Nike is setting up the Sustainable Business & Innovation Lab, a venture-capital subdivision that will focuse on alternative energies and more efficient approaches to manufacturing. The startup also will seek out companies that promote healthy lifestyles.
USA
Starbucks wants its coffee to be available in all countries of the world, to all people, but this requires not only opening new chain stores, but also offering equal purchasing opportunities to all customers. For visually impaired consumers, the coffee giant has released its Fall 2011 card featuring the word ‘Starbucks’ in Braille, which is now available in participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada for a limited time and can be also purchased online at StarbucksStore.com while supplies last.
Jameson, one of the biggest fans of cinema in the world of alcohol brands, is offering its consumers once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate with a Hollywood celebrity on a short movie. The brand, which has presented a bunch of initiatives related to the world of cinema (Jameson Short Film Award and John Jameson Production are just a few of them), is now inviting emerging filmmakers to visit its Jameson First Shot website and enter the competition for a chance to get Kevin Spacey cast in a short film, based on their script and directed by them.
Toyota USA has begun to collect stories from Camry owners within the new ‘Camry Effect’ initiative. About seven million Camry drivers in the United States are encouraged to register on an online platform and share the moments connected with their Camry such as first dates, road trips, soccer games, job interviews and college days etc. In this way, Toyota wants to evaluate its 30-years impact on the American culture.
Toyota continues to explore the ‘plural’ theme—the auto brand teamed up with Saatchi & Saatchi LA agency to launch a new piece in its advertising push ‘Prius Goes Plural’ launched to promote the Toyota Prius hybrid model range. Now, the brand introduces the People Person, created of 18 humans, which together make up a new huge character, being its body parts. Brought together, they move and act like a single creature, performing usual daily routine (turning off an alarm clock, brushing teeth, etc.), reflecting the idea that most of us behave in similar way, while being quite different by nature.
To celebrate its 40th birthday, Starbucks has presented a new commemorative coffee blend dubbed Tribute Blend, launched the multi-platform promotional campaign, released ‘Onward’ book telling the brand’s story and even updated its green siren logo. All these new additions were warmly welcomed by the public, now the brand adds apparel to the list of the anniversary-related merchandize, hoping to continue the success. The coffee giant teamed up with designers Alexander Wang, Sophie Theallet, and Billy Reid, the recipients of the past three annual CFDA/VOGUE FASHION FUND awards, to develop a line of signature limited edition T-shirts, which represent the brand’s vision and spirit and pay tribute to Starbucks ongoing commitment to help deprived communities in developing countries, contribute to ecological initiatives and provide people around the globe with best-quality coffee.
Dr Pepper will donate more than $1 million of tuition money as part of the annual Dr Pepper Million Dollar Tuition Giveaway. The soft drink fans aged 18—24 can submit videos online to explain why they deserve tuition money for a chance to win various prize levels, including one of five $100,000 grand prize scholarships.