Jennifer Lopez continues her run as endorsement queen with this just-released commercial, for L'Oréal Paris.

It's pretty clear from the L'Oreal Paris teaser spot above that the brand's next celebrity face Gwen Stefani. The singer/designer's hiring was just confirmed in a follow-up commercial, after the jump.Continue reading...

What a kerfuffle a year-end promo can make. L'Oreal's recent new year promo, above, sparked rumors that it was replacing global brand ambassador Aishwarya Rai, the Bollywood actress and former Miss World, with younger Indian actress/model Freida Pinto, who rose to fame in the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire.

Perish the thought, per this statement by the cosmetics giant: 

"We are shocked and surprised to read in some sections of the media/press about Ms. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan being replaced as the face of L'Oreal Paris... Ms. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan continues to be our valued spokesperson, as she has since 2000. While she remains an integral part of the L'Oreal Paris world wide Dream Team, she was unfortunately unavailable for our New Year commercial shoot due to prior commitments. She is one of the most iconic women of our times and is certainly the face of L'Oreal Paris internationally and in India for a range of products which include campaigns for Total Repair 5, Excellence Crème, Color Riche, Hydrafresh."

Other current L'Oreal celebrity endorsers include Beyonce, Diane Kruger, Jane Fonda, Rachel Weisz, Gerard Butler, Eva Longoria and Jennifer Lopez.

Oprah Winfrey's namesake publication, O, is currently holding a contest to promote the 10th anniversary of its “Live Your Best Life” three-day-long event in May. The ten readers who find a winning code in their February issues, will win free airfare and accommodations for the event.

The "Live Your Best Life" event, sponsored by L’Oréal Paris for the third year in a row, has proven particularly effective at spreading Oprah’s brand mission. This year's 10th anniversary event will take place in Manhattan and feature workshops with O columnists, a performance from Oprah at Radio City Music Hall, and a Walk for a Cause with Oprah.Continue reading...

Heineken to purchase Femsa's beer unit for $7.6 B. [NY Times]

Goldman Sachs may donate portion of executives salary to charity. [NY Times]

Win-win: Online communities boost sales of weight loss programs, weight loss. [BrandWeek]

NBC confirms rumors of late night shakeup, Jay Leno moves to 11:30. [NY Times]

Conan O'Brien may jump to another network. [WSJ]

Ferrero joins the fray in bid for Cadbury. [Times of London]Continue reading...

RIM posts strong sales, Palm's figures dip. [WSJ]

Firestone tires rekindles its relationship with Major League Baseball. [NY Times]

Infant deaths are linked to Simplicity brand cribs. [NY Times]

Buoyed by a stronger brand and efficiency, Coke raises 2009 earnings estimate. [WaPo]

Chrysler expects brand image makeover to take two years. [WSJ]

The PGA Tour estimates Tigergate will cost the association $220M. [Warc]Continue reading...