Fortunately, the issues brought to light by the recent horrors in Bangladesh are not disappearing from the headlines. Unfortunately, those who are culpable are not acting swiftly enough.

What little consensus has emerged from the rubble of a collapsed eight-story factory, which claimed over 1,120 lives, underscores the fact that public-private collaboration is vital to enact the sweeping reforms required for real change rather than corporate social responsibility campaigns. Major retailers including Walmart, Gap, JCPenney and Sears have yet to sign the proposed fire and safety agreements, while Walmart, like the wolf guarding the hen house, said it will monitor its 300-plus Bangladeshi suppliers itself. However, H&M, along with 30 other international retailers committed to the $3 billion fund to improve the safety of garment factories in Bangladesh.Continue reading...

A sarcastic joke about diarrhea might be one of the first things one would think upon seeing the Twitter hashtag #thankschipotle. 

But no, #thankschipotle was a reaction to the food chain's decision to drop sponsorship of a Utah Boy Scout event due to the organizations stand against gay equality. It seems Chipotle's newest offering is a jumbo sized social conscience, a menu item many are finding deliciously timely. The move also has some lessons for other brands as remaining neutral on gay rights increasingly becomes a non option.

It's true that Chipotle did not exactly come up with this cancelation on its own but instead was more or less shamed into action by progressive activists at Think Progress. On March 19, Think Progress called out Chipotle for violating its own nondiscrimination policy. A day later, Chipotle's desire to stomach a potential backlash led by activists diminished significantly. It announced that it would terminate its sponsorship. It emailed Think Progress, saying, in part, that the brand "believed that terminating the sponsorship and remaining consistent with our policy was the right thing to do."Continue reading...

Gap, J.Crew and other retailers slash prices, as stores try to thwart price apps, and tweak websites to spur sales.

A&W is sold by Yum! Brands to A Great American Brand.

Absolut celebrates 30 years of gay ads.

Adidas pursues church for trademark infringement; church asks Derrick Rose to intercede.

Akamai purchases cloud rival.

Apple isn't expected to produce a smaller iPad, although fuel-cell MacBooks are rumored. Apple's online sales also exceed Walmart.com results.

AT&T's $1.93 billion deal for Qualcomm's airwaves approved.

Bebe expands with wedding collection.

Best Buy criticized for not fulfilling some holiday online orders.

BT's long-running family campaign in the UK ends its run.

Burberry, Forever 21 and Zara score on Facebook.Continue reading...

Apple vs. Exxon battle spotlights brands' perception.

Chrysler partners with Walmart to promote Ram pick-up trucks.

Coca-Cola details plans to make over Atlanta HQ.

Forever 21 accused of pushing religion.

GM CMO Joel Ewanick wants  Chevrolet to be the Apple of automakers.

Heineken launches in India.

Kraft expands Velveeta with "cheesy skillets."

Lego masters art of "brand-hijacking" the news, writes Martin Lindstrom.Continue reading...

You may think the heat is from your workout, but it may be from the energy that brands are suddenly putting into creating attractive workout clothes for women.

The Los Angeles Times, in an article reviewing women's fitness apparel brands, points out that women who are active generally fall into a very desirable demographic: “female, relatively young, fashion-forward and willing to spend money.”

“We are hungry to win this girl over,” commented Adrienne Lofton Shaw, a marketing director at Under Armour, which has stepped up its focus on women, recently expanded into yoga-wear and, for next year, is redesigning its underwear and sports bras, according to Times. Other brands shaping up to woo the emerging woman warrior demographic?Continue reading...

BMW Canada spot featuring the world's highest helipad goes viral; here's part one of the campaign.

"It’s a live market with growing economy and people fond of meat." — Wendy's exec explains Russia launch.

Below: Smurfs, Lady Gaga, sea monkeys and more.Continue reading...

In 1893, Richard Sears and Alvah Roebuck, two young men with a knack for selling watches, started a company that became one of the great direct marketing innovators and retail brands in the US.

The company sold everything imaginable, targeting primarily rural families via a giant mail order catalog. It wasn't until 1925, when American cities grew up, that Sears Roebuck, later to be known simply as Sears, opened retail stores.

Today, it seems, Sears is gradually going back to its direct marketing roots via online sales. While its retail store sales plummet, Sears is ramping up its e-tail offering with the hope of being more (Web)SavvySanta than the sad Santa depicted in its holiday 2010 campaign.Continue reading...

Amway signs former NFL Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner.

AOL is mulling a breakup, Reuters hears, followed by a merger with Yahoo.

Borders weighs hedge fund backing of takeover attempt of Barnes & Noble.

China Dandang aims to be mainland's Amazon with US IPO this week.

Cigna faces class-action suit by employees over pensions under ERISA.

Disney tops weekend box office with Tangled.Continue reading...