The 140-character Twitter poll: just how effective is Twitter's advertising options for brands?

Twitter now offers geotargeted Promoted Products, Tweets, Accounts and Trends, and more affordable ads for smaller businesses. But are they worth it?

The jury is still out, but early returns suggest the early hot buzz may be cooling, as advertisers articulate their disappointment with low levels of engagement and unimpressive sales generation.Continue reading...

American Express forms venture with French luxury e-tailer, vente-privee.com.

Ashton Kutcher tipped to fill Charlie Sheen void on Two and a Half Men.

Bing continues to capture more searches as Microsoft's antitrust saga comes to an end.

BlackBerry product placement on BBC version of The Apprentice raises eyebrows.

BMW and Audi vie for luxury auto lead.

Bravo TV star Bethenny Frankel sued by former manager for a piece of her just-sold business.

Chevron criticized for corporate citizenship campaign in California.

Facebook claims no smear campaign intended by PR firm Burson-Marsteller vs. Google.Continue reading...

Lady Gaga isn't the only major brand to partner set up a FarmVille outpost, as she's doing with her upcoming GagaVille game.

American Express is building on its partnership with Zynga, and the brand's “Social Currency” advertising campaign for Membership Rewards, to create an innovative brand integration within FarmVille.

Running through Saturday, FarmVille players can receive “Social Currency” via a virtual gift from American Express — a blue windmill that unlocks new player potential within the game.Continue reading...

American Express OPEN has been a godsend to small business, offering rich content and smart advice — even going so far as to help small businesses get smart about branding with Project RE:Brand last year.

This year AmEx is looking to share the love via Facebook. Through May 20th, small to medium-size business owners can apply for the chance to have their businesses made over. Just visit Facebook.com/Open and be prepared to answer three easy questions.Continue reading...

These days, consumers can hardly make a purchase without being exposed to some kind of loyalty rewards or frequent buyer program.

They get cards punched when buying a cup of coffee or a bagel. They get "member discounts" at supermarkets. They get credits on merchandise from retailers. They accumulate points good towards free flights and hotel stays from airlines, hotels, and credit card companies.

So why aren't customers redeeming them?Continue reading...

AT&T argues to US regulators that T-Mobile deal will promote competition.

Amazon glitch that hobbled websites also a setback for cloud computing.

American Express teams with Facebook for small-business contest.

Apple sees consumer enthusiasm grow in China as Greenpeace names it the “least green” tech company for relying on coal.

Chipotle hiring practices come under federal investigation.

General Mills tries Groupon in first packaged-goods partnership for the online-discount site.Continue reading...

It's a given that frequent traveler loyalty programs pitch points for hotel stays and airline flights, right? Well, Hilton Worldwide is shaking up that convention with its new rebranding of the Hilton HHonors loyalty program.

Using the theme, "A World of Experiences Worth Sharing," Hilton HHonors is now promoting (particularly on its Facebook page, above) the memorable experiences travelers have rather than focusing on earning points or miles.Continue reading...

For the 1st time ever, MIPTV — taking place this week in Cannes — recognised an international consumer brand for "outstanding contribution to the development and production of brand-related content."

The winner, American Express, was chosen by an international committee made up of leading figures from the production and advertising sectors, including Doug Scott of Ogilvy Entertainment, Ben Silverman of Electus, film director Brett Ratner, and Robert Friedman of @radical.media.

MIPTV said the award recognizes "the growing impact of branded entertainment in the global television industry."