Vice President of Information Technology

Hawke Media named Agency of Record for Jacuzzi Group to drive next phase of growth for its wellness brands. July 22, 2026 Partnership builds on more than a decade of collaboration and a shared commitment to innovation, dealer success, and category leadership. Los Angeles, CA - July 22, 2026 - Hawke Media, the leading marketing agency for growth-stage companies, today announced its appointment as Agency of Record (AOR) for Jacuzzi Group's portfolio of brands, including Jacuzzi(R) Hot Tubs, Sundance(R) Spas, Dream Maker Spas(R), and Hydropool(R) Hot Tubs and Swim Spas. The appointment marks the next chapter in a relationship that spans more than a decade. Long before joining Hawke Media, Scott Johnson, former Founder and CEO of Normal Bear Media and now Sr. Managing Director at Hawke Media, worked closely with Jacuzzi Group both at the corporate level and throughout its expansive dealer network. Over the years, Johnson and his team at Normal Bear Media supported dealers across North America with digital marketing, website design and development, retail visual displays, traditional advertising, showroom design, event execution, and customer acquisition strategies. Following Hawke Media's acquisition of Normal Bear Media in June 2024, the partnership continued to evolve as Johnson's deep category expertise and long-standing relationships were enhanced by Hawke Media's national infrastructure, performance marketing capabilities, and full-service resources. The collaboration serves as a strong example of Hawke Media's acquisition strategy in action, where founder-led agencies maintain their specialized expertise while leveraging the scale of the broader Hawke ecosystem. Together, these strengths helped drive Hawke Media's appointment as Agency of Record for Jacuzzi Group in May 2026. "This appointment is the result of years of collaboration, trust, and a shared vision for the future," said Scott Johnson, Managing Director at Hawke Media. "Jacuzzi Group has consistently set the standard for innovation and excellence in the wellness industry. We are honored to deepen our partnership and help accelerate growth for both the corporate brands and the incredible dealer network that supports them." As part of the relationship, Hawke Media maintains an exclusive focus within the hot tub category, working solely with Jacuzzi Group brands and their authorized dealer network. This commitment ensures strategic alignment, protects dealer interests, and eliminates conflicts that can arise when agencies represent competing manufacturers or retailers within the same market. "At Hawke Media, we believe specialization creates better outcomes," Johnson added. "Rather than dividing our attention across competing brands, we've chosen to align ourselves with the company that has defined and led the category for decades." Widely recognized as the original innovator in hydrotherapy, Jacuzzi(R) has become one of the most recognizable names in wellness and outdoor living. The brand continues to lead the industry through advancements such as SmartTub(R), which allows owners to monitor and control their spas remotely through a mobile application, True Water(TM) technology designed to simplify water care and maintenance, and integrated infrared therapy systems that enhance the overall wellness experience. "Expanding our partnership with Hawke Media allows us to build on an already strong foundation. Scott and his team understand our business, know our dealers and have a proven track record of supporting their success" said Destini Protich, Senior Director of Marketing, Jacuzzi Group. "Bringing that experience together with our corporate marketing efforts closes the loop - strengthening the support we provide to our dealers while creating a more cohesive, integrated approach across the Jacuzzi brand." The Agency of Record partnership will support ongoing initiatives across brand strategy, performance marketing, creative development, dealer support programs, customer acquisition, retail experiences, and emerging technologies designed to strengthen consumer engagement. About Hawke Media Hawke Media is one of the fastest growing marketing agencies in the U.S, dedicated to delivering bespoke, data-driven, and performance-centric solutions to help launch, scale, and revitalize businesses. As Your Outsourced CMO(R), Hawke Media provides CMO-level expertise to brands of all sizes, creating customized strategies that align perfectly with each client's unique needs. Founded in 2012 by Erik Huberman, Hawke Media has helped more than 6,000 brands grow, including world-class names such as Red Bull, Funko, Barstool Sports, K-Swiss, and Crocs. For more information, visit www.hawkemedia.com About Jacuzzi Group Jacuzzi Group is a global leader in wellness products, offering a portfolio of industry-leading brands including Jacuzzi(R), Sundance(R) Spas, Dream Maker Spas(R), and Hydropool(R). For decades, Jacuzzi Group has pioneered innovations in hydrotherapy, wellness, and outdoor living, serving customers through an extensive network of authorized dealers around the world.

