Brands must understand that customer service is an important part of the "value equation" for consumers these days even though it might seem that price remains their most important criterion for brand satisfaction because of the continued financial struggles of so many Americans.

Apple, Cadillac, Four Seasons, JetBlue, Kohl's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Scotttrade, USAA and Wegmans are among the brands that understand the importance of people as a driver of service excellence has increased substantially these days, and that's why they were among the 50 brands named this week by J.D. Power & Associates as 2012 Customer Service Champions.Continue reading...

AT&T promotes its 4G network with a commercial that rewinds a football player's life back to the moment his dad first bought him tickets to a game, purchased (of course) with his AT&T phone.

Watch more new spots — from Audi, Coca-Cola, TurboTax, Intel and other brands — after the jump.Continue reading...

Coca-Cola retains its lead in Interbrand's 2010 Best Global Brands (visit www.bestglobalbrands.com for the full report).

Abbott Laboratories receives split FDA decision on Meridia.

Boeing plans to fly tourists to space. Separately, the World Trade Organization says it received illegal assistance from the U.S. in its continuing battle with Airbus.

Carrefour sets a strategy to become the “IKEA of groceries.”

FedEx reports more than doubling of fiscal first-quarter profits, but trims outlook and announces job cuts.

Forest Laboratories settles claims that it marketed Celexa antidepressant drug to children.

Goldman Sachs faces a lawsuit alleging widespread sex bias.Continue reading...