Marketing News of the Month of May — Part 1: A New Pope, A Gold Noodle, and More

There have been so many news stories during May that reflected brand awareness, brand identity, brand names, brand partnerships, brand storytelling, holiday marketing, personal branding, rebranding, social media marketing, and more - that this recap has been split into two parts - and the second part will go live on May 31st.

INTRODUCTION OF POPE LEO XIV

The world has a new Pope. On May 8th, Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected as the first US-born pontiff and will be known as Pope Leo XIV. The 69-year-old from Chicago stepped into his role as the 267th Pope on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after the announcement addressing thousands of cheering Catholics with the words: "Peace be with you all."

According to CBS News, "There are no written rules or official criteria for a Pope's name, but they choose names that have meaning in the Catholic tradition. The name a new Pope chooses will "indicate a certain spirit and direction and vision of the new Pope," said Dennis Doyle, a theologian and professor emeritus of religious studies at the University of Dayton."

The name Leo has been chosen 13 times, and according to CBS papal reporter Candida Moss, "The name Leo harkens back to Pope Leo the Great, the first Pope with the name Leo. The name also has a historical association with strong leadership and courage."

According to Vatican News, "In the early centuries of Christianity many Popes changed their names because their original names were of pagan origin. However, not all Popes followed this practice. Out of the 266 Popes in history (267 including the new one), only 129 have chosen a new name. This tradition became standard practice starting in 955 with Pope John XII, and has continued to this day."

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY'S LIONS

Since two large lion statues sit along the steps leading to the front doors of the New York Public Library in New York City, will the library use the name of the new Pope for its marketing promotions and/or fundraising? Seems like a wonderful marketing opportunity!

THE LEO SANDWICH

Portillo's, the Chicago-based hot dog and sandwich chain, has named one of its sandwiches "The Leo" after the new Pope, who was born in Chicago. The sandwich will be available during the month of May. According to the restaurant, "In the name of the gravy, the bun, and hot giard, we introduce The Leo: a divinely seasoned Italian beef, baptized in gravy and finished with the holy trinity of peppers — sweet, hot, or a combo. The Leo is Portillo's original "sacred sandwich" that is made in honor of a moment that's historic for Portillo's hometown."

MACARONI & CHEESE NECKLACE

According to The Pioneer Woman, "If you're a food lover, you probably know that food accessories are a thing. There are butter rugs for your home, ranch dressing ornaments for your Christmas tree, and there are countless jewelry options from hamburger earrings to sweet treat charm bracelets. So it shouldn't be too surprising that Kraft got in the game. After all, they have so many ubiquitous brands that Americans know and love. And their new collab is anything but cheesy! You can now buy the Kraft Mac & Cheese Forever Macaroni Necklace, a 14-karat gold noodle on a delicate 16-inch chain over at Ring Concierge, the luxury jewelry retailer. It's no accident that this limited-edition release is here in time for Mother's Day. After all, who would appreciate a unique gift more than the woman who probably served you countless servings of the golden goodness over the years? And get this: While Ring Concierge is known for being more high-end, the necklace costs only $25!"

WOMEN-ONLY ADVENTURES FOR MOTHER'S DAY

Natural Habitat Adventures, a conservation travel partner and the world's first 100 percent carbon-neutral travel company, promoted "Women-Only Adventures for Mother's Day." According to the brand, "At NatHab, we believe in honoring journeys of all kinds, including those of the women who inspire us to venture farther. Our Women's Journeys celebrate that spirit, connecting you the traveler with nature, community, and the powerful legacy of women forging their own paths. From Iceland to Costa Rica, Peru to Portugal, and beyond, our women-only trips focus on camaraderie, discovery, and shared experience."

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FIRST 100 DAYS

According to Brookings, "A president's first 100 days is by no means the definitive judgment on his administration, but the legacy of Franklin Roosevelt means that the press continues to pay attention to it...Roosevelt's first 100 days are remembered because of the breathtaking scope of bold and new actions, both legislative and regulatory, that set the bar so high. To name but a few: in those 100 days, he declared a bank holiday which stopped the disastrous run on the banks, he took America off the gold standard, and he passed groundbreaking legislation for farmers and homeowners and for the unemployed."

What stood out to you during Trump's first 100 days? Was it the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America? Was it his dizzying back-and-forth actions with tariffs and threat to escalate a trade war with the European Union? Was it his threat to take over Greenland? Was it his harsh rhetoric calling for Canada to be America's 51st state? Was it his blatant disregard for immigrants on the pathway toward legal residence and citizenship? Was it his assault on colleges and universities? Was it his friendship with Elon Musk and creation of DOGE? Was it the volatile stock market? Was it his jokes about a third term? Or was it his wish to dismantle the Department of Education? Or was it his dismantling of the Kennedy Center for the Arts Board of Directors? Was it his firing of former second gentleman Doug Emhoff from the Holocaust Museum Board? Was it his firing of the Librarian of Congress or the fact that he cut all federal funding to PBS and NPR? Was it his order to remove all reference to DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) on all federal websites? Was it his executive order prohibiting people who are transgender from serving in the military? Was it because he wanted to re-name Veteran's Day? Was it because he will receive an airplane as a personal gift from the country of Qatar? Was it his administration's endorsement of immigration raids on schools? Was it because he attempted to (and continues to) end birthright citizenship? Was it because he pardoned more than 1,500 people convicted on January 6 Capitol riot charges? Was it because he withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Accords and the World Health Organization?

How will these "First 100 Days" be evaluated by future historians?

BARBARA BUSH POSTAGE STAMP

According to the United States Postal Service, "Honor the life and legacy of former first lady Barbara Bush (1925-2018), wife of the 41st president, George H. W. Bush, first lady of the US from 1989 to 1993, and mother of 43rd president, George W. Bush. The matriarch of one of the most political families in US history, Mrs. Bush was a tireless advocate for literacy, while her plainspoken style and sharp sense of humor drew bipartisan respect. The stamp art is a detail from the official 2005 White House oil-on-canvas portrait featuring one of her signature multi-strand pearl necklaces. The stamp was unveiled by Bush family members and the current first lady at the White House on May 8th, however, the dedication ceremony will be held on June 10th in Kennebunkport, Maine, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the former first lady's birth and the culmination of her centennial year."

