America is the first nation to ban food imports from Japan's radiation zone, as tap water threat looms. The nation's disaster bill tops $309 billion and Tepco may receive up to $25 billion in loans. 

Aflac teams with Monster.com to find Gilbert Gottfried's replacement.

Apple pulls 'gay cure' iPhone app, brings iPad 2 to 25 more countries.

Cablevision tiles up to nine TV channels on a single screen.

CNN leads in cable news ratings while MSNBC loses ground.

Facebook and Twitter can't stop "poisoned links."Continue reading...

BlackBerry is cleared to operate in the UAE under a new deal between the government and Research in Motion.

Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurant chains promote upcoming release of The Green Hornet.

Fox sees ratings lift from Gordon Ramsay's Hell’s Kitchen.

Genzyme explores alternatives to acquisition by Sanofi-Aventis.

Google rapped by the Better Business Bureau for customer service.Continue reading...

Verizon Wireless will refund $50 million to customers as "mystery" data charges investigated.

BP compensation fund czar Ken Feinberg was profiled on last night's 60 Minutes.

Delta refocuses on service after its acquisition of Northwest.

Diageo launches reality show on BET starring its Smirnoff vodka brand.

Facebook plans for rapid growth in India; COO Sheryl Sandberg is NYT-profiled and The Social Network tops at the weekend box office.

Fox News polarizing host Glenn Beck was also profiled in Sunday's New York Times magazine.

GE treats marketing as a critical function for the first time.Continue reading...

Allergan reports surging second-quarter sales thanks to huge demand for Botox injections.

Amazon and Apple attract antitrust scrutiny for pricing of their e-books.,

BMW rides improved markets in China and the United States to rising profits.

CBS and Comcast reach a new deal on fees.

EA Sports debuts a new marketing campaign for its Madden video game, dubbed “Madden to the People,” which among other things will emphasize the game’s quicker play.

Edmunds.com predicts that July U.S. auto sales, to be reported later today, trended up from June, but J.D. Power notes that the month’s early momentum seemed to trail off toward the end.

Newsweek goes over to Harman International for the fee of $1 paid to previous owner Washington Post, and one of the new owner’s first moves is to accept the resignation of Editor Jon Meacham.

Sanofi-Aventis talks with U.S. biotech firm Genzyme about a possible friendly takeover by the French drug maker.

Subway proclaims its new breakfast initiative a success so far.

Toyota faces a new lawsuit in its troubles with vehicles with electronic throttles that led to massive safety recalls.,

Unilever bets big on the return of Mad Men with a multi-brand advertising blitz involving Dove, Breyers, Hellman’s, Klondike, Suave and Vaseline marques.

Pharmaceutical companies are becoming highly recognized today by adding their names to generic drugs.

While a branded generic medicine may seem counterintuitive, it’s actually a revolutionary new approach that is keeping the bottom line high for many drug companies.

In order to understand this strategy, it’s important to remember why generic brands are able to offer products at a low cost in the first place. It’s not because associating a name adds to the expense, it’s all of the other marketing and advertising that go along with it. Pharmaceutical companies can spend millions of dollars every year promoting their brands – which ends up getting passed along to consumers and their wallets. But simply putting a company name on a drug – without all of the hype – can go a long way towards increasing consumer confidence and company revenue.Continue reading...

HP responds promptly to racist webcam accusations. [AdAge]

Apple garners interest in online TV subscription service. [NY Times]

Unilever harnesses the power of social media and word-of-mouth marketing. [Warc]

Flu shots and cold season drive sales at Walgreens. [NY Times]

Yahoo stitches up a partnership with Martha Stewart. [BrandWeek]

Diane Sawyer unveils a serious, somber tone, persona for World News. [NY Times]Continue reading...