Ford botches Explorer launch, putting CEO back on hot seat

Ford Motor Co.’s Jim Hackett and Wall Street analysts started this year frustrated with one another. Sure, the automaker had been underperforming, but the chief executive appealed for time to show he was fixing things. He assured them the redesigned Explorer SUV rolling out months later would be a proof point. But rather than help the earnings results Ford delivers this week, the Explorer will be a hindrance. Sales have plunged as a plant plagued by personnel problems has struggled to get the new sport utility vehicle out the door. Thousands have been shipped 270 miles away to another Ford factory for rework. The botched Explorer launch puts Hackett back in the position he was early this year—testing the patience of investors. A downbeat assessment of how long it will take to turn the automaker around already cost the company an investment-grade credit rating. By pointing to the SUV as one of the first products he influenced, the CEO staked his reputation on it. "From a design, styling and content standpoint, it hit the marks,” Jeff Schuster, a forecasting analyst for LMC Automotive, said of the Explorer. “But if you can’t get out of the gate, that certainly is going to put some question marks not only on his credibility, but from a consumer standpoint, on the vehicle itself.” The transformation of Ford’s Chicago assembly plant was one of the most complex in the company’s history, a spokeswoman said. The company is shipping the new Explorer— the all-time best-selling... Continue reading at 'Advertising Age'

[ Advertising Age | 2019-10-21 21:58:49 UTC ]
News tagged with: #hostile environment #general motors #settle claims #troubled past

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Back from Behind Like Patrick Mahomes: A Reading List of Comeback Stories

At halftime of this year’s Super Bowl, the marquee game of the NFL season, the Kansas City Chiefs trailed the Philadelphia Eagles 24-14 in Glendale, Arizona. What transpired next was the latest remarkable comeback in the career of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, one of the most compelling... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2023-08-24 09:55:25 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #super bowl #patrick mahomes #nfl season


Author Strikes Back Against Spreading Science Denial

In her new book, author Janet Kellogg Ray addresses her concerns about what she sees as a revival of the battle lines being drawn between science and faith in a similar fashion to what led to the Scopes Monkey trial in 1925. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-08-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #battle lines


Study Up on Campus Novels: A Back-to-School-Inspired Reading List for Grown-Ups

These campus novels for adults raise questions around race, class, or gender or are simply set in or around campuses, including Real Life by Brandon Taylor. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-08-21 10:33:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #brandon taylor #campus novels


Author Michelle Tea Launches Dopamine Books

Michelle Tea always wanted to become a publisher. And after a decade of helming imprints at established presses, she’s finally in the driver’s seat of her own nonprofit press, Dopamine Books. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-08-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #michelle tea


EveryLibrary and Book Riot Partner to Launch Parent Perceptions Survey on Public Libraries and Current Issues

An upcoming national survey on the parental perceptions of public libraries will launch in early September. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-08-15 13:09:24 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #public libraries #early september #parental perceptions #current issues


12 Hot Picks By Popular Book Clubs For August 2023

Get to know what all of the book clubs are reading in August, from exciting debuts to new releases from beloved authors. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-08-11 10:35:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #popular book #beloved authors #exciting debuts #book clubs


Simon & Schuster CEO says there's no need to be 'nervous' about new owner KKR

Paramount announced Monday that it's selling the storied publisher for $1.62 billion, months after a sale to Penguin Random House was blocked by a federal judge. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2023-08-07 21:27:31 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #penguin random house #federal judge


In London, Schroders Backs the Business Book of the Year Award

The Financial Times is joined this year by Schroders, with added support from Nikkei, in the £30,000 Business Book of the Year award. The post In London, Schroders Backs the Business Book of the Year Award appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2023-08-07 20:19:16 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #book of the year #added support #business book


