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Consumers Rally Around JC Penney, Ellen in Face of Anti-Gay Group's Hate Campaign

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:17:01 -0500

Supporting Ellen DeGeneres in face of anti-gay outcry, JC Penney wins new fans.

In Helsinki, a Remote-Controlled, Interactive Coffee Shop

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:42:35 -0500

This project by Perfect Fools might give a whole new meaning to the phrase "internet cafe."

Is (Formerly) Homeless Dude Ted Williams the New Isaiah Mustafa?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:10:06 -0500

In a three-day Valentine's Day campaign for Macaroni & Cheese, Kraft will direct consumers to tweet love messages that its voiceover talent, Ted Williams, will read back with his golden pipes.

How Kraft Created a Product From Scratch and Is Using a Puppet to Sell it

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:25:02 -0500

With the help of "Mel," a puppet created by Jim Henson Creature Shop and Droga5, Kraft will launch one of its biggest product bets of the year: MilkBites, a first-of-its kind refrigerated milk-and-granola bar.

Hallmark Considers Entering the Scripted Prime-Time Battle

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:25:02 -0500

Hallmark has traditionally focused on original movies and daytime programming. Weeknight prime time is currently devoted to "Little House on the Prairie" and "Frasier."

Mindshare Opens Mobile Hub in India for Global Clients

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:00:00 -0500

Mindshare is the latest agency to set up an international hub in India, broadening the scope of its existing mobile practice in Mumbai to service global clients.

Apple Stores Get Consumer Petitions Over Worker Treatment in China

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:30:00 -0500

The petitions' 250,000 signatures comprise perhaps the most tangible showing of consumer outrage over labor conditions in the iPhone and iPad maker's supply chain.

Indian Travelers Take on the World in Thomas Cook Campaign

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:05:51 -0500

As India's middle class grows and tourism becomes more popular, funny spots from JWT show travelers what could go wrong if they don't book with Thomas Cook.

Does Pre-Super Bowl Buzz Last After the Game?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:30:00 -0500

The advertisers enjoying the biggest buzz lift before the game were Volkswagen, GM, Acura, Audi and Doritos. In the days afterward, only Acura was still in the top five.

Microblogs Make or Break Crisis Management in China for Marketers

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:23:26 -0500

Crisis management in China hinges more and more on effective use of microblogs, the vibrant Twitter-like social networks that drive public sentiment, a new report says.

Super Bowl Spots Keep Piling on Web Views

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:20:54 -0500

Old wisdom: releasing your Super Bowl ad early on the web builds excitement and buzz for your spot and gives it a huge boost online. New wisdom: still true, but it's not necessarily a requirement.

Nerds Run to Comic-Con for a Good Cause. With Lightsabers.

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:00:00 -0500

Some of the biggest names at Comic-Con have found a way to truly make the geek-fest a "force" for good.

Publicis Reports 2011 Revenue Grew 7.3% to $7.7 Billion

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:44:36 -0500

Publicis Groupe announced a 7.3% increase in revenue to $7.7 billion for 2011, leading to a record profit of $795 million for the year. Organic growth, which doesn't include acquisitions, was 5.7%.

Google to Open Retail Location in Dublin

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:26:05 -0500

Google is planning its first stand-alone retail store at its European headquarters in Dublin after a trial at a computer shop in London.

Kill the CPM: Why It's Better to Buy Time Than Ad Impressions

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:07:51 -0500

The CPM model that dominates display motivates publishers to chase impressions that create web page clutter and a poor user experience.

PepsiCo Announces Millions in Additional Ad Spend, Plans to TrimAgency Roster

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:00:07 -0500

PepsiCo is calling 2012 a "transition year," as it adds hundreds of millions of dollars in advertising spend, trims its agency partners, lays off thousands of employees and positions itself for growth.

TV Plus IPad: Simultaneous Use Enhances Engagement for Many

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:30:00 -0500

Nearly half the people using digital devices while watching TV say they're more likely to search for a product they see advertised on the TV, according to a Discovery Communications survey.

Pepsi Beverage Guru Massimo d'Amore to Retire

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:00:00 -0500

Massimo d'Amore, a polarizing figure behind a number of creative and controversial moves at PepsiCo's beverage division, will be retiring, the company will announce today.

News Corp. Profit Rises on Higher TV Fees, Advertising

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:36:04 -0500

News Corp. shares have gained 8.6% since the hacking scandal erupted, but it's spent $104 million dealing with the fallout and bought back $2.7 billion in shares.

Groupon Reports Loss in First Quarterly Filing After IPO

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:53:01 -0500

Groupon outperformed analysts' revenue expectations on Tuesday by announcing $506.5 million in revenue for the last quarter, more than double the revenue from the year-earlier period. But it still reported a net loss.

GlaxoSmithKline Moves Global Aquafresh Account to TBWA From Grey

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:31:41 -0500

GlaxoSmithKline is moving the global creative account for Aquafresh toothpaste from Grey Group to TBWA Worldwide, which will manage the business out of London, said people familiar with the matter.

Chrysler's Olivier Francois Dishes on Getting Clint Eastwood in the Game

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:13:02 -0500

So how did Chrysler approach Clint Eastwood to star in its Super Bowl spot? Very carefully.

A Leap From the Edge of Space, Fueled by Red Bull

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:00:28 -0500

Red Bull's Stratos Project, which we previously wrote about in 2010, will finally see Austrian athlete Felix Baumgartner attempt a "leap from the edge of space" this August.

RB Pumps up Spending in Developing Markets

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:34:02 -0500

Reckitt Benckiser will invest around $160 million more in marketing globally but report it through a "Brand Equity Index" that puts more emphasis on digital.

Zimmerman Lands Extended Stay Hotels

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:00:00 -0500

Omnicom Group's Zimmerman has been named agency of record for Extended Stay Hotels following a review.

Anomaly to Add Toronto Office, With Budweiser as First Client

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:59:49 -0500

According to CEO Carl Johnson, an Anomaly office will be up and running in Canada by April. The shop is the global brand agency for Budweiser.

Carter Murray Named CEO of Y&R, New York; Tom Sebok Departs

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:30:02 -0500

David Sable has granted Y&R's new North American chief, Carter Murray, the additional role of CEO of Y&R New York. Current CEO Tom Sebok is leaving, effective immediately.

GigaOm Buys Digital-Media News Site PaidContent

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:57:01 -0500

Om Malik's GigaOm is acquiring the digital-media news site PaidContent.org from London-based Guardian News & Media.

People on the Move: James O'Reilly Is Sonic's New CMO

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:01:35 -0500

Most recently chief concept officer at Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Mr. O'Reilly takes over for Danielle Vona, who left the company in January.

Did LBJ Run the Hardest-Hitting Attack Ads in a Presidential Race?

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:46:08 -0500

Sure, students of political advertising know about "Daisy," but that might not have been the most-vicious attack ad in the LBJ-Goldwater race of 1964.