How brands and agencies are dealing with COVID resurgence—a regularly updated list

Here we go again. The rise of the omicron variant is causing brands and agencies to once again reassess ad plans and back-to-office policies, while also considering mask and vaccine mandates both in the office and at retail establishments. Below, a regularly updated list of how the marketing industry is responding. High-quality journalism isn’t always free. Subscribe to Ad Age now for award-winning news and insight. Jan. 21, 2022 4:26 PM ET “Mission Impossible” films postponed—again On Friday, Paramount Pictures and Skydance Media announced “Mission Impossible” 7 and 8 would be pushed from their release dates this fall and next summer because of “delays due to the ongoing pandemic.” The Tom Cruise-starring action blockbusters will now be released on July 14, 2023, and July 28, 2024, respectively. This is the latest of several postponements for the film after its 2020 production and 2021 release date were delayed in the first COVID-19 wave. —Parker Herren Jan. 20, 2022 3:35 PM ET Olympic broadcasters pull on-the-ground teams from Beijing With fears about the spread of COVID-19 looming, NBC and ESPN will both suspend some or all of their production crews’ travel to China to cover next month’s Winter Olympics, the networks announced separately today. For its part, NBC—the primary broadcaster that covers the Olympics in the U.S.—has opted to not send any of its announcers to Beijing, instead calling the events remotely from its Connecticut facility; the network will, however, have other in-person staff in China, some of whom are already there. ESPN took things one step further, noting that due to “concerns about COVID-19 and other COVID-related restrictions,” it would not be sending any personnel to China for next month’s games. It had originally planned to send four reporters. —Ethan Jakob Craft Jan. 19, 2022 5:19 PM ET NBC postpones ‘American Song Contest’ amid COVID surge Audiences will have to wait another month for NBC’s version of the uber-popular Eurovision Song Contest, with the broadcaster announcing today that the debut of its new “American Song Contest” program is being postponed to March 21. Originally set to debut Feb. 21 with an eight-week run, the series is temporarily on hold to allow its production team more time to navigate COVID-19 concerns related to the show’s live audience component. In its place, the network will air “America’s Got Talent: Extreme” at “American Song Contest’s” original 8 p.m. time slot for four weeks. — Ethan Jakob Craft 2:05 PM ET Disinfectant Craze Rages On for Covid-Skittish U.S. Consumers You don’t really need to deep-clean surfaces to stay safe from the coronavirus, but many U.S. consumers still aren’t taking any chances. Shoppers bought 15% more home-cleaning items such as liquid and spray disinfectants last year compared to in 2019, according to data from market research firm IRI. While sales slipped from 2020’s blowout figures in both dollar terms and by volume, the trends suggest sanitizing has become ingrained in everyday routines, benefiting companies like Clorox Co., Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc and Procter & Gamble Co. —Bloomberg Jan. 18, 2022 10:05 AM ET Google mandating weekly testing for in-office workers Google will now temporarily require in-office employees to show a weekly negative COVID-19 molecular test (e.g. PCR) as the company expects a surge in Omicron cases in the coming weeks. Employees are also expected to show proof of vaccination and wear a surgical-grade mask while in the facility. The tech company currently provides free at-home and in-person molecular tests through Cue Health, a benefit that applies to its extended workforce including temps, vendors and contractors. Amid a nationwide shortage of supplies for rapid tests, Google’s partnership with Cue Health could help to smoothen the implementation of its new policy, which is expected to continue for the next few weeks. —Asa Hiken 10 AM ET Apple to require booster shots from employees Apple will now require employees in both stores and corporate offices to show proof of COVID booster shots. Employees will have four weeks to receive their shots once they become eligible, and if they don’t receive them in this time, they will be subject to frequent testing starting Feb. 15. For those who remain unvaccinated, Apple will require a negative rapid antigen test before entry into the workplace starting Jan. 24. It's unclear whether the testing policy applies to both store and corporate employees. —Asa Hiken 9:34 AM ET Beijing 2022 Olympics to halt ticket sales As China scrambles to control local outbreaks of COVID-19, the organizing committee of next month’s Winter Olympics in Beijing has decided to stop selling tickets for all events, adding another level of pandemic security atop a games that is already imposing strict vaccine, testing and mask measures for all athletes and staff. However, this move doesn’t completely bar spectators from the Olympics; instead, authorities will distribute tickets to groups as they see fit, essentially creating an invitation-only event. “The organizers expect that these spectators will strictly abide by the COVID-19 countermeasures before, during and after each event as pre-conditions for the safe and sound delivery of the Games,” the Beijing 2022 organizers said in a statement. The Chinese capital, spared from much of the pandemic as of late, reported its first case of the highly transmissible omicron variant on Jan. 15. —Ethan Jakob Craft Jan. 14, 2022 4:26 PM ET More than half of workers would consider quitting before returning to the office Workers grew more