Tag

Direct To Consumer

All articles tagged with #direct to consumer

Versant to Buy Full Swing for $530 Million, Boosting Golf Tech & DTC Growth
business5 days ago

Versant to Buy Full Swing for $530 Million, Boosting Golf Tech & DTC Growth

Versant Media unveiled plans to acquire Full Swing, a golf-simulation and performance-data firm, for $530 million in cash from Bruin Capital and minority investors. The deal aims to expand Versant’s direct-to-consumer golf footprint (through Golf Channel, GolfNow, and GolfPass) and build a broader multi-sport tech platform for athletes, coaches, and fans, with a target of a 50/50 revenue split between new digital/DTC businesses and legacy media. Full Swing CEO Ryan Dotters will report to Versant president of digital platforms Will McIntosh, and closing is expected in the second half of 2026.

Slate's $25K EV Truck: A Narrow Path to Sub-$20K Pricing
technology14 days ago

Slate's $25K EV Truck: A Narrow Path to Sub-$20K Pricing

Slate Auto’s electric pickup now starts at $24,950 (SUV version $29,950). The much-discussed sub-$20,000 price lives on only for a small group of buyers who meet strict, income-based state incentives and, in some cases, purchase through an in-state dealer. With the federal $7,500 credit repealed, most of the remaining discounts depend on generous but limited-state programs (California’s up to $12,000 via Clean Cars 4 All for low-income households; Maine up to $8,000; Oregon’s Match/Charge Ahead program, paused and then reopening), plus funds that can run out mid-cycle. Slate’s direct-sales model can also affect eligibility in certain programs. In practice, the truck starts around $25k before taxes and fees for most buyers, with only a few states and circumstances yielding teen-dollar savings—making the “under $20k” headline applicable to a highly restricted audience. Delivery is targeted for late 2026.

Slate’s Budget EV Truck Bets on Simplicity to Slash Price
technology15 days ago

Slate’s Budget EV Truck Bets on Simplicity to Slash Price

Slate Auto unveils the “Blank Slate” entry-level electric pickup starting just under $25,000, trading modern comforts for roll-down windows, no built‑in stereo, and a minimalist steel chassis. The company aims to undercut gas-powered rivals by offering a highly customizable, à la carte design sold directly to consumers, with options that can push the price into the mid-to-high $30k range. While the retro approach signals affordability, whether price-conscious buyers will embrace a basic, “flip-phone on wheels” EV remains uncertain, though Slate’s model could appeal to shoppers exhausted by rising vehicle costs and complex feature bundles.

Screening Paradox: Why More Tests Don’t Always Improve Your Health
health20 days ago

Screening Paradox: Why More Tests Don’t Always Improve Your Health

A health explainer warns that more testing isn’t always better: essential screenings like blood sugar and blood pressure can prevent disease, but direct-to-consumer tests and whole-body MRIs often yield incidental findings that lead to costly, unnecessary follow-up and anxiety. Clinicians should guide testing with evidence-based, life-stage recommendations, and readers are urged to question whether a test reduces mortality or just increases diagnoses. In the meantime, focusing on proven basics—healthy lifestyle, regular care, and meaningful activities—remains the best path to health.

Mammoth Brands eyes IPO as it scales a disruptor-led CPG empire
business1 month ago

Mammoth Brands eyes IPO as it scales a disruptor-led CPG empire

Mammoth Brands, the private-label consumer goods group behind Harry’s, Lume, and Coterie diapers, is weighing an IPO later this year while aggressively expanding through acquisitions and scale-up of online-first brands. In 2024 it reported about $835 million in revenue and roughly $100 million in adjusted EBITDA, with more than 20% revenue CAGR over five years. Since buying Lume in 2021 and renaming Harry’s Labs to Mammoth Brands in 2025, it acquired Coterie for over $1 billion in late 2025, with Coterie posting over $200 million in net revenue in the trailing 12 months. Mammoth aims to become a modern, omnichannel CPG platform by adding a handful of sizable brands, pursuing 1–2 deals per year to reach eight to ten brands within 3–4 years, and continuing a strong online-first growth strategy while expanding into traditional retailers like Target.

A 28-Year-Old CEO Turns Nostalgia Into a Refurbished-Gadget Business
business1 month ago

A 28-Year-Old CEO Turns Nostalgia Into a Refurbished-Gadget Business

London Jackson (Kickback) builds a direct-to-consumer line of reimagined retro tech and refurbished gadgets (e.g., Motorola Razr phones, portable CD players, 2000s-style cameras) targeting Gen Z, using social media to market an offline, nostalgia-driven lifestyle. In 2025 Kickback surpassed $750,000 in revenue with over 7,000 products sold and about $460,000 in gross profit, backed by roughly $300,000 in VC funding. The company relies on a network of refurbishers, recently hired a COO to scale, and is expanding with new product lines and collaborations like a Brent Faiyaz-inspired camera line.

