Best Buy admits UK launch lacked impact.  

Bridgelux raises $21M in funding.

CNN anchor says network is getting outFoxed in 2010 election prep. 

Coca-Cola recognized for packaging design while Pepsi unveils "skinny can."  

eBay prepares plan to help PayPal repel Google and Apple threats. 

Facebook gains foothold in China with Hong Kong office.Continue reading...

Brand managers kept Nissan out of last month's Detroit Auto Show and Sunday's Super Bowl TV lineup, but they’re doing plenty of other things to make sure the company capitalizes on its increasingly strong performance in the U.S. auto market.

For several months, Nissan could rely on buzz about its Leaf all-electric vehicle to supply marketing energy behind the overall brand. But now that Leaf is on the market, the Nissan brand is moving into the next phase, as the American arm of the Japanese automaker tries to close the gap with its relatively stagnant main rivals, Toyota and Honda.

The biggest marketing gambit for Nissan — its sponsorship of the upcoming Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.Continue reading...

Nissan today released a new spot, above, that features the moving story of electric car activist turned brand ambassador (and employee) Paul Scott.

For all of its acknowledged leadership in the U.S. market these days – share gains, social-media marketing success, and industry-leading in-car connectivity to name just three areas – Ford has a potentially important weakness: all-electric vehicles.

At a North American International Auto Show that displays more electric vehicles than a golf-course cart shed, Ford has been at a bit of a disadvantage in touting its “electrification” plan, a strategy to develop a variety of EVs: hybrid electrics, plug-in electrics and all-electrics.Continue reading...

When it comes to the $4-a-gallon gasoline that many analysts say is headed America’s way once again, come spring, there’s not much the auto industry can do with products to address the problem in the short term.

Having new hybrids and all-electric vehicles to display almost has become mere table stakes at the North American International Auto Show this week. But most of those remain future prospects. And even brands that already are selling advanced electrified vehicles — Chevrolet, with its Volt, and Nissan, with Leaf — can only produce a relative handful of them so far. General Motors eventually plans to offer at least one EV under each of its brands, CEO Dan Akerson told reporters today.

What will probably leave the industry with a big challenge to its fledgling sales recovery in coming weeks: How do automakers overcome the demonstrated aversion that Americans display to rising gasoline prices, and keep customers coming into dealer showrooms?

Joel Ewanick, GM’s global chief marketing officer, tells brandchannel he has some tricks up his sleeve.Continue reading...

Nissan hasn’t participated in the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) since 2008, and its three-year absence is still felt as the Detroit Auto Show kicks off today — particularly as it's got a story to tell, with its Leaf electric vehicle now rolling out. 

Over the weekend, company executives got ahead of what were sure to be endless questions from automotive reporters at the show about Nissan’s intentions for the next Detroit auto show: Nissan announced that it will return to NAIAS in 2012.Continue reading...

Apple won't exhibit at CES in Las Vegas this week, where competitors (including Vizio) will unveil tablets that will take aim at the iPad; and increases Q1 orders for the iPhone in advance of Verizon launch.

Arnold Schwarzenegger leaves office after seven years as governor of California.

Australia braces for damages claims as flooding projected "to last weeks."

Bank of America sees home loan charge, buys back bad loans and mounts defense against WikiLeaks.

Best Buy aims to become a major content creator online.

Buzz Aldrin sues over use of his image on moonwalk trading card.Continue reading...

Most automakers are fired up about prospects for the new year, and their growing optimism is reflected in at least two significant ways: brand plans to participate in Super Bowl TV advertising on February 6, and to show up at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in mid-January.

Curiously, however, Nissan is sitting out both of those seminal arenas for automotive marketing and branding.Continue reading...