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☆ Here are Thursday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Netflix, Tesla, Intel, Robinhood & more
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Piper Sandler reiterates Nvidia as overweight Piper said it's sticking with its overweight rating heading into earnings next week. JPMorgan reiterates Netflix as overweight JPMorgan said it's sticking with its overweight rating following Netflix's upfront advertising presentation. Our price target moves to $340, reflecting channel commentary and recent multiple appreciation." JMP reiterates Robinhood as market outperform JMP said it's sticking with its market outperform on the stock trading company. "We are upgrading Wayfair Inc. to BUY from HOLD, with a price target of $83."

Persons: Piper Sandler, Piper, NVDA, Blackwell, Wolfe, underperform Wolfe, Houghton, it's, Truist, JMP, Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Dell, DELL, Wells, Jack, Tesla, Raymond James, Wolfe Alpha, SharkNinja, Argus Organizations: Citi, Nvidia, JPMorgan, Netflix, Intel, Energy, Networks, FedEx, UBS, Texas, RBC, Holdings, Devices, Alpha, AMD, " Bank of America, Bank of America, of America, Wayfair Inc Locations: 2H25, Asia, China

☆ Asia’s 50 best restaurants for 2024 revealed
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —After losing the number one spot to Bangkok in 2023, Tokyo has reclaimed its crown as the city with the top eatery in the region at the annual Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards, which were announced in Seoul, South Korea on Tuesday evening. The list – part of the global “World’s 50 Best” brand – is compiled by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, which is made up of more than 300 food critics, writers, chefs and restaurateurs, all selected for their knowledge of Asia’s restaurant scene. Though Singapore didn’t have any restaurants in the top five, nine of its venues made the top 50 list – more than any other city. Courtesy The World's 50 BestThe “Asia’s Best Female Chef” award went to Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij, owner of Bangkok restaurant Potong, which came in at 17 on this year’s list. Mineko Kato of restaurant Faro in Tokyo won the Asia’s Best Pastry Chef award and Kevin Lu of Logy, in Taipei, was voted Asia’s Best Sommelier.

Persons: Daniel Calvert, Calvert, “, ”, Sézanne, I’ve, we’d, Gaggan, Seroja, Gaggan Anand, Thitid “, Sühring, Le Du –, Ton, Bangkok –, Odette, Pichaya, Pam ’ Soontornyanakij, Ton’s Nusara, Mineko Kato, Kevin Lu, Logy, Sung Anh, Mosu, Danny Yip, Hong, Le, Fu, Hui, Samrub, Villa, Ling Long, Ando, Les Amis, Baan, Goh, Anan, Tam’s Organizations: CNN, Marunouchi, Restaurants Academy, Hospitality, Toyo, Meta, Studio, Bund Locations: Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, South Korea, Japan, France’s Champagne, Maronouchi, Asia, ”, Kolkata, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thai, ” Singapore, Faro, Taipei, Nusara, Suhring, Osaka, Odette, Sorn, Le Du, Potong, Shanghai, Logy, Masque, Mumbai, Manila, Delhi, Seroja, Taichung, Taiwan, Mume, Wakayama, Lolla, Avartana, Chennai, India, Fukuoka, Jakarta, Kyoto, Anan Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Macao

☆ From doubter to devotee: How New York’s Elise Stefanik emerged as a top Trump ally
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Gregory Krieg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Stefanik has often explained it herself: She saw Trump’s popularity in her upstate New York district and got on board. That first impeachment proceeding made her a “Republican star,” as Trump himself said at the time. When there was a nationwide baby formula shortage in 2022, Stefanik blamed the “White House, House Dems, & usual pedo grifters” on social media. One upset donor told CNN in 2023 that he gave to Santos “because of Elise Stefanik’s endorsement.” Stefanik frequently denied any previous knowledge of his Santos’ history. “The American people stand with President Trump,” Stefanik wrote, “against the unethical, unconstitutional, and unprecedented weaponization of the judicial system.”CNN’s Alayna Treene contributed to this story.

