Things are changing so fast in the US auto market that brands are looking at an entirely different picture now than they were six months ago. And they may be looking at yet another new picture six months hence.

But this week, two esteemed handicappers of automotive marketing took snapshots of how car brands are doing in presenting themselves. The big winners: BMW, Cadillac, Ford, Honda, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota.Continue reading...

The BlogHer network now reaches more than 26 million women monthly, according to Nielsen stats from January. So when it taps that base to better understand social media, apps, couponing, gaming and other digital and social marketing efforts, listen up!

The BlogHer 2011 Social Media Matters Study, released this morning, sheds light on some key consumer trends trends, including a shift away from ‘corporate sources’ (read: branded social messaging) and celebrity endorsements for information, and towards trusted bloggers — which may not be a huge surprise for a group that considers its members as trusted bloggers.Continue reading...

Google may be the target of a Us antitrust probe,  as brand's bid for Nortel’s patent assets coincides with Larry Page’s first day back as CEO.

Japan sets new radiation safety level for seafood after nuclear plant spews highly contaminated water into sea as Tepco shares plunge to record low. Also, Toyota reports misunderstanding over US impact and Honda targets rise in US sales but faces supply restrictions.

Amazon, Costco and Kohls are top brands for customer service in a new survey. 

BAT to develop “safer” nicotine products for long-term use. 

Boeing and Southwest deal with aftermath of fuselage tear.Continue reading...

America is the first nation to ban food imports from Japan's radiation zone, as tap water threat looms. The nation's disaster bill tops $309 billion and Tepco may receive up to $25 billion in loans. 

Aflac teams with Monster.com to find Gilbert Gottfried's replacement.

Apple pulls 'gay cure' iPhone app, brings iPad 2 to 25 more countries.

Cablevision tiles up to nine TV channels on a single screen.

CNN leads in cable news ratings while MSNBC loses ground.

Facebook and Twitter can't stop "poisoned links."Continue reading...

Here's the official Lady Gaga for MAC Cosmetics' Viva Glam commercial. More brandbitems this week:

• Toyota tweets from Japan. Open for business.

• Chrysler's Twitter feed got in hot water over tweeting that nobody in Motor City "knows how to (bleeped!) drive."Continue reading...

Interest  in the Millennials — the generation born between the late ‘70s and the early ‘90s — is greater than ever among brand marketers. And as the youngest members of this large generation reach legal drinking age, Millennials, who will make up 40% of Americans age 21 and over within the next 10 years, are about to become even more compelling for alcohol brands.

According to Nielsen, one of the biggest differences between Millennials and previous generations is that they are much more open to trying new alcoholic beverages. While most of them still prefer beer, they buy more wine and liquor than previous generations did at the same age. Thus the typical pattern of maturing into buying more wine and spirits later in life may not apply to them.Continue reading...

Apple opposes proposal on CEO succession planning, and reports iPhone in-app purchases almost equal to download revenue.

Billboard & Nielsen SoundScan list Taylor Swift as the top-selling and most-played artist of 2010.

FDA warns public of continued extortion scam by FDA impersonators.

Ford unveils Focus Electric with MyFord Mobile smartphone integration.

Emmanuelle Alt takes over as editor at French Vogue.Continue reading...

Android is booming thanks to Asia.

Boeing boosts jet prices, drops short-range carrier.
 
Boston Scientific abandons sale of pain-management unit.  

Brett Favre sits out Vikings vs. Giants game, ends streak at 297 NFL games. 

Comcast tests combo web/TV service.

Costco rebuffed by U.S. Supreme Court in challenge against Swatch's Omega watch brand.Continue reading...