1. Under Armour Bans Strip Club Expenses
Under Armour joins the #MeToo Movement after sending an email to all employees stating that adult entertainment and gambling can no longer be charged to corporate cards. Which begs the question, who thought this was a good idea? Previously, executives and employees, including Chairman and Chief Executive Kevin Plank and top athletes, joined together to visit local strip clubs after attending sporting and corporate events. Participation by male executives in these “Bro Blowouts” drew the ire of shareholders. Under Armour holds partnerships with several leading women athletes, like Misty Copeland and Lindsey Vonn, so they are determined to rectify their company culture in response to these allegations. Kevin Plank says that the company “can and will do better” as they begin to adjust their policies and their behavior. Yep, we have a book for you, bro: What Happens in Vegas Stays on YouTube.
2. All Aboard the Applebooze Cruise
Who knew drunk business could be smart business? Applebee’s is saving your paychecks…but maybe not your livers. After releasing the famous $1 Dollarita drink and other dollar beer and cocktail specials, Applebee’s has hit its highest quarter in 14 years with a sales increase of 7.7% this past quarter. “Because [customers] are getting a great value on the beverage side, they tend to be ordering desserts and appetizers,” says Applebee’s President John Cywinski. It’s hard to deny that those Four Cheese Mac n Cheese Chicken Tenders and Hot Fudge Shooters don’t look just a little more appealing after a Dollarita or five. The goal is to bring in business from the margarita-loving millennials, even introducing new food creations like Grilled Chicken Wonton Tacos to appeal to their unique food pallets. #AppleBeers
(Source: The Hustle)
3. Amazon Splits HQ Between 2 Cities
Instead of having one HQ2 with up to 50K+ employees and more than $5B in investments like they had originally anticipated, Amazon has switched their tactics. The company will now award the new HQ to two cities—Queens, NY, and Arlington, VA—splitting the assets equally between the two. This decision will hopefully allow Amazon to reach the highest levels of tech talent available along with relieving potential complications with housing and transit with the surplus of incoming employees. Each HQ will likely have 25K employees earning an average of $100K+ per year. The cities are eager to reap the benefits that this decision will carry to their economies.
