Coca-Cola's Open Happiness campaign that launched with a musical splash during American Idol in 2009 has taken its message on the road with a CLIO award-winning Happiness Machine with a sense of humor; a Happiness Truck, dispensing soft drinks and fun items in Brazil and beyond; and a Happiness Store, offering convenience and smiles (also in Brazil).

Another variation: the Friendship Machine, an elongated version of its Happiness Machine — 11 feet tall, so that people have to help each other get the coin in the slot, with the payoff of getting two drinks for the price of one.Continue reading...

Execs from a sagging auto company propped up by a government bailout and a cash-for-clunkers program were summoned to the President’s office after announcing that one of its popular cars will be manufactured in a foreign country.

The scolding took place in Paris, not Washington, and not because President Obama was grabbing a croissant. With all the news regarding the failing and incremental revival of the American automobile industry, it’s easy (for Americans) to forget that there are car brands outside the US and the Far East. Though in this country the Renault brand means little except to the few folks pining for a Le Car revival, the brand, which began at the end of the 19th century, enjoys automotive influence from Europe to South America to India.

So when Renault planned to produce in 2013 the fourth generation of its popular Clio subcompact in Turkey, rather than the plant in Flins that’s currently pumping out the teeny Clio 3, a nationwide cry of “sacre bleu” rang out, thus the Sarkozy sit-down with Renault’s CEO and COO.Continue reading...