Podcast appearances and mentions of calvin mcdonald

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down Lululemon's sharp decline in performance, the exit of CEO Calvin McDonald, and ongoing struggles with U.S. sales and merchandising.

On a day in which the Dow and Russell 2000 hit fresh all-time highs, Carl Quintanilla and Jim Cramer also drilled down on continued weakness in the AI trade. Broadcom shares take a hit despite better-than-expected quarterly results. A shake-up at Lululemon: Shares of the athleisure retailer rally on news Calvin McDonald is stepping down as CEO. Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright joined the program at Post 9 after ringing the opening bell at the NYSE. Hear what he had to say about the restaurant chain and the state of the consumer.Also in focus: Costco's beat, RH CEO Gary Friedman on tariffs and earnings, What OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told David Faber about Google Gemini AI.Squawk on the Street Disclaimer Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Story of the Week (DR):3 from Trump: Trump Orders SEC to Review Proxy Adviser Rules in ESG Rebuke AND Trump signs executive order for single national AI regulation standard, limiting power of states AND Trump says Netflix, WBD deal could be 'problem' as son-in-law Kushner backs Paramount bid Trump directed several federal agencies to tighten regulations on proxy advisers:The S.E.C. was ordered to review rules and guidelines regarding the industry, including revising or rescinding any related to diversity, equity and inclusion (known as D.E.I.) and environment, social and corporate governance (or E.S.G.).The F.T.C. and the attorney general were directed to examine state antitrust investigations into the companies to see if there was a “probable link” between those inquiries and potential violations of federal antitrust law.And the Labor secretary was told to review regulations about the fiduciary duties of proxy advisers and others who advise managers of certain employee retirement accounts.These firms “wield enormous influence over corporate governance matters,” the executive order reads, adding that they “regularly” use their power to “advance and prioritize radical politically motivated agendas” instead of focusing on shareholder returns.CEO Moves:Lululemon Athletica's C.E.O., Calvin McDonald, will step down as the athleisure clothing maker struggles to turn itself around. MMHis tenure had been criticized by the company's founder, Chip Wilson.The athleisure retailer said that Calvin McDonald will step down as CEO and board member, effective January 31. Lululemon CFO Meghan Frank and chief commercial officer André Maestrini will serve as interim co-CEOs while the company searches for a new leader.McDonald has served as CEO of Lululemon since 2018, during which time he built the company into a brand powerhouse. But the company has been underperforming for more than a year, with the weakness most apparent in its core North American markeTime to let a woman runInterim co-CEO: CFO Meghan FrankBoard chair Marti Morfitt (CEO of River Rock partners, Airborne, and CNS)Director Alison Loehnis (former president and ad interim CEO of Yoox Net-a-porter group)Levi Strauss CEO Michelle GassHorrible board skills:Economics and Accounting 34%Mechanical 19%Computers and Electronics 12%Sales and Marketing 5%Administrative 5%Coca-Cola names insider Henrique Braun as CEO, replacing James Quincey Quincey will transition to the role of executive chairmanDisney wants you to AI-generate yourself into your favorite Marvel movieThe media company is investing $1bn in OpenAI – and allowing its characters to be used in generated videosTech Billionaires Are Starting Private Cities to Escape the United StatesCoinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan shared his vision for the “ultimate exit” by tech industry elites from the “failing” United States. “I think it's fair to say, in 2025, we have a movement”That movement is the rise of “startup societies,” a pro-corporate, anti-government coalition of tech magnates, libertarian idealists, and neoliberal economic theorists.As the Financial Times notes in new reporting on the phenomenon, the movement is indeed growing. What once was the stuff of dystopian fiction like the Bioshock franchise is now the task of some 120 startup societies throughout the world, each scrambling to erect specially-built cities to court billionaires who feel maligned by organized society.Goodliest of the Week (MM/DR):DR: Eileen Higgins will be Miami's first-ever woman mayorDemocrat