12 back-to-school gadgets you didn’t know you needed

Some tech purchases are no-brainers when getting ready for a fresh school year, like buying a new laptop or Chromebook. But other back-to-school products aren’t quite as obvious. They might seem purely optional—stuff you buy if you have money to throw around. But don’t be so quick to... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2023-08-04 15:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #kindle #purely optional—stuff #consumer electronics #written word #overdrive service #local library #decent trade- #store hundreds #lcd screens #special torture #move frequently #royal pain


Criminally Hot: 15 New Mystery, Thrillers, & True Crime For August 2023

There's something for every reader in August's new mystery, thriller, and crime releases, from a true crime memoir to historical mysteries including Harlem After Midnight by Louise Hare. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2023-07-31 10:33:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #memoir #true crime


The AirPods Pro drop back to an all-time low, plus the rest of this week's best tech deals

This week, the biggest event in tech took place in Seoul with Samsung's Unpacked showcase. Among other announcements, the company officially unveiled its latest foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold 5. It's not even available yet, but Amazon is offering a $200 gift card if you pre-order from... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-07-28 18:33:17 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #kindle #follow @engadgetdeals #$100 savings #buying advice #record low #6ghz band


10 back-to-school gadgets you didn’t know you needed

Some tech purchases are no-brainers when getting ready for a fresh school year, like buying a new laptop or Chromebook. But other back-to-school products aren’t quite as obvious. They might seem purely optional—stuff you buy if you have money to throw around. But don’t be so quick to... Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2023-07-28 10:45:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #kindle #purely optional—stuff #consumer electronics #written word #overdrive service #local library #decent trade- #store hundreds #lcd screens #special torture #move frequently #royal pain


Binc Launches Business Incubator for BIPOC and LGBTQ Booksellers

Book Industry Charitable Foundation has announced BincTank, a new business incubator offering mentorship and support for booksellers looking to open stores serving historically underrepresented or marginalized communities. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #book industry #announced binctank


Binc Launches Business Incubator for BIPOC Booksellers

The Book Industry Charitable Foundation has announced BincTank, a new business incubator offering mentorship and support for BIPOC booksellers. The program will run for three years. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-26 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #book industry #announced binctank #bipoc booksellers


Exclusive: Mailchimp Owner Intuit Launches Media Network for Small Businesses

Financial services giant Intuit is launching a small business-focused media network, letting advertisers target customers across the web and tapping into a new revenue line, executives exclusively told Adweek. The venture, called SMB MediaLabs, will let advertisers target the customers of... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2023-07-24 10:13:48 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #digital media #online publishers #including audio #advertisers target #small businesses


HarperCollins Focus Launches Spanish-Language Imprint

HarperCollins Focus is launching HarperEnfoque. The new imprint, based in Nashville, will offer original works in Spanish as well as translations of bestselling English-language books, focused on "empowering lives and fostering change." Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-24 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #harpercollins #harpercollins focus


Apple's 10.2-inch iPad drops back to $250, plus the rest of the week's best tech deals

This week's best tech deals include a couple of all-time lows on older but still worthwhile Apple gadgets, with the 9th-gen iPad on sale for $250 and the M1-powered MacBook Air available for $750. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max is a solid value for those in need of a cheap media streamer at... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2023-07-21 15:15:52 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #audiobook #follow @engadgetdeals #$100 drop #$40 cheaper #extra cost #wireless earbuds


DPLA Launches ‘Geo-targeted’ Banned Book Club via Palace E-book App

The new program utilizes GPS-based “geo-targeting” to show readers the books that have been banned in their area, making e-book versions available to borrow digitally. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-20 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #banned book #e-book #show readers


May Bookstore Sales Bounce Back

After falling in April, bookstore sales rose 6% in May over 2022, rising to $650 million from $613 million a year ago. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-07-18 04:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #bookstore sales #$650 million


Why putting social workers in public libraries could help Montrealers in crisis

As more Quebecers come to libraries for services not found on the shelf, some librarians are calling for Montreal to follow the lead of other Canadian cities and hire social workers. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2023-07-10 08:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #public libraries #libraries