Persons: –, Donald Trump –, Elise Stefanik, Trump’s, ”, Stefanik, Trump’s staunchest, Joe Biden’s, Claudine Gay, she’d, Paul Ryan, Trump, she’s, MAGA, “, ” Stefanik, Kevin McCarthy, Ohio Sen, J.D, Kari Lake, Kristi Noem, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Nikki Haley, Vance, Ben Carson, Jim Jordan of, Florida’s Matt Gaetz, Steve Bannon, Vivek Ramaswamy, ’, he’s, Nancy Pelosi, ” “, George Santos, Santos “, Elise Stefanik’s, Santos, Letitia James, Alayna Treene Organizations: CNN, Donald Trump – New York, Republican, GOP, Yorker, Harvard University, Time Magazine, Trump, California Rep, Ohio, South Dakota Gov, Arkansas Gov, White House, Conservative Political, Conference, Former South Carolina Gov, Trump Republicans, New, House Dems, ” “, New York Republican, New York Times, Washington and New York, Congress, New York, Trump’s Locations: “, America, alma mater, New York, Vance , Arizona, South, Washington, Lake, Jim Jordan of Ohio, detractor, Lago, vouching, Washington and New, Florida

☆ Takeaways from New York’s high-stakes special election
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Gregory Krieg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —Democrat Tom Suozzi is heading back to Congress after defeating Republican Mazi Pilip in the special election to replace serial fabulist and expelled former GOP Rep. George Santos. The result will further narrow the GOP’s already thin House majority and hand President Joe Biden’s party a boost as the general election campaign comes into focus. If not redemption, the New York Democratic Party in this special election earned a reprieve. As the storm swept through Queens and Long Island on Tuesday, Republican groups and the Pilip campaign scrambled to drive – literally in some cases – their voters to the polls. (Democratic Rep. Grace Meng from the neighboring 6th congressional district, and the area’s Asian American voters, delivered above and beyond for Suozzi.)

Persons: Tom Suozzi, Republican Mazi Pilip, George Santos, Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, Biden, he’s, –, Santos, Trump, Pilip, Suozzi, ”, George Santos’s, Rick Lazio, didn’t, Hakeem Jeffries, Kathy Hochul, Jay Jacobs, thrall, Israel –, Grace Meng Organizations: CNN, Republican, GOP Rep, Biden, Democrats, New York’s, ’, GOP, Trump, Santos, George Santos’s volleyball, New, Democratic, New York Democrats Suozzi’s, New York Democratic Party, – Gov, GOP House, Israel Defense Forces, Republicans, Democrat, Queens Locations: Long, dissing, Israel, New York City, New York, Queens, Gaza, Nassau County, Queens –, Suozzi

☆ New York Democrats are worried about Tuesday’s special election. They have good reason to be
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Gregory Krieg | Veronica Stracqualursi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

But as the special election to succeed the disgraced former congressman has made painfully clear to Democrats, Santos’ victory was not a fluke or anomaly. (Less so 40 years ago, when Republicans ran roughshod here and Ronald Reagan alluded to Nassau County as a Republican’s idea of heaven.) Nassau County in 2024 is sharply divided and – in a word – angry. The year before, Democrat Laura Curran, the top official in Nassau County, was ousted by Republican Bruce Blakeman. But more liberal New York Democrats often point to the current problems as Cuomo’s legacy.

Persons: Republican George Santos ’, Santos ’, –, Tom Suozzi, Ronald Reagan, Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, ”, Alyssa Cass, “ George Santos, Chuck Schumer, Laura Curran, Republican Bruce Blakeman, Santos, Hakeem Jeffries, “ Hakeem, “, he’s, Jay Jacobs, Jeffries, it’s, ” Jacobs, ” Curran, there’s, ” It’s, Curran, Suozzi, doesn’t, Andrew Cuomo, Jacobs, Cuomo, Kathy Hochul, ’, Mazi Pilip, Peter King, Adam Gray, Tom, Larry Levy, ” Levy, I’m, Joe Cairo, Mazi, it’s …, Mike Florio, Pilip, mailers –, Biden, Greg Abbott, George Santos ’, ” Suozzi, Trump, Alexandria Ocasio, Ilhan Omar, Ayanna Pressley, Rashida, unvetted ”, Roe, Wade, Court’s Dobbs, we’re, it’ll, Jim Fornaro, aren’t, ” Fornaro, “ I’m, bummed, “ Suozzi, Nestor Oginar, Suozzi canvassers Rachel Klein, Stephanie Visconti, ” Klein, ” Visconti, Stephanie Visconti's Organizations: New York CNN, Democrats, Republican, Congressional, Republicans, Democratic, Biden, Trump, GOP, New York Democrats, Democrat, Nassau County Democratic, CNN, Grassroots, New York City Hall, New York Rep, Bloomberg, Getty, National Center for Suburban Studies, Hofstra University, Nassau County Democrats, Democratic Party, Nassau County GOP, New York Post, Long Islanders Builders Institute, Psychiatric, Republican Gov, ICE, George Santos ’ volleyball, Senate, Suozzi, Long, Engage Locations: Plainview, New York, Long, Nassau County, Glen Cove, American, “, Long Island, ”, York, Nassau, Massapequa , New York, Suozzi, Israel, ” Cairo, Pilip, it’s … Montgomery, Bucks, Pennsylvania, Oakland County , Michigan, America’s, New York City, York City, Queens, Texas, Cortez, Macedonian, North Carolina, New Hyde

