With ‘functional’ beverages, brands rush to quench a thirst for drinks that do more than taste good

Supermarket beverage aisles are starting to look a lot more like a pharmacy. There are sodas made with mushrooms that supposedly improve mental clarity and juices packed with bacteria that claim to enhance digestive health. Water infused with collagen carries the promise of better skin, and energy drinks offer to help burn body fat. Welcome … Read more

Ryan Reynolds celebrates ‘ride of our lives’ as Wrexham gains promotion to English 3rd division

WREXHAM, Wales — The sequel turned out to be just as good for Wrexham. The Welsh team co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds clinched promotion to the third tier of English soccer thanks to a 6-0 home win over Forest Green on Saturday. That’s back-to-back promotions for the team since it was thrust into the spotlight … Read more

Wrexham takes step closer to promotion with win over Mansfield

Wrexham, the fourth-tier Welsh team co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, has taken a step toward another promotion by beating Mansfield 2-0 WREXHAM, Wales — Wrexham, the fourth-tier Welsh team co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, took a step toward another promotion by beating Mansfield 2-0 on Friday. Talismanic forward Paul Mullin scored both goals — finishing … Read more

Hong Kong lifts curbs on property market, to spend more on tourism

HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s government has lifted curbs on property deals after home prices fell to a seven-year low, adding to the Chinese territory’s woes. Finance minister Paul Chan announced the move in a speech presenting the territory’s budget, which also raised spending on tourism promotion. He said all curbs, such as extra taxes, … Read more

Lionel Messi’s global tour with Inter Miami has been very messy and a PR nightmare

TOKYO — It’s all been very messy. We’re talking about Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s global tour of exhibition games where the main show has been Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning captain The matches are about promotion and marketing, hoping to build a new brand by using stars like Messi and Uruguayan Luis Suarez. Instead, the … Read more

Bud brings back Clydesdales as early Super Bowl ad releases offer up nostalgia, humor, celebrities

NEW YORK — Budweiser is bringing back some familiar characters this year in its Super Bowl ad. The perennial Super Bowl marketer is bringing back fan-favorite characters the Clydesdales and a Labrador — a nod to the Labradors that starred in earlier commercials during advertising’s biggest night. Some advertisers are releasing ads ahead of Super … Read more

Mississippi restrictions on medical marijuana advertising upheld by federal judge

JACKSON, Miss. — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the owner of a medical marijuana dispensary who sued Mississippi over state regulations that he says censor business owners by preventing them from advertising in most media. In a Monday ruling, U.S. District Judge Michael P. Mills said he agreed with Mississippi’s argument … Read more

Sports Illustrated planning significant layoffs after license to use its brand name was revoked

The publisher of Sports Illustrated has notified employees it is planning to lay off a significant portion — possibly all — of the outlet’s staff after its license to use the iconic brand’s name in print and digital was revoked. In an email to employees Friday morning, the Arena Group, which operates Sports Illustrated and … Read more