Nike has teamed up with Good360 to donate 32,500 pairs of its Air Zoom Pulse shoes, specifically designed for healthcare workers, across the U.S. and in parts of Europe.
Jorge Casimiro, Nike's chief social and community impact officer, told Cheddar Monday that Nike athletes are leading the effort to show their appreciation for frontline workers taking on the coronavirus pandemic.
"Together, with these great Nike athletes what we want to do is show that appreciation by donating our most innovative footwear for the healthcare athlete, the Air Zoom Pulse," Casimiro said.
Along with the sneakers, the sportswear giant is also donating over 140,000 pieces of footwear, apparel, and equipment globally. Casimiro also said they are reaching out to local communities to find out the needs of those on the front line so they can provide them with the right gear.
"We have teams on the ground. These are cities that are important for our employees, for our consumers, where we have deep relationships, and we listen to their needs," he said
Nike also committed more than $25 million in products and funding to COVID-19 response efforts, including $2 million in employee donations. The company says it has invested in providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, and Casimiro said the company intends to continue to listen to medical professionals on the frontlines to fill their needs.
Nestlé has dismissed its CEO Laurent Freixe after an investigation into an undisclosed relationship with a direct subordinate. The company announced on Monday that the dismissal was effective immediately. An investigation found that Freixe violated Nestlé’s code of conduct. He had been CEO for a year. Philipp Navratil, a longtime Nestlé executive, will replace him. Chairman Paul Bulcke stated that the decision was necessary to uphold the company’s values and governance. Navratil began his career with Nestlé in 2001 and has held various roles, including CEO of Nestlé's Nespresso division since 2024.
Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies a decade after they joined in a massive merger that created one of the biggest food companies on the planet. One of the companies will include brands such as Heinz, Philadelphia cream cheese and Kraft Mac & Cheese. The other will include brands like Oscar Mayer, Kraft Singles and Lunchables. When the company formed in 2015 it wanted to capitalize on its massive scale, but shifting tastes complicated those plans, with households seeking to introduce healthier options at the table. Kraft Heinz's net revenue has fallen every year since 2020.
