Honk if Ufer M…

June 2nd, 2015 at 12:48 PM ^

Kirm you beat me to it! I was going to use Hobby Lobby though & have the sky message thanking them for the extra customers via their no contraceptives policy. "No jimmies makes more little Jimmy's for us! Thx!

yoyo

June 2nd, 2015 at 12:21 PM ^

At Dominoes and Michigan, he took a successful company and program and destroyed them.  Maybe with a struggling company, the opposite will happen?

michfanisbacka…

June 2nd, 2015 at 12:22 PM ^

Best of luck Dave, it didn't work here, but he's still one of us, went to school here and played football here.

LSAClassOf2000

June 2nd, 2015 at 12:42 PM ^

So, that free PS4 with the pruchase of two Cokes is a go, right? This might actually work out for me, if that happens. Now, if they would just move the damn noodle, I might be able to park a little closer to the store. Actually, of all the companies he could move to, this one seems....fitting to his talents somehow.

justingoblue

June 2nd, 2015 at 1:11 PM ^

In fairness to Brandon, he left Domino's for a change of pace/because he was politically ambitious, not because of subpar performance (based on retaining the chairman position and the same company hiring him again).

If Beilein decided he wanted to run a tech startup and failed miserably I'm sure he'd be welcomed back into the basketball world with open arms.

Brian Griese

June 2nd, 2015 at 1:02 PM ^

at Toys R Us so DB can bring in his resident expert toys gurus, which will most likely be local 4 years olds.  On top of that, all employees will have to promote the brand during all conversations.  Events may include a large noodle in the middle of the store sponsored by Pampers. 

bluewings

June 2nd, 2015 at 2:12 PM ^

He better not change the classics like hungry hungry hippos.  It's perfect the way it is with its tradition passed down by generations.  

Snake Eyes

June 2nd, 2015 at 2:47 PM ^

While the game itself is the same, some genius decided to make the box too small to reinsert the assembled game for storage.  Instead you need to disassemble each hippo in order to store the game to avoid losing all of the freaking marbles.

I wouldn't put it past a DB-type from TRU or Hasbro shrinking down the box to increase available shelf space and save a penny in cardboard, while totally ignoring the customer.

NYWolverine

June 2nd, 2015 at 2:28 PM ^

This is a perfect landing spot for DB.

Quality control is handled predominantly by the manufacturer, not the retailer; so he won't be responsible for a product. He just has to sell the seller.

There are virtually no brick and mortar toy stores competing in the US anymore, so he can just brand away and reap the benefits. Nostalgia and gimickry are both in his favor, to appeal to the Toys'R'Us Kids generation - parents now - and their children.

That backward 'R' is going to be everywhere. Jeffrey at every location. Facility upgrades. And if there's any way to charge parents and kids just to enter the store, DB will sniff it out to provide an emersive 'toy-day' purchasing experience. 

copacetic

June 2nd, 2015 at 2:39 PM ^

I was texting my dad that "Dave Brandon named CEO of Toys R Us" and my phone autocorrected "named" to "banged" and now I can't stop laughing. 

BeantownBlue

June 2nd, 2015 at 2:47 PM ^

I don't know why but this just seems like such a good fit.  In fact, I think I hate Brandon a little less now that he is working at a place where he belongs.  

Harbaugh at UM, Brandon at Toys R Us.  Everything in it's right place.  

Good luck, Dave.  

Evil Empire

June 2nd, 2015 at 4:12 PM ^

Something like: "Greetings, Birthday Club Member.  Can you believe you're another year older?  Wow!  From me, Geoffrey, and all of us at Toys R Us, here's hoping your birthday is as special as you are."

I can't wait to hear the next one.

"Greetings, Birthday Club Member.  Did you know that you could upgrade to a personalized call with just a $49.99 annual membership fee?  That's a #wow experience for sure.  From me, Geoffrey, CEO Dave Brandon, CMO Hunter Lochmann, and all of the well-dressed employees with clean offices, here's hoping your birthday is as special as we are."

 

Ronnie Kaye

June 2nd, 2015 at 5:09 PM ^

Wonder if he'll find a way to put his old pal MSC on the board. She's already on Johnson & Johnson. Gotta diversify, right Mary Sue?

BlueinLansing

June 2nd, 2015 at 6:31 PM ^

has been brought in to take the company public.

 

Soon I expect ToyRUs to be touting their improvements in technology and new corporate culture and a great turnaround story.

18 months from now ToysRUs goes public, stock languishes below its opening price for 12 months, Brandon resigns and will seek "other opportunities".  New CEO takes stock prices higher. 

 

Brandon Profits

 

 

I have to admit though, I admire him for seeking out a new position so quickly.  Most people of his stature and with basically 3 years of salary coming for doing nothing would take a lot more time to accept their next challenge.  After resigning in disgrace from his dream job you have to admire him for getting right back on the horse.

NittanyFan

June 2nd, 2015 at 7:36 PM ^

I think U-M owed him in the range of $4MM in payments as part of his departure package.

Would guess that Brandon's total compensation as Toys R Us CEO is at least in the $8MM/year range.  Sometimes those post-departure payments aren't necessary if one lands on their feet in short order (depends on the contract).

Anyway, not that U-M athletics is going broke or anything, but there could be a little additional money to play around with.