Altria, R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard face tougher tobacco marketing rules in US.

Apple launches app store for Mac software.

Bank of America categorizes clients, adds fees.

Boeing loses major 747 order due to delays.

BP spill inquiry to report that disaster "likely" to recur; and hears that microbes may have mitigated methane damage in the Gulf.

CNN books Oprah as first guest for Piers Morgan's post-Larry King debut on Jan. 17; Madonna still banned as "boring."Continue reading...

In an effort to draw a clear line of differentiation, MSNBC is adopting a new tagline that "defines us and defines our competition," according to Phil Griffin, MSNBC president. The tagline, "Lean Forward," was publicly announced today, kicking off a two-year marketing push to garner awareness for the cable news channel.

MSNBC has now surpassed a flagging CNN to become the second leading cable news channel behind Fox News. Even so, awareness of MSNBC ranks below that of CNN, Fox and even HLN (Headline News Network), according to the New York Times.

That's why MSNBC needs to "tell our story to more people," MSNBC's CMO Sharon Otterman tells the Times.Continue reading...

Fox News show host and "Restoring Honor" organizer Glenn Beck has never been more high profile than he is now. His personal brand is at an apex. Wildly popular, commanding the ear of the media and millions of fans, it's Beck's time to leverage that brand.

His gig as a spokesman for Goldline is certainly lucrative. But the association does nothing to expand his brand. Brandchannel offers five brand extensions or licenses Glenn Beck  could take advantage of immediately, including some inspiration.Continue reading...

Has Sarah Palin ruined Alaska's brand? It may sound like a joke, but it's a real question posed by Alaskan native Marty Beckerman at The Awl. Actually, it's not so much a question as a statement, as the piece is titled "How Sarah Palin Ruined Alaska." If he's right, Alaska doesn't have much hope of getting its brand back anytime soon.Continue reading...

YouTube revamps mobile website, making its iPhone YouTube app obsolete.

The Huffington Post bought Pollster.com. As Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight prepares to be folded into the New York Times, rival poster John Zogby takes a swipe at Silver.

Disney was ordered to pay $270 million in damages to Celador, the producers of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, to reimburse ABC and Buena Vista U.S. revenues.

NBA star LeBron James will announce his free-agent plans live on ESPN tomorrow night. Speculation that he's going to the New York Knicks drives up MSG stock.Continue reading...

In a development that surprised no one, Fox News announced that Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska and 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, will join the right-leaning network as a “contributor.”

Despite some predictable partisan reaction, the move makes sense for both the Fox brand as well as Brand Maverick, according to commentary from sources ranging from the Christian Science Monitor to MarketWatch. Though her political memoir, “Going Rogue,” won’t be pried off the bestseller lists anytime soon, the initial publicity blitz has waned, and despite boasting a Facebook page with 1.2 million fans, Palin needs her brand to remain relevant, at least until the 2012 election cycle begins.Continue reading...

AT&T not at fault for poor service, but Apple technology. Allegedly. [Consumerist]

21 ways to commit brand suicide. [Econsultancy]

Apple is the Brand of the Decade. [AdWeek]

Fox News asks Glenn Beck to clarify his status as a paid endorser for Goldmine. [Mediaite]

It's finally here! The Droid has landed! [PC World]

Will Oprah move her show to her cable network? [NY Times]

Unilever may cut prices, denies interest in Cadbury. [Times of London]

Walt Disney's Florida sports complex gets ESPN rebrand. [NY Times]

Starbucks will offer Seattle's Best coffee in Subway shops. [Seattle Times]

Verizon Wireless claims AT&T lawsuit has "no merit." [BrandWeek]

Three Fiat cars will be sold under the Chrysler brand. [NY Times]

(More headlines: New LA Times website, Izod sponsors IndyCar.)Continue reading...