Hallmark media CEO leaves, month after same-sex ad backlash

The head of Hallmark’s media business is leaving the company after 11 years, just a month after its flagship Hallmark Channel faced an outcry over a decision to pull an ad with a lesbian couple kissing.

No reason was given for Bill Abbott’s departure, and no replacement was immediately named.

In a statement, Mike Perry, president and CEO of Hallmark Cards Inc., said that with immense competition from TV networks and streaming services, it is important for the company to find “relevant new ways to grow our business.”

Abbott was CEO of Crown Media Family Networks, a company controlled by Hallmark Cards. Crown Media’s flagship cable channel is The Hallmark Channel, known for family-friendly programming, particularly made-for-TV Christmas-themed movies.

In December, the Hallmark Channel’s decision to pull an ad featuring the same-sex couple led to an outcry online. The company later reversed the decision.

Crown Media also operates the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Hallmark Drama networks, subscription streaming service Hallmark Movies Now and e-book publishing division Hallmark Publishing.

Old Spice celebrates 10 years since viral ad campaign

Old Spice is celebrating 10 years since its groundbreaking “Smell Like a Man, Man” campaign by bringing back the original Old Spice Guy Isaiah Mustafa and introducing young breakout star Keith Powers as his TV son in a new campaign.

The original iconic spot, featuring a shirtless, towel-wrapped Mustafa, is often recognized as the first branded viral ad sensation, having racked up more than 105 million online views to date and an Emmy Award in 2010. It helped Old Spice’s transformation to become a leading anti-perspirant and deodorant brand for men in the United States.

In the latest “Smell Like Your Own Man, Man” campaign, which debuted yesterday, Mustafa tries to impart Old Spice wisdom to his son, played by Powers. While Powers looks up to his dad, he humorously dismisses Mustafa’s product recommendations and shares his preference for the all-new Old Spice Ultra Smooth line that offers dermatologist-tested benefits and subtle scents, without compromising performance.

GM’s Cruise heads down new road with new robotaxi concept

General Motors’ self-driving car company will attempt to deliver on its long-running promise to provide a more environmentally friendly ride-hailing service in an unorthodox vehicle designed to eliminate the need for human operators to transport people around crowded cities.

The service still being developed by GM’s Cruise subsidiary will rely on a boxy, electric-powered vehicle called “Origin” that was unveiled late Tuesday in San Francisco amid much fanfare. It looks like a cross between a mini-van and sports utility vehicle with one huge exception — it won’t have any steering wheel or brakes.

The Origin will accommodate up to four passengers at a time, although a single customer will be able summon it for a ride just as people already can ask for a car with a human behind the wheel from Uber or Lyft.

For all the hype surrounding the Origin’s unveiling, Cruise omitted some key details, including when its ride-hailing service will be available and how many of the vehicles will be in its fleet. The company indicated it will initially only be available in San Francisco, where Cruise has already been offering a ride-hailing service that’s only available to its roughly 1,000 employees.