Apple posts first profit drop in a decade.

AP Twitter hack results in brief panic on Wall Street.

Coach prepares for change as Creative Director announces exit.

Lance Armstrong is accused of defrauding US in lawsuit.

BlackBerry brings back keyboard phone as part of rebirth.

Coke launches 61 unique websites for new teen-focused campaign as company's board also undergoes youth movement.

Dell approves executive-retention bonuses.

FedEx fends off rivals for US Postal contract.

Ford sees profits rise to North American record, offsetting losses in Europe.Continue reading...

Harley-Davidson is a modern-day symbol of rebellion and anti-authoritarianism. But over the 110 years of its existence, that hasn’t always been true. Thousands of Harleys were sent along with U.S. troops to World War I and World War II, for instance. 

But somewhere along the way, in the rise of outlaw motorcycle clubs like the Hells Angels, the Harley picked up a brand of rebelliousness — and over time, the company has milked that for all it's worth.

This year, as the company marks its 110th anniversary, it's partnered up with Kid Rock, whom it calls a “legendary musician and ‘American Badass.” For starters, the brand is serving as the sponsor of Kid Rock’s 60-city Rebel Soul tour, which began over the weekend.Continue reading...

Above, watch the first TV spot for Jim Beam Devil’s Cut – a stronger (90 proof) and higher-priced ($23.99 vs $15.99 for regular Jim Beam) bourbon, which launched last year. It's also just the second television ad in the Jim Beam brand’s history, following last year's "Bold Choices" campaign starring Willem Dafoe.Continue reading...

Above, watch the first TV spot for Jim Beam Devil’s Cut – a stronger (90 proof) and higher-priced ($23.99 vs $15.99 for regular Jim Beam) bourbon, which launched last year. It's also just the second television ad in the Jim Beam brand’s history, following last year's "Bold Choices" campaign starring Willem Dafoe.Continue reading...

Thank you, Mr. President. Once Barack Obama assented to deliver his important economic speech to the nation at 7 p.m. ET today — a not-so-politically convenient 4 p.m. on the West Coast — instead of later, the National Football League was pretty much free to pursue its further remake of opening day into a sort of mini-Super Bowl. And right up until game time at about 8:30 this evening, the league, NBC, the Green Bay Packers, the New Orleans Saints, big brand marketers and Belgioso Cheese are making the most of it.

The Today Show kicked things off this morning by hosting part of the proceedings from Green Bay's Lambeau Field, where the Super Bowl Champion Packers, the previous Super Bowl Champion Saints — and the hopes and dreams of dozens of major brand marketers — will launch the season. "Growing up and watching the NFL ... and John Facenda talking about the 'Frozen Tundra' of Lambeau Field ... this is fantastic!" exclaimed Today's Al Roker.Continue reading...

Airtel's new logo — "blobby" or "modern, vibrant and friendly"?

Apple is preparing for patent showdowns with Nokia, Motorola and HTC.

Audi puts focus on US Sunday TV advertising.

Batten & Company, a new unit of BBDO, opens shop.

Black Friday sales saw more foot traffic but lower-than-expected sales as retailers cross fingers for Cyber Monday.

BP is commissioning a feature-length documentary about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill — but the company says it is not intended to scrub its reputation clean.

Delta and Southwest Airlines aim to emerge from among branding-challenged air carriers.Continue reading...

It will come as a shock to everyone to hear that someone thinks Detroit needs a rebrand. And by "everyone," we mean "nobody at all."

Time Inc. has kicked off "Selling Detroit," which aims to “attract business and talent" to "America’s most struggling city" by identifying it as a creative mecca for young artists.

In an effort to include the citizens of Detroit in the rebrand, which involves ad agencies that call Detroit home, the publisher is holding a contest. On the CNNMoney, Fortune and Time websites, visitors will be able to vote for their favorite campaign. The winner will be announced in December at the city's D Show awards.

It is, of course, naive to believe that an ad campaign can change the brand, let alone the fortunes, of Detroit. In fact, some of the initial submissions appear downright confused about how to approach the task. The Leo Burnett Agency entry features rock ‘n’ roll star Kid Rock. But Kid Rock’s image is predicated, in part, on being from troubled, hardscrabble Detroit. Hardly a reputation the rebrand would hope to perpetuate.Continue reading...