Jeff Bezos steps down as Amazon’s CEO, Ulta pledges to double Black-owned brands on shelves, and Lowe’s offers Valentine’s ‘night of Lowemance’

Also: Mountain Dew’s interactive Super Bowl campaign, 7-Eleven offers a one-of-a-kind Airbnb stay, almost 90% of marketers have or are building an app, and more. Hello, communicators: As more brands jump on the Super Bowl LV bandwagon—whether with official commercial spots during the big game or with contests, content and more across social media platforms—the efforts are star-studded. Take, for example, Mountain Dew’s ad with John Cena: https://twitter.com/MountainDew/status/1356240893209161729 What do you think of the effort? What are your favorite Super Bowl ads so far? Share your thoughts with us under the #DailyScoop hashtag. Here are today’s top stories: Jeff Bezos steps down as Amazon’s chief executive Bezos has led the e-commerce giant for almost 30 years, and will hand the reins this summer to Andy Jassy, currently Amazon Web Service’s chief. Bezos will become Amazon’s executive chair. https://twitter.com/amazonnews/status/1356717883737452546 In a blog post to employees, Bezos wrote: As much as I still tap dance into the office, I’m excited about this transition. Millions of customers depend on us for our services, and more than a million employees depend on us for their livelihoods. Being the CEO of Amazon is a deep responsibility, and it’s consuming. When you have a responsibility like that, it’s hard to put attention on anything else. As Exec Chair I will stay engaged in important Amazon initiatives but also have the time and energy I need to focus on the Day 1 Fund, the Bezos Earth Fund, Blue Origin, The Washington Post, and my other passions. I’ve never had more energy, and this isn’t about retiring. I’m super passionate about the impact I think these organizations can have. Amazon couldn’t be better positioned for the future. We are firing on all cylinders, just as the world needs us to. We have things in the pipeline that will continue to astonish. We serve individuals and enterprises, and we’ve pioneered two complete industries and a whole new class of devices. We are leaders in areas as varied as machine learning and logistics, and if an Amazonian’s idea requires yet another new institutional skill, we’re flexible enough and patient enough to learn it. Why it’s important: The news has dominated headlines and Google searches for Jassy, and Bezos’ closing words to employees set the stage for Amazon’s vision for the future: Keep inventing, and don’t despair when at first the idea looks crazy. Remember to wander. Let curiosity be your compass. It remains Day 1. Executive leadership changes must be communicated proactively and positively in order to maintain employees’ and consumers’ trust and confidence in future business strategies and more. Bezos’ announcement and his memo offer a guide for communicators involved in change management strategies. TACTICALLY SPEAKING Lowe’s is offering 50 consumers and their partners the chance to win a “one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day experience” in one of its 10 select store locations including Chicago, Denver, Nashville, New Orleans and more. The home improvement retailer dubbed the PR stunt as “a night of Lowemance.” https://twitter.com/Lowes/status/1356951823698055170 In a press release, Lowe’s wrote: As part of the exclusive experience, pairs will enjoy being hosted in a dedicated area of the store inspired by creativity and romance. The evening will begin with a toast to celebrate their relationship, followed by delicious light bites and the invitation to choose from a curated “menu” of HGTV Home® by Sherwin-Williams paint colors. Attendees will then be guided to a paint zone, complete with splash-painting supplies the couple can use to express their love story on a blank canvas—a gift they will create together and display proudly at home. You can enter through Lowe’s contest website by Feb. 7 to be considered for the #Lowemance on Feb. 14 from 8-10 p.m. local time. Marisa Thalberg, Lowe’s executive vice president, chief brand and marketing officer, said in a press release: We thought, how better to translate all of the great DIY energy we’ve seen for months into some really romantic DIY energy. In a year where traditional Valentine’s Day options remain limited, we are ready to turn Lowe’s into the ultimate date night for a few lucky couples. MEASURED THOUGHTS Iterable published a 2021 Marketing Trends infographic, which revealed that many are turning to data, and technologies including artificial intelligence and mobile apps, to reach and resonate with target consumers. Iterable reported that of 500 marketing pros surveyed, 60% currently have a mobile app and an additional 28% said their organizations are currently building apps. Eighty-three percent said they’re looking to include AI in their marketing strategies, and 84% are building AI capabilities within their own organizations. The focus