“America's Most Watched Network” is moving aggressively to maintain its moniker.

In what's been a great week for CBS, the network just bought 50 percent ownership of TV Guide, including the eponymous cable channel and TVguide.com, for about $100 million. The cable channel reaches 80 million plus homes but its iconic website programming grid stretches even further via mobile apps, entertainment news coverage and content recommendations.

The deal adds a basic cable network to CBS’ current television portfolio which includes broadcast networks (CBS and the CW), pay cable network (Showtime), international TV channels, a TV studio syndication unit, sports network and the Smithsonian Channel.Continue reading...

As Facebook gets ready to unveil its new ad-friendly newsfeed on Thursday, concerns are rising over Facebook's efforts to improve its revenue streams with sponsored posts and paid placement on newsfeeds, though Facebook is far from the only social company exploring new ad options as the global mobile ad market is predicted to reach $11.4 billion this year and $24.6 billion by 2016, according to Gartner.

When the New York Times’ Nick Bilton observed the "Likes" on his Facebook page “Disruptions” dropping while his followers increased, he began paying $7 for sponsored advertising of his posts that resulted in a 1,000 percent increase in "Likes" and "Shares."

“This may be great news for advertisers, but I felt slightly duped,” writes Bilton. “I’ve stayed on Facebook after its repeated privacy violations partly because I foolishly believed there was some sort of democratic approach to sharing freely with others. The company persuaded us to share under that premise and is now turning it inside out by requiring us to pay for people to see what we post.”Continue reading...

Dunkin' Donuts aims to increase competition with energy drink brands. [Boston Herald]

Dodge looks for manly men with a beard-growing contest. [BrandFreak]

The Nook is finally available in Barnes & Noble stores. [PC Mag]

Hormel's "Life Better Served" campaign shows brand depth. [Brandweek]

With North American sales down, Coca-Cola hopes to raise appeal overseas. [DailyFinance]

Facebook's Doppelganger Week is a huge success. [Time]Continue reading...