Stocks advanced in light of corporate deal-making.

Anheuser-Busch goes long with pact with the National Football League.

Berkshire Hathaway buys stake in Dollar General.

Chrysler teams up with Chase Auto to expand new-vehicle loan choices.

Diet Coke gets new look for fall.

Google borrows strategy from Apple with its deal for Motorola Mobility.

Anheuser-Busch top marketer exits for AT&T.

Coca-Cola raises prices.

EA applauds US Supreme Court decision to strike down California's ban on violent videogame sales.

Foursquare secures another $50M in capital, adds Ritz-Carlton concierge check-ins.

Genentech lobbies FDA on behalf of Avastin breast cancer drug.

Google expands +1 functionality.

J&J to link up product marketing; admits unit name change won't change anything.Continue reading...

The concept of mixing alcohol and race cars isn't a brilliant idea in practice, but it seems to be working wonders on the marketing front for Anheuser-Busch.

Budweiser has long been the brew of the American blue collar and it has now extended its multiyear contract with Daytona International Speedway, the track that was built by NASCAR founder William France Jr. and opened in 1959.

The pair have been linked financially since the late ‘70s when Anheuser-Busch sponsored the Busch Clash race, which has become known as the Budweiser Shootout.

The new deal will keep the Shootout intact and continue to allow Bud to be the exclusive official beer sponsor at Daytona, which hosts such big races as the Sprint Cup’s Daytona 500 and Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeno 250, among many others.Continue reading...

The newest version of Kellogg's Rice Krispies may still snap, crackle and pop – but the little guys hiding in the cereal will have to do it without benefit of gluten. In a major acknowledgement of the fast-growing demand for gluten-free foods, Kellogg has announced the introduction of Rice Krispies Gluten Free Cereal.

Because of the rising incidence and recognition of celiac disease and gluten intolerance among American consumers, both adults and kids, all manner of natural-foods and niche startups created the gluten-free ready-to-eat cereal niche. And they have commanded this growing segment in part because the cereal industry’s major players mostly have left it to them.

Kellogg’s latest move could change all of that.

Breakfast cereal largely is considered a better-for-you aisle in the supermarket anyway – except for those pesky concerns about too much sugar – and Kellogg, General Mills and others have made major strides in boosting the intrinsic healthfulness of their products over the last several years. Not only have they largely switched to whole-grain raw materials but they also have created countless low-sugar and low-sodium options and included actual fruit in more varieties.

Rice Krispies Gluten Free represents the next step.Continue reading...

Carlsberg, arguably one of the world's premium beer brands, is getting its most significant makeover since the beer's origination in 1847.

Call it part of brand rejuvenation — a phenomenon that occurs when a brand sets its sights on aggressive growth in a market where demand might be softening and competition is fierce.Continue reading...

Silver Bullet Aims at Bud for No. 2 Beer Spot

MillerCoors CMO Andy England recently told distributors that Coors Light will overtake Budweiser as the no. 2 selling brew in the U.S. Analysts are saying that’s not just braggadocio, considering Budweiser’s long-running drop in sales and Coors Light’s steady trajectory upward. According to Beer Marketer’s Insights, Coors Light ended 2010 with an 8.5% market share, while Bud is barely ahead at 8.7%. Bud Light is the leader of the pack at 19.1%. MillerCoors is increasing marketing spending by $50 million this year, and part of its efforts for Coors Light include signing hip-hop artist Ice Cube to appear in ads for the brand.Continue reading...

AMC, Matthew Weiner and Lionsgate reach agreement to keep Mad Men on the air for three more seasons.

Sbarro restaurant chain to file Chapter 11.

American Apparel nears bankruptcy filing.

American Airlines and Japan Airlines launch trans-Pacific airline alliance.

Budweiser runs responsible drinking campaign on "China's Twitter," Sina Weibo.

Disney rolls out Disneymedia+ to integrate brand marketing in Europe.

Panasonic reports on impact of Japan disaster on operations.Continue reading...

Chicago's Goose Island craft beer brand has been bought by its distribution partner, Anheuser-Busch, for $38.8 million. Goose Island's two brew pubs, one of which recently collaborated (above) with past Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard, are not part of the deal.

Naturally, not everyone was thrilled with the news, particularly fans of its brews such as Honkers Ale and Goose Island brewmaster Greg Hall, who is being replaced by his second-in-command (and, payout notwithstanding, being gracious about it).