Dish Network runs into resistance for placing its ad about its ad-skipping DVR.

Pinterest valued at $1.5 billion.

Unilever tests interactive TV concept with NBCU.

Angry Birds footwear? Check.

Apple awarded U.S. patent for soft keyboard as Retina Display patent application for OSX revealed.

Boyd Gaming to buy Peninsula Gaming.

Bristol-Myers Squibb set to lose patent protection for Plavix.

Buca di Beppo has aggressive growth in sight, new CEO says.

CNN hits 15-year low with prime-time ratings.

Comcast's NBC Sports Network will break cable record for Olympics coverage.

Facebook confronts skepticism about its advertising in wake of GM pullout.Continue reading...

It's tough being CNN. The brand that invented the 24-hour news cycle and which made its name covering the Iraq war and other crises has always had to find a way to drive tune-in when there isn't an OJ Simpson-on-the-lam or other breaking news story.

So if you're a CNN executive these or most other days, you're hoping — to yourself, at least — for another "drop everything and watch this" story to unfold somewhere in the world. Nothing really nasty, mind you; just something that will rivet viewers' attention on CNN the way they always do when something goes bad somewhere around the globe.

"The world still knows to turn to CNN whenever a crisis erupts," David Bohrman, the Current TV president who served as CNN's Washington bureau chief, commented to the Wall Street Journal. "That is the brand." And therein likes the rub.Continue reading...

Facebook faces doubts by advertisers as it gears up for IPO roadshow.

Lifetime unveils new logo and tagline.

BlackBerry launches "Touch Awesomeness" campaign, test keyboardless version to challenge Apple.

Apple files for touch-based music-sharing patent.

CNN delivers lowest monthly ratings in a decade.

CVS succeeds in grabbing drugstore customers from Walgreens.

Chesapeake Energy board crimps CEO's power.Continue reading...

Apple in sight of $1 trillion valuation, according to analysts.

AstraZeneca fails to stop entry of generic versions of its antipsychotic drug to U.S. market.

Bats alarms Wall Street with derailed IPO.

Bloomberg and CNN continue transition to digital.

Bulgari tries to make a name in wine.

Chick-fil-A pressure heats up.

Dairy Queen benefits from early warm weather.

Darden finds restaurant consumers remain fickle.Continue reading...

So what else is buzzing at South by Southwest Interactive, apart from the Homeless Hotspots blow-up? A few tidbits:

• Rumors that CNN will buy Scottish social media pin-up Pete Cashmore's website Mashable for more than $200 million.

• Highlight has proved a highlight of the festival, is an iPhone app that informs you when you’re near someone else with even a remote social media connection, redefining the burgeoning people discovery market. "You learn about new people you're about to meet before you meet them," says founder Paul Davison. "It's about life's connections. We've given the world a new sixth sense."Continue reading...

American Apparel may have a knight in shining armor: George Soros.

American Express sees millions of Twitter Sync coupons redeemed within first five days.

Ann Taylor tweaks brand lineup.

Apple finds iPhone falling behind Samsung in China.

BBC America bets on New Yorkers as tastemakers for new cooking show.

Barnes & Noble tests Penguin publishing boutiques in its stores.

CNN reportedly in talks to acquire Mashable.

Chevrolet shows off networked car at SXSW.

Chevron plays catch-up in shale gas.

Chipotle gets a big bang for the little buck.Continue reading...

Aereo is sued by major media companies alleging copyright infringement.

Apple, Google and Amazon lead Fortune's 2012 world's most admired companies ranking.

Apple could find politics on its side in China iPad dispute, while Apple and Samsung lose countersuits in Germany.

CNN was talking with Andrew Breitbart about new show before his death, report says.

Chrysler leads brand gains in robust February auto sales in U.S. market.

Disney draws criticism with governance panel.

Enterprise leverages NCAA sponsorship for March Madness.Continue reading...

Amazon removes resellers' iPads from sale in China, at Apple's request, as more cities block sales.

Apple tightens rules to protect iPhone users contacts from apps.

Peter Arnell and Omnicom settle their suit.

AT&T, Verizon and Sprint see SEC reject their view on net neutrality.

British Airways staff receive iPads for lowdown on VIP passengers.

CBS head Les Moonves anticipates $4 million per Super Bowl spot.

CNN severs remaining ties with Larry King.

Facebook to release Timeline for brands this month.

GM reports weaker than expected results, eliminates pensions for salaried workers.Continue reading...