Latest from Aaron Schrank

• Aug 3, 2017

  Goodbye cable, hello YouTube: As kids move online, so do Mattel’s ad dollars

  Toymaker Mattel wants to get kids’ attention, and it’s going online to do it. The company announced this week it will spend at least $10 million on advertising this year on Google’s YouTube Kids platform. It’s the company’s biggest ad buy online to date. Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

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• Jul 27, 2017

  Avocado lovers, rejoice! Prices are starting to stabilize

  Some good news for avocado fans: After hitting record highs this year, the price of the creamy superfruit is beginning to stabilize. The news comes as U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue visits with his counterpart today in Mexico, where most of the avocados consumed in the U.S. are grown. We explore avocado’s recent ups and […]

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• Jul 26, 2017

  How smart backpacks and other tech advances are reviving the textile industry

  After decades of losing ground to overseas manufacturers using cheap labor, the U.S. textile industry is showing signs of revival. The resurgence is fueled in part by increased R&D into advanced fabrics — like fire-retardant material and smart garments filled with high-tech sensors. It’s meant a growing number of textile industry jobs — but jobs […]

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• Jul 25, 2017

  First the handbag, now shoes to match: Michael Kors buys upscale shoemaker Jimmy Choo for $1.2 billion

  Jimmy Choo has been among the biggest names in high-end shoes for decades, but the company put itself up for sale in April. Today, fashion house Michael Kors announced it’ll buy the British footwear brand for $1.2 billion. Kors has been struggling recently and announced in May it’s closing more than 100 stores. Can this […]

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• Jul 25, 2017

  AT&T reports second quarter earnings as it eyes a big deal to stay competitive

  Telecom giant AT&T will report its second quarter earnings after the market closes today. The company’s shares are down 15 percent this year amid increased competition among wireless providers and more cord cutting in the cable space. Now AT&T is going for a big deal to help it stay ahead of the curve. Click the […]

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• Jul 21, 2017

  As Amazon grows, so does its lobbying budget

  Amazon just keeps growing. So does its spending on lobbying in support of policies it thinks will aid that growth. Filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission show the company is on track to spend $12 million lobbying this year, $1 million more than it spent in 2016. What’s on Amazon’s wish list? Click the […]

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• Jul 14, 2017

  Large GI Bill expansion provides a big boost for veterans’ education

  House lawmakers yesterday announced bipartisan agreement on legislation to boost college aid for veterans. If passed, it would be the largest expansion of the GI Bill in nearly a decade.  Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

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• Jul 13, 2017

  Why is Amazon loaning its sellers money?

  

  20,000 businesses have borrowed money from its invite-only loan program.

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• Jul 12, 2017

  Tech companies wave their banners for net neutrality rules on a "day of action"

  Your favorite websites and apps may be plastered with some unfamiliar banner ads today. Thousands of internet companies — including big names like Google, Snapchat and Amazon — are participating in a “day of action” to protest federal regulators’ plans to roll back net neutrality rules. Click the audio player above to hear the full […]

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• Jul 11, 2017

  As soda sales lose their fizz, Pepsico looks to healthier drinks and snacks

  PepsiCo reports second quarter earnings today. The snack and beverage conglomerate has consistently beaten estimates in recent quarters — even as Americans drink less soda than they have in three decades. Can PepsiCo keep the streak going?  Click the audio player above to hear the full story.

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