☆ Tiger Woods and Nike’s ‘seismic’ partnership is over. Where do they go from here?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Jack Bantock | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

After 27 years, 15 major championships, 82 PGA Tour wins and hundreds of millions of dollars in endorsement contracts, Tiger Woods and Nike announced the end of their collaboration on Monday. With Woods marking the sportswear company’s “significant entry” into golf, the partnership – and its impact – was “seismic,” explained Ben Peppi, sports commercial expert at JMW Solicitors. “For a long time post-Michael Jordan’s retirement, pre-Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiger Woods was Nike,” Peppi told CNN Sport. He transcends his sport – he wasn’t just a golf ambassador, he was a Nike icon.”As Woods became synonymous with golf, Nike became synonymous with Woods. Woods and Knight at the Tiger Woods Foundation's 20th Anniversary Celebration, held at the New York Public Library in 2016.

Persons: Tiger Woods, Woods, –, J.D, ”, Ben Peppi, Michael Jordan’s, Cristiano Ronaldo, ” Peppi, “, Tiger, Tiger …, David Cannon, Arnold Palmer, Bob Dorfman, ” Nike, Phil Knight, Knight, Gustavo Caballero, Peppi, “ There’s, Jason Day, Roger Federer, Federer, Yoshikazu, Michael Jordan, David Beckham, Usain Bolt, Puma, “ They’re, that’s, ’, it’s Organizations: CNN, Nike, Stanford University, Pumpkin, JMW Solicitors, “, CNN Sport, Augusta National, Gatorade, Accenture, Arnold Palmer Invitational, Baker, New York Public Library, Adidas, PGA, & $ Locations: golf’s, Cornelius , Oregon, Woods, ’, Japan

☆ Donald Trump and son ask NY appeals court to pause gag order
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Kara Scannell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —A New York appeals court judge on Thursday temporarily lifted the gag order placed on Donald Trump and his attorneys in his civil fraud trial following an emergency hearing. Judge Arthur Engoron imposed the gag order on Trump to prevent him from making any statements about court staff, citing security risks. His order came after Trump posted on social media a baseless allegation involving the judge’s principle law clerk. The judge later extended the gag order to ban Trump’s attorneys from making any public statements about communications that the judge has with the law clerk. Engoron has already ruled that Trump and his co-defendants were liable for fraud.

Persons: Donald Trump, David Friedman, ” Chris Kise, “, Trump, ”, Arthur Engoron, Trump’s, Letitia James, James, Engoron, CNN’s Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle Organizations: CNN, First Judicial, Trump, New York, New, Democrat, Trump Organization Locations: York, Trump

☆ Homesick Americans living in the UK should head to Costco for snacks
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Costco sells some American brands and products that aren't commonly available in the UK. Candy brands I saw at Costco included Red Vines licorice, Mike and Ike candy, and Welch's Fruit Snacks. A five-pack of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner costs £11.19 (around $2.75 per box) on the UK website, whereas on its US website, Costco charges $18.99 for 18 boxes of around the same weight – or just over $1 per box. AdvertisementAdvertisementBrits can still get their tea fixThere were, however, plenty of British products on sale, showing how it had adapted its assortment to UK shoppers. Grace Dean/Insider; Will Martin/InsiderLike many supermarkets in the UK, Costco was keen to point out the local origins of some of its own-brand Kirkland Signature produce as consumers pay more attention to food miles and supporting domestic agriculture.

Persons: —, Jerry's, Kraft, Will Martin, Candy, Red Vines, Mike, Ike, I'd, Grace Dean, Tetley, Heinz, Heinz Beanz, Jacks Organizations: Costco, Kraft, &, Service, Kraft Mac, Tesco, Asda, YouTube, Red, pretzels, San Francisco Pretzel Company, Daily, San Francisco Bay Coffee, Kraft Macaroni, Yorkshire Tea, Kirkland, Aberdeen Angus Locations: London, Puerto Rico, Canada, American, San Francisco Bay, South Croydon, Japan

The high-stakes civil case strikes at the heart of Trump’s brand – his real estate empire. New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing Trump for $250 million and seeking to bar him from doing business in the state. Trump’s attacks in a vacuum weren’t particularly remarkable – he’s used the same barbs throughout the course of the trial, which he’s attended repeatedly as a spectator. Trump’s rhetoric prompts an angry response from the judgeEngoron tried at the outset of Trump’s testimony to stop the former president from making speeches and instead answer the questions, but it did little to change Trump’s approach. “There’s a disclaimer clause where you don’t have to get sued by the attorney general of New York,” Trump said.