D’Amaro Unveils Disney’s Growth Playbook: Creative Excellence, Disney+ at the Core, and Global Expansion
business2 months ago

D’Amaro Unveils Disney’s Growth Playbook: Creative Excellence, Disney+ at the Core, and Global Expansion

On Disney’s Q2 FY26 earnings call, new CEO Josh D’Amaro outlined a disciplined growth plan with Disney+ at the center, three priorities (creative excellence, a more connected direct-to-consumer experience, and technology), and a push for international streaming growth. He highlighted IP momentum (Zootopia 2 with $1.9B global box office and 1B hours streamed on Disney+) and ongoing investments across films, experiences (Disney Adventures World, World of Frozen) and ESPN’s direct-to-consumer evolution, while acknowledging near-term variability but long-term value from Disney’s brands and platforms.

Nike's Slow-Burn Comeback: Back to Sports, Partners, and Product
business2 months ago

Nike's Slow-Burn Comeback: Back to Sports, Partners, and Product

Nike is pursuing a slow-moving turnaround under CEO Elliott Hill, refocusing on sports, rebuilding wholesale partnerships, and returning to product innovation after a period of aggressive Direct-to-Consumer emphasis that hurt shelves and margins. The strategy—centered on Hill’s Win Now plan, reorganization by sport, and reducing flooded inventory—faces headwinds from tariff pressure and a weak China market where local brands are gaining ground, while North America shows some growth and new product initiatives (Mind sneakers, SKIMS collab). Progress is evident but progress is gradual, with 12–18 month timelines for new product cycles and sustained wholesale restoration needed for a true recovery.

DTC Drivers Step Up in 2026 Golf Market
sports2 months ago

DTC Drivers Step Up in 2026 Golf Market

In 2026, direct-to-consumer brands Takomo, Vice Golf, Ben Hogan, MacGregor, and LA Golf are proving you can get genuinely competitive drivers without the big-brand premium. MyGolfSpy’s testing shows DTC models delivering strong forgiveness (MacGregor Tourney Max 8.7; LA Golf 8.9) and solid distance, with LA Golf posting the best accuracy among DTC and top results for slower swing speeds, while prices range from about $249 to $649. The overall field’s top distance still belonged to Callaway’s Quantum Max (9.5 distance score), but the gap between DTC and mainstream drivers is shrinking. If you’re a casual to mid-handicap player who values forgiveness and value, a DTC driver can be a smart fit; however, those needing every yard or who must demo clubs beforehand should approach with fitting in mind.

Big Arch, Bigger PR: What McDonald's CEO's Instagram Says About Direct-to-Consumer Marketing
business4 months ago

Big Arch, Bigger PR: What McDonald's CEO's Instagram Says About Direct-to-Consumer Marketing

An BI writer frames Kempczinski’s Instagram posts about the Big Arch as part of a broader ‘going direct’ PR trend, notes the viral backlash over his tiny bite, and shares trying the burger herself (it's tasty); the piece argues the posts may be aimed more at McDonald's employees and franchisees than the general public, illustrating a shifting corporate communications strategy.

politics5 months ago

TrumpRx launches discount drug portal, aims to cut costs but skeptics doubt sweeping savings

President Trump unveiled TrumpRx, a direct-to-consumer site offering discounts on about 40 branded medicines from five major drugmakers with GoodRx backing; experts say savings may be muted for many since insurance plans and deductibles often yield lower costs, and pricing details remain unclear. The administration touts it as transformative, but critics warn it could curb competition and that broader Medicare drug-price negotiations would be more effective. A potential Express Scripts agreement could expand coverage if the regulatory environment allows, signaling that Congress may need to act to count purchases toward deductibles.

TrumpRx: White House rolls out cash-pay drug hub to lower costs
politics5 months ago

TrumpRx: White House rolls out cash-pay drug hub to lower costs

The White House announced TrumpRx, a direct-to-consumer hub that directs cash-paying patients to discounts offered by drugmakers on their own sites, as part of efforts to lower U.S. prescription costs. The site does not sell drugs itself and may not benefit insured patients who rely on coverage, but could help uninsured or underinsured access drugs not widely covered, such as obesity medications; participating makers include Lilly and Novo Nordisk, with prices advertised (e.g., Ozempic and Wegovy at about $350/month) amid broader debated savings, since actual prices often depend on rebates and payer contracts. The overall impact on out-of-pocket costs remains uncertain.