"Argo" wins Oscar for Best Picture as 85th Academy Awards widely distribute recognition among films, actors and others, while The Onion runs into critical barrage over tweet about young actress.

KFC launches campaign in China after an antibiotics scandal damaged the brand.

IKEA withdraws Swedish meatballs from store restaurants in 14 European countries on horsemeat scare.

Barnes & Noble chairman mulls buyout that could split it in two and put B&N's Nook e-reader up for sale.

BP may be closing in on a settlement as spill trial nears.

BYD targets electric-vehicle sales.

Darden warns of sales declines at its restaurant brands including Olive Garden.Continue reading...

This week is the coming out party for one of the savviest PR people on Twitter users: Aliza Licht, SVP of Global Communications for DKNY, whose witty "DKNY PR Girl" persona has made @dkny a must-follow Twitter feed.

While building the brand's Twitter presence (by only identifying herself as a "well-placed fashion source") to almost 363,000 followers over the past two years, Licht has also made a splash on Tumblr, where she has now crossed out item #8 on her "to do" list: "Come out video!"

Licht posted the YouTube video above, showing her managing the PR whirlwind during the most recent New York Fashion Week, with the comment: "After two years of anonymity, what better way to come out as DKNY PR GIRL than during the ultimate game of #PR101 - Fashion Week!"

As he plunges into promotional efforts for his new book on personal branding this week, brandmeister extraordinaire Peter Arnell is turning to where he’s always gotten support: his high-profile friends.

Martha Stewart wrote the foreword for his new book, the back of which bears endorsements from celebrity friends and clients ranging from Donna Karan, whose iconic DKNY brand he worked on for many years, to Mark Wahlberg.

This week, Arnell will be talking about his very personal book on NBC's Today Show, a friendly venue where he has appeared frequently over the years (including taking Matt Lauer for a spin in the Peapod, his electric car that's still idling). It’s hardly surprising that Arnell is effectively leveraging his vast personal network to help promote his book on personal branding.

“By networking with friends and family, you can get confirmation of your strength necessary to grow, and that’s really important,” he told Brandchannel.com in an exclusive interview over the weekend. (Click here for his Brandchannel Q&A).Continue reading...

Estée Lauder has launched a mobile application called Ascent, available for download via an Apple iPod Touch at department and specialty store counters worldwide.

The app takes consumers through a series of questions, with the answers helping whittle fragrance recommendations down to a handful of scents that fit each customer’s criteria and mood.

It currently features fragrances in Lauder’s Aramis and Designer Fragrances division as options including Donna Karan Iris, DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom and Michael Kors’ namesake fragrance.

The program will bow in Nordstrom during its Half Yearly Sale weekend later this month. It is also being promoted on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and expands on Lauder's social media push foray into Facebook marketing last year.Continue reading...

Macy's hopes that celebrities will bring sales. [Brandweek]

The iPad has given Netflix a surprising boost. [Daily Finance]

Zale Corp. may finally find a purchaser. [Businessweek]

Digg will eliminate its Diggbar, citing confusion. [TechCrunch]

AOL is debating the closure of its Bebo site. [Adweek]

Spirit Air is implementing carry-on luggage costs. [Reuters]Continue reading...