Eileen Higgins is a sharp contrast to her predecessor, Republican Francis Suarez, who leaned into masculinity politics during his termBS in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico; MBA from Cornell University; country director of the Peace Corps in Belize; foreign service officer for the U.S. Department of State; Miami–Dade County CommissionerRepublican Francis Suarez: son of former Miami mayor Xavier Suarez; attorney with the law firm Greenspoon Marder, specializing in corporate and real estate transactionsDR: U.S. Court Strikes Down “Unlawful” Trump Ban on Wind Energy ProjectsA U.S. federal court struck down an executive order by President Trump aimed at freezing new wind energy developments across the country, agreeing with a coalition of 18 State Attorneys General that the administration's order was “arbitrary and capricious and contrary to law.”MM: Nintendo's 98% staff retention rate means the average employee has been there 15 yearsAssholiest of the Week (MM):Just sayin…RJ Scaringe, who recently got a mini Musk pay package and can afford a secretary: Rivian's CEO said self-driving cars shouldn't just be able to drive, but also run errands for you like a secretary: 5Joe Lonsdale, Stanford grad: Palantir cofounder calls elite college undergrads a ‘loser generation' as data reveals rise in students seeking support for disabilities, like ADHD: 7 Palantir Chief Legal Officer went to Stanford undergrad, Harvard for law school - and I bet he's a good lawyer: Palantir Sues CEO of Rival AI Firm, Alleges Widespread Effort to Poach Employees Cracker Barrel customers, average age of 340 year old: Cracker Barrel diners are sounding the alarm; here's what reportedly has them furious: 3One of those customers, 73-year-old Craig Watkins of Northern California, told the Journal he has watched the chain's quality fade and wants old staples and original maple syrup restored."I want pure syrup on pancakes, not that watered-down junk," he said, adding that he brings his own syrup when he visits.Craig, pure maple syrup is WOKEMark Cuban, billionaire: Billionaire Mark Cuban Says If You Want To Get Rich, Give Things Up—Drink Water Instead Of Coffee, Eat Mac & Cheese Not McDonald's, 'Save Every Penny': 5Jim Cramer, CEO sycophant: Billionaires Won't Save You,' Says Jim Cramer. 'They're Out For Themselves' And 'Never Apologize For Their Negativity': 5Jim Cramer on Meta CEO: “Zuckerberg Makes Elon Musk Look Like a Real Softy”Sam Altman, who forgets for 10,000 years babies were raised without AI: Sam Altman makes his late-night debut, says he can't imagine 'figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT': 9Elon Musk, manbaby: Elon Musk says the E.U. should be 'abolished'Alex Karp, who is trying desperately to stay in headlines: Palantir CEO Says Legalizing War Crimes Would Be Good for Business: 10Bob Iger word-salading his investment in OpenAI: ‘Creativity is the new productivity': Bob Iger on why Disney chose to be ‘aggressive,' adding OpenAI as a $1 billion partner: 7Honorable mention:Red Pill Apple - People moves: Former Meta CLO joins Apple as new general counselJennifer Newstead was at Meta from 2019, prior was an appointee of Trump 1.0 at Department of State and way back is partially credited with drafting the Patriot Act in Bush Jr (the act that allows the US to spy on everyone). Normally a move like this no one cares about, but shouldn't we? This is a new exec with a red pill, eye-in-the-sky history joining a company who literally sells privacy - they did a whole commercial about it that aired for a yearShe joins as Tim Cook keeps showing up at every bro-fest dinner with Trump, Musk, Huang, and all the other techlords of the universeHeadliniest of the WeekDR: Woman Hailed as Hero for Smashing Man's Meta Smart Glasses on Subway DR: Sam Altman makes his late-night debut, says he can't imagine 'figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT'Has he never heard of a library?MM: Project to Resurrect Dead Grandmas Sparks ControversyMM: When David Ellison was 13, his billionaire father Larry bought him a plane. He competed in air shows before leaving it to become a Hollywood executiveWho Won the Week?DR: Miami shareholdersMM: Miami, who got their first female mayor and the first democrat in 30 years, is overqualified, and was running against a nepo babyPredictionsDR: Lululemon still picks a man, because DEI is illegalMM: After reading this headline: Cracker Barrel stock drops after-hours as chain reports losses from 'unique and ongoing headwinds' - Robby Starbuck renames himself Unique and Ongoing Headwind Starbuck.

