Salvatore Ferragamo has become the first fashion house to have a full-out catwalk show at the iconic Louvre museum in Paris. The honor came about after the family company from Florence sponsored the current exhibition of “La Sainte Anne, Leonardo da Vinci’s Ultimate Masterpiece,” according to the New York Times.

“Having a runway show inside the Louvre has a meaning that goes beyond the simple concept of fashion,” creative director Massimiliano Giornetti told the Times about the 2013 resort collection's esteemed showcase. “It is a statement, a continuation of a long tradition of beauty and sensibility, of passion and a love of art. It’s a very positive message. A way to reaffirm our Italian spirit and our culture.”Continue reading...

After Cadillac solicits ideas from agencies, current shop resigns account. [WSJ]

Analysts see lagging growth in Cadbury's sales. [Times of London]

Nobel Peace Prize boosts Obama, America's brand. [FT]

Luxury brands rush to satiate consumer demand in China. [FT]

Carrefour strives to regain footing, focusing on lower prices. [WSJ]

Barnes & Noble to announce e-reader next week. [WSJ]

"This Is It," new/old Michael Jackson song, out today. [Idolator]

Stars Miley Cyrus and Courtney Love exit Twitter. [LA Times]

Motorola builds buzz for Android phones on social media sites. [Chicago Tribune]

(More headlines: Facebook, Forrester's Brand Advocates, TeenNick.)Continue reading...

Is McDonald's opening at the Louvre a little bit tasteless? Some people seem to think so. It may not be as bad as that Starbucks in the Forbidden City, but it’s not going to be greeted with cheers from many serious art lovers.

That said, is it a bad idea from McDonald’s perspective? Probably not.

McDonalds does seem to have exhausted all the normal places they could pop up. Lately, they are venturing off into some new ones. Bringing McDonald's to unexpectedly high-culture venues -- with espresso drinks as bait -- helps put the "hi" in their daring (and seemingly successful) recent "hi-lo" branding shift that's put pressure on Starbucks.Continue reading...