uncomfortable about heading back to the office in the first week of the year and were much more likely to consider quitting if their employer demanded they return, a sign that companies’ efforts to get people back amid rising Covid caseloads face stiff resistance. The share of remote workers who would consider leaving their job if they were asked back to the office before they felt safe rose to 55% as of Jan. 6, up from 45% just a week earlier, according to pollster Morning Consult. More than 4 in 10 workers felt unsure about returning to the office, compared with 35% who said so on Dec. 30. People were also less likely to want to attend indoor sporting events, go to the movies and dine out, Morning Consult’s weekly U.S. survey found. —Bloomberg Jan. 13, 2022 5:15 PM ET Amazon offers workers $40 incentives for booster shots Amazon will now give its U.S. hourly employees $40 if they prove they’ve received their COVID booster shots, according to The Information. The incentive will apply to the e-commerce giant’s pool of around 750,000 U.S. warehouse workers as it aims to keep those centers staffed during the Omicron surge. Workers will also have the option to receive an unpaid day off upon proving their booster shot. While Amazon is encouraging its hourly employees to return to their workplaces, it has yet to officially call back its corporate employees. Hourly laborers will also face a mask mandate in their facilities, as well as seven instead of 10 days of paid time off should they test positive for COVID, in accordance with recent CDC guidelines. Jan. 11, 2022 11:35 AM ET United Airlines trims flight schedule as 3,000 workers have COVID United Airlines Holdings Inc. is reducing its near-term flight schedule as the airline grapples with the staffing impact of the omicron variant of the coronavirus, with about 3,000 of its workers currently testing positive for COVID-19. “In one day alone at Newark, nearly one-third of our workforce called out sick,” United CEO Scott Kirby wrote Tuesday in a memo to workers. “To those who are out sick or isolating, we wish you a speedy recovery.” Kirby also touted the company’s mandatory vaccination policy and said no vaccinated employees are in the hospital due to the virus. Last week, Alaska Air Group Inc. announced a 10% capacity cut for January to help address COVID-related staffing shortages.—Bloomberg News 10:40 AM ET Ikea slashes sick pay for unvaccinated U.K. workers As COVID-19 cases continue to rise globally, retailers are starting to make changes to their policies. The latest is Ikea, which will cut sick pay for workers who are unvaccinated in the U.K. beginning this week, the Daily Mail first reported. Such workers for the Swedish furniture chain will receive what amounts to $130 in weekly sick pay, while typical workers receive as much as $610 a week, according to the New York Post. The changes come at a time when retailers are struggling to keep their brick-and-mortar outposts operational amid a labor shortage and supply chain challenges. Many store workers report customer crowds that overwhelm the limited number of staffers healthy enough to go to work, as well as closed fitting rooms because there is not enough staff to manage them. Meanwhile, while the National Retail Federation is still planning to host its in-person Big Show conference this weekend, some speakers have pulled out of the event. Jessica Alba, the founder of baby brand the Honest Co., canceled her NRF keynote appearance on Monday. — Adrianne Pasquarelli 10 AM ET Meta delays office return by nearly two months Meta, formerly Facebook, Inc., has delayed the return to its U.S. office until March 28, nearly two months after its previous planned date of Jan. 31. The company will also require booster shots from employees who decide to work from the office once it reopens, expanding its current requirement of vaccination against COVID for in-office workers. As Omicron surges, Meta is exploring an option-based system for its employees, allowing full-time work from the office, full-time remote work and temporary work from home. The approach gives wiggle room for those who cannot get vaccinated for medical or religious reasons. Employees have until March 14 to request an option, and face disciplinary measures—including possible termination—if they fail to take any action. — Asa Hiken Jan. 10, 2022 11:23 AM ET NATPE cancels Miami conference The National Association of Television Program Executives has axed its annual event in Miami, which was slated to begin next week, in light of continually rising COVID-19 cases across the country. While some recent events have gone ahead in-person, including CES in Las Vegas last week—albeit with diminished attendance and many last-minute vendor cancellations—several others have opted to alter their plans given the omicron variant’s surge in the U.S. The trade body is currently assessing virtual and, where appropriate, small-scale in-person events later in 2022, NATPE’s chief executive J.P. Bommel said in a statement. — Ethan Jakob Craft Jan. 7, 2022 9:30 AM ET Gaming expo E3 cancels in-person event Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), the gaming industry’s largest annual trade show, folded its plans for an in-person event this summer. E3 has historically been held in June at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with 2019 seeing an attendance of over 66,000 people. The 2022 event could still occur as an online-only format, although no details on such were provided at this time. This is the third consecutive year that E3 will not be held in person due to COVID-19, having been an online event last year and fully canceled the year prior. “Due to