Walmart posts mixed results, expects "challenging" quarter; earnings report also discloses $73M expenses related to foreign bribery probes.

Microsoft to Google: We need APIs to fix YouTube app.

Abercrombie & Fitch signs Bangladesh safety agreement as deadline passes for Gap deal.

Apple defends brand (but not Steve Jobs) in US book price-fixing suit.

Boeing and GE hunt for engine defect in 777s.

Campbell Soup uses digital marketing to target Millennials.

Capri-Sun targeted by German ad watchdog for misleading marketing.

Cisco profit is boosted by services.Continue reading...

It looks like 2012 was a good year for global advertising spending, especially in the digital sector.

The latest Global AdView Pulse report issued by Nielsen shows total spending of $139 billion, a 4.3 percent increase in Q3 2012 ad spending over Q3 2011. This increase outpaced the 2.7 percent growth in the first half of 2012.

In North America, ad spending for Q3 rose 10.2 percent. The Asia Pacific region grew 3.5 percent in Q3, with China showing a Q3 increase of 3.1 percent after two consecutive declining quarters. Western Europe's Q3 ad spending, however, declined 4.8 percent.

The most impressive ad growth on a year-to-date basis was in the Middle East and Africa, which saw an 18.9 percent increase from January through September 2012.

Randall Beard, global head of advertiser solutions for Nielsen, cautioned that the Q3 data could be a reflection of spending on the Olympics and the U.S. presidential election. "We'll be watching carefully to see if the growth was sustained in Q4 and into 2013, or if there's a dip in comparison to this year," Beard said.Continue reading...

Ford tops Experian loyalty ranking as automaker earmarks "billions" for relaunching Lincoln — and may alter marque to please Chinese car buyers.

Apple stock slides on disappointing iPhone 5 sales.

Lance Armstrong creates buzz in advance of "emotional" TV confession with Oprah Winfrey.

Alibaba says founder is to leave CEO post.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz are chasing younger buyers.

Brandweek is being revived, at least in name.

Burberry says own-store sales rise but wholesale suffers.Continue reading...

AIG unveils new corporate logo as part of rebranding.

Sprint left behind as T-Mobile talks about merging with MetroPCS.

Boeing lowers global forecast as GE calls for inspections of certain Boeing models with its engines.

Air Canada debuts plans for low-cost carrier.

Airtime startup by Napster founders stumbles.

Alexander McQueen show sets Paris abuzz.

American Airlines finds seat problems on six aircraft.

Better Place CEO resigns from EV-charging-station startup.Continue reading...

Interbrand's 2012 Best Global Brands report sees Coca-Cola on top, Apple and Samsung make gains, Disney and HP decline, and BlackBerry lose 39 percent of brand value.

Samsung files to add iPhone 5 to Apple patent lawsuit as US court lifts injunction against Galaxy Tab sales and Galaxy S3 outsells iPhone 5 in UK.

Amazon plans to hire 10,000 British temp employees for the holidays.

American Airlines accuses pilots of sabotage as loose seats embarrass execs.

American Express ordered to refund $85 million to customers and pay $27.5 million in penalties.

Apple's iPad Mini rumored for Oct. 17 unveiling.

Cadbury wins exclusive right to its signature purple color in legal battle.

Disney unveils new homepage with entertainment focus.

Facebook sells more access to members as part of ad analytics push; Wall Street approves.

Google's stock market value passes Microsoft's for the first time.

Guinness launches "cloud TV" campaign.Continue reading...

Coursera roars into BRIC countries with online classes.

ESPN introduces campaign that focuses on value of Monday Night Football.

Facebook HQ gets a Main Street.

Goldman Sachs escapes U.S. charges in mortgage crisis.

Ikea values its brand at $11 billion.

JCPenney reports loss, raising more questions about strategy.

JPMorgan Chase outlines damages from "London Whale" trading blunder.Continue reading...

Apple plans smaller iPad to compete with Google Nexus, as Nokia gets touchy too.

Getty Images bidding nears $4 billion.

Barclays ex-CEO Diamond faces UK MP grilling as Bank of England faces tough decision.

Asian tourists flock to Europe for luxury bargains.

Asus aims to help athletes "find their zen."

Branded content shown to have limited impact in US.

China bans shark fin consumption in luxury crackdown, as mainland slowdown affects Hong Kong luxury spending.Continue reading...

News Corp. board approves company split, with Rupert Murdoch serving as chairman of both entities.

JPMorgan Chase may reach $9 billion in trading losses, New York Times reports.

RIM is expected to report an operating loss as missteps trip up BlackBerry brand.

Airbus plans to build first U.S. factory in Alabama.

Apple plans to overhaul iTunes to improve sharing.

Barclays hit with massive fines for rigging derivatives.

CBS to use neuroscience techniques in new show promos.Continue reading...