ESPN's new Michael Jordan commercial, above, features a different Jordan, hilariously.

Below, P&G's new Tide commercial promotes its support of US athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games, T-Mobile spokesmodel ditches the pink dress, Planters goes nuts with Men's Health, and more new campaigns:Continue reading...

Comedian Danny McBride as Kenny Powers is back as the MFCEO of K-Swiss sneakers, with a teaser (above) that promotes K-Swiss Blades and the return of his HBO series, Eastbound and Down — and a longer video which you can "find on the Internets," or watch below. No surprise, it's seriously NSFW.Continue reading...

Only one mixed-martial artist has a major shoe contract and custom clothing line. Japanese Caol Uno, who is 28-14-5 in his professional fights, is the lucky fella. The contract deal is with Nike, which Yahoo! Sports reports has a MMA division “on the horizon.” 

Yahoo! points out that Nike “continues to endorse MMA fighters” and that the sport’s “athletes around the world wear the Fortune 500 company's brands.” Sherdog.com notes that the company just signed an endorsement deal with Brazilian MMA middleweight Anderson Silva.

The company also sponsors two other Japanese fighters, Tatsuya Kawajiri and Yoshihiro "Sexyama" Akiyama and “recently announced they would also sponsor Kazuyuki "Little Hercules" Miyata,” Yahoo! reports.Continue reading...

Converse finally opens its Brooklyn "Rubber Tracks" studio where local artists can record for free.

Lady Gaga no longer banned in China, while Rihanna and Gaga fight for Facebook supremacy when Google+ really needs them. And maybe it will get them. Rihanna, meanwhile, also bumped Megan Fox as the new face (and derriere) of Armani.

BMW is now making bikes... for the Olympics. 

China's ad industry worth $28 billion this year, and over $33 billion next year.

Below: Burger King, McDonald's, Kenny Powers and more.Continue reading...

It’s that time again. The NCAA men’s basketball tournament begins tomorrow, and brands are gearing up as never before, from official “corporate champions” to those that can suggest only the thinnest of possible connections between themselves and some sort of vernal activity.Continue reading...

Deutsche Telekom is in preliminary talks to sell T-Mobile to Sprint, a deal that would remake the mobile landscape.

Facebook introduces movie streaming and rentals with Warner Bros., sending Netflix stock down; and launches real-time analytics for social plug-ins.

BP plans $3.5 billion bond sale as CEO apologizes for Gulf Spill and says industry must take more precautions.

Airbus receives $9.5 billion order for 100 jets.

American Apparel head Dov Charney's latest scandal: a $250 million employee lawsuit alleging sexual assault.

Bill Gates is unlikely to reclaim the world's richest title tomorrow, due to philanthropic contributions.

Bupa launches integrated marketing campaign and new tagline.

Coca-Cola invests in green bottling facility in UK.Continue reading...

For decades, tennis shoe maker K-Swiss has been best known for "The Classic," a white-on-white tennis shoe that so consistently vibes vanilla it has attained icon status. Like the white uppers behind those white stripes, K-Swiss has been content to blend into the  background in the color-saturated, loud-as-bombs sneaker category – the brand has grown modestly and profitably (sales in the hundreds of millions of dollars) – letting the athletic-shoe alpha male brands tear each other to pieces.

Well, not anymore it ain't. Continue reading...

Macy's hopes that celebrities will bring sales. [Brandweek]

The iPad has given Netflix a surprising boost. [Daily Finance]

Zale Corp. may finally find a purchaser. [Businessweek]

Digg will eliminate its Diggbar, citing confusion. [TechCrunch]

AOL is debating the closure of its Bebo site. [Adweek]

Spirit Air is implementing carry-on luggage costs. [Reuters]Continue reading...