In this episode, Scott Becker breaks down Lululemon's sharp decline in performance, the exit of CEO Calvin McDonald, and ongoing struggles with U.S. sales and merchandising.

Singapore shares rose today, tracking gains seen across Asian markets. The Straits Times Index was up 1.26% at 4,577.92 points at 1.15pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$816.74M seen in the broader market. In terms of counters to watch for today, we have CDL, UOL, and GuocoLand, after DBS Research took a bullish stance on Singapore property counters, initiating a sector-wide lift in its target prices for developers including CDL, UOL and GuocoLand. Elsewhere from how earnings from chip titan Broadcom failed to meet investors’ lofty expectations, to higher than expected initial jobless claims numbers out of the US, more corporate and international headlines remained in focus. Also on deck, how Lululemon Athletica said its CEO Calvin McDonald was leaving the company without a replacement. On Market View, Money Matters’ finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Jeremy Tan, CEO, Tiger Fund Management.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Markets taking a leg lower after this morning's August Jobs Report: Sara Eisen and Carl Quintanilla broke down the numbers and key takeaways with JPMorgan's Chief Strategist David Kelly – before discussing what it means for the Fed with Goldman Sachs Chief Economist Jan Hatzius. Meanwhile, Lululemon the stock story of the day… Slumping double-digits after weak guidance and earnings: CEO Calvin McDonald joined the team in a CNBC exclusive to talk the road ahead, and what went wrong this quarter.  Also in focus: Is a 1 *trillion* dollar pay package in play for Tesla CEO Elon Musk? Details on the unprecedented proposal this hour – alongside analysis on the big AI trades of the day, spanning Broadcom to Samsara.  Squawk on the Street Disclaimer

Lululemon fue una de las compañías de moda de 2024. En el cuarto trimestre de este año tuvieron unos ingresos de más de 3500 millones de dólares, un 12% más que en el mismo periodo del año anterior. Mejoró también el beneficio por acción aunque el periodo de rebajas no tuvo el impacto esperado. Según datos publicados por SalesForce, la categoría de ropa registró las tasas de descuento más altas en Estados Unidos, en torno al 33% durante la temporada navideña, lo que perjudicó los márgenes. ¿Cómo vio la compañía este periodo navideño? ¿Qué espera para los siguientes meses? Calvin McDonald, CEO de Lululemon. Lululemon es una compañía canadiense que se fundó en 1998. Con apenas 27 años de vida, ha logrado colarse como una de las mejores marcas deportivas del panorama. Con sus productos para hacer ejercicio, sobre todo para Yoga, ha conseguido ser una de las compañías de moda de 2024. ¿Qué frentes abiertos tiene la compañía? ¿Qué se espera de Lululemon en los próximos años? Lululemon fue una de las grandes beneficiadas de la “fiebre” por el deporte que hubo por la pandemia, especialmente durante el confinamiento. Según un informe publicado por ASICS Research, en 2020, el 80% de los españoles afirmaron que estar activos les ayudó a sobrepasar la pandemia. Un fenómeno que se repitió en todo el mundo y que se tradujo en mejores ventas para Lululemon, que mejoró sus ventas este año más de un 10%. Aunque gran parte de su éxito se debe a la gran estrategia del dueño de la marca, Chip Wilson. Wilson fue una de las primeras mentes brillantes que supo ver que el Yoga iba a convertirse en un fenómeno mundial. Fue en 1998 y ese año fundó Lululemon. Aunque como hacen otros grandes inversores como Warren Buffet, el cambio constante en la estrategia empresarial es uno de sus mantras. Es por eso que en 2019 destinó más de 1.000 millones de dólares en efectivo para adquirir el 21% de Amer Sports, dueña de marcas como Salomon o Wilson. A finales de 2023 justificó esta decisión a Forbes alegando que creía que estaba justo en medio del mayor cambio en la forma de vestir de la historia del mundo. Aún sigue siendo el accionista mayoritario de Lululemon ¿Veremos un cambio de mando en la compañía canadiense este año?

Carl Quintanilla and David Faber began the hour by breaking down the cooler than expected PPI print, which sparked a market rally. BMO Capital's Brian Belski also joined the program to discuss why he's still bullish on the markets going forward. Later in the hour, Leslie Picker previewed the financial earnings on deck and the impact behind JPMorgan's leadership change, with COO Daniel Pinto announcing that he will retire at the end of next year. Also in the mix: Sara Eisen was live from the NRF Big Show for an interview with Lululemon CEO, Calvin McDonald. Squawk on the Street Disclaimer

