Category: children
Chicago-based beer maker Pabst, plans to relocate its headquarters to Los Angeles this summer. The company has not commented on reasons for the move, but Eric Schmidt, an analyst with Beverage Information, says the Metroupolos family, which purchased the company last summer, will likely “move aggressively to rebuild Pabst brands.” Two family members live in LA. Latimes.com 5/14/11
Skechers Shape-ups, toning sneakers promoted to adults, are now being pitched to young girls. The Parents Television Council say’s Skechers advertising emphasizes popularity, thinness and attractiveness, and encourages young girls to look like older girls. Skechers says Shape-ups for Girls promote exercise and fitness. CBS News 5/13/11
Yum Brands, owners of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, wants to increase its 27.2% stake in “Little Sheep” a chain of hot pot restaurants in China. NYTimes.com 5/13/11.
Walmart (WMT) plans to acquire a minority stake in the holding company of Yihaodian, a fast-growing e-commerce company in China with significant sales of groceries, baby, consumer electronics and other items. Forbes 5/13/11
Burberry plans to boost sales in far eastern markets by using its “Britishness” to differentiate itself in a luxury market dominated by European brands such as Louis Vuitton and Gucci. Guardian.co.uk 5/13/11
Facebook is being accused of hypocrisy for promoting transparency while anonymously trying to persuade reporters to write stories critical of the privacy implications of Google’s search feature Social Circle. NYTimes 5/13/11
Procter & Gamble (PG) says consumers are increasingly choosing its brands over store brands, a sign of an improved economy. The company plans to raise prices on products including Pampers diapers, Iams pet food and Head & Shoulders shampoo but is keeping prices down on lower tier products such as Luvs diapers. Businessweek 5/12/11
Prestige Brands (PBH) nearly doubled its fourth-quarter profit on strong over-the-counter product sales, helped by acquisitions and growth of its five core brands. The company makes products including Clear Eyes, NightGuard, Dermoplast, Sleep-Eze, Comet and Spic and Span. Foxbusiness.com 5/12/11.
Maidenform is extending its brand with the launch of Maidenform Swimwear, in partnership with Malibu Dream Girl. PRNewswire 5/12/11
Apple is the world’s most valuable brand according to Brandz top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands 2011. Download report here.
Unilever, the world's third-largest maker of consumer goods behind Procter & Gamble Co. and Nestle SA, wants to buy Sara Lee Corp.'s worldwide body care products business and its European detergents but the European Union says it needs to examine the effect the deal will have on competition in European markets. Forbes 5/25/10
Fresh Express, a subsidiary of Chiquita Brands International, is voluntarily recalling one of its ready-to-eat salad mixes in 27 states because of possible salmonella contamination. KITV.com 5/25/10
Kimberly-Clark Corporation introduces trendy diapers with the launch of their limited edition Huggies brand Little Movers Jeans Diapers. The jeans have a printed denim pattern, including seams and back pockets. Some networks refused to run the ads promoting the new diapers because they contained the word “poo.” NYTimes.com 5/24/10
When drug companies are cited by the FDA for deceptive marketing, they lose 1% of market value on average, according to new research by Diana C. Robertson of Wharton and two colleagues. Harvard Business Publishing 10/22/09
Consumers are using the internet to find the best deals at retail outlets, toy stores and more “So what happens online, doesn’t always stay online in the new economy where deal hunting is driving buzz.” Nielsen Wire 10/23/09
Buzz about Christmas and holiday shopping on social media sites is down 3% year-over-year. This activity is in line with other research at Nielsen relative to retail expectations and consumers’ personal finances that indicate modest spending from a cautious consumer base. Nielsen Wire 10/23/09
Despite a drop of 28% in November sales at stores open at least a year versus 2007, Abercrombie & Fitch says they’re protecting the brand’s appeal as a casual-but-elite lifestyle brand for young adults by refusing to offer steep discounts during the holiday season. Los Angeles Times 12/13/08
Massachusetts-based toy retailer KB Toys Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and plans to close its 460 stores. Atlanta Business Chronicle 12/12/08
Dell (DELL) plans to charge new computer purchasers an annual or monthly fee for tech support agents based in North America. Some argue the practice accedes to customer prejudice against non-Americans, others that the support should be offered for free but Dell sees it as a way to fight globalization and still make a profit. Los Angeles Times 12/11/08
