Category Archives: Insights
GoPro gets wings
There’s no other way to say it, GoPro’s rise from upstart tech company to well-known international brand was nothing short of spectacular. Then, every bit as fast as it rose, the brand began a nosedive that sent executives scrambling for a way to staunch the bleeding. For months, nothing worked. Streamlining the product line, not investing resources in new products, trimming all the fat it could find … nothing seemed to help. Then came one of the most obvious connections between two products in the Read More +
Will Golden Arches go robot to avoid pay increase?
As the populist groundswell for a higher minimum wage grows, many businesses are being pulled into the conversation, for the most part against their will. But, since the beginning of the loud political conversation about a higher minimum wage, two brands have become favorites for those demanding at least $15—Walmart and McDonald’s. The former responded by raising its personal minimum wage somewhat, but the latter has been essentially mum on the subject, following laws where mandated but offering little in the way of acknowledgement of Read More +
The Foodies of PR
Many entrepreneurs dream of opening up a restaurant and selling delicious meals to customers who can’t help but come back for more. One bite, one sip, and they’re certain they’ll have these customers for good. Sometimes this happens, but most times, it doesn’t. In fact, a study done by Ohio State University showed that 60 percent of restaurants do not survive the first year and that another 20 percent are likely to fail within five years. So what can restaurants do to set themselves apart Read More +
Costco switch a boon for customers
For years, AmEx has been the chosen brand of Costco, both in the credit cards the company takes and carde it issues to credit-worthy customers. In a landmark move, that’s finally changed. Costco recently announced it has come to agreement with Visa, jettisoning AmEx in favor of the more inclusive credit card brand. Now, all stores will only take Visa credit cards, and stores will only issue Visas. This could be a big win for customers, both commercial and consumer classes. Sure, AmEx offered more Read More +
Amazon challenged on gender pay gap
When you think of Amazon, likely one of the last things that come to mind is “gender pay gap.” But that’s the issue that could become a national PR crisis if the massive mail order retailer can’t figure out how to answer the gauntlet tossed down by a U.S. securities regulator. Arjuna Capital, a subsidiary of Baldwin Brothers Inc., is demanding that Amazon, along with eight other tech companies including eBay and Intel, allows shareholders to vote on a proposal related to gender pay equality. Read More +
ACLU weighs in on Apple’s fight with the FBI
The American Civil Liberties Union just entered the battle between Apple CEO Tim Cook and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Not surprisingly, they came in on Apple’s side. The ACLU sent a brief to the federal court looking into Apple’s case against the FBI, basically saying the FBI cannot force Apple to do its job. Here’s the crux of the commentary: “Law enforcement may not commandeer innocent third parties into becoming its undercover agents, its spies, or its hackers … If the government prevails, then Read More +
What is Kohl’s Thinking?
A few weeks ago Kohl’s announced their Q4 earnings – for retail and online stores alike, this is the quarter that should soar, Kohl’s didn’t. They reported a measly 0.4 percent increase in comparable sales over the holiday quarter. This would not be good news, no matter what, but this also places them nearly $2 billion short of their 2015 year-end goal. They saw only a one percent sales increase for the year. The day they announced their 2015 Q4 results, stock (KSS) prices dropped Read More +
Fiorina shifts to her new career
Her doomed POTUS career has been over about a week, but Carly Fiorina is already launching a new career. Credentialed public speaker for hire. Not on politics, but on economic and business strategy. Could this be a shift for a potential cabinet position or is Fiorina simply biding her time before making another presidential run? Read More +
Will GoPro come crashing down?
GoPro blasted onto the scene in one of the earliest and most successful interaction social media marketing campaigns. It dared users to do amazing things and send in their videos or post them on YouTube. Users did, thousands upon thousands of them. For a time, it appeared that GoPro would rule the prosumer video market forever. The brand made superstars of YouTube personalities and allowed anyone to establish a following for their video-based antics and adventures. But the party could not last forever. These days Read More +
Keep your best PR employees longer
Hey manager, pop quiz! When do you ask your people “what can I do to get you to stay?” Most people will answer: “when they are getting ready to leave.” Why? At that point, it’s too late. They’ve already gone through the process and made their peace with leaving. Think about it, you have a team member who is either unhappy and actively looking for a new opportunity, or you have a team member who hears about another opportunity. Regardless, their decision to pursue that Read More + Read More +
