All articles tagged with #direct to consumer
MS NOW will launch a paid membership program on Sept. 9 to engage its most devoted viewers, priced at $7.99 per month or $79.99 annually, offering perks such as members-only content, direct interaction with network personalities, a community space, and a 24/7 live feed as part of a broader push to grow its direct-to-consumer business amid declining cable viewership.
Nike shares fell to their lowest since 2014, slipping about 4% and wiping out over $200 billion in market value from their 2021 peak as doubts about a turnaround grow. Weak direct-to-consumer sales and a fresh analyst downgrade weigh on sentiment, with UBS noting July secondary-market prices for Nike and Jordan footwear fell year over year, signaling softer brand momentum before a sustainable growth recovery is seen.
On Holding AG's stock fell about 22% after its second-quarter revenue missed estimates and the company cut its full-year net sales growth outlook to the low-20% range (CC). Q2 EPS was CHF 0.31 vs. CHF 0.29 expected, while revenue was CHF 850.3 million vs. CHF 881.4 million consensus. Growth was led by a 34.3% CC increase in direct-to-consumer, Asia-Pacific accounting for >20% of sales, and apparel up 56.2% CC. Gross margin rose to 65.4% and adjusted EBITDA margin to 19.8%. For the year, gross margin guidance was raised to at least 65% and EBITDA margin to 19.5-20.0%, with net sales guidance of CHF 3.47-3.56 billion, below a Citi consensus and signaling pressure into the second half.
Procter & Gamble is buying supplement brand Thorne for $3.8 billion to accelerate growth of its health and wellness division. The deal follows Thorne’s long-running presence since 1984, its private-equity ownership in 2023, and more than $500 million in revenue in 2025, with the company expanding direct-to-consumer sales. P&G CEO Shailesh Jejurikar described Thorne as a well-run asset with potential to become a billion-dollar brand, as the acquisition moves toward formal announcement.
Elective whole-body MRI screenings are climbing in popularity driven by social media, with proponents arguing for early cancer and condition detection. Medical experts caution these scans often do not improve survival, can lead to unnecessary testing and surgeries from false positives, and come with substantial out-of-pocket costs (about $1,500–$4,000) that insurers rarely cover. Physicians urge weighing benefits against risks and discussing personal history with a primary care provider before deciding.
Disney’s live‑action Moana opened softer than expected, but the core investment thesis remains anchored in its Experiences business, strong IP, and a rising dividend. The softer box office intensifies debate over streaming economics, with some analysts urging more monetization through licensing rather than full direct‑to‑consumer distribution, though any leadership‑driven shift could be costly and uncertain.
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.
The Mountain West launches MW+, a Kiswe-powered direct-to-consumer streaming service for events not on linear TV, where a majority of each subscription bought through a member school's page will directly support that school, creating a first-of-its-kind, subscription-driven revenue model amid a shifting college-sports landscape.
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 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.
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, 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.
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.
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 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.