In the recent earnings call held on 2024-03-21, Lululemon Athletica's CEO Calvin McDonald provided insights into the athletic apparel company's financial strategy. "In terms of SG&A, we forecast leverage of approximately 10 basis points versus 2023. We are prudently managing our expenses, while continuing to invest strategically into our Power of Three x2 roadmap, including investments in marketing and brand-building aimed at increasing our awareness in acquiring new guests, investments to support our international growth and market expansion, and continued investment in technology infrastructure and data analytics capabilities," shared McDonald. These statements reveal the company's focus on strategic investments while managing expenditure effectively. According to the company's presentation, Lululemon Athletica has noted a 16% growth in total revenue for the final quarter of 2023. The earnings report indicates that a diverse range of products and balanced growth sources, paired with a global footprint have helped in surpassing the annual revenue targets. For 2024, the company projects a growth continuation, a claim based on the past performance and projected strategy. Among the main factors highlighted by the Lululemon Athletica team during the earnings call were product innovations, which appear to have contributed to their progress significantly. Products like Scuba, Define, and ABC have seen popularity, contributing to a solid footing in the market. Improvements also come from the company's membership program, as the company reported over 17 million members, which suggests steady customer loyalty, thus enhancing customer lifetime value. The company, acknowledging shifts in consumer behavior, has adjusted its strategy by addressing product aspects related to sizing and color variability to strengthen its presence in the American market. The strategy's effectiveness seems apparent in the reported traction with younger demographics. A look into the next steps for Lululemon Athletica was also offered. These include expansion and optimization of retail locations, increased marketing for wider brand awareness, and a focus on product innovations. Investment in international markets is also prioritized as per their earnings call. While strong financial standing, innovation, and swift response to consumer trends, along with planned investments, form an optimistic picture for Lululemon, the future will be a test of how effectively these strategies translate into continued growth and market expansion based on these company-based statements and projections. Although Lululemon appears well-positioned in the athletic apparel industry, the dynamic nature of the market warrants a wait-and-watch approach. LULU Company info: https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/LULU/profile For more PSFK research : www.psfk.com  This email has been published and shared for the purpose of business research and is not intended as investment advice.

Lululemon Athletica Inc. has unveiled its latest earnings report on an executive call, instigating a robust conversation on their performance amidst the ongoing pressures of the macroeconomic landscape. On the call, CEO Calvin McDonald noted the company's impressive performance during the Cyber Five period, though he retained a note of caution for the outlook of the forthcoming Q4. In spite of this context, Lululemon remains dedicated to their strategic initiatives, which continue to play a significant role in its solid business performance. Lululemon's successful navigation of both physical and online retail landscapes has been a big part of their successful performance. The company reported strong revenue growth and increased market share without any pronounced financial weak points, as disclosed on their earnings call. This has been in part due to the accomplishment of several strategic initiatives, not least of which included an array of new product introductions such as the women's focused Wundermost collection and collections aimed at a male consumer base. Next to that, Lululemon has also prioritized investments into their branding efforts designed to engage the consumer demographic. TV campaigns tailored to their target audience and experiences revolving around the concept of well-being have been instrumental in boosting their global brand awareness, as noted on the call. Projected plans reveal that Lululemon is remaining firm in its dedication to pinpoint and pursue growth opportunities. This intention manifests in their plan to continue investing in new store openings and optimizations, alongside strategic steps made to fuel potential expansion. The company has also stated their plan on the earnings call to introduce men's footwear to their product line in the first quarter of 2024, providing additional breadth to their brand portfolio. In conclusion, Lululemon's persistence in these strategic endeavors and financial investments has played a large part in their upward industry trajectory and consolidating their position as a top tier athleisure brand. The existence of external pressures is acknowledged, and the cautious approach adopted by the company demonstrates a keen understanding of the macroeconomic landscape and a promise to provide guidance within this potentially difficult terrain. LULU Company info: https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/LULU/profile For more PSFK research : www.psfk.com  This email has been published and shared for the purpose of business research and is not intended as investment advice.

While studying politics at university in the UK Calvin McDonald (Brewdog) landed a part time job in a bar. Soon enough, he found the comradery infectious, and soon enough he was rising the ranks of a boutique craft beer company and leaving his university days behind him. He moved to London and become an integral part of the growth of one of the biggest craft beer and hospitality brands on the planet. When an opportunity to bring it to Brisbane emerged, he leapt into action, and has not only created four incredible hospitality venues downunder, but tailored them to fit in with Australian culture and expectations too. https://www.brewdog.com/au Follow Deep In The Weeds on Instagram    https://www.instagram.com/deepintheweedspodcast/?hl=en Follow Huck https://www.instagram.com/huckstergram/ Follow Rob Locke (Executive Producer) https://www.instagram.com/foodwinedine/ LISTEN TO OUR OTHER FOOD PODCASTS https://linktr.ee/DeepintheWeedsNetwork Deep in the Weeds is a food podcast hosted by Anthony Huckstep in conversation with chefs, food producers and members of the hospitality industry. An Australian Food Podcast from the Deep in the Weeds Network.