The US Postal Service also noted that "news of the stamp will be shared with the hashtag #BarbaraBushStamp" - it's interesting that a hashtag is part of the promotions by a federal government agency.

NEW LIFE FOR ALCATRAZ?

One of President Trump's latest remarks (causing many to shake their heads in disbelief) was an idea to reopen and expand Alcatraz, a former prison in the San Francisco Bay, that is currently a popular tourist destination managed by the National Park Service. The prison, located on an island in San Francisco Bay, was originally a military fort before becoming a federal penitentiary in 1934. It housed notorious criminals and closed in 1963 due to high operating costs. Experts and historians have raised concerns about the feasibility of reopening Alcatraz, citing the high costs of restoring and operating the deteriorated facility. Critics also argue that the idea is a political stunt and a distraction from other important issues.

MAX BECOMES HBO MAX — AGAIN

According to NPR, "The streaming service formerly known as HBO Max will once again be called HBO Max. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) announced in mid-May that it will soon put the "HBO" back in the name, two years — and much criticism — after dropping it. Following the 2022 merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc., executives hoped that the name "Max" would reflect a broader mix of programming and signal more family-friendly content. But the change never really caught on, even as popular HBO originals like The White Lotus and The Last of Us dominated the discourse and drove people to the platform — Warner Bros. Discovery says it added 22 million subscribers over the past year. It hopes the rebrand, slated for this summer, will build on that momentum."

Does this remind anyone of the period of time when Price was known as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince?" Is this name change significant enough to be acknowledged by viewers?

BILL GATES AND WARREN BUFFETT NEWS

Two men who have dominated business news for decades were recently in the news for their announcements. 

Bill Gates, American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist who co-founded Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975, announced that he will donate 99 percent of his wealth to the Gates Foundation over the next 20 years. He explained, "People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that "he died rich" will not be one of them...There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold onto resources that could be used to help people. That is why I have decided to give my money back to society much faster than I had originally planned."

And Warren Buffett, an American investor and philanthropist who chairs and leads Berkshire Hathaway, a multi-billion dollar holding company, announced that he will retire at the end of 2025. According to QZ, "Buffet's realization crystallized over the past year, culminating in a surprise announcement at the end of Berkshire's annual meeting in May: Buffett will step down as CEO this December. Greg Abel, age 62, will take the helm. Buffett will remain chairman of the board — still involved, but no longer in charge.

WENDY'S RAISES MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR FOSTER CARE

According to the dining brand's website, "Wendy's fans are invited to 'Make a Biggie Difference' in partnership with Coca-Cola and Keurig Dr Pepper during the month of May in honor of National Foster Care Month. Each simple scan of the QR code located on select Wendy's cups automatically unlocks a $5 donation from Wendy's to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to help the Foundation find forever families for children waiting in foster care, up to a $500,000 donation from the campaign. Wendy's continues its longstanding commitment to increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America's foster care systems. Today, there are more than 108,000 children who live in foster homes in the U.S. and Canada, and Wendy's is making it easier than ever to Make a Biggie Difference in finding children loving, forever homes."

OSKAR SCHINDLER MUSEUM

According to NPR, "A dilapidated industrial site in the Czech Republic where German businessman Oskar Schindler saved 1,200 Jews during World War II is coming back to life. The site, a former textile factory in the town of Brnenec, about 100 miles east of Prague, was stolen by the Nazis from its Jewish owners in 1938 and turned into a concentration camp. In mid-May, it welcomed the first visitors to the "Museum of Survivors" dedicated to the Holocaust and the history of Jews in this part of Europe. The opening was timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. It was also in May 1945 that Schindler received a golden ring from grateful Jewish survivors, made with gold taken from their teeth. The ring was inscribed with the Hebrew words from the Talmud, saying "Whoever saves one life saves the world entire." Schindler's story was told in Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning movie, Schindler's List."

GULF OF AMERICA BILL INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS

According to NBC, "The Republican-led House passed a bill on May 8th that seeks to codify President Trump's executive order (made on January 20th) that renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Though all Democrats and one Republican — Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska — opposed the bill, Republicans narrowly passed the measure, 211-206, sending it to the Senate for a vote." The bill would prevent a future president from easily reversing the move through executive action, however, the measure's future is uncertain in the U.S. Senate.

TOYS AND TARIFFS

According to Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz, "We need to remember that a significant part of toy creation happens in America. Design, development, product engineering, brand management all happens in America. Making product, producing product in other countries, allows us to create quality products at affordable price points. Mattel has been diversifying its global manufacturing for nearly a decade in an effort to reduce its dependence on China. In the meantime, Mattel is taking mitigating actions to fully offset costs associated with Trump's trade war with China, including raising prices in the U.S., while aiming to keep the cost of many toys low. We expect between 40-50 percent of all products under $20. This is something we are committed to do, to continue to create quality product and find the right balance of price and value all in the service of the consumer.”

REMEMBER THE YUGO?

According to Forbes, "Serbian budget car brand Yugo is back. Almost. Yugo promised that its hatchback will be true to the brand's traditional budget ethos, with only two doors in the sub-compact market. Led by Professor Doctor Aleksandar Bjelic, Yugo promises to deliver a fun, affordable car that will meet global safety standards and launch with both manual and automatic transmissions attached to combustion engines. The first running prototype is scheduled to debut at the 2027 Belgrade Expo. The new model reveal comes 17 years after production of the Zastava Automobiles Yugo GV (as it was called in the U.S.) ended, having spent 28 years developing a cult following despite a reputation for poor build quality and reliability. Malcolm Bricklin introduced Yugo to the United States in 1985, achieving surprising success, with 48,812 sales in 1987 alone, despite it being the slowest car sold in the country, but by 1992, that figure had fallen to just 1,412, and Yugo departed U.S. showrooms despite selling 141,651 cars."

DISNEY ARRIVES IN THE MIDDLE EAST

According to Conde-Nast Traveler, "Disney has announced plans for its first theme park in the Middle East, sparking much excitement from fans in the region and beyond. Disneyland Abu Dhabi (capital of the United Arab Emirates) is being built on Yas Island, joining existing theme parks, Ferrari World, Warner Bros. World, and Yas Waterworld. It will become Disney’s seventh theme park globally alongside Florida, California, Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong."

