitality at sea. As we look ahead to the launch of Luminara (our third yacht), we're reminded of our continued commitment to innovation and excellence. With chef-led culinary experiences, museum-worthy art, and immersive cultural programming, Luminara raises the bar once again by delivering the kind of personalized, elevated travel our guests have come to expect from the Ritz-Carlton."
"The third ship from Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Luminara, welcomes its first guests next week, sailing from Monte Carlo on July 3. The biggest ship yet from the brand, Luminara has 226 suites, each with a terrace. (Ilma, which launched in 2024, is just slightly smaller, with 224 cabins). Setting it apart from the two sibling yachts that came before, Luminara will sail to Asia, Alaska, and Canada — all firsts for the company."
CALLING TRUMP MOBILE
On June 16th, a new mobile service launched. "Announced on the 10-year anniversary of their father's launch of his historic presidential campaign, Trump Mobile is a next-generation wireless provider with bold ambitions and a customer-first mission. Trump Mobile will offer 5G service through all three major cellular carriers. At the heart of Trump Mobile is its flagship The 47 Plan, which is available for only $47.45 per month. Subscribers will receive the following added benefits: Unlimited talk, text, and data; Complete device protection; 24/7 roadside assistance through Drive America; Telehealth services, including virtual medical care, mental health support, and easy ordering and delivery for prescription medications; Free International calling to more than 100 countries; and no contracts, no credit check...While customers can easily switch using their current phone, Trump Mobile is also excited to announce it will release the "T1 Phone" in August. It is a sleek, gold smartphone engineered for performance and proudly designed and built in the United States for customers who expect the best from their mobile carrier."
But should a sitting President be selling anything with their name on it?
JEFF BEZOS' WEDDING IN ITALY
The founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, got married in Venice, Italy, on June 28th. The wedding invitation read as follows:
"We are excited for you to join us! We have one early request: please no gifts.
Instead, we're making contributions in your honor and with gratitude for making the journey to celebrate with us in Venice.
Donatons on your behalf are being made to the UNESCO Venice Office to safeguard this city's irreplaceable cultural heritage, to CORILA to restore the vital lagoon habitats that protect Venice's future, and to Venice International University to support research and education for sustainable solutions.
This magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories. Our hope is that through these efforts and by you joining us, Venice will continue to inspire wonder for generations to come."
However, not everyone was happy about the occasion. According to BusinessInsider, "Many protests had taken place in advance of the Bezos-Sanchez wedding, largely coordinated by a pop-up group called "No Space for Bezos," (which was a play-on-words due to Sanchez' flight into space), and one was underway at Piazza San Marco. A person had climbed one of the three flagpoles in Venice's central square. In a similar spot earlier in the week, Greenpeace rolled out a huge banner with Bezos' face, reading: "If you can rent Venice for your wedding, you can pay more tax."
As reported in BusinessInsider, "Tommaso Cacciari, an activist and fourth-generation Venetian, was among those who helped organize protests against what they saw as a boastful spectacle in their hometown. He explained, "Jeff Bezos, in his amazing arrogance, thought that he would come, not to a city, but to a theme park...But Venice is still lived in by citizens, by activists, by people who love their city and want to change the way it's being run." For Cacciari, the wedding isn't just another celebrity event; it's a symbol of how, in his view, the city caters to the super-rich rather than the people who work and live there. Two Venices existed in parallel on that particular weekend — one arriving by private jet, slipping onto speedboats; the other waiting in line for the vaporetto (Venice's public water bus)."
JC PENNEY, VENICE - AND DIFFERENT WEDDING NEWS
According to MediaPost, "Exhausted by breathless coverage of Jeff Bezos' $10 million wedding to Lauren Sanchez? JCPenney seems to be, too. So the retailer pulled together a beautiful wedding in Venice, CALIFORNIA, for a cool $10,000 - and not a single water taxi, helicopter, or sinister security team in sight. The effort celebrated Estefany Gomez and Leonardo Rendon, a pair of Los Angeles high school sweethearts who reunited after 14 years apart. The ceremony, admittedly a different kind of fairy tale vibe than the high-security affair the Bezos camp put together, included a $99 wedding gown, a $350 tuxedo, and outfits for every wedding guest. This was the latest move in the "Yes, JCPenney" campaign, launched in April, aimed at surprising consumers with unexpectedly chic and affordable fashion at middle America's oldest department store."
According to Marisa Thalberg, Catalyst Brands’ chief brand and marketing officer, "Most of us aren't planning our weddings with a ten-million-dollar budget or a palazzo on standby. At JCPenney, we know that the most memorable celebrations are the ones filled with real moments surrounded by the people we love, and style that surprises everyone, and that's why we're quietly redefining what's possible for couples everywhere - delivering wow-factor memories, minus the jaw-dropping price tag."
That's EXACTLY how to take advantage of mainstream news and put your brand's spin on it!
What other recent marketing buzz caught your attention? Since there's always something happening that impacts marketing, read #DebbieLaskeysBlog for the scoop!
Image Credits: Apple, L.L. Bean, and United Airlines.
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