While walking this morning I listened to one of my favorite podcasts, Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman. This episode from Thursday, January 26, 2023, was part of the Rapid Response series and focused on how Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald not only kept the doors of Lululemon open during COVID, but grew the business.In the episode, Calvin shares how within your first 100 days as a leader it's important to share experiences for teams to consider, but not necessarily your opinion that may sway projects in one direction or another. Calvin also states that your opinion when a leader new to the company may also be wrong.Listen to "Stay Versatile: Lululemon Athletica's Calvin McDonald" at https://mastersofscale.com/stay-versatile-calvin-mcdonald/Thank you for coming back to the KEV Talks Podcast, and for subscribing, and please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.Remember...Have a plan to keep teams alignedStay informed with facts, not fear or rumorsGet involved so you can make a differenceGodspeed,Kevin

While many retail businesses have struggled to cope with a wave of disruptions — from pandemic to supply chains to inflation — Lululemon has continued to scale, even when retail sales elsewhere dipped. CEO Calvin McDonald shares how mid-term strategic planning, control over inventory, and a culture that climbs mountains together has fueled agility and versatility. When it comes to brand-building and community building, Calvin says, it's critical to lean into listening, so you can amplify what makes your business truly distinctive. Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale.comSubscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter at http://eepurl.com/dlirtXSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While many retail businesses have struggled to cope with a wave of disruptions — from pandemic to supply chains to inflation — Lululemon has continued to scale, even when retail sales elsewhere dipped. CEO Calvin McDonald shares how mid-term strategic planning, control over inventory, and a culture that climbs mountains together has fueled agility and versatility. When it comes to brand-building and community building, Calvin says, it's critical to lean into listening, so you can amplify what makes your business truly distinctive. Read a transcript of this episode: https://mastersofscale.comSubscribe to the Masters of Scale weekly newsletter: https://mastersofscale.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Listen in podcast appCheck out learning corner for Joel's favorite company deep dive of the week.* Market update/forecast* Canada is done raising rates* Dave Portnoy's new watch brand* How Call of Duty parent company makes money* Sovereignty Act thoughts* LinkedIn Jobs report* Meghan and Harry Netflix Show* Recommendations and PredictionsListen on Apple, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.If you aren't in the Reformed Millennials Facebook Group join us for daily updates, discussions, and deep dives into the investable trends Millennials should be paying attention to.

In today's episode we welcome Calvin McDonald, Head of Australian Operations at BrewDog. This BrewDog “lifer” shares experiences from his 14-year career on how he went from working as a part-time bartender during his economic degree to dropping out and pursuing his newfound passion for craft beer. We explore Calvin's journey of how he was able to overcome challenges of expanding into new markets and how his passion for beer and the BrewDog brand enabled him to become the passionate leader he is today. This episode was co-hosted by Sumith Dissanayake and Jack Ferguson. 

Panel: Ashley Lawrence, Stephen Liptrap, Calvin McDonald and Hayley Wickenheiser, with Kathy Woods

Panel: Ashley Lawrence, Stephen Liptrap, Calvin McDonald and Hayley Wickenheiser, with Kathy Woods

GameStop's latest quarterly report did little to answer Wall Street's--and Reddit's--concerns about the company's turnaround plan and sky-high stock price. Ben Mezrich, author of “The Anti-Social Network,” joined to discuss his book about the Gamestop saga and how it continues to shake up Wall Street. Lululemon shares hit a fresh, all-time high after the retailer blew past Wall Street's expectations in its latest fiscal quarter. Famous for its women's leggings and “ABC” jogger pants for men (Joe's & Andrew's favorite), Lululemon sales have outperformed other retailers during the Covid pandemic. Calvin McDonald, CEO of Lululemon, discusses the company's Q2 results, employee pay, and what's next for the brand. Ukraine is the latest country to legalize bitcoin, a sign the currency could be here to stay. United Airlines' employees who are granted exemptions to a company vaccine mandate for religious reasons will be put on temporary unpaid leave starting next month, citing the recent rise in Covid cases. Plus, day one of the blockbuster Theranos trial is complete as prosecutors called Holmes a liar and a cheat during opening statements.In this episode:Ben Mezrich, @benmezrichCalvin McDonald, @calvinmcdonaldBecky Quick, @BeckyQuickJoe Kernen, @JoeSquawkAndrew Ross Sorkin, @andrewrsorkin