According to WDW Magic, "The upcoming Disney resort in Abu Dhabi will be fully funded and operated by Abu Dhabi-based developer Miral, with Disney leading creative development and operational oversight through its Imagineering division. No opening date has been announced."

According to Forbes, "Few entertainment destinations are as recognizable as Disney's castle parks. Named after their centerpiece castle, they are surrounded by clearly-defined lands themed to different eras and regions of the world. It's hard to find someone who doesn't know what they look like, so when Disney unveiled the format for its park in Abu Dhabi, it turned heads. Not only is it hard to make out individual lands in the concept art, but the castle itself is not located in the middle of the park. Instead, it is located at the back, sitting on the beach of the man-made Yas Island. The most breathtaking difference is the castle itself. Rather than being an amalgam of actual castles or being based on one from a famous fairytale, it looks like a stylized version of Elsa's ice palace from Disney's 2013 hit animated movie Frozen."

Time will tell how this expansion will alter Disney's popular international brand - and how this particular park - including rides, characters, food, and merchandise - will be tailored for this area of the world (as those elements were tailored for the parks in France, Japan, and China).

MOST POPULAR DINING BRANDS

During May, YouGov, an international, online, data research company, released its findings for popular dining brands for the first quarter of 2025. The data measured the percentage of consumers with a positive opinion of each brand. The top five most popular dining brands were Baskin-Robbins, Dairy Queen, Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, and Domino's. Popular restaurant chain The Cheesecake Factory was number 16, Outback Steakhouse was number 22, and McDonald's was number 32. Did these findings surprise you and/or make you hungry?

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

Image Credits: US Postal Service, Kraft Heinz, and The Vatican News.

Read about Pope Leo XIV:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope.html

Learn why Popes change their names:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/the-history-of-the-names-of-the-successors-of-peter.html

Read 10 Secrets You Didn't Know About The NYPL's Iconic Lion Statues:

https://secretnyc.co/secrets-nypl-lion-statues/

Check out NatHab's Womens Journeys:

https://www.nathab.com/womens-adventures

Track details from all of Trump's first 100 days:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/29/donald-trump-first-100-days-tracker

Sign up to participate in a future YouGov survey:

https://account.yougov.com/us-en/join/main 

Tips to Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day

Did you know that there's a day that celebrates kindness? Random Acts of Kindness Day celebrates and encourages random acts of kindness and the pay it forward mentality.

According to ThereIsADayForThat.com, "The day is meant to cultivate feelings of kindness toward others and brighten up their day. Every act is significant, no matter how big or small. Random Act of Kindness Day was first established in 1995 by the nonprofit Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. It first originated in Denver, Colorado and in 2004, spread to New Zealand. The idea and celebration continued to spread and is officially celebrated on February 17th in the United States."

Here are some brands that stand out for their dedication to kindness and improving communities both near and far:

TOM'S SHOES

According to the company's website, "Since the beginning of TOMS, you and our Impact Partners have had a positive impact on over 105,000,000 lives — and we're far from finished. In 2006, TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie pioneered the One for One model — giving away one pair of shoes for every pair sold, supporting larger health, education, and community development programs through strategic partnerships. Today we give 33 percent of profits for grassroots good. When you wear TOMS, you Wear Good."

KINDNESS TIP: If your brand is a product, can you implement a buy one item-donate one item initiative?

BOMBAS SOCKS

According to the company's website, "When our customers make a purchase, they spark a donation, helping to keep our Giving Partner Organizations stocked up with plenty of socks, underwear, and t-shirts to distribute to those who need them. As of May 30, 2024, we're at 143,193,087 products donated and 123,255,184 products distributed. These totals will be updated annually. Milestone numbers featured in marketing materials may lag behind the current number as they were produced at a moment in time."

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand partner with other organizations to distribute donated products?

DAWN

According to the company's website, "We go above and beyond what is required to share helpful information about the Dawn products that deliver the effective and sustainable clean you expect for your home and family. Here's everything you need to know about our soap ingredients, what they do, and how they reflect our commitment to you, your family, and our community...Tough on grease and oil, gentle enough for wildlife: For nearly 50 years, Dawn has worked with wildlife rescue experts to protect and care for aquatic wildlife. Our iconic ducklings have become a symbol of our effectiveness as the better grease getter and our dedication to creating a cleaner world for birds and marine mammals alike."

Since 1978, Dawn has worked with bird and marine mammal experts through countless efforts. Here is a recap of the brand's impact:

* 200+ rescue missions using Dawn

* 50,000+ bottles donated

* 150,000+ birds and marine mammals cleaned

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand partner with environmentally-conscious organizations to support wildlife conservation, climate change awareness, and/or recycling?

DOVE

The brand has an impressive mission: "Redefining beauty, and keeping women and girls confident, one initiative at a time."  Dove launched a self-esteem project in 2024: a resolution for women to let go of unrealistic beauty standards and define beauty on one's own terms. 

Dove has also launched other inspiring initiatives:

(1) Dove invited fans to help end race-based hair discrimination. 

(2) In partnership with the Rimba Collective, Dove is protecting and restoring 123,000 acres of rainforest, peatlands, and mangroves in Southeast Asia over the next five years – an area eight times the size of Manhattan.

(3) "At Dove Men+Care, we’re proud to have zero manufacturing waste going to landfill. Cardboard boxes transporting raw materials, for example, are sold to recycling companies to ensure they’re reused. As part of our commitment to help minimize waste and make all our plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, the bottles of our body, face and hair washes are recyclable and made with 100 percent recycled plastic in North America and Europe (where technically possible). This means less greenhouse gases are being produced, which of course is better for the environment. Dove Men+Care does not test on animals and is PETA Approved."

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand re-imagine a concept (e.g., the vision of beauty) so that it better equips teenagers as they enter adulthood and helps them gain self-confidence?

KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUTS

Since 1955, the company has offered fundraising kits for organizations to sell boxes of doughnuts; Krispy Kreme would then split the proceeds with the organizations to raise funds for various causes. In 2014, Krispy Kreme released a $1,685 doughnut as part of fundraising efforts for The Children's Trust. It was covered with 24-karat gold and decorated with edible diamonds. The inside was made from Dom Pérignon champagne jelly.

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand partner with nonprofit organizations to help with their fundraising initiatives?

NAOT

According to Reader's Digest, "Naot has long been a favorite for ethically minded shoppers, and that's thanks to what the company calls its "shoes of peace." The Naot factory is located in a small farming community in the northernmost part of Israel, where it's been handcrafting shoes since 1942. It employs people of every faith and ethnicity, and every pair of shoes is handmade through the joint craft of Israelis and Palestinians. As a socially active company, Naot donates thousands of pairs of shoes to battered women and homeless shelters throughout the United States and around the world every year. Shoes are handcrafted through sustainable methods; shoes feature vegetable-tanned leather and a cork footbed to minimize the environmental impact; and boxes are made of recycled materials."

According to the company's website, "Design your own Naot to Donate! Download our template to design your own Naot sandal, get creative! Post your design on social media using #NaotGivesBack (on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/naot.northamerica/) and we will donate a pair of shoes in your name!"

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand donate products?

SASHKA CO. BRACELETS

According to the company's website, "Sashka Co. glass beaded bracelets are handcrafted with positive vibes by artisans in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Each bracelet is carefully handmade bead by bead. Skill, passion, and some of the world's finest glass and sterling silver beads go into each one. Every Sashka Co. Bracelet comes with a lifetime guarantee and a perfect fit promise.

Sashka Co. partners with several organizations in Nepal that train and employ hundreds of  artisans in rural communities. Our partners are focused on gender equality and empowering women. The women at the co-ops earn a living wage that exceeds the local minimum wage. Sashka Co. was founded in 2013 with an amazing team of seventeen artisans. Thanks to the support of Sashka Co. Bracelets customers, we now provide sustainable jobs to 450+ artisans in Nepal.

KINDNESS TIP: Can your brand make a difference in a part of the world where inequality exists?

If you're in charge of marketing initiatives for a brand, what can your organization do today for your employees or the community? And if you find yourself at Starbucks or your favorite coffee house, why not surprise the next customer and pay for their drink?

SHARE THIS: Random Acts of Kindness Day is meant to cultivate feelings of kindness toward others and brighten up their day. Every act is significant, no matter how big or small. ~@thereisadayfor1 #RandomActsofKindnessDay #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Check out this daily calendar of random acts of kindness:

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/daily-dose-of-kindness

Watch how Dawn saves wildlife:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/fS1EtshQnGQ

Image Credits: Sashka Co., TOM's Shoes, and Dawn.

Monday Morning Quarterbacking the Ads from Super Bowl LIX

What do you remember from Super Bowl Sunday? Did you sit on the edge of your seat and keep track of the touchdowns and field goals? Did you know at the outset that the Philadelphia Eagles would be the victor? Or, did you eagerly await the ads? For marketers and many others, we tend to keep one eye on the game because we really want to see (and talk about) the ads.

According to USA Today, "For one day a year, people can't wait to cozy up on the couch and watch commercials during the Super Bowl. For some, it's a nice sideshow to the big game. For others, it's the main event. In a world where everything is an ad, we do our best to escape them, unless it's the Super Bowl. Companies spend a fortune for just 30 seconds of our time, hoping to capture a market. With diminished attention spans and countless things competing for them, the Super Bowl offers an opportunity to speak to consumers when they are more focused. It might just be the one day a year where the public isn't buried in their phones, channel-surfing, or doing a variety of other things at once."

For Super Bowl 1 in 1967, a 30-second Super Bowl ad cost $37,500 - and with inflation, that is about $350,000 in 2025 dollars. For Super Bowl 59, that same 30-second ad cost $8 million, according to USA Today's AdMeter, up from $7 million last year.

According to Aimee Picchi, "Super Bowl ads command a premium because the game is typically the most-watched media event of the year. That gives brands a chance to reach more consumers at one time than anywhere else, and many companies use the opportunity to trot out new products or introduce a new slogan. There's another reason why brands are so willing to pay up: About 3 in 4 people say they are actually excited to watch the ads during the Super Bowl. Families and friends typically watch the game together, and often talk about the spots as well as the game itself — a discussion that can carry over at work the next day."

Jura Liaukonyte, marketing professor at Cornell University's SC Johnson College of Business explained further, "This shared experience can amplify the emotional resonance of advertisements, making them more memorable and effective. When viewers watch the Super Bowl, they are not just passive recipients of content — they are engaged in a communal event."

This quote from Landor Associates is timeless and worth repeating: "Here are three tips to help you, your dad, or even your football-crazed grandma decide which brands scored a touchdown with their commercials: Is the ad on-brand? Will you remember the brand tomorrow? And, does the ad speak to the times?"

An interesting note about the Super Bowl and branding. Ever wonder why the logos include Roman numerals? According to CBS Sports, "For nearly 60 years, the Super Bowl has become a central part of American culture well beyond the sphere of pro football. And for many, the Super Bowl also prompts the need to touch up on a certain other piece of culture that always re-enters the collective conscience around Super Bowl time.

The Super Bowl is one of the select few mainstream events still using Roman numerals, a system that has largely been forgotten. Although the numeral system of Ancient Rome began to fall out of use in favor of Arabic numerals around the 14th century, there are still a few instances in which Roman numerals are commonly used: on clock faces, to identify lineages -- particularly for royalty and other important figures -- and to denote each edition of the Super Bowl.

The use of Roman numerals for each Super Bowl dates back to the fifth Super Bowl, with the league adopting the use of the system to avoid confusion over the year the game is associated with. The Super Bowl is always played in the year following a chronologically recorded season, so while this Super Bowl is being played in 2025, the game itself will determine the champion of the 2024 NFL season.

In addition, the idea to use Roman numerals for the Super Bowl is also credited to Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt, who believed their use would add an element of grandeur to the NFL's biggest game. Hunt, of course, is credited with coining the term "Super Bowl," and his Chiefs are competing to become the first team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a row."

