Turns out Gen Y is “greatly misunderstood, and for those looking to connect with them — whether a political campaign or a consumer brand – it is critical to understand that Gen Y cares deeply about the world around them, even if they have their own unique ways of expressing it,” according to Joe Kessler, President, The Intelligence Group, whose latest survey was just released.

“Generation Y: Slacktivism or Social Consciousness?” finds that Millennials are not only socially aware but also uniquely positioned, as digital natives, to meaningfully impact the world of today.Continue reading...

Even though we haven’t yet had Halloween, retail brands are gearing up for the holiday season. Target raised eyebrows by releasing its holiday TV commercial before Halloween, which is the marketing equivalent of wearing white after Labor Day in the U.S. But even that hoary old rule no longer applies, so get ready for the holiday blitz to start earlier than ever this year.

Toys “R” Us is already promoting its Marine Toys for Tots Foundation campaign, which is back for the ninth year with Shaquille O’Neal ("Give Back With Shaq!" for the fourth year) offering “Shaq’s Santa Sack,” the first-ever Toys for Tots Wish List filled with donation suggestions.

More than 16 million children are living in poverty in the U.S. according to the United States Census Bureau, and now through December 2, consumers can “Give Back with Shaq” by donating new, unwrapped toys at Toys“R”Us and Babies “R” Us stores or online through Christmas Eve.Continue reading...

Coca-Cola announces Global Fund donation at Clinton Global Initiative meeting, teams up with Segway creator on clean water project and launches corporate blog.

GE's Jeff Immelt joins the few brave CEOs on Twitter.

IBM targets Amazon in the cloud.

AirAsia creates child-free quiet zones on flights.

Arby's sees gains under new owners.

Barnes & Noble plans to launch Nook video service.

Chase Bank tops customer-satisfaction study.Continue reading...

While fashionistas bring their stilettos to the streets of New York for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week spring runway shows, wool is likely one of the last fabrics on their minds.

Woolite is hoping to change that, opening its first pop-up store in New York's Soho district an extra week, through Sept. 16. The installation promotes the brand's new laundry detergent — all of the items sold in the store have been washed in the detergent and carry its distinctive scent — and will be promoted with a Twitter party today.

According to the press release,

True to the brand's campaign slogan, "WooliteWashed. Clothes look like new, longer", each item showcased will be washed in Woolite® so that consumers can experience firsthand and be amazed by the brand's product benefits. Consumers will be able to purchase limited-edition garments and accessories (which have been) pre-washed in Woolite, from five notable designers – Dannijo, Felix Rey, LNA, Laundry by Shelli Segal, and Timo Weiland. Items will retail from $28-$60, and 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Save the Children, a non-profit creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world.

Halfway around the world, one of wool’s top wool-producing nations and trademarks – Woolmark – has partnered with famed Australian photographer Anne Geddes, who has made a name for herself taking photos of babies in flowers and other fairytale-like settings, “to photograph them nestling in cradles of wool,” as Stock and Land notes, for a 2013 calendar that features what may be the cutest interpretation of a logo ever.Continue reading...

“If you’re going to waste your time playing games on Facebook, you might as well do it and help build a better world while you’re at it,” writes Techcrunch.com about Sojo Studios’ WeTopia, an online game launching today that’s designed to have fun while raising money for children’s charities.

It’s a free-to-play Facebook game where players build villages and help their neighbors – all for ‘joy’ currency, in-game coins for real charitable works. They're convertible to real-world non-profit donations to promote healthcare and education. WeTopia is advancing the collective notion of gaming rewards beyond points, discounts and coupon redemption.

“Each purchase results in a direct donation to a real world cause. Buying an in-game fountain, for instance, leads to the contribution of a donation of clean water,” notes Venturebeat.

WeTopia heralds the next iteration of combining social games with non-profit beneficiaries. It's backed by former Facebook employee, Path CEO Dave Morin, with digital doyenne Esther Dyson on the advisory board and an exclusive partnership with Ellen DeGeneres.Continue reading...

Google officially launched brand pages on Google+ today, ending months of waiting. The Web giant's pitch to convince businesses and brands to sign up (and unseat Facebook's dominance as the go-to social destination for businesses):

"Google+ pages help you connect with the customers and fans who love you. Not only can they recommend you with a +1, or add you to a circle to listen long-term. They can actually spend time with your team, face-to-face-to-face. All you need to do is start sharing, and you'll soon find the super fans and loyal customers that want to say hello."

Charter branded G+ pages at launch showed the array of business-hosted pages possible:Continue reading...

Best Buy says its sales are suffering as shoppers chase deals.

Chrysler teases new 300 model online.

Dynegy sold to Carl Icahn for $665 million.

Facebook called best place to work as CEO Mark Zuckerberg named TIME's person of the year.

Fiat actions raise doubts about Alfa-Romeo.

Gmail enables email delegation.Continue reading...

As we reported in September, Ikea has put more than $100,000 behind its corporate social responsibility initiative, the Life Improvement Project. One proposal, now being decided in a public voting process, will win the $100,000 prize. In addition, Ikea will contribute $1 to Save the Children U.S. for every vote received, up to $50,000.

In the spirit (if not the scale) of Pepsi Refresh, Ikea has posted videos of the five finalists, selected from nearly 2,000 submissions. In the lead today: the Baltimore-based high school greenhouse project, above.Continue reading...