This week we catch up with BrewDog's Australian top dog Calvin McDonald. Regular listeners will know that BrewDog has been a close study for Australian Brews news and on this podcast as we watched the business explode and try to match the hype and the antics with the output and the execution of what is a global craft beer phenomenon. As you'll hear, the hospitality side of the venue has exploded over the last few months, being one BrewDog's most profitable venues in the world over that period. And now, brewing has finally started at the facility. Enjoy the conversation. Radio Brews News is proudly presented by Cryer Malt. With over 25 years in the field, Cryer Malt is dedicated to providing the finest brewing ingredients to help brewers create the foundations of a truly excellent beer. Your premium brewing partner and proud sponsors of Brews News. If you like what we do at Radio Brews News you can help us out by: Sponsoring the show Reviewing us on iTunes or your favourite podcasting service Emailing us at producer@brewsnews.com.au to share your thoughts All letter writers will receive a brews news bottle opener and go into the draw to win a mixed six-pack thanks to our good friends at Beer Cartel who sponsor our letter for the week.

This week we catch up with BrewDog's Australian top dog Calvin McDonald. Regular listeners will know that BrewDog has been a close study for Australian Brews news and on this podcast as we watched the business explode and try to match the hype and the antics with the output and the execution of what is a global craft beer phenomenon. As you'll hear, the hospitality side of the venue has exploded over the last few months, being one BrewDog's most profitable venues in the world over that period. And now, brewing has finally started at the facility. Enjoy the conversation. Radio Brews News is proudly presented by Cryer Malt. With over 25 years in the field, Cryer Malt is dedicated to providing the finest brewing ingredients to help brewers create the foundations of a truly excellent beer. Your premium brewing partner and proud sponsors of Brews News. If you like what we do at Radio Brews News you can help us out by: Sponsoring the show Reviewing us on iTunes or your favourite podcasting service Emailing us at producer@brewsnews.com.au to share your thoughts All letter writers will receive a brews news bottle opener and go into the draw to win a mixed six-pack thanks to our good friends at Beer Cartel who sponsor our letter for the week.

