The 11th Hour Dispatch — Friday, July 13, 2018
YOUNG MONEY
Founder John Schnatter has been scrubbed from Papa John’s logo and marketing materials after he admitted that he used a racial slur in a conference call this May. In the past, Schnatter, Papa John himself, was featured on everything from commercials to those sweaty green and red pizza boxes. Despite his synonymity with the pizza chain, The Associated Press stated that Papa John’s has no plans to change its name at the moment. The controversy in question occurred during a conference call with the marketing agency Laundry Service that was intended to discuss ways to prevent controversies surrounding the pizza chain after Schnatter blamed NFL protests for poor sales of pies. This move lost the pizza chain its deal with the NFL, and Wednesday’s announcement has cost Papa John’s deals with multiple MLB teams. The announcement also spurred the removal of Schnattner’s name from his hometown’s basketball gym. Schnatter stepped down as chairman of the board on Wednesday after his admittance, but he still remains on the board and as the company’s largest shareholder — a fact that earned him $50 million more in net worth yesterday after shares of the pizza chain jumped 11% post his resignation.
BINGE WATCH
On the heels of four Emmy nominations, Netflix has renewed fan favorite Queer Eye for a third season. This season will move the Fab Five from the heat of Atlanta, Georgia, to the plains of Kansas City, Missouri for production. The new season won’t make its debut on the streaming giant until next year, but it starts production on Monday. I hope Antoni can find enough avocados in Missouri.
BIG BUSINESS
Two senators have sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission asking for an investigation into privacy issues revolving around smart televisions. In the letter, senators Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut wrote: “Any entity collecting and using sensitive information should comprehensively and concisely detail who will have access to that data, how that data will be used, and what steps will be taken to protect that information. Users should then be given the opportunity to affirmatively consent to the collection and use of their sensitive information, while still having access to the core functions of smart TV technology.” The letter, addressed to FTC Chairman Joseph Simons, noted that many smart TVs are often “equipped with sophisticated technologies” that track viewer activity and tailor targeted advertisements using that information, many times the extent of which are unbeknownst to the consumer. The letter pointed to a recent New York Times article that detailed how smart TVs track data, which specifically discussed the activities of viewer tracking program Samba TV. The FTC offered no comment on the situation, but they don’t need governmental approval to take action if they deem a situation foul play. The commission can punish companies for “unfair and deceptive business practices,” and it has already done so in the past against smart TV giant VIZIO.
NOTHIN’ BUT ‘NET
Hey, is your day going well? Well here are some Crocs high heels to knock it down a few pegs.
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