The 25th anniversary of Shark Week has sparked an early feeding frenzy on social TV check-in app GetGlue, while Discovery Channel has created a host of digital tie-ins (games!) to keep viewers chomping at the bit. Sharp sponsors such as VW are also getting in on the fun, creating a shark cage to promote the 2013 Beetle. Watch its one-minute stunt above, follow along on Twitter, and tune in starting Sunday night.

Subway still has the most restaurants of any U.S. fast-food chain. And probably even more important, it still has the most buzz.

At least according to the mid-year review of U.S. Buzz rankings by YouGov BrandIndex. Subway once more stands atop the rankings for all brands, followed by Cheerios, Amazon, History Channel, Ford, Discovery Channel, Lowe's, Olive Garden, YouTube and Google.

Subway "has consistently been teh top Buzz generating brand in BrandIndex over the last three years," YouGov's analysis of its results says. "Equally impressive to the No. 1 position is the brand's unique ability to keep marketing and advertising 'fresh' as scores continued to improve in 2012 while most other brands in the top 10 have trended lower through the first six months of the year."

Among other things, YouGov cited Subway's "ever-popular" $5 foot-long promotion, its "celebrity roster" of brand ambassadors — which lately have included NBA star Blake Griffin and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps — and new breakfast offerings.Continue reading...

In America, everything remains political, and that includes brand preference. According to YouGov BrandIndex, Republicans and Democrats (surprise!) do not completely see eye to eye on brand trustworthiness.

But there is hope that our nation's partisan divide will be healed… with Cheerios.Continue reading...

Ford last night introduced the third generation of its "Swap Your Ride" campaign on US TV. Introduced in 2007 with narration by Mike Rowe of Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs, it was revived last year with Rowe appearing on-camera. 

Lois Miller, Nielsen Automotive president, tells the New York Times that viewer recall for the 2010 ads scored 48% higher than for other automotive sales-event commercials that appeared during the same time period, an impressive result that spurred this year's return.

For the 2011 campaign, featuring 16 spots directed by Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Jessica Yu, Rowe is now seen interacting directly with a group of 32 actual consumers, who are shown talking up their week-long experience in a borrowed Ford vehicle "in a kind of feel-good get-together" swap meet, as the Times puts it.

Apple's iPad 2 smart cover also comes in (RED).

BSkyB/News Corp. deal is set to close next week.

Cablevision brings on demand cable TV programming to the iPad.

Charlie Sheen's Twitter intro was fast-tracked with Ad.ly.

Discovery Channel introduces free iPad app.

Ford recalls an additional 35,000 vehicles in North America.

Lady Gaga previews new song as walks the runway for Mugler, invites fans to apply to blog for Virgin Mobile.

Morgan Spurlock's EMC-sponsored TED talk sells out.

PayPal and MasterCard reinstate payments to WikiLeaks — this time for Julian Assange's legal defense fund.

Whole Foods launches baby photo contest on Facebook.

Apple won't exhibit at CES in Las Vegas this week, where competitors (including Vizio) will unveil tablets that will take aim at the iPad; and increases Q1 orders for the iPhone in advance of Verizon launch.

Arnold Schwarzenegger leaves office after seven years as governor of California.

Australia braces for damages claims as flooding projected "to last weeks."

Bank of America sees home loan charge, buys back bad loans and mounts defense against WikiLeaks.

Best Buy aims to become a major content creator online.

Buzz Aldrin sues over use of his image on moonwalk trading card.Continue reading...

In the most obvious beer brand launch ever, Discovery Channel's new series, Brew Masters, looks at a craft beer inspired by Miles Davis. As in Miles "Bitches Brew" Davis. Sundays at 10, folks! BYOB.

Yes, the popularity of cooking shows on TV never seems to wane, so it’s somewhat surprising that there haven’t been more shows dedicated to beverages. Brew Masters features the quest of Dogfish Head Brewery founder Sam Calagione to explore the world of beer, looking for inspiration for brews ranging from one to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the iconic Bitches Brew album, to a beer based on an ancient Egyptian recipe.

It’s billed as a reality show, but it's more of a docudrama — though the drama will not unfold through personal meltdowns but via the search for the perfect beer, and the suspense of whether a tomato-based beer, for example, will come out drinkable.

Sounds like the perfect opportunity for the backseat brewer to unwind on the couch with a cold one. Join us for more beer (news, that is), after the jump.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...