Plus, Hallmark Channel CEO departs ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 
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First Things First
 
January 22, 2020
By Jameson Fleming
 
 
Rest in Peace, Mr. Peanut—Planters Kills Off Iconic Mascot in the Lead Up to Super Bowl
 

Last year, Bud Light and HBO shocked Super Bowl viewers by killing off an iconic character, the Bud Knight. Not surprisingly, the Bud Knight lived to see another ad in a new campaign months later. For Super Bowl 54, Planters is going the same route. In a pregame spot revealed Wednesday, Mr. Peanut meets his tragic end at the ripe old age of 104. He sacrifices himself after the Nutmobile crashes, saving the lives of actors Matt Walsh and Wesley Snipes. His funeral will be the focus of the spot, which VaynerMedia is behind.

Watch: See how Mr. Peanut meets his demise.

More Super Bowl news:

To stay on top of all Super Bowl related news, bookmark our Super Bowl tracker, which is filling up quite quickly as we close in on the Big Game.

 
 
 
 
 
Hallmark Channel Chief Bill Abbott Exits Following Same-Sex Wedding Ad Controversy

One month after Hallmark pulled wedding planning brand Zola's ads featuring a same-sex kiss, Bill Abbot, the Crown Media Family Networks president and CEO for 11 years is out. He oversaw the rise of one of cable TV's most successful promotions: Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas. The event’s ratings have more than doubled over the decade, propelling Hallmark to No. 1 among all cable networks in the fourth quarter among women 25-54 since 2016. And ad revenue for the franchise has tripled over that same period.

Read more: The network is still clearly feeling the heat as it canceled its TCA winter press tour event to avoid answering questions about the decision.

 
 
 
Gap CMO Alegra O'Hare Steps Down Less Than a Year After Appointment

After a tumultuous year that included tumbling stock prices, the departure of CEO Art Peck and an abandoned attempt to spin off Old Navy into its own separate company, Gap cut ties with CMO Alegra O'Hare. She took on the role in February 2019 after a decade of success at Adidas. While her time at Gap was short, she left her mark on the brand, creating campaigns centered around iconic Gap products like its  signature logo hoodie and classic jean styles.

Read more: Get a full rundown of everything that's gone wrong at Gap over the past year.

 
 
 
Isaiah Mustafa and Old Spice Reunite 10 Years After 'I'm on a Horse'

Old Spice brought back Isaiah Mustafa for its latest campaign...and got overshadowed on social media by the aforementioned death of a famous legume. The new spots feature Mustafa as his classic character, but this time around he plays the father of a high school boy who doesn't share the same grooming habits as his father. Luckily for the father-son duo, Old Spice has a product for everyone in the ads.

Watch it: Yes, there's a horse joke, but not the one you'd expect.

Best of the Rest: Today's Top News and Insights

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This Sweet LGBTQ Coffee Ad Has Been Viewed 12 Million Times
 

The Belgian spot went viral on Twitter.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Promoted Content by CleverTap
This New Framework Helps Marketers Focus on Retention
 
This New Framework Helps Marketers Focus on Retention
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adweek Promos and Events
DJ, Mogul and Entrepreneur, DJ Khaled’s, “Keys” to Success
 

Want to learn “the keys” to DJ Khaled’s success? Join us at Challenger Brands, March 4-5 in New York City, where DJ Khaled will share his journey from a local Miami DJ to an entrepreneur and formidable brand ambassador. 2 days, 12 tracks and insights from the world’s most disruptive and legendary brands. Limited passes remaining – claim yours before prices increase next Tuesday, Jan. 28.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
How Does Your Company Help Employees Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance?

Meghann Craig, vp, marketing, Empower

With 38% of Empower's workforce represented by moms, we know that a work/life blend is important to retain top talent. That's why we have an ease back in program. Returning moms can work a 4-day work week at full pay for five weeks. We also provide four private nursing rooms, a kids play room and a health and wellness room. We also offer in-house massages by a professional masseuse.

Lisa Mitchelmore, head of people and culture, Ragged Edge

Alongside the usual benefits (private medical, enhanced sick pay, cycle and tech schemes) and the increasingly popular well-being support (mental health workshops, in-house yoga sessions, smoothies, monthly breakfast talks and book club), we now give every member of the team an extra ‘My Day.' We urge the team to explore and find what makes them happy and book the day to go and experience it. It can be volunteering, spending a day in a gallery or focusing on their side hustle. They can even gift it to a teammate.

 
 
 
 
 
Privy CMO on the Ecommerce Company’s Comeback and Building a Sustainable Business
 

From running out of money to generating $2.5 billion in sales, the comeback story for ecommerce platform Privy is nothing short of impressive. Newly named CMO Dave Gerhardt and former vp, marketing, Drift has seen it allhaving worked at Privy in 2014 when it had $1,000 left in the bank.

 
 
 
 
 
After an Erroneous Report, the NFL Clarifies Its Position on Las Vegas Advertising in Super Bowl
 

The gambling mecca is welcome in the Big Game.

 
 
 
 
 
The Color Factory Offers More Than Just Instagram Fodder
 

Pop-up that celebrates color inspires brands and gets involved with local communities.

 
 
 
 
 
Brands of the Future Will Thrive By Operating With a Higher Perspective
 

It’s the most efficient route toward long-term success.

 
 
 
 
 
 
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