Apple value dips as Google soars.

Facebook sued over bungled IPO.

HSBC, now Europe's biggest bank, sheds personal loan assets.

Carmakers at Geneva Auto Show express fears on European recovery.

AARP ramps up YouTube marketing.

Ally Financial says U.S. is probing its retail-financing practices.

Amazon launches first TV effort, for fashion unit; leads mobile retail sales.

American Suzuki gets OK of bankruptcy plan by U.S. court.

Baileys slims down its bottle.

BBC Worldwide reportedly in talks to sell Lonely Planet stake.

Best Buy and Facebook focus on next-generation mobile marketing.

Boeing expects to move fast to get Dreamliner back into the air after FAA approval of fixes.Continue reading...

In addition to new campaigns for Ford's "Hello Again" music project for the Lincoln brand and Kraft's "We are the World"-like music video for its Miracle Whip dressing during the Grammy Awards telecast on CBS, a host of other brands used the post-Super Bowl platform to make some noise.

Anheuser Busch InBev's Bud Light Platinum debuted its new new campaign by its new "creative director," Justin Timberlake, while Target also used the Grammys to kick off its tie-in with the singer's new album and promote its tie-ins with singer Pink and fashion designer Prabal Gurung:Continue reading...

The American Association of Retired Persons today announced NFL legend Dan Marino as its new AARP Men's Life Ambassador.

According to a press release, "Marino will share his point of view and expertise on a variety of men's interests including health, fitness, sports, lifestyle, entrepreneurship and community service, using AARP's website as his primary means of speaking directly to men 50+ about issues important to them." Additionally, Marino has committed to making personal appearances and speaking at events in order to connect with AARP's more than 37 million members through online chats and social media.

Other AARP celebrity spokespeople include a zombie-fighting Betty White, media spokesperson Jane Pauley, and AARP fitness ambassador Martina Navratilova.

Continuing the innovative usage of YouTube by brand marketers, the advergame above claims to be first to use 3D sound. More details here.

Is Apple's "Buddy Finder" patent application a stealth dating service for iPhone users?Continue reading...

AARP rolls out new Betty White spots as organization ends opposition to cutting Social Security benefits.

Alibaba revamps consumer business.

BJ's Wholesale gets a serious bidder.

BP's former CEO Tony Hayward sees payday in new venture IPO.

Capital One to pay $9B for ING Direct, subject to regulatory approval.

Casey Anthony case dubbed "social media trial of the century."

Chrysler faces high expectations for 300.Continue reading...

AARP unveils a new ad campaign targeting boomers this week.

Apple will unveil iCloud Android-fighter today at WWDC, as brand leads tablet market in China.

Bank of America and Goldman Sachs lead US bank stocks taking a beating.

Blip.tv ramps up original content to complete with YouTube.

Boeing faces labor strife.

Coca-Cola resists increasing prices.

Demi Moore adds "CNN reporter" to her credits with sex trafficking doc, a subject near and dear to her DNA Foundation.

E3 starts tommorow, where Nintendo will unveil its new Wii console, Sony will tout NGP (its new handheld gaming device) and Microsoft will promote Kinect and position Xbox as the hub of the home entertainment system.Continue reading...

As the new face of the AARP, comedian Betty White is helping attract new members and increase renewals with "a chance to meet Betty" and a mock (and self-mocking) PBS-style membership drive commercial for the organization's "Get Over It!" campaign; watch her in action below.Continue reading...

America is aging. It may sometimes look like brand marketers forget that fact, what with their doggedly youthful approach to advertising. But there are those brands that recognize the golden opportunity in the golden years. 

AARP is a prime example. The nation's largest lobbying organization on behalf of seniors, AARP is also a digitally-savvy marketing machine. It publishes AARP The Magazine, reaching 47 million readers with special discounts and benefits, and sells an array of products, including automobile and health insurance. AARP is surely one of the best known brands to the senior set.

So is Reader's Digest. Many seniors grew up with the magazine, which was founded in 1922. Today it is the anchor of a global media and direct marketing company that reaches more than 130 million consumers in 78 countries. The Reader's Digest Association publishes 90 magazines, including 50 editions of Reader's Digest, operates 83 branded websites, and sells more than 40 million books, videos and music products each year.

Now Reader's Digest will be going head-to-head with AARP as it embarks on a new alliance with Humana, a U.S. leader in health care coverage.Continue reading...