Apple (AAPL) is number one on BusinessWeek’s first annual list of “The World’s Most Influential Companies. “Apple has gained a cultlike following because it somehow manages to breathe new life into every category it touches,” says BusinessWeek. Apple, as well as other companies on the list, “have devised winning strategies in their industries and are the ones with game-changing ideas, the greatest impact on consumers, and the bold tactics rivals emulate.” Also making the list: Google (GOOG), Monsanto (MON), News Corp. (NWS), Toyota (TM), Unilever (UL) and Wal-Mart (WMT). BusinessWeek 12/11/08
Michelin Footwear has launched a website (www.michelinfootwear.com) for commercial industry professionals, featuring over 20 styles of boots and shoes, many with soles inspired by Michelin's high-performance tire tread designs. Michelin boots offer waterproof, protective toe and metatarsal support; electrical hazard protection; resistance to punctures, chemicals, heat and abrasion. Michelin Footwear was created in 2005 to leverage the company's technical expertise in managing contact with the ground in comfort and safety. Michelin Footwear 12/11/08 Photo: www.michelinfootwear.com
Nickelodeon will launch "The Big Green Help Global Challenge" on December 14th, a multiplayer kids' online game with a goal of igniting real-world action for environmental change. Kids are asked to virtually pledge volunteer hours in the "Global Challenge" that they can translate into actionable steps in their homes, communities and schools. The game is part of Nickelodeon's on-going global pro-social initiative, The Big Green Help, which aims to make energy-saving and earth-friendly activities a part of kids' everyday lives.
Nickelodeon 12/11/2008 (www.nick.com/biggreenhelp)
“Four Bucks is Dumb,” and “Large is the New Grande” proclaims a 140 billboard campaign promoting McDonald’s (MCD) coffee in high traffic locations throughout western Washington state---including within site of Starbucks (SBUX) headquarters. The campaign supports the launch of McDonald’s espresso in the Seattle area and is not expected to be expanded nationwide. SeattlePI.com 12/10/08
Office Depot (ODP) plans to close 112 underperforming stores and 33 distribution facilities in North America. Atlanta Business Chronicle 12/10/08
Kid-focused Chuck E. Cheese pizza parlors across the country are the scenes of an unusually high number of calls to the police for disorderly conduct and battery by adults. Some local law enforcement officials even say the number of disruptions at their local Chuck E. Cheese restaurant are higher than many nearby restaurants and bars. Alcohol and the “mama-bear instinct” – parents rushing to protect their young---is blamed for many of the incidents. Wall Street Journal 12/9/08. May require subscription.
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Some parents are finding out that kid-friendly websites, those that cater to children and teens by monitoring bad behavior and keeping out adult predators, are not as kid-friendly as they thought. The anonymity of online combined with the unlikelihood of getting caught, and the minor repercussions if they do, have spurred some kids to steal from, scam and cheat other kids.
Owners of such sites as Penguin Club, Webkinz and Neopets are trying to cut down on these virtual crimes by hiring monitors, establishing a virtual 911-like service, and conducting ‘sting’ operations to catch perpetrators. What’s the (virtual) world coming to?
“In virtual worlds, child avatars need protecting -- from each other”, LA Times, July 2, 2008
iParenting Media offers several media channels targeted to parents and parents-to-be: online, print and broadcast.
Online, iParenting.com is a network of more than 40 Web sites devoted to the entire family lifecycle – from preconception through the teenage years.
Accompanying the English Web sites are 11 Spanish parenting Web sites at iParentingEspanol.com.
The company publishes national newsstand magazine, Family Energy: Your Guide to Raising Healthy Kids, as well as five other national newsstand magazines: Pregnancy magazine, Baby Years magazine, Women’s Health & Fitness magazine, European Homes & Gardens magazine and The Buyer’s Guide magazine.
Dizzywood is story-driven virtual world for kids.
Gaia Online is a virtual social network and community role-playing site whose avatars are styled after anime cartoon characters. The site offers anime, manga, and video game discussions as well as a links database and a fan-art gallery.
The site is targeted to 13- to 22-year-olds.
Related: Time Warner Ga-Ga Over Gaia 1-10-08
