LAS VEGAS, Jan. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NxGen Brands, Inc. (“NxGen” or the “Company”) (OTC: NXGB), a consumer products and brand development company advancing blockchain-enabled engagement and rewards, today announced an update on its Candy Crew CAND token airdrop campaign hosted on Gleam.io and confirmed that the event will conclude in less than 24 hours, leaving limited time for new participants to join. As of the date of this release, the Gleam.io airdrop campaign has generated 8,244 valid entries, ...

Core Insights - Berkshire Hathaway is undergoing a leadership reshuffle ahead of Warren Buffett's departure as CEO in January, with Todd Combs leaving to join JPMorgan and several new appointments announced [1][2] Leadership Changes - Nancy Pierce has been appointed as the new CEO of Geico, succeeding Todd Combs, and has extensive experience within the company since joining in 1986 [4][5] - Adam Johnson will take over as president of Berkshire Hathaway's consumer division while continuing his role as CEO of NetJets, indicating a strategic focus on consumer products [6][7] - Marc Hamburg, the long-serving CFO, will retire in June 2027, with Charles Chang set to replace him, bringing significant experience from Berkshire Hathaway Energy and PwC [9][10][11] - Michael O'Sullivan will join as senior vice president and general counsel in January 2026, transitioning from his role at Snap and having a long history with Berkshire's legal matters [12][13]

Core Viewpoint - Brilliant Earth Group, Inc. has launched a limited-edition collection of cocktail rings in collaboration with Ring Pop, transforming the iconic candy into fine jewelry featuring vibrant colored gemstones [1][2][5]. Group 1: Product Details - The collection includes five rings that reflect the classic colorways of Ring Pop, utilizing natural and lab-grown gemstones set in 14k gold with a hidden halo design [2][3]. - Each ring is priced at $1,790 and will be available exclusively on BrilliantEarth.com [5]. Group 2: Target Audience and Nostalgia - The collection is aimed at millennials and Gen Z consumers who associate Ring Pop with their childhood, offering a way to celebrate meaningful milestones while revisiting nostalgic feelings [3][4]. - The design merges nostalgia with modern aesthetics, creating joyful and elevated pieces that resonate with the playful spirit of the original candy [2][4]. Group 3: Company Background - Brilliant Earth is recognized as a leader in ethically sourced fine jewelry, with a mission to create a more transparent and sustainable jewelry industry [7]. - The company reported net sales of $422 million for the full year of 2024 and has maintained positive Adjusted EBITDA for 17 consecutive quarters since going public in 2021 [7].

Core Insights - The retail industry is experiencing significant developments, including leadership changes and unique partnerships, as highlighted in recent news articles [1]. Group 1: Leadership Changes - One Jeanswear Group has appointed Chris Waldeck as the new CEO, effective from October 6. Waldeck previously served as president and co-COO of Kontoor Brands and has held senior positions at Adidas Group, including Reebok North America [2][3]. - Morris Tbeile, chairman and CEO of Premier Brands Group Holdings, praised Waldeck's leadership skills, brand-building experience, and international market expertise, indicating confidence in his ability to drive growth for One Jeanswear Group [3]. Group 2: Strategic Partnerships - Netflix has announced a partnership between Mattel and Hasbro to co-master toy licensees for KPop Demon Hunters products, marking an unprecedented collaboration in the industry. This partnership will produce toys, collectibles, and games [4][5]. - The KPop Demon Hunters movie has achieved remarkable success, becoming the most popular film on Netflix and its soundtrack reaching the 1 position on Billboard's 200 Albums chart [4][5]. - The new products from this collaboration are set to be distributed starting in 2026, responding to high demand from fans across various social platforms [5]. Group 3: Marketing Innovations - Twix has introduced limited-edition "Hallowmas" packs, combining Halloween and Christmas themes, featuring "Ghoulish Green" and snowman Twix bars, showcasing innovative marketing strategies to engage consumers [6].

Core Insights - NxGen Brands, Inc. has announced the expansion of its newly acquired business, Genesee Candy Land, by adding nearly 3,000 square feet of space to its current 4,000 square feet location due to early growth [1] - The expansion will include approximately 3,500 square feet of warehouse space to streamline shipping and receiving processes, ensuring timely order fulfillment for customers [1] - The new space will enable the company to purchase ingredients in larger quantities, potentially increasing profits and preventing backorders [1] - Construction for the expansion is already underway, and the company plans to enter new product categories soon [1] Company Leadership - Marjorie Schaefer, the CEO of NxGen Brands, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to expand without relocating the business, emphasizing the importance of meeting customer demand [2] - The CEO highlighted that the new space will facilitate streamlined shipping processes and allow for growth into new industry categories [2] - The company is focused on improving communication with shareholders and has established a new website and social media presence for updates [2]

Core Insights - Juicy Drop has launched its first-ever gaming activation on Roblox, named Juicy Drop Pop-Up 2025: Tower Obby, marking a significant move for a candy brand into the gaming space [2][6] - The campaign is designed to enhance brand engagement through interactive gameplay, allowing players to experience the brand's signature flavors in a virtual environment [3][5] Group 1: Campaign Overview - The Tower Obby Pop-Up features four themed stages where players can mix and match Juicy Drop products, unlocking exclusive avatar rewards as they progress [3][4] - The activation is part of a broader strategy to integrate Juicy Drop into the Roblox ecosystem, utilizing Super League's PopMall to showcase custom avatar items across 1,200 experiences [4] Group 2: Marketing Strategy - The campaign emphasizes replayability and social sharing, encouraging players to post their gameplay experiences on platforms like TikTok and YouTube [5] - Influencers such as NightFoxx, Hypercookiie, and AyeYahZee have been engaged to amplify the campaign's reach and visibility beyond Roblox [5] Group 3: Industry Implications - This initiative is seen as a pioneering effort for candy brands in the gaming sector, setting a precedent for how consumer brands can leverage playable media for engagement [6] - The collaboration between Juicy Drop, Super League, and Beacon Media Group is viewed as a blueprint for future brand activations in gaming, highlighting the potential for interactive consumer experiences [6]

Core Viewpoint - Hershey faces significant challenges including tariffs, recession, and increased competition, which may impact its financial performance and dividend safety [1] Group 1: Challenges Facing Hershey - Tariffs are creating additional costs for the company, affecting profit margins [1] - The potential for a recession poses a risk to consumer spending on non-essential items like candy [1] - Increased competition in the candy market is putting pressure on Hershey's market share and pricing strategies [1] Group 2: Dividend Safety - The discussion revolves around whether Hershey's dividend remains secure amidst these challenges [1]