Persons: Donald Trump, Judge Arthur Engoron, Chris Kise, Trump, Letitia James, Engoron, ” Trump, James, he’s, “, ”, ” Kevin Wallace, ” Engoron, Kise, ” Kise, Alina Habba, Wallace, Lago, ” Wallace Organizations: New, New York CNN, Trump, New York, Trump Organization, Forbes, Forbes Magazine, Mar Locations: New York, “, –, Florida, Mar, Aberdeen, Scotland

But the fact that he is the overwhelming favorite to run the GOP, it makes this a staggering Monday,” said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley. Trump once took the stand — unexpectedly and briefly — after he was accused of violating a partial gag order. “My intent is to attend Donald’s appearance as he was gracious enough to attend my court appearances,” he said. Eric Trump, the former president's middle son, who testified in the case last week, said his father was eager for his appearance on the stand. The judge eventually ruled in Roosevelt's favor after a five week trial, in which the former president spent eight days on the witness stand.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, “ It’s, ”, Douglas Brinkley, —, Arthur Engoron, Engoron, Michal Cohen, “, Eric Trump, Cohen, Trump's, ” Brinkley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Barnes, Eric Tucker Organizations: Trump, DEMOCRAT, New York Republican Party, Associated Press Locations: Manhattan, New York, Washington

“Donald Trump and the other defendants have committed persistent and repeated fraud,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said outside the state Supreme Court courthouse on Monday morning. Editorial Cartoons on Donald Trump View All 675 ImagesSuch inflations helped Trump build a real estate empire and bolster his image and brand – both of which eventually propelled him to the White House. Trump has maintained innocence and says he plans to appeal any and all decisions and orders against him. We have a racist attorney general who is a horror show, who ran on the basis that she was going to get Trump before she even knew anything about me.”“It’s a scam,” he said. Meanwhile, the attorney general prosecution’s witness list is 28 people long, and includes Trump’s sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump and his daughter Ivanka Trump.

Persons: Donald Trump, “ Donald Trump, ”, Letitia James, Judge Arthur Engoron, Trump, Engoron, James, “, ” Trump, ” Christopher Kise, Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump Organizations: Trump Organization, ” New York, Trump, Trump National Golf, Donald Trump View Locations: Manhattan, Florida, Mar, New York

☆ Russell Brand makes first public comments since sexual assault allegations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Sophie Tanno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Russell Brand has made his first public comments since being accused of rape and sexual assault, thanking followers for “questioning the information they have been presented with” while not addressing the claims. Last Saturday, British outlets The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4’s “Dispatches” published a joint investigation in which four women alleged Brand sexually assaulted them in separate instances between 2006 and 2013. One of the women said she was 16 and Brand was 31 at the time of the alleged assault in London. One woman was treated at a rape treatment center the same day as the alleged assault, according to the report. “By now you’re probably aware that the British government have asked big tech platforms to censor our online content and that some online platforms have complied with that request,” he said.

Persons: CNN — Russell Brand, ”, Brand –, Brand, Brand preemptively, Covid Organizations: CNN, Sunday Times, The Times, Police, YouTube Locations: British, London, Los Angeles

☆ Russell Brand: UK police investigate sexual assault report after allegations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Christian Edwards | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

One of the women said she was 16 and Brand was 31 at the time of the alleged assault in London. Without naming the British comedian – who denies the allegations – a Met spokesperson said on Monday: “We are aware of reporting by The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches about allegations of sexual offenses. In the video, Brand described the claims as “very serious allegations that I absolutely refute.”The women chose not to be identified by name in the report, according to The Times. A BBC spokesperson said Sunday: “The documentary and associated reports contained serious allegations, spanning a number of years. Brand shared the video with his 11.2 million followers on X, formerly Twitter, and his 3.8 million followers on Instagram.

