Above, Beijing t-shirt maker Plastered releases its 草泥马老板 ("Grass Mud Horse" Boss) shirt. 

China is the second largest economy in the world and every significant brand's future is impacted by its growth (or collapse)—but who's got the time?! Here's the week's reads that will make you look like a keen China observer in case you find yourself immersed in a cultural conversation.

This week: Beckham's Adidias/Nike problem... McDonald's closes iconic location... bashing Apple... Steve Jobs manga... what your brand of car says about your sex life... Walmart... Nongfu... more infant formula scandals... Jackie Chan... Vera Wang... bye bye black Audis... and much more.Continue reading...

"Sharpness is a state of mind," said Chow Yun-Fat (Master Li Mubai) in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. But sharpness might also might be a perfectly fitted Hugo Boss suit, like the one Chow is now sporting as the first ever Asian face of the brand.

Chinese consumers may still be trying to "find" Leonardo DiCaprio and his Oppo handset, but more and more, brands looking to reach the Chinese consumer — especially luxury ones — are opting for local celebrity.Continue reading...

In addition to tweeting at commuters in London, Dove did Valentine's Day, China style.

Following Apple's lost iPad trademark lawsuit, iPads are being removed from stores in China. Is it just muscle-flexing by authorities? And will all imports be halted? Apple already told Amazon China to halt sales of iPads.

Meanwhile, is the Fair Labor Association the solution to Apple's Foxconn woes? And putting things in perspective: Apple racked up over $13 billion in sales in China last year.Continue reading...

Apple slashes iAd pricing again as mobile ad share declines as its stock price and size cloud analysts' view of the rest of the economy.

Avon names new CFO to steer it through scandal and layoffs as it woos HSN CEO Mindy Grossman to take over.

Boeing locks in biggest order with Lion Air.

Carnival Cruise social-media strategy examined in wake of Italy disaster.

Embraer shows off Jackie Chan jet in China.

Heineken to cut costs, invest in emerging markets.Continue reading...

When it comes to China, they all look the same. Celebrity endorsements, that is.

That's the findings of a new report from Millward Brown with Ogilvy China, titled "Middle Kingdom’s Celebrities-to-be: Faceless People and Unsung Heroes – Imperatives for Celebrity Advertising in China."

It seems that the celebrity endorsement has become so popular in China that overlapping shilling is causing mass confusion.Continue reading...