Print newspapers may be dying a slow death, but those embroiled in a fight for survival are rolling out a whole slew of new ideas designed to attract new customers and keep the old ones.

The New York Times, one of the most venerable media brands in the US (and the world), is one example of a paper that's most definitely trying to keep up with the times.

The Times recently introduced a social news iPad app, News.me, that pulls data from Twitter and Bit.ly to provide users with a personalized news experience. But that's just the latest salvo from a publication that seems to be reinventing itself on the fly.

The Times still permits free online access (to registered users) to its content, but a paywall is looming that will lock down some of its information and make it available only to paid online subscribers.Continue reading...

Facebook

... refreshes its privacy policy in plain English

... will continue to share users' phone numbers (and spark privacy concerns)

... releases new comments plug-in for other sites

... is blamed for one in five US divorces

... builds traction for Ford's "Go. Do. Adventures" campaign

... will launch Premier League interactive "show" on Friday

... runs "Show Off Your Label" game in Fair Trade apparel promotion

... adds interactive flight booking with Malaysia Airlines

... may muscle into Twitter's space with Beluga acquisitionContinue reading...

Super Bowl XLV combatants, brand marketers including Kraft and Verizon, automakers and other game advertisers and fans gird for the game in north Texas this weekend between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Apple and Campbell Soup say that iAds are twice as effective as TV. 

AT&T reaches out to business users. 

BJ’s Wholesale places itself on auction block

BMW may lease, not sell, its Megacity EV.

Dunkin’ Donuts foresees 50% hike in expansion deals this year.Continue reading...

As Apple and News Corp. start wooing subscribers for their iPad newspaper, The Daily, The New York Times is perfecting its latest digital news product: News.me, a social news iPad app.

Pulling data from Twitter and Bit.ly, News.me (which is still in beta) is based on a users’ frequented news sites and friends’ Twitter streams, and uses sophisticated filtering techniques to track the number of times stories are checked and shared so the parcel of info delivered reflects the most popular news on the internet – a true social news app.

In contrast, The Daily is producing original reporting and videos with a staff of 100 journalists. Both will charge for the service, while News.me will be licensing articles from other news organizations and The Daily can pull in the best of the News Corp. network.Continue reading...

Alpha Natural Resources creates world’s third-largest coal producer. 

BP is expected to post a sharp jump in profits.

Chrysler reports $199 million quarterly loss.

ConAgra launches online cooking school to connect brands with blogging moms.

Cutting Edge Group's deal for The King’s Speech (which topped last night's SAG Awards) creates new model for film music.

Egypt swears in new government as first Americans evacuated.

Exxon posts 53% rise in quarterly earnings.Continue reading...

Super Bowl XLV will offer a match-up between classic franchises when the Green Bay Packers play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Arlington, Texas, on February 6. Mercedes-Benz hints at Super Bowl attack on Lexus with Serena Williams, while Papa John's, Intel, Monster, Dr Pepper, Denny's, Universal Orlando and text-answering service KGB take a pass on returning to this Super Bowl. Fox, meanwhile, rejects potentially controversial Super Bowl ad, creator says.

Air France to disclose safety criticisms of review panel.

The BBC is shedding about 25% of online staff, and moves away from celebrity coverage and in-depth financial analysis.

Conde Nast prepares “Bite me” campaign for Bon Appetit magazine.

Facebook reaches deal with German regulator over “friend-finder.”Continue reading...

Airbus says it’s ahead of rival Boeing on new-plane orders.

AOL bets on hyperlocal news with Patch.com.

BP deal with Russian oil giant Rosneft criticized on U.S. national-security grounds.

Campbell Soup targets China.

Fiat wins a crucial union vote agreeing to changes in a plant in Turin and plans product changes for Chrysler.

Hyundai ponders a second U.S. manufacturing plant despite UAW lobbying.

Johnson & Johnson looks to get its act together in drug aisle.Continue reading...

Bing and Kinect will be in the spotlight as part of Microsoft's ad buy during the Golden Globes.

Charlie Chaplin copyright issue affects 10-year-old's fundraiser.

Republican party chairman contender Michael Steele drops out as Reince Priebus is named.

BP boosts holdings in Russia, swapping $7.8 billion in stock for a 9.5% stake in state-owned Rosneft firm.

Facebook pitches UK advertisers with first summit.

First Direct claims its iPhone app is first transactional banking app.Continue reading...