First, his slogan was "Change." Then it was "Forward." So tonight, as President Barack Obama lays out his second-term agenda tonight in his first  State of the Union since winning re-election, he'll also be giving a sense of what his presidential brand looks to stand for in the final years of his administration, too.

It's reported that he plans to focus on unfinished business such as immigration reform, educational improvement, gun control and climate change. The White House also promises an emphasis on the still-stagnant U.S. economy and ideas for federal spending to stimulate it. 

At the same time, an unspoken part of Obama's agenda remains outmaneuvering the opposition Republican Party, which is facing its own crossroads as the president grabs the spotlight again this evening.Continue reading...

Anthony Weiner resigns in wake of sexting scandal following pressure from his fellow Democrats.

AOL's Advertising.com regroups.

Avon censured on Fair Trade claim.

BlackBerry sales are down, while RIM's PlayBook tablet shipped 500,000 units.

Burger King launches DirecTV promotion.

Carolina Herrera hired by movie producers as wedding dress designer for Twilight's Bella Swan.

Comcast unveils next generation Xfinity TV system at US Cable Show.Continue reading...

Wonder why #plannedparenthood is a trending topic today on Twitter?

It's at the heart of a stand-off, as US Republicans and Democrats debate a Republican-backed proposal to cut more than $300 million in Title X federal funding for women's health care centers, including Planned Parenthood, that may force a government shutdown (another trending topic) at midnight tonight.

That's why it's seeking support by releasing a series of celebrity spots titled "Stand With Planned Parenthood" including PSAs by Scarlett Johannson (above) and Gwyneth Paltrow (below), along with a group spot featuring comedian Sarah Silverman and actress Kathleen Turner.Continue reading...

US President Barack Obama officially announced his 2012 re-election bid with this video, which features supporters and images from the 2008 election, which was released Sunday.

The accompanying message on his website: "This campaign is just kicking off. We're opening up offices, unpacking boxes, and starting a conversation with supporters like you to help shape our path to victory. 2012 begins now, and this is where you say you're in."Continue reading...

Until mid-February, Wisconsin's brand appeared headed in the right direction. The university football team made it to the Rose Bowl while the pro team, the iconic Green Bay Packers, won the Super Bowl. In January, the University of Wisconsin topped an internet brand equity study.

But then the battle began over Governor Scott Walker's budget bill, which aimed to destroy unions' collective bargaining rights. Democratic state Senators fled the state to prevent a vote on the bill and hundreds of thousands protested at the capitol in Madison over the following three weeks.

In two rushed votes, the bill passed and Walker signed it into law today. As the Democrats and labor leaders protest, Steve Earle strums and the GOP stages a victory lap, is there any upside for Wisconsin's brand?Continue reading...

Does the current polarized political climate in the U.S. even extend to favored brands? A new survey of brand preferences by political affiliation suggests the answer is, well, yes and no.

Google is the favorite brand of Democrats,  an analysis of YouGov’s BrandIndex survey results found, while Fox News topped the brand list of Republicans. Maybe Democrats feel at home with Google’s inherent techie elitism masquerading as populism; and clearly Republicans appreciate a brand that treats their opposition like a foreign occupier.

Interesting questions abound. JetBlue is the third-ranked airline brand among Democrats, for example, but doesn’t show up in the Republican top 10. Could be JetBlue’s strong presence in liberal coastal cities mean that its cabins are filled with Democrats, flying blithely over heartland Republicans (who can’t see the JetBlue logo from their conservative small towns).

And why is Aflac ranked among Republicans’ top five insurers in the YouGov survey, while Democrats favor Progressive? Is it because Progressive’s strong online quoting and marketing platform make it naturally appealing to young-skewing Democrats, while Aflac – known a disability insurer for small businesses and the self-employed– caters to the entrepreneurial streak of Republicans?

There’s more. Target is the fourth-ranked retailer among Democrats – but is nowhere near the top five for Republicans, even after the chain incurred the ire of ultra-liberal political action committee MoveOn.org for contributing $150,000 to a group backing an anti-gay-marriage Republican candidate.Continue reading...