Rob Walker

1 week ago | fastcompany.com | Rob Walker

Branded is a weekly column devoted to the intersection of marketing, business, design, and culture. Donald Trump has added a fresh punching bag to his ever-widening rotation of opponents: Apple. The president has, as he’s put it, “a little problem” with CEO Tim Cook. For Cook, this actually looks like a big problem—with no easy fix.

3 weeks ago | fastcompany.com | Rob Walker

With economic uncertainty, inflation, and high interest rates lingering, consumers who can't decide whether to spend now or hold off until later are increasingly doing some of each. And that's good news for the "buy now, pay later" business. Buy now, pay later (BNPL) options-including those facilitated by major BNPL services like Klarna, Afterpay, and Affirm-have been growing increasingly commonplace.

3 weeks ago | newportplaintalk.com | Rob Walker

In March I attended the 2025 Cocke County Citizenship Award program that was honoring Pastor Tom Mooty. I have been friends with Tom for several years and he has helped me host many veteran-oriented events, and for the past year provide a space for our free monthly breakfast. He has turned the church’s gymnasium into a meeting room for many local organizations. It has been, respectively, called the Westend End Conference Center.

4 weeks ago | fastcompany.com | Rob Walker

It's the promotional event nobody asked for: You could call it Tariff Deal Days. From auto dealers to underwear brands, companies are cajoling consumers to buy now before tariffs jack up prices, cause shortages, or both. Despite constant uncertainty about how a U.S. versus everybody trade war might play out, the widespread consensus that prices will rise is translating into short-term marketing hook. Some brands have taken a blunt tone in messages to customers and on social media.

1 month ago | fastcompany.mx | Rob Walker

Costco ha ganado últimamente. La querida cadena de grandes superficies también está ganando más seguidores gracias a su firme postura de mantener sus políticas de diversidad, inclusión e inclusión (DEI), con un aumento del 6.8% en las ventas en tiendas comparables en su último trimestre. Como saben los compradores de Costco, su marca propia Kirkland Signature, que incluye desde ropa interior hasta pizza congelada, ha sido durante mucho tiempo el arma no tan secreta del club de descuentos.