With so many music venues, bars, and comedy clubs closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, consumers are trying out new ways to keep themselves entertained. Actor and standup comedian Damon Wayans Jr. might just have an option for the stuck-at-home audience.
Wayans and his business partner, Kris Jones, developed an app called Special Guest, which allowed users to book live, on-demand entertainment, but due to social distancing orders across the country, it has since pivoted to a virtual experience.
"Unfortunately, because you know, in our country's situation we can't meet in person, we can't have these interactions. But, me, Kris Jones, and the Special Guest team adapted to the situation and incorporated a virtual component," Wayans told Cheddar Wednesday. "So, now anyone anywhere can hire virtual entertainment on-demand."
Special Guest co-founder Kris Jones said that pivoting to virtual has allowed them to book diverse performers and acts, with some users even having used the app as a learning tool.
"We're booking a lot more performances with a variety of different entertainers," Jones said. "We had a young 15-year-old girl book a dance professional so that they would be able to practice over these next couple of weeks, so she could make her high school dance team."
Jones said before the pandemic, the service was only available in the U.S., but with the virtual component, it's greatly expanded its reach.
"Literally overnight, once we launched this new technology, it allowed our performers, the talent that is available for hire on the app, to be hired from anyone around the world," he said. "I think this idea of virtual creates a new entertainment experience."
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.
