Nissan's humorous new advertising campaign for its Leaf all-electric vehicle, called “Gas Powered Everything,” breaks this week. The TV commercials depict an absurd world where the evolution of energy for devices we use has stopped at gasoline power. That includes nearly everything that we’re used to running on electric power, from alarm clocks to dentists’ drills.

Point made: Electric power is superior and certainly suitable for automobiles because, gee whiz, gasoline power isn’t suitable for everyday appliances. Ha ha.

As amusing and well executed as these ads might be, they raise the question: Is Nissan really going to drive home the right message with the new 60-second ad and 15-second teasers that promotes GasPoweredEverything.com — which redirects to its Facebook page?Continue reading...

Burger King tests menu diversification. 

BMW launches "Don't Txt and Drive" public-service campaign.

Church’s takes on Chik-fil-A in chicken-taste test campaign.

Diageo and Pernot Ricard battle in China.

Exxon fuels chemicals drive in Asia.

Fiat ends four decades of Chrysler sales in Europe.Continue reading...

Nissan's new campaign for the Leaf asks "What if everything ran on gas? Then again, what if everything didn't?" The 60-second spot above will premiere on TV during the June 12th NBA finals, while the 15-second teaser spots below are running this week.

Jalopnik calls the campaign funny, while CopyRanter finds it illogical but notes that Chevy's Volt (not the Toyota Prius) is the car it's aiming for. You?Continue reading...

Chrysler's Jeep division tapped brand fan Lenny Kravitz (who has driven one, and only one, for 16 years) as the face and voice of the 2011 Jeep Wrangler. The Grammy-winner's new single, Rock Star City Life, is on an album that won't be released until August. But TV viewers can check it out in the performer's new Jeep Wrangler commercial, "Adventure Swamp," above, which features his music (and driving), and promotes his new album at the end.

“Not only is Kravitz an outstanding singer, songwriter and performer, he is a long-time Jeep owner and fan of the brand,” commented Jeep CEO Mike Manley to The Wall Street Journal, adding that Kravitz was a perfect fit because he “understands the core values of the Jeep brand that include an authentic style, a no holds barred-adventurous approach to life, as well as mastering the ability to withstand the test of time.”Continue reading...

ABC tops survey of US TV-brand popularity.

Airbus plots production increase for A320 series.

Burger King struggles as it awaits impact from new menu items.

Chevron, Exxon Mobil and other oil companies defend tax breaks.

Cisco employees brace for layoffs.

DirecTV pumps up its premium channel.

Facebook thrown under the bus by Burson-Marsteller following PR campaign against Google.Continue reading...

Apple's latest iPad 2 customer: the Queen of England.

AT&T defends T-Mobile acquisition.

Cisco predicts more hardship and further job cuts.

Deutsche Borse head urges NYSE shareholders to approve merger.

Goldman Sachs reputation suffers in poll.

Hermes results quantify comeback of luxury sector.

J&J recalls HIV drug as its Cordis unit loses patent dispute to Boston Scientific.Continue reading...

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Taxi and Limousine Commissioner David Yassky today announced the winner of the city's Taxi of Tomorrow competition: the Nissan NV200.

“It’s going to be the safest, most comfortable and most convenient cab the City has ever had,” said Bloomberg at today's press conference about the winning vehicle, which will feature a paint job that pays tribute to the city's iconic Checker Cab company, which closed last year.

“We started this process to leverage our taxi industry’s purchasing power to get the highest quality taxi, one that that can expand and redefine the legendary image of New York City taxicabs," he added about the prize, which is worth $1 billion to the winning automaker.Continue reading...

Air Canada launches new regional brand to replace Jazz.

Amazon vs. Apple "app store" spat continues, while Apple moves to trademark "startup."

Apple iPad 2 finally goes on sale in Japan this week, plus 11 other countries.

Barclay's posts disappointing results.

BP's Russian saga continues as net profit rises, Gulf clean-up costs continue.

Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf ace crash tests.Continue reading...