At least one consumer products giant thinks the iPad is the next big thing.

Kraft Foods, the global purveyor of such brands as Cracker Barrel, Jello, Kool-Aid, Miracle Whip, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, and Ritz, was one of the first consumer products companies to recognize the capabilities of apps, launching the iFood Assistant in December 2008. The smartphone app for Apple's iPhone, iPod touch and RIM's BlackBerry is now in its second iteration, providing consumers with access to over 7,000 recipes, as well as a "smart" shopping list with store locator.

Now Kraft is bringing the same kind of menu magic to the iPad with a new application called Big Fork Little Fork, so-named because it's meant for kids of all ages.Continue reading...

Hugh Hefner's surprise bid to take Playboy private yesterday puzzles Wall Street. Minyanville Media CEO Todd Harrison gave an interesting take to Bloomberg TV.

AIG board to decide AIA's future.

Aon buys Hewit for $4.9 billion.

Bill Gates and Khosla Ventures invest $23.5 million in engine startup EcoMotors.Continue reading...

Lady Gaga has given a boost to Virgin Mobile and Miracle Whip via her video hit, Telephone, which has already been viewed 63 million times on YouTube. There’s nothing new to product placements like these – but what is new in this growing trend is the prominent positioning of brands in a clear bid for additional revenue.

Fueled by the growing shift from TV to Web viewing of music videos, record labels are now bullish on product placement as a gimmick to draw brands to advertise and consumers to buy. No longer just a sales tool for promoting a CD release, in-video products are, to borrow the singer's favorite word, a "monster" business.

And when you consider the power of her personal brand--Gaga now has more Facebook fans than any other living person--then the power of association becomes even more potent for the brands she's cozying up to in her videos.Continue reading...

The race by packaged food brands for popularity on social media is heating up. Two Kraft Foods brands, Oreo cookies and Wheat Thins crackers, are both stepping up campaigns and wooing consumers with new vigor.

Wheat Thins' new campaign, “The crunch is calling,” rewards fans who tweet (positively, of course) about the brand. A dedicated YouTube channel has been set up to follow a mobile team whose mission is “bestowing surprising treats to brand fans.”

The first such fan: Tabitha Hancock, a Twitter newbie. Her first tweet, posted June 14th, garnered her a shipment of Wheat Thins. On her Facebook page, which she invites others to check out, she says the Wheat Thins arrived on June 9th, curiously.Continue reading...

Just one hard-to-resist World Cup item, we promise: Tesco's singing sandwich. Why didn't we think of that?

Despite BP's battered image and financial reserves, the brand maintains its arts sponsorships.

Functional Lee Enfield sniper rifle… made of Legos, but definitely not for kids.

Not enough Lego brand-extension for you? This ice cube tray is pretty cool.

Artist creates Star Wars look book for fashion brands. Geek chic?Continue reading...

Universal opens its new Harry Potter attraction in Orlando today.

Airbus A380, the world's biggest aircraft, is a hot ticket for Air France, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qantas and other airlines.

BP CEO Tony Hayward's performance on the hot seat yesterday drew mixed reviews at home in the U.K. as Moody's cuts its rating again.

Marlboro's color-coded cigarette packs investigated by FDA.Continue reading...

Unphased by doping claims, Radio Shack rolls out new Lance Armstrong spot (above).

J&J faces Congressional hearing today over children's medicine recall as new questions arise.

Coca-Cola's FIFA World Cup trophy tour winds down, attracts record crowds.

Ford adds stock quotes, horoscopes and movies to in-car Sync app.

Pepsi's new brand challenge: think small.Continue reading...

BP is giving Florida $25 million to salvage tourism ahead of Memorial Day and released new footage (above) of clean up efforts in the Gulf. US Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, facing Congress today over the spill, said weaknesses at his agency contributed to the disaster.

Grocery manufacturers and packaged goods firms are taking a wait-and-see approach to FDA's new concern over BPA in cans.

Microsoft's new social smartphone, the Kin, targets hipsters with secret concerts while Intel's CMO pursues millennials with Vice partnership.

Facebook will simplify privacy options (as third party apps aim to appease rattled users) and launches new mobile site with no data fees.

Yahoo is buying news aggregator Associated Content for (reportedly) "slightly more" than $100 million.

Google will unveil WebM, a video platform, and an OnStar app with Chevy at its I/O developers conference in SF.Continue reading...