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Google will launch its own smartphone brand. [Mobile News Direct]

Seeking growth, Cadbury will increase advertising in India. [Warc]

HSBC returns focus to Hong Kong business. [NY Times]

The last Pontiac rolled off the assembly line Wednesday. [Detroit News]

Fearing sluggish sales, retailers ramp up online savings offers. [WSJ]

M&A activity on Wall Street can be a good thing or a bad thing. [WSJ]

(More headlines: UK "family brands," Lululemon, Taobao.)Continue reading...

We all strive to put our "best face forward" on social networking sites. On Facebook, to add another cliché, the right profile picture is worth a thousand words. (Or, for the lucky, a thousand dates.)

This reality has inspired the latest branding initiative from Esteé Lauder:  “Your Beauty. Your Style. Your Profile.” The beauty company will be holding events across the country where ladies (and, I’m sure, men who want to look pretty) can meet with a professional makeup artist to design a makeover tailored to the website you’re aiming to join or have recently joined.

For instance, you could stick to a conservative color palette for LinkedIn, and then add a bit of pizzazz for OKCupid or Nerve.Continue reading...