From the Simplr studios in San Francisco, this is your daily briefing.  IntroductionThis is Today in Five, for today, Monday, January 13th. Here are today’s headlines in digital disruption.Proctor & Gamble announced its plans to acquire DTC grooming startup, Billie. The acquisition is the latest in a string of P&G snapping up younger DTC brands and could help the company reach a younger audience of consumers.  First, here are the latest headlines.Lululemon Name Chief Brand OfficerLululemon named Nike veteran, Nikki Neuburger, as their first-ever Chief Brand Officer, effective January 20th. In addition to elevating the brand, she will be responsible for marketing, creative, communications and sustainability to “drive the company’s global brand and storytelling initiatives.” According to a press release, she spent 14 years at Nike, most recently as global vice president of Nike Running, and also oversaw the direction of the Nike Membership division. For the past two years, she has served as the global head of marketing for Uber Eats. Lululemon’s CEO, Calvin McDonald said, “Her years of experience in the athletic industry, paired with her deep expertise in digital marketing, consumer insights, and brand creative, will be instrumental as we build upon our momentum and deliver on our Power of Three growth strategy.”  Casper Files IPOOnline startup, Casper, filed for an initial public offering on Friday. According to the filing, the price range of the initial public offering price has yet to be determined. Casper reported $312.3 million dollars in revenue for the nine months ending in September 2019, up 20 percent from the year-ago period, and $67.4 million dollars in losses, a 4.9 percent increase from the previous year. The company also reported spending $423 million dollars on marketing expenses from 2016 to 2019. In March 2019, Casper officially achieved unicorn status after a $100 million dollar funding round placed the company’s valuation at $1.1 billion dollars. While the company is steadily reporting losses, Casper maintains there is still a tremendous amount of growth in the category, with a Frost & Sullivan Assessment forecasting the sleep economy will hit $585 billion dollars globally by 2024, with the U.S. representing $95 billion dollars of those sales.Target Creating Private Label Activewear BrandTarget put to bed months of speculation on Wall Street that it would partner with Nike, adidas, or Under Armour in 2020 for a collection of athletic clothing. Instead, Target will do what it does best and utilize its best in class private label supply chain. Later this month, Target later this month will debut a new athleticwear brand called All in Motion. The private label collection will include products like T-shirts, tank tops, pants, yoga mats, and more. Target says the apparel will feature technology comparable to premium activewear brands. The company also noted the majority of the products will boast sustainably sourced materials. The company believes All in Motion could be a billion-dollar sales brand within the first year.  Proctor & Gamble Plans To Acquire DTC Disruptor Brand, BillieProctor & Gamble announced its plans to acquire Billie, a direct-to-consumer maker of women’s shaving and personal care products. The acquisition will add to P&G’s growing number of female grooming brands that includes Venus and Braun and Joy, per an announcement. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.  According to the announcement, the companies will combine consumer insights, digital capabilities, and innovation. Billie’s co-founders, Georgina Gooley and Jason Bravman, will continue to lead the company. Billie launched in 2017 as a subscription service that delivers a steady supply of women’s shaving products. Billie’s products include razors, shaving cream, body wash, and lotion.  P&G’s planned acquisition of Billie is part of the CPG giant’s effort to expand its share of the grooming market, which was previously on the decline amid the emergence of DTC brands like Billie and consumer habits shifting toward body-positive brands that offer convenience. Billie can help P&G reach a younger audience of consumers. The shaving startup is a DTC disruptor like Dollar Shave Club and Harry’s that took aim at P&G owned Gillette’s market dominance. By getting Billie into its fold, P&G could avoid the steady decline of market share experienced by Gillette.  ClosingWant to stand out? Simplr can help deliver wow moments for your customers through unparalleled customer service support. Visit simplr.ai to learn more. That’s S-I-M-P-L-R.ai.Thanks for listening to this latest episode of Today In Five. We’ll see you tomorrow. 

Got a new four-legged family member? Brewdog in Brisbane is offering its staff maternity leave for dog owners. Calvin McDonald explains why they think pawternity leave is great.We go on a walk with Josh and Coby.First episode of “Pirate-The barking Kookaburra”, also available at www.bubenberg.com.Links:www.bubenberg.comhttps://www.brewdog.com/community/culture/staff-benefitsMusic by Kieran Ruffles, Patrick WauthierVisit us at https://topdog.space/ or https://www.facebook.com/topdogpodcast/ or on https://www.instagram.com/topdogpodcastLeave a comment for Top Dog Podcast on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/top-dog-podcast/id1468958645

