Outdoors-focused ad campaign points to return of Ford Bronco
The Ford Bronco SUV, an iconic American off-roader, has re-emerged after a 24-year absence with its public debut Monday night in a series of three-minute stories created to run on three leading Disney-owned TV channels and Youtube.
Ford tapped a country singer and two rock climbers to talk about the Bronco lifestyle in an effort to appeal to consumers who enjoy hiking, cycling, skiing, rock climbing, rock crawling, kite sailing, surfing, kayaking, paddleboarding, camping and pretty much every other rugged adventure imaginable.
Consumers will see the small Bronco Sport SUV in showrooms later this year. The two-door and four-door Bronco will be released in the spring of 2021.
Family-owned Kokosing hands CEO position to new generation
Westerville-based Kokosing, one of the nation’s largest family-owned construction companies, has named new chief executive officers.
Brett and Bryce Burgett will share the CEO titles, taking over the role from Brett’s father and Bryce’s uncle, Brian Burgett, who will remain chairman of the Kokosing board.
In addition to jointly leading Kokosing, Inc., Brett Burgett will oversee Kokosing Industrial, Mcgraw Kokosing and Corman Kokosing. Bryce Burgett will oversee Kokosing Construction, The Olen Corp., Kokosing Materials Inc. and Integrity Kokosing Pipeline Services.
Founded in 1951 by William Burgett, Brian Burgett’s father, Koskosing employs 3,800, including 500 in central Ohio, and has annual revenue of $1.5 billion.
Smart shopping cart to debut at future Amazon supermarket
Amazon unveiled a smart shopping cart Tuesday that uses cameras, sensors and a scale to automatically detect what shoppers drop in. It keeps a tally and then charges their Amazon account when they leave the store. No cashier is needed.
It’s the latest attempt by Amazon to shake up the supermarket industry and offer a solution to long checkout lines. The online shopping giant opened a cashier-less supermarket in Seattle that uses cameras and sensors in the ceiling to track what shoppers grab and charge them as they leave. The company also has roughly 25 cashier-less convenience stores with similar technology.
The cart, called Amazon Dash Cart, will first show up at a Los Angeles supermarket that Amazon plans to open later this year. It could be used later at Amazon’s Whole Foods grocery chain, or at other stores if Amazon sells the technology.
Target’s discount on supplies for teachers to run for 6 weeks
Target is bringing back its backto-school discount for teachers this summer. But instead of the savings for educators lasting one week, as in past years, the Minneapolis-based retailer announced Tuesday that it will offer 15% off select classroom supplies and essentials for six weeks.
Target said the discount begins Sunday and runs through Aug. 29. It can be redeemed only once during Target’s Teacher Prep Event.
Starting Tuesday, teachers may verify their eligibility for the discount through the Target Circle loyalty program on the retailer’s app or online at Target.com/teacherprep.
Ad campaign touts pursuing new career course; critics push back
A new White House-backed ad campaign aims to encourage people who are unemployed or unhappy in their jobs or careers to “find something new.”
The opening ad in the “Find Something New” campaign that began Tuesday features ordinary people sharing their stories. A companion website provides links to training and other resources.
The initiative was swiftly criticized on social media; some responses suggested that the effort is insensitive during a pandemic and the widespread unemployment it has caused. Others criticized the involvement of Ivanka Trump, President Donald Trump’s daughter and White House adviser who is a co-chair of the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board that created the campaign.
From staff and wire reports