While there was no ad similar to Apple's 1984 ad; no ad that was as memorable as Budweiser's post-9/11 ad from 2002 with the kneeling Clydesdales; no animated Coca Cola polar bears; and no Tweet clever enough to rival Oreo's "dunking in the dark" from 2013's "Blackout Bowl" at the Superdome in New Orleans; some ads did stand out to me, and without further ado, here they are:

HELLMANN'S: Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan reprised their roles from the film "When Harry Met Sally" for a famous scene at Katz's Deli in New York City. This time, Meg Ryan needed some mayonnaise. This was a surprise ad, and for those of us who remember the film, the scene was hard to forget.

WEATHER TECH: Four female senior citizens took to the open road with the music in the background, "Born to Be Wild." This was a geriatric version of "Thelma and Louise."

NOVARTIS: The ad began by focusing on women's breasts, but as it went on, the emphasis changed. According to AdWeek's Bill Bradley, "Novartis put a spotlight on breast cancer awareness with the help of Hailee Steinfeld, breast-cancer survivor Wanda Sykes, cheerleaders, partygoers, and everyday women living their lives. The ad was a healthcare promo with a twist, showing breasts in all forms and fashions along with a message to pay attention to them when it matters the most. According to the ad, more than 6 million women watching the Super Bowl may be diagnosed with breast cancer, but websites like YourAttentionPlease.com are there to help with screenings and potentially life-saving information."

NIKE: The ad was entitled, "So Win," and was the first time since 1998 that a Nike commercial aired during the Super Bowl. According to Austin Curtright of USA Today, "Women’s sport isn't the future, it's right now. We're seeing it in packed arenas, in TV ratings, in the way people are showing up for the game like never before. Commanding attention isn't about being the loudest in the room. It's about making sure that when you step up, everyone takes notice. Women's sports have seen a stark rise in popularity in recent years, which each of the athletes featured in the commercial have played a role in. Nike is appearing to step up its commitment to women's sports."

BUDWEISER: Whenever the Clydesdale horses appear in an ad, the ad tugs at the heartstrings. This ad was no exception. A young foal returned a lost keg of beer and proved he was just as talented as the adult horses.

COORS LIGHT: This ad's theme was the sluggishness of Mondays, and as a result, the beer changed its name to "Mondays Light."

MOUNTAIN DEW: Singer Seal became a seal and sang that he didn't have hands to hold the beverage.

LAY'S: A young girl planted a potato and watched it grow, eventually becoming a potato that would become Lay's potato chips.

DOVE: This ad spoke volumes. According to Just Jared, "The personal care product brand’s 2025 Super Bowl Commercial shows a little girl running down the sidewalk and brings an important message about how girls in sports are treated. "At 3, these legs are unstoppable. At 14, she'll think they're unbearable. 1 in 2 girls who quit sports are criticized for their body type...Let's change the way we talk to our girls. #KeepHerConfident."

During the game, while sharing posts on Twitter/X, some brands stood out with their posts, such as, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Jet Blue, Library of Congress, Best Friends, Avocados from Mexico, Minions, Samsung Mobile US, and LAY'S. If you missed their posts, check them out.

According to Google, "Wicked: For Good was not featured in a trailer during the 2025 Super Bowl. Universal chose not to preview the sequel to the Oscar-nominated musical. Wicked: For Good is scheduled for release in theaters on November 21, 2025. The movie continues the story of Elphaba and Glinda from where the first part left off. The sequel centers on the consequences of their decisions and further developments in the world of Oz. Universal likely didn't need to advertise Wicked: For Good as early or to as large an audience as other movies because of the excitement surrounding the first movie and its Academy Award nominations...Other movies featured in trailers during the 2025 Super Bowl included: Jurassic World Rebirth, Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning, and How to Train Your Dragon."

A few timeless words from Jacques de Cock, a faculty member at the London School of Marketing: "The Super Bowl is a phenomenon unsurpassed in the world. It is one of the few national social events, which is also why social media traffic during the game is so high...What is also remarkable is that advertising is not viewed as something to skip but is seen by 77 percent of viewers as part of the entertainment, and therefore, more watched and engaged with than any other television advertising during the year."

Today, the official countdown begins for Super Bowl 60, scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California - home of the San Francisco 49ers. This will be the third Super Bowl to be held in the San Francisco Bay Area and the second to be hosted by Levi's Stadium. Will we see an ad or two that will go down as the best of all time? We'll have to wait and see.

Image credit: ABC6 Action News.

To read any of my previous Super Bowl ad review posts (I've been writing them annually since 2012), search #DebbieLaskeysBlog using the term "super" to access all the links.

Super Bowl LIX Is Hours Away

Today is the day all football fans - and marketing experts - look forward to each year. For the two best teams, the season championship is on the line. But for brands that spend between seven and eight million dollars for a 15 or 30 seconds ad, it's easily the best day of the year for a brand to become as talked about as Oscar winners. Since the game is just hours away, let's draw our attention to some other fun stories surrounding today's event.

MUSEUM WAGERS

According to NPR, "Directors of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Philadelphia Museum of Art will each put a master work from their respective collections on the line. A shortlist of masterworks that could be up for loan will be revealed once curators huddle to consider the potential spoils of victory...When the Eagles lost to the Chiefs in 2023, the Philadelphia Museum of Art loaned the 1875 painting "Sailing," by Thomas Eakins, which was on display at the Nelson-Atkins for two months.

Philadelphia museum officials announced the latest edition of the wager in what has become known as #MuseumBowl2025 will showcase two paintings by 19th century French artist Edouard Manet, considered by many to be an elder statesman of the Impressionist movement. If the Eagles hoist the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday, the Nelson-Atkins will send the 1871 work "The Croquet Party" to Philadelphia on loan."

ZOO WAGERS

According to NPR, "When the 49ers lost the Super Bowl in 2020, the San Francisco Zoo had to name one of their goats after Patrick Mahomes. The last time the Eagles lost, an iconic elephant statue at the Philadelphia Zoo, the first nation's first zoo, had to wear a "Chiefs Kingdom" banner. 

This year, the Kansas City Zoo is raising the stakes with a challenge rolled into a bet on Instagram. The caption read, "How about the winning team donates $50 PER POINT that their team scores to a Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program of their choice?" The winning proceeds will be put toward conservation programs."

