The article discusses the Oscars' partnership with YouTube to host the awards show, highlighting the potential risks of blending the show's traditional prestige with broader populist appeal, which could impact the brand's exclusive image.
Toyota is transforming its Century model into a standalone ultra-luxury brand positioned above Lexus, aiming to compete with brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, and expanding its presence internationally.
Many celebrities are creating their own brands and side businesses outside of their main entertainment careers, driven by the desire to diversify income and build personal brands, as exemplified by figures like Lisa Loeb and John Legend.
The 2025 Forbes list recognizes 50 influential CMOs worldwide, emphasizing that true influence is measured by impact on brands, business, and culture rather than visibility or popularity. The list highlights how modern influence is decentralized, networked, and driven by impact, with inductees demonstrating leadership in innovation, cultural relevance, and strategic brand stewardship across various industries. The Forbes CMO Hall of Fame honors those with sustained influence, with six inductees this year exemplifying enduring contributions to their brands and the industry.
Lionel Messi's absence from a promotional event in Hong Kong has caused a public relations crisis for Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer team co-owned by David Beckham. The event was part of a promotional tour for the team, but Messi did not show up, leading to disappointment among fans and negative publicity for the team's brand.
KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has clarified that the band's "End Of The Road" farewell tour marks the end of touring for the band, not the brand. He mentioned that KISS will continue through various avenues such as a museum, cruises, a movie, a cartoon show, and merchandise. Simmons also revealed plans for future KISS performances, including different traveling shows with local actors and musicians. The band's longtime manager, Doc McGhee, compared the KISS brand to the Marvel universe and expressed confidence that it will continue even after the current members retire. The farewell tour, which began in 2019 and was interrupted by the pandemic, is now scheduled to conclude in late 2023.
Former President Donald Trump's decision to attend his civil trial in New York was driven by personal and business reasons, as the accusations of fraud strike at what he values the most: his business and brand. Trump has been publicly seething since the judge's pretrial ruling last week, particularly regarding the valuation of his Mar-a-Lago property. Despite advice from his attorneys, Trump brazenly attacked New York Attorney General Letitia James and the judge overseeing the case, Arthur Engoron. Trump believes that any punishment from the judges will benefit him politically. He described the trial as a "witch hunt" and complained about being kept from the campaign trail, even though he attended voluntarily.
Silicon Valley Bank's new owner, Boston-based private equity firm Polaris Partners, is working to rebuild the bank's brand and stem outflows of deposits. The bank has faced challenges in recent years, including a decline in deposits and a loss of key executives. Polaris is focused on improving the bank's technology and expanding its offerings to better serve its clients in the tech industry.