Airbus and Boeing aim at each other in advertising spat.

CNN prospects weighed under Jeff Zucker.

Canadian Club launches "Join the Club" red-meat campaign.

Carnival apologizes to gay passengers after forbidding drag dress on cruise.

Chevrolet sees Volt ranked as best-loved car by Consumer Reports.

Costco to spend $3 billion on special dividend ahead of fiscal cliff.

Exxon faces short-term shortage of oil supplies.Continue reading...

Ace Hardware debuts first-ever paint campaign.

AIG sells $6 billion in AIA shares to help repay bailout loan.

Angie's List creates rare success with paid-content model.

Apple expected to pass 100 million iPad sales by year-end as iPad 3 is unveiled this week and excitement builds for Apple TV.

BP stock rises on proposed $17.6 billion settlement in oil spill.

Carlos Slim's America Movil reportedly starting a Netflix-like online service for Mexico.

Facebook asks advertisers for big investments in exchange for expanding fan base.

Frontier low-cost airline may be relaunched or sold.

GlaxoSmithKline expands in China.

GM struggles to make Volt a sustainable business.Continue reading...

It’s been five months since United Airlines and Continental Airlines merged, and their recently ratifed union is banking on an advertising campaign to woo back travelers, even as airlines have raised fares four times this year due to higher fuel costs.

The United name and the Continental globe are combined in the new branding, which is being promoted in a campaign that's rolling out in stages.

Phase one includes billboards and the inflight Hemisphere magazine this month, followed by media buys in key markets such as Newark, New Jersey's international airport hub next to New York City.Continue reading...

Adobe creative suite spurs rebound.

Apple's iPhone 4 discounted in Wal-Mart holiday special, following Radio Shack deal.

AT&T spends nearly $2 billion to acquire wireless spectrum from Qualcomm.

Boeing to build 3-satellite system for government of Mexico.

Cadillac taps Laurence Fishburne as its new voice.

Coca-Cola awards $4 million to support active lifestyles, education and environmental programs in North America.

Continental Airlines and Spanair to start codeshare flights.Continue reading...

Just as Continental Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek prepares to be deposed Friday as part of a lawsuit aiming to block Continental's union with United, the branding for the merged airlines is raising hackles in some quarters. The Jaunted blog comments, "We can't decide if we like it or not. The font of 'United' is obviously a modern update, and they've switched to capitalize all letters, but the Continental tail just looks off. Also, it's very white." The Consumerist blog chimes in, "I wonder if Continental feels like the kid whose mom forces him to take his stepdad's last name." Take a closer look after the jump and let us know what you think.Continue reading...

When big brands merge, it's always interesting to theorize about which brand will ultimately benefit most from the union.

Obviously, both brands bring something to the table in terms of assets and liabilities. But in the case of the United-Continental merger, which will create the largest airline in the world, it's United that stands to gain from "the rub-off from Continental's surprisingly high goodwill among consumers."

According to Ad Age, industry analysts describe Continental as "one of the only U.S.-based legacy carriers with any amount of consumer goodwill in its back pocket," largely due to the airline's excellent customer service and liberal frequent flyer program.

United, on the other hand, "has done a lot to ruin their image from what it was 10 to 12 years ago," says Robert Herbst an airline analyst. Syndicated travel columnist Chris Elliott agrees that Continental has the better brand; "they're known for having a proactive customer service department."Continue reading...

Executives from BP, Halliburton and Transocean defend themselves as hearing begins in Washington. Meanwhile, BP faces boycott as it prepares a second dome and considers stuffing uncapped oil well with golf balls and tires.

Paid brand blogging and "sponsored conversations" are on the rise.

P&G prepares branding campaign for London 2012 Olympic Games.

Claire's hit by recall of children's jewelry.

Coca-Cola China launches eco-friendly bottles for Ice Dew water brand.

Disney launches women's website with Teri Hatcher.Continue reading...

Coca-Cola kicks off FIFA World Cup campaign (above).

Anheuser-Busch the next official beer of the NFL?

BP boss Tony Hayward meets with US Congress as value drops $23 billion.

British Airways, “British enough”?

BMW sales soar, from Minis to Rolls-Royce sedans.

Chrysler introduces sales incentives.

Domino's ad blitz pays off.

Facebook defends "open privacy" policy.Continue reading...