LIBRARY WAGERS

The Kansas City Public Library and the Free Library of Philadelphia created a friendly, literary competition in honor of the big game.

"We wanted to do a love competition, especially since it's February and also Valentine's Day month. We wanted to kick off something to show some love for the library. We're asking community members to share something they love about their local library in a Library Love Competition," said Juli Lancaster, Kansas City Library digital content specialist.

The last time the Eagles lost, President and Director of the Free Library of Philadelphia Kelly Richards hosted a special Chiefs-themed story time where he read "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day."

MAYOR WAGERS

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced their wager: Lucas will send along Gates BBQ, while Parker is wagering cheesesteaks.

GOVERNOR WAGERS

Cheesesteaks are also on the line — along with some Miller's Twist pretzels — for Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, who put in their bets with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

PUBLIC SCHOOL WAGERS

According to NPR, "Kansas City Public School's Pitcher Elementary has cleaned up during the playoffs, winning challenges against a Houston school ahead of the Divisional Round game against the Texans, and a Buffalo school ahead of the AFC title game. Now, Pitcher Elementary has created a Super Bowl challenge from Dr. Jennifer Collier, Superintendent of the Kansas City Public Schools, against The School District of Philadelphia: If the Chiefs win: Philly students and staff will wear red and gold to school and send some goodies from Philadelphia. If the Eagles win: KCPS students and staff will wear green and white to school and send treats to Philadelphia."

KANSAS CITY & PHILADELPHIA ANIMAL ADOPTION NEWS

According to NPR, "Stray cats and dogs at the Great Plains SPCA will be purring and wagging their tails if the Chiefs win on Sunday. The local animal adoption agency is collaborating with PAWS Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society in the Shelter Showdown, where shelters compete to see who can rally the most support from their communities. So far, more than $105,000 has been donated to the Shelter Showdown to care for animals in need — more than $45,000 of it in Kansas City and more than $38,000 in Philadelphia."

MEDIA WAGERS

Philadelphia's NPR station WHYY and Kansas City's KCUR also made a wager: If the Chiefs win, the Philadelphia station will send KCUR a basket of Philly food — soft pretzels, Goldenberg's Peanut Chews, and more. If the Eagles win, KCUR will send WHYY some KC barbecue. Bets between the local NPR stations in each Super Bowl city have become a tradition.

PUPPY BOWL XXI

Airing on Animal Planet on Super Bowl Sunday, Puppy Bowl XXI will feature Team Ruff versus Team Fluff as adorable adoptable puppies play their version of football and attempt to win the Lombarky Trophy.

GREAT AMERICAN RESCUE BOWL

Formerly known as The Kitten Bowl and previously broadcast on the Hallmark Channel, Great American Family grabbed the event in 2022. This third annual event will be broadcast in partnership with the North Shore Animal League America, the world's largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization based out of Port Washington, New York. The televised event will be a cat and dog filled gridiron featuring pets looking for their fur-ever homes. According to Parade, "Between the turnovers and touchdowns, the special features heartwarming stories of pet lives saved through fostering. The goal of the show is to raise awareness of pet adoption and reveal the beautiful pets available in shelters in everyone's neighborhood."

GATORADE SHOWER

While there are a myriad of bets surrounding the Super Bowl such as which team scores first, which team gets a field goal first, which team gets a touchdown first, score at the end of each quarter, score at half time, and final score, there is one ridiculous bet that stands out: the Gatorade color for the end-of-game Gatorade shower on the winning coach. The tradition began in 1984 when nose tackle Jim Burt doused New York Giants coach Bill Parcells with a cooler of Gatorade. Two years later, after the NY Giants won Super Bowl XXI, linebacker Harry Carson snuck up behind Parcells and doused him with another Gatorade shower.

According to ESPN, "Splashing the winning Super Bowl coach with Gatorade has become more than a fun tradition. Guessing the color has become a prop bet that generates more than $1 million, although the wager is accepted only in New Jersey, West Virginia, and Illinois, as well as offshore books. The NFL isn't thrilled with the gimmick bet, per a league source, because of the potential for corruption with someone finding out the color ahead of time. But that won't stop a player or players from the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles from splashing the drink on their coach in a postgame celebration Sunday. By the way, purple is the current favorite at ESPN."

Jeff Kearney, head of global sports marketing at Gatorade, explained, "It turned into this thing that today, regardless of level of play - youth, high school, college, pro, international, you name it - a big moment, a seminal moment is oftentimes christened with that Gatorade shower."

And in case you're wondering, the most popular colors for Gatorade showers at the Super Bowl are orange, blue, and clear. The least popular color is blue, which has only been used four times since 1985. And red Gatorade has not been dumped on a Super Bowl-winning coach in over 25 years.

PHRASES IN END ZONES

For the first time in four years, the NFL will remove the phrase "End Racism" from the end zones of the Super Bowl game and replace with two messages, "Choose Love" and "It Takes All of Us." According to NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy, "The Super Bowl is often a snapshot in time, and the NFL is in a unique position to capture and lift the imagination of the country. "Choose Love" is appropriate to use as our country has endured in recent weeks wildfires in southern California, the terrorist attack here in New Orleans, the plane and helicopter crash near our nation's capital, and the plane crash in Philadelphia...The NFL began adding phrases to the field in 2020, as part of the "Inspire Change" initiative launched in 2018. Inspire Change is the NFL's social justice initiative, aimed at reducing barriers to opportunity, particularly in communities of color, and showcasing how the NFL family is working together to create positive change."

FOOD NEWS

Some food brands have special deals for Super Bowl Sunday:

(1) Buffalo Wild Wings will continuing its Super Bowl Sunday tradition for the seventh year in a row. If the Super Bowl enters overtime, customers nationwide will receive six boneless wings for free on Monday, February 24, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

(2) Krispy Kreme is offering special football-themed doughnuts, available at stores and for pickup or delivery. Each "Big Game Dozen" has six glazed doughnuts and six football-shaped cream-filled doughnuts, dipped in chocolate icing with white icing football laces. Also today, get an Original Glazed dozen for only $2 when purchasing any dozen (or 16-count minis).

