With all the talk of "Walmart moms" in the US election cycle, the Obama re-election team today released a direct appeal to that demographic.

The video above, distributed on the Walmart Community YouTube channel, features the First Walmart Mom, Michelle Obama, who helped launch Walmart's healthy food platform. She talks about how she and Barack started married life in debt from student loans, and points to BarackObama.com/plans and, of course, vote.barackobama.com.

And in the interests of balance if not equal time, the Walmart channel also posted an appeal for the Romney campaign by Ann Romney, whose video clocks in at 5:25 vs 3:10 for Michelle:Continue reading...

Pinterest has become the dark horse in the U.S. election season. First Lady Michelle Obama this week joined as part of her husband's re-election campaign, with three boards — Father's Day, Around the White House, and Great Memories. Michelle’s account, like her husband’s, is run by Obama 2012 campaign staff, with original "pins" signed "-mo."

Mrs. Obama joins the President (the only other account she's following), Vice President Joe Biden ... and Ann Romney, who helped raise awareness in Pinterest among her fellow Mormon wives while tacitly supporting hubby Mitt's presidential run. 

While pinning may now be seen as a precursor to winning, Pinterest is on fire in Latin America, the most socially-engaged market anywhere and home to the fastest growing group of "pinners" on the planet.Continue reading...

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Apple softens stance to lure mobile ads, as iAds seen as rare failure for Steve Jobs.

AT&T deal with T-Mobile granted a delay by judge.

BBC to make World News available through Comcast.

China Mobile tops Millward Brown ranking of Chinese brands.

Deloitte sees gamification as one of the top tech trends of 2012.

Facebook seen as not needing Wall Street to go public; tests private messages between people and pages.

HP dumps its iPad rival on eBay.

IHOP opens fast-casual IHOP Express.

Ikea sues Irish home retailer for allegedly copying prints.

Intel tells customers they can turn up the heat in server rooms.

Interbrand named branding agency of the year by Marketing magazine.Continue reading...