If Keith Olbermann were one of those National Football League players he used to cover for ESPN, and he had just been fined by the commissioner for a helmet-to-helmet hit, he’d probably be an unapologetic linebacker with a nickname like The Decapitator.

Olbermann survived the TV-news equivalent of a two-game suspension when MSNBC put him back on the air last night after a few days without pay for violating the network’s policy banning political contributions without a doctor’s note (er, prior permission of the honchos). Olbermann’s offense? $7,200 in pre-election political contributions, undisclosed to the brass – one of them coming immediately after airing an interview with the candidate.

But rather than apologize to the MSNBC chieftains after the brief if pointed unpaid leave, Olbermann resurfaced – surprise – with a big chip on his shoulder.Continue reading...

BP took an uncalled-for risk in the hours before the well blow-up, an investigator says.

Bayer champions benefits of “umbrella branding.”

Chevron makes bigger bet on natural gas through acquisition.

Facebook drives U.K. online display market.

Ford promotes a new brand “spirit” online.

General Motors reportedly will drop its venerable Mr. Goodwrench brand.

Groupe Danone is talking with Japanese suitors about selling bottled-water unit that includes Evian brand.

MSNBC puts Keith Olbermann back on the air, while the host apologizes to fans – but not the network.

Procter & Gamble and Wal-Mart perform best in their categories, according to their trading partners in a new study.

Rolls-Royce narrows in on cause of engine fire in Qantas aircraft.

Sara Lee sells bakery unit.

Vodafone to exit Softbank of Japan.

BMW to begin selling first hybrid supercar in 2013. 

Canada celebrates being named #1 nation brand of 2010.

Chevrolet turns to TV stars for new ad campaign for the Duramax version of its Silverado Heavy-Duty truck. 

Hulu Plus is now open for business. 

Microsoft’s Kinect isn’t “racist,” Consumer Reports finds. 

MSNBC suspended Keith Olbermann indefinitely and without pay after liberal firebrand host donated money last week to three Democratic candidates without clearing it first with his bosses.

Qantas makes another emergency landing in Singapore.

The latest product recalls dinging brands: Graco (2 million strollers following infant strangulation deaths), Chrysler (26,000 vehicles, fluid leak check), Volvo (10,000 vehicles, air bags system check).

Apple unveiled two new MacBook Air ultralight laptops (that use flash memory for storage instead of hard drives) at a Back to Mac even, where it also promised updated software for its Macintosh computers that borrows FaceTime and other features from its iPhone and iPad. Also featured: improved iLife '11 personal productivity suite and a sneak peek at Mac OS X Lion.

AT&T will offer WellDoc’s FDA-approved mobile phone-based diabetes management solution to select employees.

BET goes pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.Continue reading...

Wal-Mart  is focusing on smaller-format stores, bringing back "Action Alley" — wide aisles filled with palettes of discounted merchandise — and offering same-day pickup for online purchases in an effort to jumpstart sluggish U.S. sales.

Apple shares pass $300 for first time on promise of iPad, China expansion.

Bing is adding a social layer to its search results, with a little help from Facebook.

Bit.ly now generates QR codes in addition to short URLs.

Domino's unveils first new pizza since reformulating its recipe.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...

Continental won't be part of Lincoln's immediate future.

Ford designs Amazing Race-type promotion for the new Focus.

Guinness World Records is helping brands dream up marketing stunts.

Marvel Entertainment takes the long view in promoting The Avengers, a movie not due out until 2012.

Mercedes-Benz relies on testimonials in new ads for the safety of its vehicles.Continue reading...

We've been watching the ups and downs (mostly downs) of CNN for some time now. The trials and tribulations of this once leading cable television brand seem to be a heck of a lot more interesting than its programming.

We recently reported that anchor Campbell Brown has decided to throw in the towel, not long after Lou Brown and Christiane Amanpour departed. Chalk it up to sinking ratings and heated competition from MSNBC on the left and Fox News Channel on the right.

Now CNN is faced with another looming dilemma: What to do with the Larry King Live 9 PM Eastern time slot. As with other CNN programs, this long-running interview show has been sliding; in fact, it has lost as much as half its audience since the presidential election. The 76-year old King, often accused of being patronizing and asking only easy questions, is apparently not ready to retire -- but his contract is up a year from June, and CNN will not say if it will be renewed.Continue reading...