Apple has been holding an employee fitness challenge for seven years now. Each year, employees are encouraged to “close their rings,” based on the Apple Watch fitness interface. This year’s prize reflects that goal with the understated design and branding that Apple is known for…
Read MoreAuthor: Brendan Menapace
The Internet Is Freaking Out About the ‘Cotton Tote Crisis’ (But Should It Be?)
The New York Times recently published a story that included some alarming statistics about how tote bags might not be the eco-friendly cheat code that some people think they are. And, of course, most of Twitter was talking about it. But is the “Cotton Tote Crisis” based on misinterpreted data?…
Read MoreWendy’s Has Reinvented the Branded Beanbag Chair for Our Modern Meme Age
It’s tough in the world of fast food promotions right now. Everyone is trying to out-weird each other and go the extra mile. Is Wendy’s new Big Brain Bean Bag Chair practical home decor for a modern adult? Absolutely not. Is it hilarious and fun? You bet. It’s also a play for the coveted internet audience…
Read MoreUniversity of Tennessee NIL Deal Lets All Football Players Profit From Sales of Team Branded T-shirt
The new name, image and likeness rules in the NCAA, now commonly referred to as “NIL,” are giving student-athletes the chance to monetize themselves for the first time. A lot of the campaigns are from superstar football and basketball players looking to capitalize on the hype before they go pro, but a lot of other…
Read MoreNew Vietnam COVID Lockdowns Slow Apparel Supply Chain
Vietnam has grown to become one of the top apparel manufacturing hubs as companies diversify their sourcing. But with the country imposing more lockdowns this week to stop the spread of the Delta variant, apparel sellers are up against yet another supply chain disruption…
Read MoreThe North Face Sues Small Apparel Brand Over ‘Imitation’ Logo Featuring Drug-Dealing Reference
The North Face is suing a Raleigh-based T-shirt seller doing business as “The Trap Face” for trademark infringement. Besides similarities in the font and colors, the biggest problem for The North Face is that, in this instance, “trap” refers to the practice of selling illegal drugs…
Read MoreKanye West Sold $7M in Merchandise During ‘Donda’ Listening Party, Drops Presidential Album Merch
After a few delays, Kanye West finally dropped his new album, “Donda.” For someone like Kanye, whose marketability is through the roof and whose approach is multi-faceted with every creative endeavor he pursues, it’s no surprise that there’s a big merchandising push as part of the album release…
Read MoreCalifornia Ports Facing Record Container Ship Backlog as Supply Chain Issues Worsen
A record 44 container ships are currently waiting to access the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The combination of labor shortages, COVID shutdowns at international ports and the holiday season rise in demand has created a perfect storm of shipping issues…
Read MoreReal Madrid Finds Huge Merch Store Success From Instagram Shopping Tags
Spanish soccer giant Real Madrid has seen some pretty impressive e-commerce growth from Instagram. After gaining 12 million new followers from 2020 to 2021, the club reported that 75,000 Instagram users accessed the official Real Madrid online merch store through Instagram…
Read MorePacifico, OBEY Clothing Collaborate With Surfrider Foundation for Three-Pronged Merchandise Campaign
Beer brand Pacifico and apparel brand OBEY Clothing captured Southern California’s surfing culture to raise money for the Surfrider Foundation, borrowing artwork from a Venice Beach mural and printing it onto apparel and tote bags…
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