First Coffee, Then Donuts: Like salt and pepper, ketchup and mustard, coffee pairs naturally with donuts. The combination extends to corporate communications. Several issues ago we told you how a Starbucks official cited the upcoming presidential election as a reason for lower in-store sales. Now Dunkin’ Donuts has done something similar, saying Oct. 20 people are buying fewer donuts in its stores because they’re blue about lady and the trump (aka Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. The donut maker reported missing its revenue target, although U.S. same-store sales and profits exceeded expectations. Asked about the brand’s slowdown and the overall downturn in the quick-service restaurant sector, CEO Nigel Travis cited changes in gas prices and food stamp regulations, “and of course, the overwhelming dampening effect of the presidential election.” When we reported the Starbucks news we presumed Americans were replacing coffee with hard liquor, bracing for Election Day. But donuts? Shouldn’t people be eating more of them to ward off unpleasant thoughts? Kidding aside, analysts attribute a consumer funk to retail’s current downturn and the election is part of that. It’s agreed the restaurant and quick-food industries are being hurt by excessive competition and reduced foot traffic, which is linked to the election.
Platform Prater: Marketers can create a more immersive and VR experience now that Facebook plans to support 360-degree photos and videos. They’ll become part of Instant Articles, where publishers’ content is displayed quickly on mobile devices, Facebook said Oct. 21. 360 videos were launched on Facebook’s news feed last year; photos came June 2016. – They’re unconfirmed reports so far, but apparently Twitter’s inability to curb offensive comments on the platform was a factor in suitors Disney and Salesforce backing away from an acquisition. So-called internet trolls have long been an issue for Twitter, although the company said over the summer it was taking steps to deal with offensive language and thoughts on the platform ( PRN, July 25). – Consumers soon will be able to message brands the same way they message friends and family. LivePerson became the first company to launch a way for large brands to use Google’s AdWords click-to-message ad extension, LivePerson said Oct. 18. Rolling out in the coming weeks, the ad extension lets consumers message an advertiser via SMS directly from a pay-per-click ad. LivePerson will route the messages to the brand’s sales and service teams via the LiveEngage platform. “Consumers seeing a sponsored search result can tap the messaging icon and immediately start a text message conversation with the advertiser, to make a purchase or get information, a much more modern take on the traditional sales 1-800 number,” LivePerson said. The takeaway for communicators: Mobile messaging likely will begin increasing the social conversation.
Canadian Women in PR, American Women in PR
News and Names: The Organization of Canadian Women in Public Relations has launched sister organization American Women in Public Relations. Together, the two will form the networking group Women in PR North America. The groups’ chairperson and president Talia Beckett Davis told us in an Oct. 19 email the sister organization “was developed to enable…women leaders in PR across North America to come together to share ideas, contacts and experiences, and to advocate for major issues directly affecting women working in the PR industry today.” An official launch will be held in NY in March. – If all the names in the previous item haven’t confused you, here’s news that Spong of Minnesota, which rebranded just two years ago, has a new name again: Carmichael Lynch Relate. Before it became Spong, the firm was called Carmichael Lynch Spong. The word “relate” is a nod to the firm’s relationship-building prowess.
WonderLust 50+:50 might not be the new 30, but Karen Strauss, chief strategy and creativity officer at Ketchum, tells us “90% of RFPs say their target is millennials…but that leaves out a lot of people, those who are 50+ and have more disposable income than millennials.” A new Ketchum study says the 50-and-up crowd is active and wants to connect with brands. The study urges marketers to tap into this demo with pitches for self-improvement and learning, solo travel and community service with an experience included.
People: Time Inc. HR chief and EVP Greg Giangrande was named CCO. He replaces Jaison Blair, who remains SVP, investor relations. – Edelman global COO Matthew Harrington was named chair of the PR Council. Previously the 30-year Edelman vet was president of the firm’s eastern region. Carrie Jones, JPA Health Communications principal and managing director, was named secretary; Todd Hansen, principal, O’Malley Hansen Communications, becomes treasurer.