Matt Damon, looking for a way to “persuade people to give a shit about toilets,” staged a press conference in anticipation of World Water Day, March 22. The actor's latest move pushes the continuing efforts of his non-profit, water.org, which educates people about the lack of basic sanitation and clean water for 2.5 billion people around the world.

At the faux press conference, Damon announced that “in protest of this global tragedy … until everyone has access to clean water, I will not go to the bathroom,” and he’s asking everyone to join him at Strikewithme.org.

The aim of the tongue-in-cheek campaign is serious: to move people to click on a link enabling water.org to "occasionally" use their social media accounts such as Twitter and Facebook for six week (because physically relieving yourself is comparable to the mental relief felt after posting a status update?) 

Damon—who might consider refreshing the campaign for World Toilet Day—added that “Six billion people have cell phones, but only 4.5 billion have access to improved sanitation.”

"Welcome to the petri-dish," said Mike McCamon, water.org's chief community officer. "The idea is you sign in and give permission to us for a finite period." Content will be generic yet personal, "so it looks like you posted it."Continue reading...

Apple's blockbuster quarter puts iPhone ahead of Google smartphones in the U.S.

Brinker International expands value strategy at Chili's.

Christian Louboutin makes the IP case for its red-soled shoes.

Davos kicks off with worries about eurozone crisis.

Del Frisco's Restaurant plans IPO.

Fiat launches ad for new Panda into Italian austerity zeitgeist.Continue reading...

Amazon's "disappointing" earnings reveals that Kindle books now outstrip paperback sales on site.

Comcast dumps peacock from NBC Universal (make that NBCUniversal) corporate logo.

Girl Scout cookies are under threat.

Heineken shares insights on emerging markets at Davos.

Kinect gives Microsoft much-needed sales boost.

LinkedIn files to go public.

MAC Cosmetics is preparing to unleash a Wonder Woman collection.Continue reading...

President Obama's State of the Union address urges bipartisan collaboration to help US better compete globally, boost jobs and the economy, and "out-innovate, outeducate and outbuild" while technology innovation will be the nation's "Sputnik moment." Also mentioned: Facebook and Google.

Best Buy's Super Bowl ad to feature Justin Bieber and Ozzy Osbourne, while Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, GoDaddy, Disney, Paramount and Universal will use the Super Bowl's massive TV reach to tease upcoming releases. Suzuki joins the Super Bowl ad derby with plans to air regional spots for its Kizashi model.

Facebook buys mobile ad firm Rel8tion.

FDA and US dairy industry spar over milk testing.

Ford is expected to announce huge profits on Friday.Continue reading...