Amazon projects 5M Kindle sales by year-end.

American Airlines makes long-awaited proposal to pilot union.

American Express expands Small Business Saturday.

Apple strikes up iTunes Match as Google prepares music launch.

AstraZeneca sees that its anti-cholesterol drug Crestor fails to beat Lipitor, by Pfizer, in new study.

AT&T and Verizon expand via cloud services.

BMW launches on-demand music service with MOG.

Cracker Barrel finally targets local customers.

Ford partners with Zynga for Escape launch.Continue reading...

Of the handful of movies opening this weekend, only one -- Adam Sandler's "Jack and Jill" -- has anything to offer the practice of product placement. But that one promises to make up for all the others.

This year has already seen one product-packed Adam Sandler movie. February's "Just Go With It" featured nearly 50 brands, from YSL to Budweiser to Pizza Hut and Pepsi to Sony Ericsson.

And sure, the best Adam Sandler movie jokes now appear in the reviews before the film's release, but in the last 13 years the actor/producer has 12 $100-million films. So when Adam Sandler farts, brands listen. Continue reading...

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen may have its home base thousands of miles away, but don’t think that’s going to stop it from taking over as much of California — specifically, Southern California — as it can.

Restaurant News reports that the 39-year-old Louisiana-based fried chicken fast food restaurants “has launched an aggressive growth plan to increase its presence in Southern California.”

To that end, according to Popeyes' own press release, it's “seeking bold, passionate multi-unit operators to invest in new restaurants in Los Angeles and San Diego.”

Restaurant News notes that the company’s dollar share of the chicken quick-serve restaurant business is at a 10-year peak in the US. To help ease fears of potential franchisees, Popeyes is hosting two seminars this month in L.A. and San Diego.Continue reading...

Wikileaks spoofed Mastercard's "Priceless" campaign this week. Watch the spot below, along with new perfume commercials featuring Scarlett Johansson and Christina Aguilera, plus place branding with a twist and more.Continue reading...

Pizza Hut, America’s largest pizza chain, 7,200 restaurants strong, has thrown down the gauntlet (again) against global hunger with "Share a Slice of Hope."

"Global hunger statistics are astounding, with nearly one billion people going days or weeks without a substantial meal," said Scott Bergren, Pizza Hut CEO in a release. "We want to make a difference and we're asking our customers and employees to 'Share a Slice of Hope' with those in need. Just $1 donated to the World Hunger Relief campaign feeds four children in need." 

Pizza Hut’s campaign, accessible on multiple donation channels including its website, has social gaming giant Zynga in its court for the first ever offline-to-online contribution rewards-based play.Continue reading...

What do fried chicken, the song Happy Birthday, George Clooney, and Johnny Depp have in common? Count them as some of Kentucky's greatest cultural influences of all time, along with bourbon, Muhammad Ali, and the Kentucky Derby. They even claim to be the birthplace of the high five. So why embrace all of this now?

Because, according to Kentucky, "We know this, but the world needs to know too." With the help of the American public and probably mostly Kentuckians, Kentucky for Kentucky is going to crowd-fund (via Kickstarter), produce, and air the "most epically kick ass Super Bowl 2012 commercial" for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.Continue reading...

BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche hit Frankfurt Auto Show with luxury cars retooled for younger generation, while Maserati brings Jeep-based SUV to Frankfurt.

ConAgra sets deadline for Ralcorp.

Cracker Barrel's new CEO outlines her plan amidst shareholder battle.

Dr. Oz shakes apple juice industry to the core.

eBay hit by criminal probe over use of Craigslist information.

Heineken-sponsored private concert in Brooklyn by Kanye West released by Vevo.

Ikea dispels death of Billy (bookcase) rumors.

KFC Australia pulls campaign claiming free range chickens.

Lady Gaga releases second in series of "fashion films" on YouTube.Continue reading...

America and the world grieve and reflect on tenth anniversary of 9/11 on Sunday.

Amazon gets one-year sales-tax reprieve from California legislature; displaces Apple in brand loyalty survey; and may be working on a Netflix for books.

AOL and Yahoo struggle for identity.

AT&T revamps stores for tablet push.

Coca-Cola brings PlantBottle packaging to the UK.

Facebook, Skype and YouTube head "breakaway brands" report.Continue reading...