The Drum’s Daily Briefing: Nestlé targets Ozempic users & Cazoo crashes
Our quickfire analysis of the brand, marketing and media stories that might just crop up in your meetings and conversations today.
Nestlé has launched a new food brand, Vital Pursuit / Adobe Stock
Nestlé targets Ozempic users with new brand
Nestlé has launched a new food brand, Vital Pursuit, designed for users of GLP-1 weight loss medication (Ozempic and Wegovy) and weight management consumers in the US.
This line offers high-protein, fiber-rich foods with essential nutrients tailored to fit portion-controlled diets. With options like protein pasta bowls, sandwich melts and air-fryer-ready items, Vital Pursuit caters to those seeking balanced, convenient meals.
Nestlé aims to support the growing number of Americans taking weight loss medications by making accessible, nutritious and tasty options available by the fourth quarter of 2024.
Cazoo crashes into insolvency
Cazoo, the used car business founded by Zoopla entrepreneur Alex Chesterman, has gone into administration just three years after its $8bn New York listing.
Despite heavy marketing investments, including sports sponsorships, Cazoo struggled with profitability, posting significant losses in 2021 and 2022.
The company recently shifted from online car retailing to an advertising marketplace model, resulting in substantial job cuts and asset sales.
Teneo has been appointed to manage the insolvency, seeking buyers for Cazoo’s marketplace business.
This collapse highlights the challenges faced by UK companies seeking favorable valuations in the US market.
TikTok to lay off a significant portion of marketing employees
TikTok will lay off a substantial portion of its 1,000 global employees in operations and marketing just weeks after President Biden signed a national ban against the app unless it is sold to a US-based company.
The layoffs, an unusual move for ByteDance-owned TikTok, will primarily affect the content and marketing teams. Notifications are expected soon.
TikTok will also disband its global user operations team, reallocating the remaining staff to other departments.
Despite the restructuring, TikTok remains a major player with 150 million US users and significant revenue from the US market.
Free AI assistant for teachers from Khan Academy & Microsoft
Khan Academy and Microsoft are partnering to offer Khanmigo, an AI assistant, free to K-12 teachers in the US. Microsoft’s donation of Azure infrastructure removes the $4 monthly subscription fee.
Khanmigo assists teachers by generating lesson plans, quizzes and tailored reading passages, reducing prep time significantly. This initiative aims to alleviate teacher burnout and enhance educational delivery.
Khan Academy will continue to charge school districts for student access while exploring ways to lower costs. This collaboration highlights the integration of AI to support education and improve teaching efficiency.
Samsung ousts semiconductor CEO amid AI struggles
Samsung has replaced its semiconductor chief after lagging in the AI boom.
Kyung Kye-hyun, who served as co-CEO, acknowledged the company’s shortcomings, particularly in high-bandwidth memory crucial for AI applications like Nvidia’s processors. His successor, Jun Young-hyun, a turnaround specialist, aims to regain competitiveness.
Samsung, heavily investing in US chip production, faces stiff competition from SK Hynix and TSMC. The leadership change underscores Samsung’s commitment to strengthening its position in the evolving tech landscape.