Delta Air Lines signs deal to purchase refinery to reduce jet fuel costs.

Facebook urges members to add "organ donor" status in Good Morning America announcement.

Walmart expands conservation program and urban push as pension plans in New York prepare to vote against its board at annual meeting.

Adidas deals with Derrick Rose injury.

Apple and Samsung hope to end bitter litigation.

Avon continues financial slide.

Bank of America plans to cut jobs from its upper ranks.Continue reading...

Seems like the iconic Avon Lady needs to wed the skills of door-to-door digital sales with a dash of machismo to survive.

Yes, the fabled Avon Lady is struggling. New Avon CEO Sherilyn McCoy, who replaced Andrea Jung, has her hands full just turning around the company's operations. In a world dominated by e-commerce, Avon products aren’t even carried by drugstore.com, one of the largest online beauty products retailers.

Making McCoy's job tougher: Coty’s $10 billion unsolicited take-over bid, which saw Avon stock slip and attracted a "credit negative" assessment according to Fitch analysts.

“We believe the time for Avon shareholders to act is now,” commented Bart Becht, Coty’s chairman, to the New York Times. “Door-to-door is a growth industry in the U.S. Avon isn’t. There’s something wrong with Avon operationally.”Continue reading...

Walmart copes with fallout from revelations of bribery in Mexico.

Chrysler aims new Dodge Dart at Millennials, opens new door to get suppliers' best ideas, and returns to China with new concept vehicle at Beijing Auto Show.

Disney accepts resignation of film chief after loss on John Carter, while more companies hire Disney Institute to help with customer service.

Amylin is searching for a buyer.

Audi sees demand surge in China and U.S.

Avon arrives late at e-commerce.Continue reading...

ABC edges out NBC in the morning.

AOL pushes to grab TV-ad dollars.

Apple loses luster on its shares.

Audi set to buy Ducati, Bloomberg reports.

BlackBerry store sits as quiet marker of RIM failed strategy.

Coca-Cola profit beats estimates.

Coty says it has lined up capital for Avon bid.Continue reading...

In its heyday, “Ding Dong, Avon Calling” (as seen above in this 1962 commercial) was ubiquitous. But today, the fall of an iconic brand built on a now outmoded premise is the headline of Richard Levick's Forbes piece, which laments “Avon Calling When It Should Have Been Clicking.” 

In a world dominated by e-commerce, Avon isn't even carried by drugstore.com, one of the web’s largest beauty products retailers. And chances are, those female customers of yore are no longer home to answer the door.

Avon is in play, having just rejected an unsolicited $10 billion buyout offer from Coty Inc. Another bid is expected from Richmont Holdings, a company helmed by founder and chairman John Rochon, former CEO of Avon rival Mary Kay who led an attempted takeover of Avon in the late 1980s.Continue reading...

AOL sells patents to Microsoft.

AT&T spends big to support launch of Numia smartphone by Nokia as it staves off a walkout by its workers.

Augusta National leaves unsettled the question of membership of IBM CEO Virginia Rometty; Bubba Watson wins its Masters tournament in dramatic fashion.

Avon names new CEO from Johnson & Johnson.

CDC says anti-smoking ads prompt lots more "quit attempts."

Cotton launches new look.

Google plots web-domain buying spree.

Great Wolf Resorts sees sweetened offer to buy company.

Kia keeps brand humming in non-launch year. Continue reading...

Costco reports surge in monthly sales.

Coty wants Avon in part to build in Brazil.

Current TV struggles to meet audience targets.

Dairy Queen rolls out new national campaign.

Del Monte and Fresh Del Monte engage in food fight.

Delta considers entering fuel-refining business to cut costs.

Facebook said to pick Nasdaq for IPO.Continue reading...

Angry Birds are coming to TV.

Apple pressured on suppliers and sustainability as brand sees Consumer Reports soft-pedal problem of "hot" iPads.

Belvedere vodka "rape ad" actress sues Moet Hennessy.

BMW unveils "sexy" i8 Spyder concept.

Burger King promotes new menu with Jay Leno, Mary J. Blige, David Beckham and Sofia Vergara.

Chevrolet plans decision on future of "Chevy Runs Deep" with new ad agency.

Coty offers to buy Avon for $10 billion.

Current nixes Keith Olbermann as on-air anchor, citing behavior.

Dunkin' Donuts launches Hispanic marketing campaign.

Facebook delves deeper into search.Continue reading...