When it comes to advertising manly products, there seem to be limited approaches to take. Axe (or Lynx, in certain markets) uses sex appeal, as with its falling angels campaign. Gillette likes to get straight to the point with athletes, at least one with a few tricks up his sleeve.

But if they're trying to be funny, they'll be held up to the Isaiah Mustafa Old Spice commercials. But what happens when you run out of manly ideas for your manly products? The temptation is to pay homage to the masterful Mustafa character.

We understand, Old Spice wannabes, but we're begging you — knock it off with the knock-offs.Continue reading...

Air Canada launches new regional brand to replace Jazz.

Amazon vs. Apple "app store" spat continues, while Apple moves to trademark "startup."

Apple iPad 2 finally goes on sale in Japan this week, plus 11 other countries.

Barclay's posts disappointing results.

BP's Russian saga continues as net profit rises, Gulf clean-up costs continue.

Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf ace crash tests.Continue reading...

AOL and several private-equity firms are exploring making an offer to buy Yahoo, according to the Wall Street Journal, "devising a bold plan to marry two big Internet brands facing steep challenges." (The New York Times' take: not so fast.) Yahoo's shares soared this morning on the report.

Audi Q5, Cadillac SRX, Volvo XC60 and other "less sexy models" propel U.S. luxury auto sales.

Burberry sales rise, fueled by Asia.

BYD gets a setback in plant construction from the Chinese government.

Corona Light aims to be “most liked” brew on social media.

Edge shave gel launches “anti-irritation” campaign via Twitter.Continue reading...

Edge gel hopes to make its brand stand out by looking at the lighter side of shaving.

In partnership with humor website Funny or Die and comedian John Caparulo, Edge is soliciting user-created videos on what irrititates men most; just tape and upload a gripe (the funnier, the better) on Edge's website for a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas for four. It's also luring them back with $500 weekly drawings.

The brand's digital outreach is being promoted on websites for The Onion, Sports Illustrated and Men’s Health with the tagline ("Comic relief for life's annoying situations") and a clean-cut message: Edge helps prevent shaving irritation amidst life’s everyday general irritations.Continue reading...

Interbrand CEO Jez Frampton addressed today's BP developments from a branding perspective with Bloomberg TV, which also spoke to BP chairman Carl-Henric Svanberg about the company's outlook. In non-BP brand news this morning:

Apple's latest challenge: a federal ruling supporting opening to apps and permitting “jailbreaking” of its devices.

Citigroup discloses a security flaw in its mobile-banking application for the iPhone – and a fix.

Coca-Cola brings back British DJ Calvin Harris ad in music-related promotion.Continue reading...