Persons: CNN —, Russell Brand, Brand, –, ” Downing, Rishi Sunak’s, “, ” Brand preemptively, James Manning, Brand –, ”, We’ve, Russell Brand’s, ” Brand Organizations: CNN, CNN — London’s Metropolitan Police, Sunday Times, The Times, The Sunday Times, Met, ”, Met Police, Theatre Royal Windsor, ” Media, BBC, Twitter, Instagram Locations: London, Soho

☆ Trump's Top 5 defenses in his massive NY financial fraud case, in his own words
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-03 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementHere are Trump's top five business fraud defenses – in his own words – as revealed in a recently-unsealed deposition transcript. New York attorney general's officeTrying to pass the blame won't work, two attorneys who used to work for previous New York attorneys general told Insider. And you're suing them instead of going after violent criminals," he scolded the attorney general and her lawyers. Then there's the $250 million Trump allegedly pocketed by lying about the size of his collateral. 3: his math is "worthless"At the center of the attorney general's case are a decade's worth of Trump's Statements of Financial Condition.

Persons: Trump, Donald Trump, Letitia James, James, Andrew S, Amer, Kevin C, Wallace, Brittainy Newman, Eric, I've, Mazars, We're, I'm, general's, Kenneth Foard McCallion, Tristan Snell, –, Susan Watts, they'd, Snell, McCallion, Donald Trump's, Laura Italiano, Kathy Willens, Jennifer S, Altman, Carlo Allegri, John Minchillo, Drew Angerer, George Washington, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, He's Organizations: Trump Org, Service, York, New York State, New York, AP Trump, Trump Organization, New, Trump University, Trump, Deutsche Bank, NY Daily, Getty, Associated Press Deutsche Bank, McCallion, Associates, Washington, MSNBC, Reuters, U.S, Marriott Marquis Locations: NY, Wall, Silicon, Manhattan, New York, Trump's, Trump Tower, Manhattan , NY, . New York, Trump, New York City, Springs, Westchester County , New York, Mount Kisco, N.Y, Washington ,, Miami

☆ Bud Light tries to win back conservatives one grunt at a time in a new ad featuring NFL star Travis Kelce
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Bud Light released a new ad with Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, titled "Backyard Grunts." Bud Light aims to win back conservatives with a new ad featuring Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and several decidedly less athletic men gingerly easing themselves into various seats — and grunting. Bud Light faced backlash over partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in April. The new 15-second spot depicted various backyard gatherings and has no dialogue apart from grunts, sighs, and Kelce saying "yeah." He also said about the summer advertising strategy: "you can look forward to Bud Light reinforcing what you've always loved about our brand – that it's easy to drink and easy to enjoy."

Persons: Bud Light, Travis Kelce, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Brendan Whitworth, Mulvaney, Whitworth, Bud, Busch, you've Organizations: Kansas City Chiefs, Anheuser, Busch US, Morning, Busch, CBS, Bud Light, Modelo Especial Locations: America

☆ US CEO of Bud Light maker tells customers 'we hear you' after brand loses best-selling beer in America crown
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Grace Mayer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Anheuser-Busch's US CEO outlined steps the brand is taking to alleviate Bud Light backlash. This week, Bud Light lost its title as the best-selling beer brand in the US. In the video, Mulvaney, 26, talked about a March Madness contest sponsored by Bud Light, and how she was celebrating her "day 365 of womanhood." A decline in Bud Light sales has persisted. Earlier this week, the Bud Light beer brand ceded its title as the best-selling beer brand in the US to Modelo Especial beer, after the beer brand's sales dropped by 23% in May, according to data compiled by consumer-behavior research firm Circana and shared with Insider.

Persons: Bud, Bud Light, —, Bud Light's, Brendan Whitworth, Whitworth, you've, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Mulvaney Organizations: Service, Anheuser, Busch, Bud, Bud Light, Modelo Especial

☆ US CEO of Bud Light maker tells customers 'we hear you' after brand loses best-selling American beer crown
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( Grace Mayer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Persons: Bud, Bud Light, —, Bud Light's, Brendan Whitworth, Whitworth, you've, influencer Dylan Mulvaney, Mulvaney Organizations: Service, Anheuser, Busch, Bud, Bud Light, Modelo Especial

☆ Here’s why Shake Shack’s recent deal with Engaged Capital may have fallen short for shareholders
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Kenneth Squire | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Business: Shake Shack owns, operates and licenses Shake Shack restaurants, which offer hamburgers, chicken, hot dogs, crinkle-cut fries, shakes, frozen custard, beer, wine and other products. Shake Shack entered a cooperation agreement with Engaged. Over the past 20 years, he and his team have developed one of the greatest casual hamburger chain restaurants in the country, Shake Shack. They took Shake Shack public in 2015 with 63 restaurants and have expanded to 436 restaurants in eight years. As a public company, Shake Shack has significantly underperformed both the market and its peers.