Factory fallout: manufacturing layoffs from Jacuzzi, terex, durah-shiloh, and more. By Plant Service - May 30, 2026 - 2 min With political winds changing and global markets tightening, manufacturers are making tough decisions - and workers are feeling the impact. In this roundup, Megaproject Corp chronicle the closures and cutbacks reverberating throughout the manufacturing sector. Durah-Shiloh will close its Dickson, Tennessee and lay off 69 workers. The auto structure and parts company will shutter the factory July 18, according to local news site FOX 17. The WARN notice did not include a reason for the plant closure: According to the company website, the company's Dickson site produced stamped assemblies, cross-car beams, seating systems, and tray brackets for car batteries. None of the workers effected will receive bumping rights, and none were represented by a union. Jacuzzi Inc. will lay off 111 people from its plant in Valdosta, Georgia, according to a WARN report filed with the state of Georgia on May 12. According to the report, Jacuzzi plans to permanently close the bathtub factory by September 2026, with three phases of layoffs scheduled for July 11, August 10, and August 31. Steinerfilm, a manufacturer of dielectric tape and metallized plastic film, will close its Williamstown, Massachusetts location permanently this summer, according to local newspaper The Berkshire Eagle. Reportedly, the company is consolidating its operations in its German sister company, Steiner Film GmbH, leaving 34 of its Massachusetts employees out of work. Terex announced May 21 that it would lay off 117 workers as it plans to permanently close its North Bend, Washington heavy machinery factory, according to local news site KIRO 7v. The site said the company plans to relocate its operations at the site to Mississippi and South Carolina. Bingham & Taylor, a manufacturer of meter- and valve-access products, will permanently close its Culpeper, Virginia cast iron foundry. In a May 21 WARN report filed with the state of Virginia, the company said it would lay off 92 employees at the site, effective before or on the closure date on November 30. According to local news site Virginia Business, the closure follows Bingham & Taylor's 2025 acquisition by Charlotte Pipe & Foundry. Recent Comments

What, exactly, is Costco Next (and do shoppers think it's worth it)? Video Muted In 2025, Costco's revenue reached nearly $270 billion, so it's safe to say the warehouse club chain has some loyal fans out there. A large part of that has to do with Costco's careful product selection. Around 4,000 items are stocked in each store, from high-end seafood to the famous bargain-priced hot dog. That's not all. Costco customers looking to expand their shopping choices beyond what's in the warehouse might turn to Costco Next, a platform introduced by the retailer in 2017. How is Costco Next different from regular Costco? Essentially, Costco Next is a website where customers can order certain items, chosen by Costco, directly from the supplier at a discounted rate. It's designed to cut out the middleman and connect customers with the manufacturer, but still with a Costco-adjacent product inventory. There's praise on Reddit for Costco Next. "For a known brand product you want, if it pops up on Costco Next, it can be a great deal," wrote one user on r/Costco. Another commenter mentioned, "Super low pricing, fast shipping. I used it for Korean skin care." A happy Costco member added to the thread, saying, "I got a product for $80 that I couldn't find anywhere else for less than $100, and it arrived at my house in three days." As for the downsides: Because Costco Next items aren't sold directly through Costco, the regular Costco return policy doesn't apply, and Reddit users have reported shipping issues. Costco Next offers members a curated selection of brands at discounted prices. Although Costco chooses not to work with some name brands in its stores, it's a different story for Costco Next. On the Costco Next site, shoppers can click on one of the nearly 100 brands shown and sign in with their Costco account. That will take them directly to the brand's website, where they'll have access to exclusive deals not available to the general public. Shipping (and returns) are handled by those brands, not Costco itself. Which brands are available? The specific selections rotate, but Costco Next partners with recognizable name brands like Anker, Briggs & Riley, Caraway, Tailor Vintage, Viking, and even Jacuzzi. These brands' items include groceries, housewares, beauty products, outdoor equipment, and other household goods. That means Costco Next may carry both the pasta sauce and the pot to heat it in, plus a leather couch to relax and eat it on. Unfortunately, if you're not a member of Costco, you won't be able to shop at Costco Next. The good news for those who are members is that there's no additional cost to use Costco Next - it's included in the general club membership. If you're considering joining Costco, the perk of shopping on Costco Next is a good way to score deals that make the membership fee worth the cost.