Marketing

Oak Brook, Ill. - McDonald’s USA has decided to give employees a break, in the form of higher pay, paid time off and educational assistance. McDonald’s is raising starting wages at company-owned restaurants in the U.S. one dollar more than the locally-mandated minimum wage, as of July 1.

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon's statement on social media Wednesday asking the state of Arkansas to reject legislation that critics say could allow discrimination against lesbians and gay men is indicative of the retailer's increased role in many social issues, according to the New York Times.

Hong Kong – Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has appointed Yu Yongfu as president of the company’s online marketing unit, Alimama, to spearhead the business into new areas of growth. Yongfu joined Alibaba Group in June 2014 to lead the company’s mobile business unit.

Prior to joining Alibaba Group, Yongfu was chief executive of Chinese mobile browser company UCWeb. UCWeb was acquired by Alibaba Group in June 2014. Yongfu will begin his new position today and will report to Daniel Zhang, Alibaba Group’s COO.

On the heels of questions over quality control standards for its herbal supplements, GNC has announced three new marketing partners.

GNC said the new agency partners – Consigliere (brand management/creative/advertising), CROSSMEDIA (media/communications planning) and 22squared (digital and social media) – will help drive profitable growth for the brand.

Procter & Gamble is expanding its outreach to African American consumers with its sponsorship of the 2015 Black Girls Rock! Awards.

The company, together with Target, will celebrate African American girls who are making a positive difference and will invite the community to “change the beauty conversation” by joining P&G’s Imagine a Future (IAF) program.

New York – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is reportedly asking suppliers to cut their product costs and also seeking to expand its grocery business. According to the Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart is recommending that suppliers forego investing in joint marketing programs with the retailer and use that savings to reduce the price Wal-Mart pays for their goods.
 

Dick's Sporting Goods and Golf Galaxy are teaming up to support an organization that promotes youth participating in golf.

The retailers said they will be giving as much as $1 million to the First Tee, an organization focused on positive youth development through the game of golf.

Walmart plans to improve the customer experience, invest in its grocery business, and put pressure on suppliers to drive down prices, according to a Bloomberg report.