From the Simplr studios in San Francisco, this is your daily briefing.  IntroductionThis is Today in Five, for today, Monday, December 16th, I'm Vincent Phamvan with today’s headlines in digital disruption.The ugly Christmas sweater craze is more than a tradition for one retailer, it’s their entire business. Ugly Christmas Sweater.com has found success selling bizarre and fun holiday sweaters online.  Hulu Launches Ad Experience Targeting Binge-WatchersHulu launched a new ad experience that allows brands to specifically target binge-watchers. The ads will utilize machine learning techniques to determine when someone has begun to binge-watch a show and will display contextually relevant ads acknowledging a binge is underway. Hulu says it made sense to target binge-watchers because it’s such a common way for people to watch their favorite shows. 75 percent of consumers in the U.S. say they binge-watch, and on Hulu specifically, nearly 50 percent of ad-supported viewing hours are spent during binge-watching sessions. Among the brands to use the new ad format are Kellogg’s, Maker’s Mark, and Georgia-Pacific.  LuLulemon Says Cites Men as Promising CustomersLululemon built its brand by driving the athleisure trend with women, but it’s now saying its most promising customers are men. Lululemon’s chief executive, Calvin McDonald, said total revenue for men’s apparel grew 38 percent in the third quarter, citing strong sales of outwear, pants, and underwear. Executives also told investors that 21 percent of Lululemon’s $3.8 million dollars in sales last year came from men’s products. McDonald said the company plans to double its men’s business by the end of 2023.Walmart Loses a Top Digital ExecutiveOne of Walmart’s top digital executives is stepping down. Andy Dunn, founder of Bonobos and senior VP of digital consumer brands at Walmart, announced he was leaving the company in a LinkedIn post. Dunn joined Walmart in June of 2017 when the retail giant acquired Bonobos. Dunn didn’t give any indication about why he was leaving Walmart, but his departure comes at a time when Walmart is scaling back its efforts to acquire digitally native brands to focus on incubating more of its own brands.  The Ugly Christmas Sweater Craze Drives One Retailer’s BusinessIt’s holiday party season and one company has built its entire business around the ugly Christmas sweater craze. At first, the company sold sweaters with just a retro reindeer or Santa, but now they feature Popeye’s chicken sandwiches and biscuits and lobsters from Red Lobster, and they’re going viral. The co-founder of Ugly Christmas Sweater.com has turned the business into one of the biggest sellers of ugly holiday sweaters, with the company’s latest Popeye’s chicken sandwich sweater becoming an instant success.  In just a few years, ugly Christmas sweaters have evolved from a byproduct of hipster culture to an annual tradition embraced by entire families. According to the company’s co-founder, they first noticed the ugly holiday sweater trend in 2011, when people were having ugly sweater parties at home. After going on eBay and seeing some of the sweaters going for $100 to $300 dollars, he decided to get in on the action. He and his brother launched Ugly Christmas Sweater.com in 2012, funding it with $5,000 dollars of their own money.  The first year, they made $40,000 dollars in sales, but the following year, revenue jumped 300 percent and it kept climbing. The co-founder said that competition has grown, with retailers like Costco, Walmart, Macy’s, and Nordstrom all selling ugly sweaters,  “so we’re always thinking about how we can stay ahead and stay competitive.”  The styles have evolved to contain more bizarre selections like 3D sweaters and even politically-themed designs. “But it’s all in the spirit of fun,” said the co-founder.  ClosingDon’t forget, Simplr can help you scale up for the holidays with 24/7 customer service support. Learn more at simplr.ai. That’s S-I-M-P-L-R.ai.Thanks for listening to this latest episode of Today In Five. I’m Vincent Phamvan, and we’ll see you tomorrow.

Featuring an in-depth conversation with David Mussafer, Lululemon Lead Director & Calvin McDonald, Lululemon CEO.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Featuring an in-depth conversation with David Mussafer, Lululemon Lead Director & Calvin McDonald, Lululemon CEO. 

Listen to any earnings call on demand with the Borsa Earnings Call mobile app now on the App Store. Download here: bit.ly/FreeQuarterlyEarningsCalls Welcome to Earnings Season. Our goal is to make listening to earnings calls easier. We upload relevant and newsworthy earnings calls for easy listening. To request a company's earnings call, email borsaHQ@gmail.com. This podcast episode is Lululemon's Q3 2018 earnings call. About Earnings Season: Earnings Season posts relevant earnings calls for an easy listening experience. Email borsahq@gmail.com to request a company.

Listen to any earnings call on demand with the Borsa Earnings Call mobile app on the App Store. Download here: http://bit.ly/BorsaAppFREE Welcome to Earnings Season. Our goal is to make listening to earnings calls easier. We upload relevant and newsworthy earnings calls for easy listening. To request a company's earnings call, email borsaHQ@gmail.com. This podcast episode is Lululemon's Q2 2018 earnings call. Listen to Calvin McDonald discuss his company's performance. About Earnings Season: Earnings Season posts relevant earnings calls for an easy listening experience. To request a company for us to post earnings calls for, email borsahq@gmail.com.

In today's Minutes: Ford consolidates its autonomous vehicle groups and makes a massive investment in the technology, eBay and Square are teaming up to provide small business loans, and Lululemon names Calvin McDonald as CEO --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/watercoolesthq/support

On BIV Today... Retail Insider editor-in-chief Craig Patterson (1:42) breaks down Lululemon’s decision to hire Calvin McDonald, the former head of Sears Canada, as its new CEO. Later, he discusses how the redevelopment of the Canada Post building on Georgia Street is set to transform downtown, the premiers’ efforts to loosen liquor restrictions between provinces and why some businesses are crossing the line to generate publicity through controversy.   Then, Tantalus Labs CEO Dan Sutton (18:16) delves into U.S. border guards targeting Canadian cannabis executives, the Americans’ increasing appetite for Canadian pot stocks and the growing interest in cannabis-based beverages. See more Business in Vancouver at https://biv.com.

Around the NFC West is an in-depth look at the state of play of all four NFC West teams. Calvin McDonald and Max Williams are your British hosts for this introductory podcast.