By Reuters
The Huffington Post this morning. (Reuters)
AOL Inc. will buy Arianna Huffington’s influential website for $315 million, looking to the high-profile liberal pundit to rescue it from the dustbin of Internet history.
The move comes at a hefty premium. AOL is estimated to pay 32 times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the Huffington Post, said Benchmark Co analyst Clayton Moran.
Similar content deals, such as Hellman & Friedman’s acquisition of Internet Brands in September 2010, typically go for eight to 12 times earnings, said Moran. Get the full story »
By Emily Bryson York
Jack Daly
Jack Daly, chief communications officer for McDonald’s Corp., died Saturday morning after a battle with cancer. He was 62.
“Through the depth of his thinking and strength of his insights, Jack helped guide McDonald’s through some of our greatest successes and most difficult challenges, always with humility, calmness and grace,” McDonald’s CEO Jim Skinner said in a statement.
A company veteran with nearly 20 years at the Oak Brook-based fast food giant, Daly oversaw the global public relations function.
Get the full story »
By CNN
It’s that time of year again: Girl Scout cookie season. But some cookie monsters won’t be able to get their favorites. The Dulce De Leche and the Thank U Berry Munch cookies are being pulled from the menu in various cities across the country, according to Michelle Tompkins, spokeswoman for Girl Scouts of the USA. Get the full story »
Feb. 4 at 5:28 p.m.
Filed under:
Advertising/Marketing,
Autos
By Reuters
Chrysler Group LLC is hoping to catch its rivals off guard during the Super Bowl by running an unusual two-minute commercial during the most heavily watched U.S. television event of the year.
The U.S. automaker plans to run the ad during the third quarter of the National Football League’s championship game on Sunday, being played by the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, Chrysler Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said on Friday at a J.D. Power conference in San Francisco. Get the full story »
Feb. 4 at 10:23 a.m.
Filed under:
Advertising/Marketing,
Insurance
By Becky Yerak
Super Bowl Sunday might be the darling of live television events, but Chris Rogers and Jim Hawley get paid to confront the realities that defy its good-time vibe.
Rogers is risk-control director for Chicago-based Aon Corp.’s national entertainment group, which counsels arenas, stadiums and other public venues on how they can improve safety at their events and in the process avoid disasters or getting sued. Get the full story »
From Mashable | After a harried day in the office, meal planning may be the last thing on your mind. It might be evident on your face, though.
That’s the premise behind an interactive technology Kraft and Intel recently introduced called the “Meal Planning Solution.” The kiosk-like display, which is likely to show up in at least one retail location this year, is meant to help weary shoppers find new recipes during last-minute grocery trips. Get the full story>>
By Dow Jones Newswires
Kraft Foods Inc. said an appeals court agreed to hear arguments over whether Starbucks Corp. can proceed with taking over distribution of its bagged coffee as planned on March 1.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Thursday said it would hold an expedited appeal, according to Kraft, which must file its argument by Feb. 9. A final ruling on the appeal could come by the end of the month.
Kraft planned to appeal last Friday’s ruling, where the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York denied a preliminary injunction that would block Starbucks from taking over the distribution from Kraft in just a couple of weeks. Get the full story »
By Reuters
Boeing Co. and EADS launched dueling advertising campaigns on Thursday as the companies’ bitter battle to capture U.S. refueling aircraft orders valued at up to $50 billion neared another pivotal point.
Boeing and Airbus parent EADS must submit their final proposal revisions, also known as “best and final offers” for 179 new aerial tankers by Feb. 11 after separate meetings with U.S. Air Force officials on Monday, Feb. 7. Get the full story »
Feb. 3 at 5:51 a.m.
Filed under:
Advertising/Marketing,
Internet,
Sports
From Crain’s Chicago Business | Groupon has secured a spot during the Super Bowl to air a commercial being created by Christopher Guest. Earlier, the company thought it would only have access to pre-game and post-game commercials. Get the full story>>
Feb. 2 at 5:20 p.m.
Filed under:
Advertising/Marketing
From Crain’s Chicago Business | Chicago ad agency DraftFCB may see State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. leave it and turn to ad agency DDB Worldwide Communications Group Inc.
By Gregory Karp
Taco Bell said Friday that it has launched a nationwide advertising campaign to tell customers what’s in the seasoned beef it puts in its tacos, burritos and other fare.
The campaign is in direct response to media coverage of a suit filed last week by an Alabama law firm. The suit claims Taco Bell is incorrectly using the word “beef” to promote its products because the taco mixture doesn’t contain enough of it to use that term. Get the full story »
By Gregory Karp
Part of Taco Bell's ad in major U.S. newspapers.
The beef about Taco Bell beef is heating up. The fast-food chain took out ads in several U.S. newspapers to lash out at a law firm that alleges Taco Bell doesn’t use much beef in its ground beef taco filling.
“The lawsuit is bogus and filled with completely inaccurate facts,” says a statement attributed to Greg Creed, president and chief concept officer of Taco Bell Corp. He said the beef is “just like the quality beef you would buy in a supermarket and prepare in your home.” Get the full story »
By Emily Bryson York
McDonald’s Corp. has named Kevin Newell executive vice president and global chief brand officer. He was previously senior vice president and restaurant support officer for McDonald’s USA, West Division. Get the full story »
Jan. 27 at 1:11 p.m.
Filed under:
Advertising/Marketing,
International
By Melissa Harris
Christopher Guest.
Christopher Guest — the mockumentary director behind “Waiting for Guffman” and “Best in Show” — will direct Groupon’s spots for the Feb. 6 Super Bowl broadcast, a rep for Guest has confirmed.
It’s not clear what will be in the ads or how long they will run, but Groupon employees will be “eating mini-quiches” and not taking bathroom breaks about 30 minutes before the game and during the “Glee” episode airing later, a source close to the company joked. Get the full story »