the ongoing health risks surrounding COVID-19 and its potential impact on the safety of exhibitors and attendees, E3 will not be held in person in 2022. We remain incredibly excited about the future of E3 and look forward to announcing more details soon,” said organizer Entertainment Software Association in a statement. — Asa Hiken 9:30 AM ET 'The Late Late Show' goes on pause after James Corden tests positive CBS’ “The Late Late Show” will cancel its next few episodes after host James Corden tested positive for COVID-19. Corden revealed his case on Thursday through Instagram, explaining that he’s vaccinated, boosted and feeling asymptomatic. The show will pause new episodes for the next few days. A post shared by James Corden (@j_corden) Corden is the third late-night talk show host to reveal a positive case this week, following Seth Meyers of NBC’s “Late Night” and Jimmy Fallon of NBC’s “The Tonight Show”. Meyers is currently positive and his show has been cancelled for the week, while Fallon tested positive over the holiday break and is back to hosting as normal. — Asa Hiken Jan. 5, 2022 3:33 PM ET Grammy Awards postponed indefinitely The Grammy Awards, originally scheduled for Jan. 31, have been indefinitely postponed due to rising COVID cases. Although last year’s ceremony was scaled down, this year’s broadcast would have resembled a pre-pandemic production with a full audience at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. “The health and safety of those in our music community, the live audience and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly to produce our show remains our top priority,” read a statement from The Recording Academy and CBS. “Given the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant, holding the show on January 31st simply contains too many risks. We look forward to celebrating Music’s Biggest Night on a future date, which will be announced soon.” — Parker Herren Sundance Film Festival cancels in-person events The Sundance Film Festival announced on Wednesday that the previously hybrid event will no longer feature in-person meetings in Park City, Utah. All festival elements, including film screenings and artist talks, will be held on Sundance’s social platform and virtual gallery space. The Sundance Institute announced in a statement: “While it is a deep loss to not have the in-person experience in Utah, we do not believe it is safe nor feasible to gather thousands of artists, audiences, employees, volunteers, and partners from around the world, for an eleven-day festival while overwhelmed communities are already struggling to provide essential services.” The festival will still take place from Jan. 20-30, with satellite partners hosting local events from January 28-30. — Parker Herren Jan. 4, 2022 12:04 PM ET U.S. sets daily record with 1 million positive cases Over 1 million positive COVID cases were reported in the U.S on Jan. 3 as the country set another global record, according to Bloomberg. The number is nearly double the previous record set by the U.S. last week. As many Americans opt for at-home testing, the reported number is expected to be far below the actual number of positive cases. The omicron surge is causing companies to delay office reopenings, and leading to flight cancellations, school closures and further supply chain disruptions. — Parker Herren Jan. 3, 2022 7:30 AM ET Starbucks to require vaccine or weekly testing for U.S. workers Starbucks Corp. said its U.S. employees must be vaccinated against Covid-19 or submit to weekly testing by Feb. 9. The new rules, which are in line with government standards for large employers, apply to staff in cafes, offices, plants and distribution centers, according to a message to employees dated Dec. 27 from Starbucks North America President John Culver. The company is also requiring U.S. workers to disclose their vaccination status by Jan. 10. — Bloomberg Dec. 28, 2021 7:30 AM ET Apple closes NYC stores to shoppers Apple closed its major New York City stores amid a COVID surge, only allowing shoppers to pickup online orders. Shoppers aren't allowed to enter the store to browse or purchase anything onsite, and technical support from the Genius Bar isn't available. The closures include 16 stores across New York, with Upper West Side, West 14th Street, Staten Island and Bronx locations. The temporary move also includes stores in Huntington Station and Manhasset. Dec. 22, 2021 4:28 PM ET IRI Growth Summit postponed until 2023 The IRI Growth Summit originally planned for April 25-27 has been postponed until sometime in 2023 due to COVID-19 concerns, the company announced today. “As questions remain regarding the current safety of large events and current rise in COVID-19 cases, and the impact of the omicron variant, we have made the challenging decision” to postpone the event, the company said in an email. “This is difficult news to deliver, given our excitement in announcing the return of our iconic in-person even just over a month ago.” –Jack Neff 12:29 PM ET NHL pulls players from Beijing Olympics Just days after the NHL announced an early start to its Christmas break amid increasing pandemic-related game postponements, the league has officially forbidden players from traveling to China to compete in the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics. Citing a “profound disruption”—more than 50 regular season hockey games have been postponed to date due to COVID-19—NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement that “Olympic participation is no longer feasible.” As such, the league announced that it’ll be rescheduling some games during the two-week window in February that was originally