(3) Dunkin': Start Super Bowl Sunday off with the new DunKings $6 Meal Deal, which comes with a Sausage, Egg and Cheese Sandwich, Hash Browns and a medium Hot (14 ounces) or Iced Coffee (24 ounces).  Midday, you can get revved up with the Sabrina Carpenter-inspired Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso; medium size for $3 after 12 p.m. 

(4) During the Super Bowl, Chipotle will be sharing text-to-claim codes for the following events: when an extra point is kicked; when the team on offense scores a 2-point conversion; when the team on offense converts on a fourth-down play; and when any other event that takes place during the game which Chipotle determines is an "extra" event.

(5) Firehouse Subs: Keep an eye on the sandwich chain's Instagram account, where it posts Names of the Day. If your name is listed, you get a BOGO deal on any sub. Just show a valid photo ID in-store or redeem through the Firehouse Subs app or website.

What will we be talking about after the Super Bowl? Which brand will win the Brand Bowl, also known as the Ad Bowl? Will you be following and commenting on the ads in real time on Twitter/X, as in years past? Will you use Bluesky or Threads instead? Will the ads out score the big game? Tune in tomorrow morning for MY annual Monday morning quarterbacking about the ads.

Image Credits: Instagram.

Happy Lunar New Year 2025!

Gung Hay Fat Choy, or translated into Cantonese: "Wishing you prosperity."

2025 is the Year of the Snake and is celebrated around the world beginning today. It is an annual 15-day festival around the world that begins with the new moon that occurs sometime between January 21st and February 20th according to Western calendars - and festivities last until the following full moon.

According to the Calgary Herald, "Loathe them or love them, snakes are slithering into the spotlight this year. The snake brings with it wisdom, transformation, calmness, and creativity. These limbless reptiles, of course, have a less-than-stellar reputation in many societal references. A sneaky individual might be said to be as slippery as a snake or a snake in the grass. A slick salesperson can be called a snake oil salesman. And of course, we can’t forget the serpent's role in the Garden of Eden, as it tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. Snakes are so despised by some people that there’s even a special word for the phobia associated with the creatures — ophidiophobia (ophis is Greek for snake.) It's one of the most commonly found animal phobias.

On the flip side, snakes also have their admirers. And a scroll through some snake owners' Instagram accounts shows some people even take to dressing up their pet snakes in cute little outfits. While animal experts say the brain structure of snakes doesn’t allow them to experience emotion, they can begin to recognize their owners and wrap around them, mostly for warmth.

It's also worth noting snakes have been important to ecosystems and a myriad of cultures over the centuries. Ancient Greeks used snakes to ward off evil and other cultures around the world have associated snakes with wisdom and healing. It's many of those positive beliefs that influence predictions for the year of snake in 2025. For those born in a Year of the Snake, the world often sees them as alluring, astute, charming and thoughtful. Celebrities born in years of the snake include Audrey Hepburn, Mahatma Gandhi and Pablo Picasso."

According to Travel+Leisure, here's how the holiday is celebrated throughout Asia:

"Celebrations around China primarily take place on New Year's Eve, with families coming together to mark the occasion. It's custom to wear new clothes to ring in the new year, usually in the lucky colors, red and gold. In northern China, traditional food eaten during Lunar New Year is made using flour, like baos, pancakes, noodles, and dumplings. Families often make these dishes from scratch. The dumplings are usually served with fish, as it symbolizes abundance for the year ahead, and sometimes contain a lucky coin that kids eagerly search for. Throughout China, family members give each other red envelopes with money as well."

"In Korea, the Lunar New Year is a three-day event offering a chance to pay respect to ancestors and elders. In Korean culture, people have an official age based on their birthday, but they also historically had a Korean age, which started at one on the day they were born and increased every first day of the year after that. Children show their respect to elders with deep bows (aka seh bae). As part of the celebration, children also receive money and words of wisdom for the forthcoming year."

"In Vietnam, Lunar New Year is spent with family. Just like other countries, Vietnam has its own traditional attire, a silk tunic with slits on either side that's worn over pants by both men and women for the New Year. Most families go to the temple together to pray for good luck, health, and fortune. Some superstitions include paying off all your debts and cleaning your house before the new year, as well as not throwing anything away on New Year's Day, as it's considered to be getting rid of good luck. Children receive red envelopes with money from their older relatives, too."

"In Singapore, where the population is approximately 75 percent Chinese, red envelopes that display the phrase "Fú" (meaning good luck) are distributed. It's also custom to pay respect to ancestors by going to a temple and lighting incense. The annual Chingay Parade is an extravagant celebration that includes everything from giant floats to lion dancers. Meanwhile, the largest Chinese New Year festival in Singapore is the River Hongbao, which is hosted at different locations across the country."

"In Malaysia, Lunar New Year welcomes spring. It lasts for 15 days, ending with a grand finale day called Chap Goh Mei. Red pocket envelopes (known as ang pow) are given to children and unmarried family members. Many Buddhist families invite lion dancers to their homes to bless their altars and ward off bad spirits. People in Malaysia don traditional outfits, called cheongsam (also known as qipao). They say that if you're celebrating your zodiac year, you should wear the color gold to attract even more abundance."

"Taiwan is another country that strongly associates the holiday with food. Dumplings are the most popular dish, closely followed by pineapple. It's considered good luck to not eat all the fish and keep some leftovers from your holiday meals. Most Taiwanese people spend time with family and their elders in their homes. They exchange red envelopes, and many neighborhoods set off fireworks."

"When the clock strikes midnight in the Philippines, children and adults jump for joy, as it's thought to make them grow taller. The most traditional celebration is called Media Noche, a midnight feast to summon a year of prosperity. The table is usually full of round-shaped fruits — a tradition that originates from China — as the shape represents family unity. One of the most unique superstitions is that wearing polka dots will bring prosperity, money, and good fortune, because of their round shape. Fireworks are also set off to create loud noises that scare away bad spirits, while lights are turned on and windows and doors are left open. Many people avoid spending money on the first day of the year to encourage better finances."  

