Google is continuing its campaign to increase transparency around its targeted advertising and privacy practices.

The latest volley: "How we make ads better," a video that highlights its staffers policing scam advertisers (which didn't help avert the recent Valentine's Day florist AdWords fiasco). The pitch: "Did you know that hundreds of Googlers work around the clock to make sure the ads you see on Google are safe? David Baker, Engineering Director at Google, explains more about our fight against scam ads and our process for keeping you safe."

Google's past around display ad scammers and consumer privacy is a thorny one, to be sure.Continue reading...

America's online video portals — AOL, Google and YouTube, Hulu, Microsoft Advertising including MSN, and Yahoo! — are once again locking arms to muscle in on the U.S. TV upfront marketplace by touting their web video programming in a collaborative series of presentations orchestrated by Digitas.

The brands are taking turns in a roundrobin pitch to ad agencies, media buyers and brand marketers during the fourth annual Digital Content NewFronts, taking place in New York over two weeks, from April 19th to May 2nd.

The objective: woo a bigger slice of marketing dollars from TV to their respective online video and digital content hubs.Continue reading...

Amazon removes resellers' iPads from sale in China, at Apple's request, as more cities block sales.

Apple tightens rules to protect iPhone users contacts from apps.

Peter Arnell and Omnicom settle their suit.

AT&T, Verizon and Sprint see SEC reject their view on net neutrality.

British Airways staff receive iPads for lowdown on VIP passengers.

CBS head Les Moonves anticipates $4 million per Super Bowl spot.

CNN severs remaining ties with Larry King.

Facebook to release Timeline for brands this month.

GM reports weaker than expected results, eliminates pensions for salaried workers.Continue reading...

Leading British actor Joseph Fiennes, renowned for his rendering of Shakespearean language, recently teamed up with rising grime scene rapper Devlin to orchestrate Sonnet 129, the Bard’s most famous, as seen above (high volume recommended!).

The challenge: find common ground between Shakespearian poetry and modern street language. The result, to be featured on Devlin's next album, is part of the New Thinkers Index, an interactive digital campaign from Hyundai, resonant of their brand positioning, "New thinking, new possibilities."Continue reading...

US announces Japan evacuation plan as more "heroic workers" battle radiation crisis.

Acura extends cross-promotion deal with W Hotels.

Amazon pressured to pay state sales taxes from brick-and-mortar retailers including Wal-Mart and Target.

Citi tops list of banks that received federal aid.

Coca-Cola sees Diet Coke overtake Diet Pepsi for the first time.

GE, eBay and Aflac ranked among the world’s “most ethical” companies.

Groupon said to discuss IPO with valuation of up to $25 billion.Continue reading...

In addition to seeing unofficial biopic The Social Network sweep the Golden Globes on Sunday night, it's been a busy week for Facebook-related news:

• A Texas District Attorney plans to use Facebook to screen potential jurors.

• Facebook Voice Updates on India's Aircel wireless network now let people connect with family and friends in their own voice via mobile, with or without internet access. Users dial a short code to record a VM, post it as a status update, and friends can reply with their voice updates. More than 15 million active FB users are in India, where mobile is ubiquitous. 

• Advertising spending on Facebook is projected to more than double in 2011 over 2010, projected to reach $4.05 billion this year, according to eMarketer. FB accounted for 4.7% of last year’s $25.8 billion U.S. online ad market; that percentage is expected to increase to 7.8% for 2011.

• Windows Live Messenger bumps CityVille as fastest growing Facebook app.Continue reading...

With over 100 years of service, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is one of those top tier non-profit brands that has a high level of awareness. Yet most people think the organization needs volunteers, not money.

In these challenging economic times, however, Big Brothers Big Sisters, which often turns to corporate partners for financial support, is doing something it has never done before: reaching out to the general public for donations. In a campaign starting today called "Start Something," Big Brothers Big Sisters is using a mix of television and print advertising, outdoor media, online advertising, and social media to get its message across. Continue reading...

A&P files for bankruptcy.

Amazon reveals holiday boom in Kindle sales.

Apple reveals its top-selling apps of the year.

Buick underwrites travel series on MSN.

BYD seeks to charge up its U.S. business.

Carlsberg innovates global growth.

Coca-Cola and Apple lead global “word-of-mouth” brands.

Coty and L’Oreal snap up prominent local brands in China.Continue reading...