blocked off for an Olympic pause. —Ethan Jakob Craft 10:44 AM ET Fox axes ‘Toast & Roast’ NYE special In light of the “recent velocity of the spread of Omicron cases,” Fox has made the call to cancel “Fox’s New Year’s Eve Toast & Roast 2022,” an annual live telecast that was slated to occur in New York’s Times Square this year. A statement from the network said that the current COVID-19 situation renders it impossible to produce a special that “meets our standards,” making Fox the first such media company to alter its New Year’s broadcast plans. Replacement programming for the Dec. 31 festivities is to be announced in the coming days, the statement added. —Ethan Jakob Craft Dec. 21, 2021 12:20 PM ET NBC moves New Year’s Eve broadcast to Miami Since 2004, NBC’s New Year’s Eve special has been hosted by “Today Show” co-anchor Carson Daly from Times Square in New York City. In late November, the channel announced this year’s show would air live from Miami, Florida, hosted by singer Miley Cyrus and “SNL” performer Pete Davidson. The star-studded event (it also features performances by Saweetie, Brandi Carlile, Jack Harlow and more) is a new swing from NBC to combat ABC’s special “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest,” which pulled in nearly double NBC’s viewership last year. According to Bloomberg News, the network’s move from NYC to Miami could also be attributed to the highly contagious omicron variant hitting as the “Covid protocols there are less restrictive.” —Parker Herren See Ad Age’s 2021 Year in Review here. 12:15 PM ET Broadway closes multiple shows Hugely popular Broadway shows have refunded tickets for the safety of audiences and as positive cases are reported within their casts. “Hamilton” and “Aladdin,” two of Broadway’s biggest earners, have pulled performances through at least Dec.r 26 and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” is off until Dec. 28. Shows like “Jagged Little Pill” and the off-Broadway show “Trevor” have announced permanent closure because of COVID cases and “The Rockette’s Christmas Spectacular” announced last week that it would end its holiday run early. —Parker Herren 12:09 PM ET Sports leagues pause games amid rising cases Live sports schedules are once again in jeopardy as multiple leagues postpone individual games—or entire seasons—as an increasing number of players, coaches and staff are sidelined with COVID-19. The NHL made the call to begin its scheduled Christmas break two days early, pausing the season until next week following tonight’s two games; yesterday, only the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars met on the ice as scheduled, with four other match-ups being postponed in the wake of rising case counts. The NBA has also opted to scratch five individual games since Sunday, with that league currently facing more than 70 players who are out of commission with the virus. Multiple college basketball games have also been canceled. —Ethan Jakob Craft Behind the rankings: Ad Age World's Largest Advertisers 2021 Dec. 20, 2021 1:27 PM ET CNN closes offices, again, to non-essential employees CNN president Jeff Zucker announced to all of the news network’s employees over the weekend that the company was returning to many of the same protocols that were in place during previous COVID-19 surges, including shuttering its offices nationwide to all but essential personnel who are required to work in-person to do their jobs. “We are doing this out of an abundance of caution,” Zucker said in a companywide memo, adding that for those workers who’ll remain in the office, masks will be mandatory at almost all times, and that some studios would be restructured to minimize the number of people in any given space. —Ethan Jakob Craft 1:27 PM ET SNL cuts audience, musical guest amid omicron This weekend’s episode of “Saturday Night Live” was forced to make a few last-minute changes due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in New York, with the show scrapping its rehearsed run and reverting back to a bare-bones production that proceeded without a live audience or musical guest. Just hours before airing, the show’s Twitter account revealed that there would be no audience in the studio “due to the recent spike in the omicron variant and out of an abundance of caution,” as well as a limited number of cast and crew members on set. Pop star Charli XCX’s scheduled performance was also axed on Saturday afternoon, though the singer later wrote on social media that she herself “didn’t decide to cancel or pull out of the show.” —Ethan Jakob Craft 12:30 PM ET CES to provide free COVID-19 rapid tests for in-person attendees To further protect against the spread of COVID-19, CES organizers announced the trade show will provide complimentary rapid tests for in-person attendees upon acquiring their badges. Each attendee will receive an Abbott BinaxNOW Self Test kit, which includes two tests, for use during the four-day show, scheduled for Jan. 5-8 in Las Vegas. CES also encourages attendees to test before they leave home and within 24 hours before entering a show venue. While CES has already issued requirements for in-person attendees to be fully vaccinated and wear masks indoors, the new precaution comes as the omicron variant harbors the threat of another surge. Omicron currently makes up 3% of all U.S. cases and has been identified in 45 U.S. states. CES is still scheduled for a hybrid format with over 2,100 confirmed exhibitors. –Asa Hiken Below, see previous coverage of how the industry responded amid the rise of the delta variant earlier this year. Sept. 3, 2021 12:11 PM ET Walgreens markets flu and COVID shots With the delta variant causing