☆ Volkswagen plans core brand revamp to boost returns -internal memo
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Volkswagen AG FollowBERLIN, May 17 (Reuters) - German carmaker Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) plans to overhaul its core brand to increase efficiency and returns, according to an internal memo from VW brand chief Thomas Schaefer seen by Reuters on Wednesday. "We can see that our brand – despite all its strengths – is not yet on a sufficiently solid economic footing," Schaefer wrote in the memo. The Volkswagen brand must act," he wrote. Handelsblatt business daily first reported the plans, saying they involved cost savings and were designed to increase annual results by at least 3 billion euros. In the memo seen by Reuters, Schaefer wrote that details of the revamp would be worked out in coming weeks and months.

☆ Luxury hotel opens atop Vietnam’s tallest building
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The new Vinpearl Landmark 81 has just opened inside the country’s tallest building, Landmark 81, in Ho Chi Minh City. It clocks in at 461 meters (1,512 feet) high and overlooks the Saigon River in the eastern stretch of Vietnam’s biggest city. The rest of Landmark 81 is a mix of private residences and public attractions. Vinpearl Landmark 81 is located about 11 km (7 miles) from Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Vietnam’s biggest and busiest airport. Vinpearl Landmark 81, 720A Đ. Điện Biên Phủ, Phường 22, Bình Thạnh, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam; +84 28 3971 8888

☆ How Uber left Lyft in the dust
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In the process, Lyft cultivated a feel-good brand – but Uber dominated the market. “As a member of the board, he knows both the challenges and opportunities ahead.”For Lyft, the current challenges are immense. While Uber diversified its business beyond ride-hailing by delivering meals and grocery items, Lyft never did. David Risher, Lyft's new CEO, flanked by Lyft's co-founders, Logan Green (left) and John Zimmer (right). Davidson, wrote in a note this week that the new CEO “could signal an increased willingness to broaden the strategic aperture at LYFT a bit as it relates to areas like product strategy (delivery), partnerships, or other novel ways to create value.”Former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick (left); current Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi (right).

☆ New Starbucks CEO says he'll work a half-day behind a store counter monthly as he plans to prioritize 'human connection over every cup of coffee'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

In his letter, obtained by Insider, he said there's an opportunity "for a refounding of Starbucks" by prioritizing "human connection over every cup of coffee." Though he didn't mention the ongoing movement to unionize Starbucks stores, Narasimhan repeatedly discussed the "partner" experience. Nearly 300 Starbucks stores nationwide have voted to unionize. Laxman Narasimhan officially took over as CEO of Starbucks on March 20. He ended the letter by saying one thing that won't change – how employees greet customers: "How may we serve you today?"

☆ No, 'Stranger Things' star Noah Schnapp didn't open his own restaurant. It's the latest 'virtual brand' offering from IHOP.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Thousands of virtual brands continue to flood delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. IHOP is launching a third delivery-only brand – a chicken menu by a "Stranger Things" star. Partnering with Noah Schnapp and Nextbite were a seamless fit to meet the consumer target for our newest Virtual Brand." Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp helped create a virtual chicken menu for IHOP. Nextbite's other celebrity-backed virtual brands include Packed Bowls by Wiz Khalifa and 'Wichcraft sandwiches by Tom Colicchio.

☆ Disney clash with activist Peltz will have sequel
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Lauren Silva Laughlin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

NEW YORK, Feb 16 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Activist investor Nelson Peltz often plays a long game. Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger unveiled $5.5 billion of cost cuts last week when the $200 billion theme-parks-to-streaming company released fourth-quarter earnings. "The proxy fight is over,” a spokesperson for his outfit Trian Fund Management told Reuters. Could Peltz still end up on the Disney board? "The proxy fight is over.

☆ Blended travel lets people switch from work to leisure with ease. Here's how hospitality and travel companies are accommodating this experience.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Insider Studios With Crowne Plaza Hotels | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

For business travelers, this means combining work with leisure or blended travel. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts reimagined its hotel spaces, amenities, and service culture to help travelers flex between work and leisure. "Many other hospitality brands put the blend into bleisure, but at Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, we know the future is about flexibility." Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts"It's vital to provide these transitional moments for the new breed of connected traveler," Taggart said. Book your blended travel experience at Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts.

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