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This Hard Seltzer Brand Created a Mask You Can Drink Through
After hard seltzer brand Crook & Marker jokingly posted a mock-up of a ‘Tastemask’ with a valve in the middle for a straw to fit into, hundreds of Instagram users piled on begging the brand to actually make the masks. People even started calling about the masks. The brand obliged, of course, creating the real deal, but with a flap that snaps into place rather than a valve. The masks sold out within 24 hours, with all proceeds going to the US Bartenders Guild supporting service-industry workers.
Acting on inspiration: The masks were produced in-house, a move that CMO Daniel Goodfelllow said is in keeping with the smaller brand’s nimbleness that allows it to stand up to larger brands.
This Space Suit-Like Device Takes PPE to the Next Level
How far are you willing to take your fashion choices to stop the spread of the coronavirus? Wearing a mask (which we should all do) is one thing, but what about a giant space helmet? PPE company Vyzr Technologies developed the BioVyzr, which completely seals in the wearer and purifies the interior air of pathogens, allergens and pollutants. The product was funded on Indiegogo almost immediately upon its launch, with interested parties including students, medical workers and those in other high-touch professions.
Netflix Names Ted Sarandos Co-CEO Amid Second Shutdown-Driven Subscriber Spike
After a second consecutive quarter of spiking subscriber numbers, Netflix promoted chief content officer Ted Sarandos to co-CEO and chief product officer Greg Peters to chief operating officer. The streamer anticipates that the spike will wane with time, but it hasn’t entirely hit yet. It also saw far less disruption to its production plans than other streamers like the new Peacock and HBO Max because its 2020 shows have already been completed for the most part. In a letter to shareholders, the streamer released news of its recent big-ticket acquisitions, including Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial of the Chicago 7, along with data about some of its top performers.
On competitors: Netflix acknowledged the TikTok boom but declined to worry about it, instead electing to focus on the quality of its own service.
Also in TV and streaming: Updates from NBCUniversal
Washington’s NFL Franchise Has Problems That Go Beyond Team Name
Early in the day on Thursday, Adweek asked about a supposed “bombshell” report about the culture of the Washington NFL team that was rumored to be coming from The Washington Post. The report, which was released later in the day, detailed multiple allegations of sexual harassment by former Redskins employees. But before the story came out, a spokesperson told Adweek the allegations were “absurd.” The team has also seen recent departures and hired a law firm to review “the team’s culture, policies and allegations of workplace misconduct.”
A problematic history: The team has been hit with allegations of sexual harassment and sex trafficking in the past.
More of Today’s Top News and Highlights
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Tells America to Mask Up in National PSA Campaign
Speaking of masks, Governor Andrew Cuomo is accompanying New York’s road to recovery with eight PSAs reminding people to mask up. The spots were created in partnership with the Ad Council, director Kathryn Bigelow, producer Jane Rosenthal and stars including Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, Kaitlyn Dever, Jamie Foxx, John Leguizamo, and Rosie Perez. Watch the first two here.