Preparing for Paul's Departure ...
 

What happens when a company's eponymous founder and celebrity spokesman transitions out of the business?

Executives at food company Newman's Own may soon be addressing that issue, as 83-year-old founder Paul Newman reportedly struggles with cancer. The actor told friends as far back as 18 months ago that he was battling the disease ... Recently, Newman pulled out of directing a stage production of John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. (Newman's representatives have avoided directly commenting on the actor's alleged diagnosis, deflecting queries by emphasizing that he is doing well and is "not going anywhere.")

Newman's uncertain health and advanced age raise questions about the strategic direction of the food company Newman launched in 1982, with a salad dressing first mixed in the basement of the horse barn on his Connecticut property. Today, the company has a staff of 28 and an independent management team ... But Paul Newman remains tightly entwined with the brand image of his namesake company - his face is the logo on all of its products ...

At Newman's Own, Paul Newman is still involved in product development, according to senior vice president of marketing Mike Havard. Paul stopped by the company's Westport, Conn., headquarters in December for the final taste testing of the new line of cereals ...

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I love ALL Newman's Own products. I just did a quick survey of my kitchen and I have in my cupboards at this very moment:

- Six (yes, six) boxes of Newman's Royal Black Tea (I know of only one store in the vicinity that carries the tea so I tend to overbuy just in case.)
- Newman's popcorn
- Newman's pretzels (four bags ... see above)
- Newman's salad dressing, and
- Newman's organic california prunes

The great thing about Newman's Own products is that buying them is practically like giving to a charity, so why buy any other brand? At least, that is what I believe.

Well, occasionally the LoT has free prunes. That's sort of like giving to a charity. A home-based charity. Which, as I understand, is where charity begins.

I love Newman's stuff. Jesse turned me on to the salad sprays and they're terrific. I'm sad he's dealing with illness - but his legacy will live on so long as they hold to his mission statement (and, well, so long as they keep preserving his films - which are also good.)

I'm addicted to his light basalmic vinaigrette dressing. Great stuff!

I buy the spaghetti sauce all the time.

I hope the company continues his charitable giving. It seems his two daughters are still involved with the company, so that is a good sign.

I was afraid that Wendy's might go out of business or suffer a deterioration of quality when Dave Thomas died. But they didn't!


OK, that was a joke. Wendy's is not going anywhere and they have no discernible quality.

Maybe Ben and Jerry can come over and lend a Paul hand?

I had quickly imagined my response to your first paragraph prior to reading your second one. Then my disgust quickly subsided and I'm OK now.

I was afraid that KFC might go out of business or suffer a deterioration of quality when The Colonel died. But they didn't!


OK, that was a joke. KFC is not going anywhere and they have no discernible quality.

Maybe Ben and Jerry can come over and lend a Paul hand?

I would believe the two daughters who are involved would help to keep the company running the way it should. And, 28 employees? Wow. That is tight.

I did see Newman and Redford on a show called 'Iconclastics' {I believe that is the correct name, I've also seen Eddie Vedder with a HI surfer, that was a cool show, too}. I am so sad that he has been suffering with this illness for some time, it seems.

I was afraid that McDonald's might go out of business or suffer a deterioration of quality when Ray Kroc died. But they didn't!


OK, that was a joke. McDonald's is not going anywhere and they have no discernible quality.

Maybe Ben and Jerry can come over and lend a Paul hand?