COVID cases to skyrocket, coronavirus vaccines are remaining front and center for many health care brands, including Walgreens. The drugstore chain will release a 30-second spot this weekend encouraging consumers to get both their COVID shots and their flu shots, as influenza season begins this month. The video, which will run on channels including broadcast TV, paid and organic social media, and programmatic display ads, makes it clear that before consumers engage in activities like travel or social outings, they should get vaccinated against both viruses. The spot continues Walgreens’ vaccination marketing efforts, which began with a campaign in April. Consumers are likely to see a flood of new vaccine promotions following the Food and Drug Administration approval of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine last month. That shot, which Pfizer can now market directly to consumers, has been branded as “Comrinaty.” FDA Approval for Moderna’s vaccine, called Spikevax, is likely to come this month. --Adrianne Pasquarelli 7:45 AM ET 3AF and Ad Council team up on vaccination campaign The Asian American Advertising Federation and the Ad Council have teamed up on a vaccination awareness campaign targeting Asian Americans. Ads will run in English, Korean, Filipino/Tagalog, Hindi, Cantonese and Mandarin. The spots direct viewers to information about vaccines including eligibility, efficacy, safety and where to get vaccinated. Media placements include Crossings TV, The Filipino Channel, The Filipino Press, iTalkBB, On Demand Korea, Sky Link TV, KTSF-TV and Zee TV. “At 3AF, we believe in the power of Asian American media. They are a critical conduit to our Asian American community. After all, they know best how to reach their viewers, listeners, subscribers, and readers,” Indrajit Majumdar, 3AF President, said in a statement. Watch the ads here. --E.J. Schultz Sept. 01, 2021 4:55 PM ET Top Gun is grounded Paramount has delayed its “Top Gun” sequel until next year. “Top Gun: Maverick” was expected to debut on Nov. 19, but is now slated for May 27, 2022, according to Bloomberg. Several other movies have shifted as well, including “Mission: Impossible 7,” “Jackass Forever,” and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife.” Movie studios are still grappling with the challenges of the delta variant, from having a busy set to movie-goers being comfortable sitting in theaters. The industry does not expect a broader return until next year. -- Erika Wheless 2:05 PM ET Advertising Week issues vaccination mandate Advertising Week New York has gone hybrid. The event, which runs from Oct. 18-21 at Hudson Yards, has announced specific health protocols in place for the in-person portions of the week. Most notably, all attendees, including speakers and staff, will be required to show proof of vaccination. More specific details around its on-site safety protocols will be emailed to ticket and press pass holders ahead of the event, including updates on the event’s website. -- Brian Bonilla Aug. 24, 2021 1:05 PM ET ANA expected to mandate vaccinations at ‘Masters of Marketing’ The Association of National Advertisers is expected to require vaccinations for in-person attendance at its biggest event of the year, “Masters of Marketing,” slated for Oct. 8-9 in Orlando at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort. The event will be made available virtually. An email sent Monday publicizing the event included a link to safety protocols that states vaccinations would not be required. But now the trade group is leaning toward requiring vaccinations, according to a representative, who noted that final plans are still being formulated. The decision comes as Florida continues to deal with a wave of COVID cases that have overwhelmed healthcare facilities. --E.J. Schultz 8:44 AM ET CVS and Chevron implement vaccine mandates CVS Health and Chevron said they would be requiring vaccines for some employees, according to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. CVS pharmacists will have until Nov. 30 to be fully vaccinated, while other employees who interact with patients and all corporate staff have until Oct. 31 to comply. The mandate will impact around 100,000 according to the company. Chevron’s vaccine mandate will be for employees who travel internationally and expatriates, offshore workers in the Gulf of Mexico, and some onshore support personnel. Employees in the Gulf of Mexico need to be vaccinated by Nov. 1, but the company did not have a timeline for other employees. Chevron is the second-largest oil and gas producer in theU.S. after ExxonMobil, and is the first major U.S. oil producer to announce a vaccine requirement. -Erika Wheless Aug. 20, 2021 11:05 AM ET Interpublic issues vaccine mandate Interpublic will require employees to provide proof of vaccination, or a negative result from a test taken within 72 hours, at offices in the U.S and other markets where vaccines and testing are readily available, CEO Phillippe Krakowsky wrote in a Linkedin memo to his staff, titled ‘Moving Forward Together.’ In the instance of an emergency, such as an unplanned client meeting, where an unvaccinated employee doesn’t have time to be able to get tested 72 hours in advance, a rapid test would suffice, a spokesman for IPG told Ad Age. The policy will be implemented “in the coming weeks” Krakowsy says, explaining that the holding company is “preparing to implement flexible work arrangements.” Regardless of local regulations, masks will be required in public spaces within offices “until there is more clarity on the state of the health situation.” IPG is still considering asking employees of its U.S corporate offices to return to within commuting distance to their home office by mid-September but those plans, and actual return-to-office dates, could be delayed, a spokesman confirmed. Corporate staff includes IPG’s executive leadership team and centralized IPG resources such aas investor relations, legal, payroll, corporate communications and accounting. —Brian Bonilla 11:15 AM ET VidCon cancels annual conference VidCon has decided to cancel this year’s conference popular among creators, their young fans, and the brands looking to sponsor and work with them. The Viacom International-owned event, meant to take place from Oct. 21-24 in Anaheim, California was to be in its 11th year and sponsored by TikTok for the first time, taking the title from YouTube. Top executives at YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, Community, TikTok and Chipotle were scheduled to present. “Unfortunately, the recent growth of COVID-19 cases — which puts our youngest fans at heightened risk — coupled with evolving health and safety mandates, restrict us from hosting the inclusive event we all love so much,” said the conference in a press release. All ticket holders will be transferred to next year’s event, which VidCon says will take place from June 22-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center next summer. They can also choose to request a full refund through June 3, 2022. —Ilyse Liffreing Aug. 18, 2021 3:30 PM ET Fox News Media staff asked to confirm vaccination status, wear masks Tucker Carson and many of his fellow talking heads at Fox News may find themselves between a rock and a hard place as their employer begins to implement mask and vaccine mandates that mirror the very same public health rules they’ve been publicly railing against for months. In an internal memo dated Aug. 17 and posted on Twitter by attorney Tristan Snell, the company wrote that in light of surging cases and the prominence of the delta variant, all staff must immediately upload their vaccination status into office management platform Workday, with “select essential employees” now being required to undergo weekly testing for COVID-19 at the network’s New York offices. The notice goes on to detail a new daily screening process for in-person workers and a new rule requiring masks in “small, confined spaces” like control rooms, although masks will generally remain optional for Fox News employees who’ve been fully vaccinated. —Ethan Jakob Craft 12:01 AM ET The Pope stars in pro-vaccination ad The Ad Council has had no shortage of high-profile names to help get the word out about the COVID-19 vaccine. PSAs from its vaccine education initiative, “It’s Up to You,” have leveraged the influence of former Presidents and First Ladies, actors, athletes and music stars (including Willie Nelson) and more. Now, the latest ad goes all the way to the Vatican. Representing the organization’s first-ever campaign created for and distributed to a global audience, the new spot features Pope Francis, joined by six cardinals and archbishops from North, Central and South America. They remind viewers in English, Spanish and Portuguese of the coronavirus vaccines’ safety, efficacy and ability to save lives The spot continues the Ad Council’s push to speak to communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19. It was made in partnership with the Vatican’s Dicastery for Integral Human Development. Landia and Big Star were behind the production, while the overall campaign platform was created by Pereira & O’Dell. --Ann Christine Diaz Aug. 17, 2021 2:26 PM ET Apple won’t restart in-store classes, reversing an earlier decision Apple Inc., confronting the rapid spread of Covid-19’s delta variant, will increase testing of both corporate and retail employees and has reversed course on rebooting in-store classes in the U.S. this month. This week, the iPhone maker informed staff participating in the company’s at-home testing program with Quest Diagnostics Inc. that they will now receive testing kits twice per week instead of weekly. The company told employees in the program that they are expected to get tested on Mondays and Thursdays. Apple also informed staff that it is reversing course on its move to bring back in-person classes at its retail stores in some regions later this month. --Bloomberg News 2:15 PM ET Chicago about to go masks-only inside The city of Chicago is poised to announce an indoor mask mandate for all people, Crain’s Chicago Business reports. Reports Crain’s: “This latest city rule would enforce mask-wearing in all public indoor settings, going further than the current Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommendation that applies to areas with substantial transmission risk.” --E.J. Schultz 2:05 PM ET Raiders are the first NFL team requiring vaccinations for fans Fans going to Las Vegas Raiders games this season must show proof of vaccination, the NFL team has announced. Proof must be shown by using the Clear free mobile app, and those that do so won’t be required to wear a mask. The Raiders are the first NFL team to mandate vaccinations for attendees, according to media reports. The team said it will also provide shots on site, and fans that get one on game day can enter the stadium, but must be masked. The team’s statement did not address how young fans who are ineligible to get vaxxed will be treated. Read more here on how brands are approaching the season. --E.J. Schultz Aug. 16, 2021 12:43 PM ET Molson Coors mandates vaccinations for corporate employees and all new hires Molson Coors is the latest company requiring employees to get vaccinated. The new rule applies to all non-union U.S. corporate employees, including field