on data and technological offerings are even more important as the COVID-19 crisis continues and consumers are focused on safety and convenience. Image courtesy of Iterable. You can also view the entire infographic here. CRISIS LEADERSHIP NETWORK Looking for more insight on how to address the current global crisis and lead your organization into a strong recovery? via GIPHY Join Ragan’s Crisis Leadership Network to connect and brainstorm with peers, get the latest intelligence and research, and start to strategize for the future of your organization. Learn more about this exclusive membership here. Ulta promises to double Black-owned brands in stores by year’s end The beauty retailer is celebrating Black History Month with an important message: https://twitter.com/ultabeauty/status/1356264740729860099 Ulta also announced several DE&I commitments, including a $20 million investment “across endemic and multi-culutral platforms” to better connect and engage with BIPOC consumers, a promise to double the number of Black-owned brands in its stores by the end of 2021 and quarterly in-store trainings to “reinforce inclusivity and address unconscious bias.” In a press release, Ulta’s Chief Executive, Mary Dillon, said: As the country’s beauty retail leader, we believe we have the power to shape how the world sees beauty and as such, we have a responsibility to inspire positive change and drive greater diversity, inclusivity and equity. We are deeply committed to leading purposefully with and for underrepresented voices across retail and beauty on our D&I journey. Why it matters: Consumers are looking to brands across industries to “do the right thing” when it comes to social justice and DE&I efforts. Words are no longer enough. If you haven’t yet created a strategy with commitments and plans to make your organization, industry and community a more inclusive and diverse place—get started now. Make sure the commitments you make are outlined clearly, and remain accountable to those promises. TAKE OUR SURVEY The start of a new year brings more opportunities for communicators across roles, organizations and industries to develop effective strategies and efforts that can strengthen their brands amid continuing crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council has created The 2021 Communications Benchmark Survey, and wants to know your challenges, successes and needs as you navigate the rapidly shifting communications landscape and respond to unprecedented crises as well as new opportunities. via GIPHY Please share your insights with us. As a thank you for your time and insights, you’ll receive an Executive Summary of the report, packed with proprietary research that can help you better shape communications strategies in 2021. You’ll also be entered to win one of five $100 Visa gift cards. Take our survey here. TACTICALLY SPEAKING A 7-Eleven store in Dallas offered a unique Airbnb stay aimed at videogame enthusiasts. Business Insider reported: The 7-Eleven Evolution Stores are intended to be an "experiential testing ground" for customers to try the brand's latest treats. But this time, the convenience store is putting a spin on the "experiential" label by turning its new Texas location into a gamer's paradise Two people from the same household can “enjoy a private gaming paradise in a completely decked out, never-been-shopped-in 7-Eleven Evolution Store,” which will be stocked with a Playstation5 console, games, big-screen TV, luxury loungers and DualSense controllers—along with other gaming assessories. Guests will also have access to 7-Eleven’s drinks and snacks and a one-hour Twitch streaming session with gamer FaZe Temperr. Image courtesy of Airbnb. Along with the gaming setup, snacks, drinks and exclusive Twitch stream, National Football League quarterback Dak Prescott will virtually host the experience. https://twitter.com/dak/status/1356031098191540227 The PR and marketing stunt is a fun way to adhere to COVID-19 safety guidelines while also grabbing brand buzz and media coverage. WHAT YOU SAID We asked which client or executive requests you’d like to vanish this year: https://twitter.com/PRDaily/status/1356613511107985408 Heather Baker, founder and chief executive of TopLine Communications, reminded us of a common obstacle for PR pros: the non-news press release request. https://twitter.com/TopLineFounder/status/1356615565247471620 Sarah Mawji, PR executive at Harbourfront Wealth Management, offered a strategy to embrace, rather than a request to discard: https://twitter.com/SarahMawji/status/1356715241615155204 Is there question you’d like to see asked? Please let us know under the #DailyScoop hashtag! SOUNDING BOARD What content format are you focusing on the most, to build engagement and brand buzz? https://twitter.com/PRDaily/status/1356973610171260928 Weigh in below and on Twitter under the hashtag #DailyScoop, and we’ll share in tomorrow’s roundup.

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