With less than two weeks left before the XXX Olympics (hold your snickers) kick off on July 27th, brands that paid big bucks to be involved are getting their names out there in every way possible while those who didn’t unload their wallets are keeping busy figuring out how they can capitalize on all those eyeballs without getting themselves into any kind of trouble. But first, a word from an Olympics sponsor:

McDonald’s Succumbs to Chip Pressure

Britain, of course, is known for its fine fish and chips so it seemed like blasphemy, especially to the workers at this year’s Games, that the only fries that would be available in Olympic venues would be sold by American fast-food giant McDonald’s — which is, of course, an official IOC sponsor — at its temporary restaurants on the Olympics site. Following an outcry, the London 2012 Organizing Committee has agreed to allow other vendors of chips on the premises, which comes as good news to the 800 food vendors who can now sell their chips to Olympics visitors and personnel. It's not a huge chip off the shoulders of McDonald's UK, which projects that revenue from Olympics sales will represent less than 0.1% of its annual sales.Continue reading...

The Australian city of Newcastle, just 101 miles up the coastline from Sydney and home to about 290,000 residents, has had some rough times in recent years, even if it is still the largest coal exporting harbor in the world.

Back in 1993, there was 17% unemployment in Newcastle and things were particularly bleak there when a major employer, Melbourne-based mining, oil, and gas giant BHP Billiton, closed its Newcastle steelworks.

But now the city is attempting to get back on track with a colorful rebranding effort.Continue reading...

Airbus may develop longer-range plane to rival Boeing.

Apple tucks Newsstand into WWDC announcements.

AT&T's bid for T-Mobile is supported by Microsoft and Facebook.

Barack Obama's chief economist, Austan Goolsbee, resigns.

Bayer prostate-cancer drug shows promise.

BHP Billiton starts first US Gulf well since BP disaster.

BP tries to salvage Rosneft deal.Continue reading...

Deutsche Boerse agreed to buy NYSE Euronext for $10.2 billion in a "politically charged deal" that would create the world's largest exchange operator and put it under German control.

CBS news correspondent Lara Logan is recovering from a 'brutal' attack in Cairo.

Chevron disputes judge's Amazon ruling while Ecuadorians plan to fight for more. 

Apple unveils iPad subscription plan.

BHP Billiton to return $10 billion to shareholders.

Danone warns about looming price hikes due to rising food costs.Continue reading...

Apple prepares to announce Beatles/iTunes deal at 10am ET.

BHP Billiton will keep pursuing large acquisitions despite failed bid for Potash.

Buick, Delta, Disney, Diageo, and T-Mobile test Google Goggles brand marketing.

Chrysler redefines Dodge brand, sans Ram.

Discovery buys Animal Planet and Liv TV channels from BBC.

Droid lands a starring role in Gossip Girl.

Facebook roils rivalry with Google with new messaging system.Continue reading...

Airstream peddles premium RVs in a recession.

AOL unveils beta version of new email hub. as Facebook rolls out email service.

Apple brings mobile iAds to Europe this week.

Arcelor expresses interest in buying Massey.

BHP Billiton withdraws its takeover bid for Potash in the wake of Canadian-government opposition.

Caterpillar to buy Bucyrus in $8.6 billion deal.

Daily Beast's Tina Brown begins transforming Newsweek, including plans to fold (update: incorporate) its website.Continue reading...

American Airlines gears up Hispanic marketing.

AOL calls its ad declines “self-inflicted.”

Apple's iPad poses challenges to brands trying to leverage it.

BHP Billiton gets slapped down by Canadian government in its bid for Potash.

Chipotle develops Asian fast-casual concept.

Delta flight attendants reject union.

Domino's Pizza intrigues with mystery stunt in Japan: hiring a temp worker for one hour for $31,000.Continue reading...

Comcast and GE name Comcast COO Steve Burke as new CEO of NBC Universal, replacing Jeff Zucker after the NBCU sale to Comcast closes. 

Alberto Culver has been sold to Unilever for $3.7 billion in cash.

AIG will lose the US Treasury as a part-owner.

Apple's Ping music-based social network incorporates users' iTunes libraries.

Barnes & Noble ownership battle nears its climax.

BP pressured to restore reputation and stock price as new CEO Robert Dudley takes the reins on Friday.Continue reading...