The 2013 Masters Golf Tournament—one of the few golf tourneys that the world outside of the golf community actually cares about—kicked off Thursday morning as brands watch helplessly, hoping and praying that one of thier golfers is the one pulling on the famed green jacket by weekend's end. 

As Forbes points out, last year’s winner, Bubba Watson, wasn’t a big name outside of the golf world before the Masters got underway last year. Though by the end of the tournament, his main sponsor, Ping, had generated $14.2 million in media value, according to brand analyst and research firm Repucon. That's triple what the next brand, TaylorMade, got out with at $4.5 million. 

The reason the numbers vary so much is because he Masters only allows four minutes of commercials each hour and limits the amount of branding on the course so the majority of brand exposure comes from the golfers themselves and whatever airtime they get. That means sponsors of the world’s top-ranked golfers—Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose— along with such big names as Phil Mickelson (No. 9) and Watson (No. 14) will be enjoying the sight of their products far more than those who supply gear to Richard Sterne (No. 49). Unless, of course, Sterne pulls out the game of his life and ends up in or near the winner's circle.Continue reading...

Any other major brand, Apple is vigilant about protecting its trademark and image around the world. But sometimes things can go a teensy bit too far, such as when Kellogg threatened to sue a small nonprofit because it used a toucan that looked nothing like Froot Loops’ Toucan Sam for its logo.

Kellogg eventually backed off and contrite. Apple, as if it didn't have enough to keep it busy, has started the process on what could end up being a similarly silly case. What’s caught the company’s attention is an online grocery in Poland (a “delikatesy internetowe”) that uses the URL A.pl (get it?), according to Reuters. 

Apple isn’t just unhappy with the site’s name. It also claims that the grocery copied “one of Apple's icons to its logo and (is) riding its coattails to win customers,” Reuters reports.Continue reading...

CNBC joins with Yahoo to bolster web reach via content, programming and distribution alliance.

Comcast and fellow U.S. cable operators face DOJ inquiry over treatment of Netflix and Hulu.

New York's proposed big soda ban goes to public comment as former Coca-Cola exec switches sides.

American Express sponsors Kenny Chesney concert for live-streaming on YouTube.

Apple is likely killing Ping.

Burger King's summer BBQ menu rolls out with sweet potato fries and bacon sundae.

Citi partners with USAID to foster mobile commerce in developing nations.Continue reading...

Apple watchers have been combing over the tidbits dropped by CEO Tim Cook as he took center stage at the All Things D Conference last night. At the 10th annual gathering of A-list Silicon Valley technology and media executives in Rancho Palos Verdes, Cook spoke on a broad array of topics from Apple’s current vision, to plans for the living room, an iPhone made in the U.S. and his views on China’s labor practices.

Cook didn’t disclose details about Facebook plans for the iPhone, but in response to a question about why the world’s largest social networking platform isn’t integrated into the smartphone like Twitter, he simply said “stay tuned.”Continue reading...

The Backplane is still in stealth mode but quietly ready for takeoff, with some serious passengers on board: Lady Gaga and Google chairman Eric Schmidt.

Gaga’s involvement makes sense, as the web startup is being piloted by the pop star's business manager and digital strategist, Troy Carter.

VentureWire reports that The Backplane's goal is "to create a communities platform combining calendar, email and social networking functions, including Facebook and Twitter, to allow groups ranging from Girl Scout troops to celebrity fan clubs to communicate seamlessly."Continue reading...

Comcast and GE name Comcast COO Steve Burke as new CEO of NBC Universal, replacing Jeff Zucker after the NBCU sale to Comcast closes. 

Alberto Culver has been sold to Unilever for $3.7 billion in cash.

AIG will lose the US Treasury as a part-owner.

Apple's Ping music-based social network incorporates users' iTunes libraries.

Barnes & Noble ownership battle nears its climax.

BP pressured to restore reputation and stock price as new CEO Robert Dudley takes the reins on Friday.Continue reading...

Don't ask Steve Jobs about his views on "consumer confidence." You have only to look at Apple's spate of innovative product introductions to know what the company's visionary is thinking: "If I build it, they will come."

On the heels of the June iPhone 4 introduction, Apple debuted an updated iPod line yesterday, with new Shuffle, Nano, and Touch models. But in the latest flurry of Apple announcements were buried two items that may well determine the company's next frontier. The first piece: smaller, cheaper and more robust Apple TV.Continue reading...

Apple's big product news today, as revealed in a streaming event that couldn't be viewed on a PC:

* iPod nano enhanced with a multi-touch interface (featured in the commercial above).

* Apple TV pricing has been slashed to $99, with greatly expanded content: "Apple TV users can choose from the largest online selection of HD movies to rent, including first run movies for just $4.99, and the largest online selection of HD TV show episodes to rent from ABC, ABC Family, Fox, Disney Channel and BBC America for just 99 cents." Streaming programming is also available from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and Apple's MobileMe service, in addition to music, photos and videos. The Financial Times calls it Apple's most serious bid yet for the Internet-connected television market.

* iTunes 10 includes Ping for social music discovery.

* New iPod shuffle is "world's smallest iPod" at $49.

* The iPod touch now comes with FaceTime, retina display and HD video recording (its commercial is after the jump).Continue reading...