Google’s Android mobile operating system is #1 on the top 20 brands favored by the LGBT community, according to the researchers at YouGov BrandIndex. Last year, Google's YouTube topped the annual LGBT ranking.

The 2012 LGBT buzz list includes four Apple-related and several other tech and social media brands, and looks quite different from last year’s ranking, with 12 new brands making the top 20: Android, iPad, Target, Samsung, Aleve, Kindle, Advil, PBS, LG, Starbucks, Comedy Central, and Skype. Disneyland and Disney World share fourth spot, reflect the parks' annual LGBT days and outreach to the gay community.

“Gay consumers number 15 million and counting, spending $743 billion annually” in the U.S., according to LGBT marketing agency Prime Access. Falling out of the top 20 this year: Google, Amazon, Whole Foods, Claritin, HBO, Lowe's, Cheerios, Food Network, M&Ms, Nike, Trader Joe's and Bose.Continue reading...

Google and its YouTube video portal are among the top five brands ‘best perceived’ by lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender Americans.

Videos like the brand's "It Gets Better" clips below, and the rainbow enhancement to gay-related searches for June's pride month, are only two for the reasons why the search giant has won favor with the gay community, according to new research from YouGov BrandIndex.Continue reading...

I spent over 25 years of my life in the Boston area, so I wasn't surprised to learn that a new ranking of New England's top brands shows a sports brand taking the top spot.

This region, after all, is home to professional sports teams the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Celtics, the Boston Bruins, and the New England Patriots -- not to mention collegiate basketball's renowned UConn Huskies. Needless to say, New England fans are among the most knowledgeable, rabid, and vocal fanatics known to the sports world.

Number 1 in New Englanders' hearts is ESPN. Headquartered in Connecticut and with over $16 billion in 2009 revenue, ESPN, with its various media spin-offs, is all sports, all the time, and that clearly plays well with the New England crowd. It doesn't hurt, of course, that ESPN televises numerous Red Sox-Yankees games.Continue reading...

Walmart discounts iPhone 3GS to $97, sparking rumors of its demise next month, when Apple will reveal the next iPhone (possibly with video chat).

Facebook ads attract brands including Lexus, Wendy's, ESPN, Sony Pictures, Bose, and Hardee's.

As the Times of London puts up its paywall, the New York Times says its paywall will be "blogger-friendly."

BP sticks with chemical dispersant, expert confident in oil well plan as the spill spreads. Mock Twitter feed is least of worries.

Budweiser is producing a special editon metallic World Cup bottle.Continue reading...

Ralph Lauren nominated "2009 Mobile Marketer of the Year." [Mobile Marketer]

Fast-food chains promote reduced-calorie foods for health-conscious consumers. [NY Times]

Twitter launches a more personal "Local News" feature. [SF Gate]

American Apparel recalls its new line of nail polish. [Racked]

The Budweiser Clydesdales will not appear in this year's Super Bowl ads. [CNN Money]

AMC creates a parody of Weatherproof's now-defunct Obama billboard. [BrandFreak]Continue reading...