Retailer Justice launches campaign with music star
New Albany-based tween clothing retailer Justice is launching what it calls its “biggest back-to-school campaign yet” in partnership with 13-year-old music star Mackenzie Ziegler.
The singer, dancer and former Dance Moms star is releasing a new dance-inspired clothing line called “Mackenzie Ziegler for Justice Active.” To go with it, she is releasing a new song and video, “Teamwork,” which focus on empowering and supporting
young girls against bullying, the theme of the retailer’s “Live Justice” back-to-school marketing campaign.
The clothing collection features activewear including leotards, cropped hoodies, tank tops, and leggings. The collection, which features such trends as splatter paint, sequins, patches and graffiti, ranges in price from $5.90 to $29.90 and is available at Justice locations and online at Shopjustice.com.
Helping to create the new clothing line with Justice is “a dream come true,” Ziegler said in a statement. “The line represents my passion for music, dance and clothing.”
Ziegler has more than 20 million followers on socialmedia platforms that include Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook and musical.ly.
The video, which can be seen on Justice’s YouTube channel, showcases Ziegler and the Justice Dance Troupe wearing pieces from the new collection.
Back-to-school costs higher, bank says
COLUMBUS — Back-toschool costs for families with elementary and middle-school children will be higher this year, according to Huntington Bancshares’ annual Backpack Index.
Costs should be slightly lower for high-school students than a year ago.
Parents of elementary children can expect to pay $662, up 1 percent from last year; parents of middle-school children should expect to pay $1,001, a 4.6 percent increase; and parents of high-school students should expect to pay $1,489, a drop of $ 9.
The index looks at the costs of required equipment and supplies, plus school fees, including those for playing sports or participating in the band.
Franklin to add 8 jobs, build R& D facility
COLUMBUS — Franklin International, a maker of adhesives and sealants, said it will add eight jobs and invest $4.4 million in a new 12,500- square- foot researchanddevelopment facility at its corporate offices in Columbus.
Franklin plans to formulate new polymers, produce the next generation of adhesives and develop new manufacturing technology meant to help the company become more effi cient.
Franklin has been based in Columbus since 1935.
Elevator Brewing hires new brewmaster
COLUMBUS — Elevator Brewing Co., one of central Ohio’s oldest craft breweries, has hired a new brewmaster.
Doug Beedy, most recently of Tilted Axis brewery in Lapeer, Michigan, will lead Elevator’s Downtown brewery. Beedy has 20 years of brewing experience, most of it in Michigan at Fort Street Brewery and North Channel Brewing Co. He also is a brewery consultant.
Changes could be coming, as Beedy, who prefers Belgian and farmhouse ales, will oversee production and creative aspects of the brewery and will bring new ideas to the role, according to a press release.
Farmers introduces roadside-help plan
COLUMBUS — Farmers Insurance has implemented new technology in Ohio meant to speed roadside assistance to customers.
The technology is meant to locate customers who need help quickly and efficiently; identify and dispatch the closest service vehicle instantly; and provide realtime notifications, updates and a progress map that customers can follow on their smartphones.
The program has been introduced in 35 states, and Farmers plans to roll it out in additional states throughout the year.
Sentry Global opening office in Dublin
DUBLIN — Dallas-based Sentry Global Technologies is expanding into the Midwest and has opened an office in Dublin.
The location at 6500 Emerald Parkway, Suite 100, will serve Sentry clients in the Midwest.
Sentry supports thousands of data- and voice-network users at midsized businesses and organizations in the Southwest and Midwest.