IKEA Features Mixed-Race Same-Sex Couple In New Ad

With a new ad campaign that asks the question, "Where did the American Dream go?" Ikea looks to focus more on it's customers - including a mixed-race same-sex couple at home - and less on actual merchandise.

Not only that, but there's a clear nod to marriage equality with a flag flying in the background which reads, "All homes are created equal."

More from AdWeek:

"The idea of asking where did the American dream go was not to show that it went away," explained Leslie Stone, director of strategic services for Ogilvy, the shop behind the creative work, "but that people are living it every day in diverse ways."

"There are so many different ways that Americans live—multigenerational, gay parents, etc.—that define the real portrait of the America that's really out there," Stone said. "If we'd put across 20 different living situations, they'd all be equally powerful."

IKEA Wants Us To Relax When It Comes To Dinner

Believe it or not, there was once a time before social media. A period before we could reveal the awesome results of our labors in the kitchen to the world on a moment's notice.

Life was sooooo hard.

IKEA reminds us of such a time. And suggests we relax and get back to the things that really matter :)

IKEA finally coming to Las Vegas

"Ready to assemble" furniture store IKEA is finally opening a store here in Las Vegas.

The new store will be located in southwest Las Vegas near Sunset Road and Durango Drive. IKEA Las Vegas is looking break ground in Spring 2015, and to open in the summer of 2016.

IKEA Las Vegas will create 1,000 construction jobs. Upon completion, the store will employ 300 workers. The location will be 351,000 square feet and located on 26 acres.

IKEA has 38 stores nationwide, but Vegas folks have had to drive to 250 miles to Covina, California, to get their ready to assemble furniture.

I have to say, although many deride some of the furniture that has be assembled, when I furnished my townhouse in Los Angeles I bought almost all the furniture from IKEA. And the big difference, because I'm terrible at putting things together - we hired independent pros who know how to put it all together quickly and with the right tools. Best move I ever made.

It turns out that when the person doing the assembling knows what they are doing, the furniture is very sturdy and long lasting :)

(source)

Ikea will raise minimum wage for American workers

Ikea announced Thursday a plan to raise its average minimum wage at U.S. stores to $10.76 an hour.

All 38 American stores won't have the same minimum wage, but will be set according to local costs of living - as low as $8.69 in Pittsburgh, while Woodbridge, VA will move up to $13.22.

From the New York Times:

The store is increasing pay because it is “investing in our co-workers,” Rob Olson, acting president for the United States and CFO, told the New York Times. “We believe they will invest in our customers, and they will invest in Ikea’s stores. We believe that it will be a win-win-win for our co-workers, our customers and our stores.”

Olson says that while the new pay structure will “be a significant investment,” it will not mean higher prices for its products.

The policy change will represent an increase of about 17 percent over the current wage.

(via ThinkProgress)

Video: Funny parody of "Gravity"

Great spoof on the Sandra Bullock/George Clooney movie "Gravity."

My favorite line: "Anything we buy is just going to break anyway..."