09-06-18

Nike and the art of politicizing a brand this NFL season

As the NFL begins its regular season, it’s expected that the debate around players who kneel during the National Anthem will continue. Especially after Colin Kaepernick, who led the protests, landed a spot in Nike’s Just Do It ad campaign, drawing tremendous praise and scorn.

Latest Videos

Lil Nas X is reinventing the rules of music promotion

Lil Nas X uses his Nike lawsuit controversy to promote his new Kanye West-produced single, and the Frito-Lay strike shows the not-so-hot working conditions behind your Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. This is Fast Company’s brand hit and miss of the week.

Lil Nas X is reinventing the rules of music promotion

Texting this one word connects the hungry to food with dignity

In the United States, food insecurity isn’t caused by a lack of food, but by a lack of access to the food available. It affected one in four households in 2019, and the COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated the situation. Meanwhile, 96% of Americans have a cellphone. Bento is a text-message-based platform that connects people in need to prepaid meals at local restaurants and grocery stores.

Texting this one word connects the hungry to food with dignity

How Ryan Reynolds created an ingenius marketing metaverse

The star hilariously uses his ‘Deadpool’ character to promote his new movie ‘Free Guy,’ and staff at a Nebraska Burger King have it their way and quit. This is Fast Company’s brand hit & miss of the week.

How Ryan Reynolds created an ingenius marketing metaverse

How Nike stays ahead of the curve with its socially conscious marketing

It feels like, in recent years, there is no escape from brands speaking out on social and political issues. But amidst the cancel-culture chaos of socially conscious marketing, one brand stands out for its authenticity. So how does a company like Nike, with 60,000 employees, decide what issues it wants to tackle and the best way to go about it? Host Chris Denson spoke with Jarvis Sam, VP, Diversity & Inclusion, and Melanie Auguste, VP, Global Brand Marketing, about their approach.

How Nike stays ahead of the curve with its socially conscious marketing

The ad industry just got a wake-up call for its mistreatment of women

Looks like not much has changed since the Mad Men era, as hundreds of women recently shared their horror stories about working in advertising, and Heinz ketchup uses hot dog controversy to create its latest ad campaign. This is Fast Company’s brand hit & miss of the week.

The ad industry just got a wake-up call for its mistreatment of women

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

On this episode of the Hit the Ground Running podcast, Yasmin and Christina talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. They also speak with Joseph Johnson, chief people officer at Mansueto Ventures.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Megan Thee Stallion in a fintech ad? Here’s why it works

Introducing Fast Company's brand hit and miss of the week. Cash App drops $1 million with Megan Thee Stallion, and Toyota doesn't let disregarding democracy get in the way of its political donations.

Megan Thee Stallion in a fintech ad? Here’s why it works

Can AI unlock the hidden potential of plants?

On this episode of the ‘World Changing Ideas’ podcast, Brightseed cofounder and COO Sofia Elizondo discusses the AI her company has developed to find nutrients in plants that can be used as preventive medicine.

Can AI unlock the hidden potential of plants?

The founders of Philadelphia International Records look back at 50 years of Philly Soul

This Black Music Appreciation Month, Fast Company’s KC Ifeanyi spoke with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff—the innovative founders of Philadelphia International Records. As Gamble and Huff celebrate the 50th anniversary of PIR, the two explain the importance of their label and how they created that signature Philly Soul sound. KC also caught up with Dr. Mark Anthony Neal, professor of African and African American Studies at Duke University, and Philly legend DJ Jazzy Jeff on how PIR has impacted their lives and careers.

The founders of Philadelphia International Records look back at 50 years of Philly Soul

How Peloton is running its brand into the ground

Tourism Ireland taps into Assassin's Creed to encourage gamers to go beyond the screen. Peloton sabotages its potential by turning its treadmill into the heaviest brick in the house.

Impact

If college campuses are embracing vaccine mandates, businesses should, too

Uber says it will be more transparent with drivers about the full cost of the ride

Want to create 8 million new energy jobs? Meet climate targets

News

Stock up on toothpaste, shampoo, soup, and cereal now before prices jump even higher

Didi stock price plummets yet again after more bad news from Beijing

Why neuroscientists say you shouldn’t play smartphone games to alleviate boredom

Co.Design

Tracks are designed to favor some athletes over others—but not in the way you think

Prince Charles and Jony Ive launch a new design lab backed by Amazon

How Chez Panisse redesigned fine dining—and changed how America eats

Work Life

The best way to answer “Describe a time you had to make a difficult decision” in an interview

How drag queen Shea Couleé is pushing her brand from soap and beer to (hopefully) Marvel

Yes you can use TikTok to advance your career. Here are 5 ways to do it