sales employees, the brewer states in an internal memo sent by CEO Gavin Hattersley. “This mandate also extends to all contingent workers, contractors and vendor/agency partners working on site in those offices,” he wrote. The mandate does not include employees in breweries, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities because “those facilities allow for ample distancing, and since the onset of the pandemic, our teams have demonstrated they can keep one another safe when following all our COVID-19 safety protocols,” according to the memo. The brewer will also require all U.S. new hires to be vaccinated as a condition of employment, according to the memo. Plus, any visitors to Molson Coors’ corporate and sales offices “must present proof of being fully vaccinated to security before they will be allowed to enter.” The company issued the rules while also delaying its return-to-office date to Oct. 12. --E.J. Schultz 11:50 PM ET Jay Cutler’s anti-mask views cost him an Uber Eats ad opportunity Uber Eats has scrapped a planned campaign using ex-NFL quarterback Jay Cutler because of his anti-mask stance, USA Today reports. Cutler, who has opposed school mask mandates, tweeted last week about losing the commercial opportunity because “views aren’t aligned.” Lost a commercial with Uber eats partnering with the NFL. Was going to film in LA, "views aren't aligned." Guess they don't like future School board members. Frees up my weekend.— Jay Cutler (@JayHasTweets) August 13, 2021 In a statement to USA Today, Uber said: "We are proud of all the work Uber has done over the last year to help get as many people vaccinated as possible. As such, we prefer to partner with those who support that work." --E.J. Schultz August 12, 2021 4:10 ET Streetwear to show off vax cards A new clothing line created by Austin agency Callen helps those who are vaccinated put their shot status front and center. The “Immunity Market” streetwear collection consists of tees and accessories that include detachable see-through pouches for displaying vaccination cards, along with ones sans pocket. “We noticed a trend of vaccinated people wanting to prove to others that they were vaccinated, going so far as to wear their actual cards in lanterns around their necks in NYC,” says Callen founder Craig Allen. “If nothing else, it’s an excellent conversation starter in a time when young and old are trying to get back out there and remember how to socialize.” —Ann-Christine Diaz 3:46 PM ET Facebook’s office return delayed until January Facebook is delaying its return to office plans, telling U.S. employees that they won’t return to work in-person until Jan. 22, reports Bloomberg. Facebook originally planned to have 50% office capacity in the U.S. by September, with a full return in October with a vaccination and mask requirement. --Erika Wheless 3:09 PM ET Sony delays ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ Movie release delays were a regular occurrence in the first year of the pandemic, and now as the delta variant spreads, studios are once again tinkering with timelines. Sony Pictures has pushed back the debut of “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” from Sept. 24 to Oct. 15, reports CNBC, which states that “the decision could signal the start of more theatrical postponements as coronavirus cases have surged in the U.S.” --E.J. Schultz 2:30 PM ET Lollapalooza was not a COVID superspreader, says city of Chicago The city of Chicago faced plenty of criticism when it opted to go through with its multi-day Lollapalooza massive music festival in late July. Now the city is out with new data that depicts the event as not a major COVID spreader. The city has identified just 203 cases among attendees, Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said today, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. Brands will surely be keeping an eye on reports like this one as they decide whether or not to slap their names on festivals as major sponsors. --E.J. Schultz Aug. 11, 2021 4:45 PM ET McDonald’s sets new vax rules for corporate staff McDonald’s Corp. postponed its office reopening date by about a month, to Oct. 11, is requiring U.S. corporate employees to be vaccinated before they return, and is requiring that masks be worn while in the office, Bloomberg reported. “The vaccination requirement also affects suppliers and contractors who visit corporate offices, but it doesn’t extend to restaurant workers,” Bloomberg reported. --Jessica Wohl 11:55 AM ET Google may pay remote workers less, per report Some workers at Google with longer commutes who choose to work from home permanently post COVID-19 may receive pay cuts, according to a recent report from Reuters. The report found that the digital giant’s pay calculator looks at home residence, and could slant salary accordingly if that home is located in a less expensive area. One example the report offered was that of an employee working from home in Stamford, CT, who would receive 15% less than a colleague working from home in New York City. Reuters cited a sociology professor concerned about how the pay cuts may affect families. --Adrianne Pasquarelli 11:40 AM ET Vaccines not mandatory at some airlines While United Airlines is requiring its US employees to be vaccinated, other airline brands are pursuing a different path. Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are not pursuing vaccination mandates for workers, according to CNN. In contrast, the companies are offering perks like an extra vacation day at American for employees who get the COVID-19 vaccine before the end of August. Delta, which recently sent a care package to a three-year-old girl named Delta to help her adjust to the challenge of sharing a name with the fast-growing coronavirus variant, said three-quarters of its workforce has already been vaccinated. Yet after a recent surge in travel, some brands are seeing a slowdown amid COVID’s resurgence. Southwest recently reported a rise in cancellations. --Adrianne Pasquarelli Aug. 10, 2021 5:05 PM ET Facebook cracks down on vaccine disinformation through influencers Facebook came out with a report today in which the social network details its attempt to irradiate false information about the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines spread through influencers. Throughout July, Facebook shut down 300 Facebook and Instagram accounts and banned a Russia-based marketing firm Fazze, which was the subject of a July BBC article about how the firm was exposed by the influencers it was trying to recruit. Facebook says these influencers helped bring the culprit forward. According to Facebook, the firm targeted people in India and Latin America with articles, petitions and social posts to amplify conspiracy theories, such as a claim that the vaccine turns patients into chimpanzees. However, the petitions and posts received little support and likes, Facebook said. The move comes after President Joe Biden and health experts have repeatedly warned that access to anti-vaccine misinformation on social media is hindering the effort to get people vaccinated against COVID. —Ilyse Liffreing 3:50 PM ET ANA goes online only for next event The Association of National Advertisers Masters of Data & Technology Conference, which was to be a hybrid event held physically in Orlando starting Monday, has been switched to online-only after most speakers said they only wanted to present virtually, an ANA spokesman said. The ANA returned to in-person events in June with its Media Conference and has held others since. That first mask-optional conference went off without a hitch, with attendees wearing red, yellow or green lanyards to indicate their comfort levels, and subsequent ones were also well attended. But the delta variant has Florida hospitals reaching capacity, and the ANA spokesman said in-person registrations were also lower than anticipated. It may not have helped that a tropical storm is also headed toward Florida. But the spokesman said other upcoming ANA hybrid events -- including the flagship Masters of Marketing Conference set for October, also in Orlando -- are still planned as in-person offerings. -- Jack Neff 2:05 PM ET Citigroup tells metro workers to get vaccinated Citigroup announced that starting Sept. 13, all staffers in the New York Tri-State area, Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, are expected to return to the office at least two days a week, and must be vaccinated. “Given the increased number of employees returning to these buildings, and the Delta variant in the U.S., we are taking this approach to ensure a safe workplace,” Sara Wechter, Citi’s head of human resources, wrote in a LinkedIn post. “These are our plans as of today, and I assure you if the facts change, we will too,” Wechter’s post read. “For our colleagues working at our branches, we strongly encourage them to get vaccinated and will require rapid testing and wearing of masks for all colleagues,” she continued. --Jessica Wohl 12:35 PM ET Amex delays office reopenings American Express Co.’s full return to the office now been delayed until at least Oct. 11 from a prior plan for a Sept. 13 return of more staff, according to Bloomberg. “We have been watching with increasing concern the resurgence of Covid-19 cases across the U.S. due to the rapid spread of the delta variant,” CEO Steve Squeri said in a memo Tuesday to the credit-card giant’s workers, according to the Bloomberg report, adding that he is prepared to push the date back again should the situation worsen. “We are now at the point where the data indicates that the most prudent course of action is to delay the full opening of our U.S. offices.” --Jessica Wohl Aug 9, 2021 4:00 PM ET NBCUniversal cancels BravoCon NBCUniversal is once again canceling BravoCon, its weekend-long celebration of Bravo shows and talent, amid renewed concerns around COVID-19. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are postponing BravoCon 2021 until next year,” Bravo posted on Twitter. “We are just as disappointed as our loyal fans to have to cancel this year’s event, but health and safety are our top priorities. We look forward to celebrating BravoCon 2022 together.” NBCU had planned to bring back the event, which it introduced in 2019, this October. Its first BravoCon brought in more than 10,000 attendees, with tickets selling out in less than a minute. It also attracted brands like Pepsi, which created a custom non-alcoholic sparkling rose, and Hotels.com, which sponsored a brunch hosted by the cast of “Southern Charm.” --Jeanine Poggi 8:00 AM ET Get vaxxed before boarding Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. won a court battle that allows it to require proof of vaccinations for travelers boarding its ships in Florida. Bloomberg News reports that a federal judge in Miami issued a preliminary court injunction saying that a law pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis banning such requirements can’t be enforced while the legal fight is playing out. States Bloomberg: “The showdown pits DeSantis, a rising Republican star who champions resistance to coronavirus public-health measures, against an industry that has been crippled for 18 months.” --E.J. Schultz

How brands and agencies are dealing with COVID resurgence—a regularly updated list

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