Will your brand add a snake or the color red (because the Chinese believe red brings good luck, prosperity, and wards off evil) into your logo, mascot, promotions, or communications? Here are ten brands that are participating in the festive celebrations:

MATTEL'S BARBIE

Mattel unveiled its 2025 Lunar New Year Barbie doll. According to Mattel, "As the firecrackers ignite, Barbie steps into the Lunar New Year celebration in a lucky red qipao (which symbolizes empowerment and beauty). She steals the scene in this quintessential dress with a modern mermaid gown silhouette, traditional mandarin collar, meihua plum blossom prints, and sheer bell sleeves that flutter as she claps to a festive lion dance. Her dress features a plum blossom floral print, a flower that symbolizes prosperity and resilience, because it can bloom in the cold of winter. To complete her look, Chinese knots, a symbol of good fortune, appear at the collar and adorn her belt. Golden drop earrings, matching the knot color, are also meant to bring good luck. The doll was designed by Joyce Chen."  

According to Barbie doll designer Joyce Chen, "Being able to design the Lunar New Year Barbie series has felt really impactful for both me as a designer and to the consumer market that has always been yearning for more representation in the doll category. Growing up as an Asian American, I feel like it was rare to find toys or dolls that I could connect with. Being able to design the Lunar New Year dolls has been so meaningful for me because I can get in touch with and be inspired by my own culture. I also see how important it is for others when they have a doll that they can relate to. It makes me happy to create such a special Barbie for a holiday that is celebrated by many...I love seeing the continued growth of diversity and representation in dolls, and hope that one day every person in the world can find a doll they connect with."

BACCARAT

According to the brand's website, "2025 will be the Year of the Snake, one of the most enigmatic Chinese zodiac signs. Baccarat celebrates this mysterious beauty with an original creation, the Zodiaque Snake 2025, designed by animal sculptor Allison Hawkes. Crafted in the purity of crystal, this exceptional piece captures the very essence of the serpent. With a stately demeanor, the reptile appears to observe the world with discernment, a reminder of the intelligence and profound intuition characteristic of this sign. This exceptional talisman, a bearer of light, promises to illuminate the twelve months to come." The cost of the artwork is $450. 

ESTEE LAUDER

Estee Lauder created an intricately designed, exquisitely crafted, one-of-a-kind Year of the Snake Compact with Perfecting Setting Powder. According to the brand's website, "The Year of the Snake brings a year full of good luck and prosperity. People born in this year are known to be very intelligent and flexible, the perfect 'blend' for success."

SANRIO'S HELLO KITTY

According to Sanrio's website, "Celebrate the enchanting 2025 Lunar New Year with Hello Kitty in her vibrant green and pink Wood Snake costume! Embrace the spirit of friendship and forge meaningful connections this Year of the Snake. Hello Kitty features 2025 on her foot, commemorating the New Year, and she adds a green and pink flair to the wood snake costume, complete with a classic pink bow ready to ring in the new year! Limited edition to 3,000."

PRADA

According to Women's Wear Daily, "Prada’s campaign for Lunar New Year 2025 celebrates the start of the Year of the Snake, with images that reinterpret the coils of the animal that is much respected in Chinese culture. Photographed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch, under the creative direction of Ferdinando Verderi, the "We, The Snake" campaign features brand ambassadors Jia Ling, Li Xian, Ma Long, Ma Yili and Yang Shuyu; art historian Wu Hung; artists Peng Wei and Zhang Enli; architect Rossana Hu, and models Du Juan, Ju Xiaowen and Zhao Lei and a snake-like chain of human silhouettes. Prada said the curves of the coils trace twisting spirals and become a visual representation of the concept of community, documented as a winding row of people from a variety of disciplines who interact and bring to life this sign of the Chinese zodiac. The campaign transforms the snake — typically perceived as an archetype of individualism — into a figure devoted to sharing."

SEE'S CANDIES

See's Candies created festive packaging in shades of red and gold to celebrate the Year of the Snake.

GODIVA

Godiva created an elegantly festive collection that was adorned in bright ruby reds and dazzling golds with delicate imagery inspired by the Year of the Snake.

SUGARFINA

Sugarfina created a Lunar New Year 2025 9 Piece Mini Trunk. According to the brand's website, "Sweeten the Year of the Snake with our Lunar New Year Candy Trunk! Discover nine candies from around the world tucked inside this keepsake gift. Flavors include: Lucky Mandarins, Prosperous Pineapples, Sweet Mangos, Yuzu Caramels, Lychee Blossoms, Peach Blossoms, Peach Jellies, Happy Tangerines, and Coconut Toffee Macadamias."

SWAROVSKI

According to the jewelry brand's website, "With an endless vibration of energy and light, this Swarovski pendant celebrates the Year of the Snake in colorful style. Suspended from a delicate chain, the central motif features a mesmerizing snake, crafted from Swarovski Zirconia, with a red dancing stone at the center for good luck. Infinite light reflections are created in the rose gold-tone plated design, adding vitality and unique beauty to the look. Gift it to someone special as a meaningful symbol of rebirth."

LEGO

LEGO announced three sets to celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival, which were released on January 1st: Trotting Lantern with 1,295 pieces; Good Fortune with 585 pieces; and Lucky Cat with 280 pieces. The Trotting Lantern was a build-together set, a great way for the entire family to celebrate the Year of the Snake - and also included five minifigures: two adults, two children, and a character in a Year of the Snake costume.

According to ChinaHighlights.com, do not give a clock or watch as a Chinese New Year gift. "Clocks and watches symbolize running out of time. This is especially an uncomfortable reminder for seniors. Giving a clock or watch as a gift is the biggest no-no in Chinese culture."

Next year, the Year of the Horse will begin on February 17, 2026. So, all of you brands who plan to integrate Lunar New Year into your marketing campaigns or brand identity, start counting the days!

Image Credits: iStock, Mattel, Sanrio, Estée Lauder, and See's Candies.

If you need red envelopes to give family members money, check these out:

https://buddhastoneshop.com/collections/year-of-the-snake-2025/products/buddha-stones-6pcs-chinese-red-envelope-year-of-the-snake-lucky-money-envelopes-2025-new-year

Read more about the history of the Chinese zodiac:

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chinese-zodiac

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