GM creates chief transformation officer role as agency reviews continue
Buick and GMC marketer Molly Peck takes on a new role as GM considers big changes to its marketing and agency approach under new CMO Norm de Greve.
Cruise demand leaves pandemic in rearview with record passengers, more construction on tap
MIAMI BEACH — The COVID pandemic drove the cruise industry to a standstill, but numbers released Tuesday signal the years of comeback are officially over with more expansion on tap.
More than 31.7 million passengers took cruises worldwide in 2023, said Kelly Craighead, Cruise Line International Association president and CEO, speaking at the annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference at Miami Beach Convention Center.
CLIA is the lobbying group for member cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC and most other major brands.
The pandemic shut down sailing from March 2020 with only a small number of ships coming back online 18 months later in summer 2021. Cruise lines didn’t return to full strength until partially through 2022, so it wasn’t until a full year of sailing in 2023 that the industry could get a real handle on just what the demand had grown to as people returned to vacation travel.
“We are an industry that’s resilient and thriving all around the world, breaking records in ways we might never have imagined,” she said.
New Mexico EV mandate will remain in place, despite opposition from auto dealers
The New Mexico Automotive Dealers Association and Garcia Automotive Group have opposed the state’s EV mandate to adopt California’s zero-emission vehicle rules.
US Postal Service seeking to hike cost of first-class stamp to 73 cents
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Postal Service signaled plans Tuesday for a rate increase that includes hiking the cost of a first-class stamp from 68 cents to 73 cents, part of an overall 7.8% increase to take effect this summer.
The request was made to the Postal Regulatory Commission, which must approve the proposed increase that the Postal Service contends is necessary to achieve financial stability. If approved, the 5-cent increase for a “forever” stamp and similar increases for postcards, metered letters and international mail would take effect July 14.
U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy previously warned postal customers to get used to “uncomfortable” rate hikes as the Postal Service seeks to become self-sufficient. He said price increases were overdue after “at least 10 years of a defective pricing model.”
In its filing, the Postal Service said it’s also seeking price adjustments on special services such as money order fees and certified mail. But there will be no price increase for post office box rentals, and postal insurance will be reduced by 10% when items are mailed, the postal service said.
5 cool changes on the 2025 Acura MDX
Acura’s 2025 MDX midsize crossover will offer a fully loaded Type S variant, two A-Spec trims, and substantial design and technology upgrades.