Google Nexus NYC tablet launch delayed by Hurricane Sandy, sells out online.

Pearson and Bertelsmann strike deal to combine Penguin and Random House publishing houses, thwarting News Corp.

Honda cuts full-year outlook over anti-Japan sentiment in China.

Audi repeats goal to match 2011 operating profit in 2012.

British Airways launches customer recognition program.

Burger King third-quarter net income falls, still beats estimates.

Burt's Bees "deflakes" with billboard and video campaign.

Cadillac raises prices in bid for luxury credibility.Continue reading...

P&G sees profit soar and revenue drop in latest earnings report.

Kimberly-Clark pulls back in Europe.

Twitter encourages brands to find and use their authentic voice.

Apple earnings report on Thursday will be closely watched.

AT&T sees slowing in wireless-subscriber growth.

Barbie CMO looks to Royal Caribbean cruise experience launch in new year.

Best Buy shakes up management.Continue reading...

U.S. auto sales had their best month in three years in August, but you don’t necessarily have to put out any cold, hard cash if you want some new wheels. It might help, though, if you can dance and know how to operate a video camera.

Korea’s Kia Motors is offering up a brand spanking new $14,400 2013 Kia Soul for whoever can come up with a 90-second music video that judges and consumers fall for — and raises the question of whether Kia has accepted the mantle of "hamster brand" after its CMO told Ad Age he wanted to avoid that nickname.

The contest ties in with its latest Hamsterrific ad campaign, the "Bringing Down the House" commercial that debuted during the MTV Video Music Awards telecast last week, that features those shuffling hamsters again — only this time around they go back in time to win over a snooty crowd of pompadoured, poufy opera fans.Continue reading...

With its newest campaign, "The Ex," Citi is extolling its Private Pass cardmember perks program by tapping into the buzz around the MTV Video Music Awards this week.

Debuting the first national campaign for the program during Thursday night's VMAs telecast, the goal is to associate Citi-enabled insider access with acquired cool by rubbing shoulders with more celebrities than ever before: the intimacy of attending exclusive events, such as a foodie event with chefs Giada DiLaurentiis and Daniel Boulud, or a private concert for Citi customers by VMAs performer Alicia Keys, the opportunity to play basketball with Dwyane Wade and John Calipari, or a Sunday football viewing party with John Madden.

It's also hoping, of course, to distinguish its member perks program from what American Express offers.Continue reading...

The London Olympics have been over for nearly a month and most Americans have pretty much forgotten – if they ever even knew – the names of such competitors as wrestler Jacob Varner, diver David Boudis, and boxer Claressa Shields.

Sure, they all won gold medals, but in sports that Americans watch by the millions. Gymnast Gabby Douglas and swimmer Ryan Lochte, who were two of the biggest American brands coming out of the Games, are lucky enough to have selected sports that more U.S. residents care about. So these two, along with the marketing geniuses assigned to them, are doing everything they can to help Americans stick their names into the permanent memory book that already features such folks as Bruce Jenner, Mary Lou Retton, and Eric Heiden.Continue reading...

Apple seeks to create web radio Pandora rival as TV talks bog down with content companies.

Beyonce-backed House of Dereon fashion label sags.

Bobbi Brown Cosmetics reveals Katie Holmes campaign.

Cablevision refreshes Optimum brand.

Elizabeth Arden launches Nicki Minaj's perfume debut, Pink Friday.

Emporio Armani becomes first brand to partner with Spotify.

Fashion's Night Out brings out global fashionistas.

Ford expands offerings for Europe.

Grand Marnier launches experiential rooftop bubble bar in London.

IHOP partners with PepsiCo's Quaker Oats brand.Continue reading...

Back in April, PepsiCo announced a global marketing platform, a music-based initiative dubbed Live For Now, with Nicki Minaj as its launch brand ambassador. Already incorporating Twitter as its key social partner for Live for Now, Pepsi is now looking to tap into music fans tuning into the Video Music Awards by signing up for MTV's advertising product, Reverb, which places ads on television, MTV's website and its new WatchWith social TV app simultaneously.

The year-old app, downloaded close to one million times, lets fans follow Facebook comments and tweets about a particular program (along with information about past episodes) and as of three months ago, banner ads were introduced. So tonight, during the MTV Video Music Awards, rapper Minaj will appear in a new Pepsi commercial at 8:30 pm and anyone on the mobile app or MTV.com will see the interactive ad, too. (Minaj recently held a Live for Now concert in New York with Pepsi and Fuse.)

"It is a little bit of the Wild West but what we know the adoption and usage is only growing. We are going to have to have a solution," observed Chad Stubbs, senior director of media for beverages at PepsiCo, to the Wall Street Journal.Continue reading...

AT&T plans to open Chicago flagship store today that nods to Apple.

Al Jezeera bets on soccer to win U.S. viewers.

Apple rejects app that tracks U.S. drone strikes.

Barilla makes pasta push in U.S.

Beachbody sees PX90 orders rise thanks to Paul Ryan's abs.

Facebook plans to roll out e-mail and phone-number targeting.

Ford is accused of infringing on fuel-injection patent in F-150.

Hyundai seals wage deal with unions. Continue reading...