On the social web, “Brand perception changes at the speed of a mouse click,” as Eileen Brown, CEO of Amastra, puts it. Like it or not, mice are clicking and perceptions evolving as the leviathans of search and social joust for position.

Google+, still in its infancy, has already weathered its first crisis with a business-created page: a now-removed fake Google Plus page for Bank of America replete with mocking photos of former BofA CEO Kenneth Lewis, and incendiary messages such as: “Starting tomorrow, all Occupy Wall Street protestors with Bank of America accounts around the country will have their assets seized as part of BofA’s new Counter-Financial-Terrorism policy.” (The bank's official page is here.)

To avoid such future brandjacking, Google has partnered with six social media management firms — Buddy Media, Context Optional, Hearsay Social, Hootsuite, Involver, and Vitrue — to use their products to help brands better manage the Google+ platform. Its official Google+ page now features a check mark logo to show it's been verified by Google.

"I'm not surprised they're taking this step. We recommended as much to them during the pilot phase when Ford was allowed to have an account before other brands," commented Scott Monty, Ford Motor Company's global digital communications manager, in an email to ClickZ.

"Ultimately, a brand or business needs to be where its customers are," Buddy Media noted in a blog post. "Google+ has experienced tremendous growth since opening its doors to the general public. In just a few short months over 40 million people have created Google+ profiles and use the service to connect with each other and share content."Continue reading...

This week, Old Navy launches its 2011 holiday marketing campaign, which "invites customers to 'Come fun, Come all' and experience the secret source of all Old Navy fun — the place where the brand's quirkiest ideas are born and tested."

The "magical tour of where the brand's fun and quirky ideas are born and tested" is called "Funnovations Inc."

It's a way for Old Navy to breathe a little excitement into the brand by giving consumers a look at, and some input into, its product pipeline. The only question is if Old Navy used its Researchovations department to see if the Willy Wonka-esque "Funnovations" was already trademarked. (Hint: It is.)Continue reading...

Do you think model/singer Melissa Molinaro looks like Kim Kardashian in the Old Navy spot above? And who cares? Apparently Kardashian does, enough to sue Old Navy, according to TMZ. The gossip site claims:

We're told Kim is especially furious that Old Navy has been tweeting to her page about the look-alike -- in an effort to gain even more publicity. One of those tweets read, "@CBSNEWS reports that Old Navy's Super CUTE star looks like @kimkardashian. #LOL. What do you think?" We're told Kim believes the copycat campaign has damaged her wallet somewhere in the range of $15 to $20 million.

The spot debuted in February and quickly drew comparisons to Kardashian. A month later, Molinaro — a Canadian-born aspiring entertainer who appeared on MTV's Making the Band — addressed accusations that the brand was looking to kash in by hiring her as a Kardashian Klone in an interview (watch below) with E! Online, which also called her "Kim Fauxdashian."Continue reading...

BMW Canada spot featuring the world's highest helipad goes viral; here's part one of the campaign.

"It’s a live market with growing economy and people fond of meat." — Wendy's exec explains Russia launch.

Below: Smurfs, Lady Gaga, sea monkeys and more.Continue reading...

As part of June’s “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month,” Gap Inc.’s Old Navy is selling gay pride t-shirts under the banner, "Love Proudly: Pride 2011" — a move that has not only (predictably) irked the anti-gay faction, but also (surprisingly) the gay community.Continue reading...

Old Navy's sense of humor has gotten a lot sharper since its days giggling about passive-aggressive mannequins. In several viral videos that don't even mention Old Navy at all, the HQ of things with cargo pockets takes, and lands, a few shots at conventional fashion.

Better yet are the comments, proving a few people didn't get the memo.Continue reading...

BP now says Rosneft deal is really dead.

Citigroup confirms data breach.

Exxon unveils major oil and gas find in the Gulf of Mexico.

Financial Times circumvents Apple sales system with app.

L’Oreal heiress saga continues.

Nokia sees departure of chief technology officer.Continue reading...

Andre Agassi expands commitment to charter schools.

Apple signs deal with Universal Music Group and other publishers for iCloud.

AT&T Wireless CEO "not happy" with US network.

Benetton refreshes visual branding.

Citigroup shuts down $400M hedge fund in wake of new regulations.

Denny's all-you-can-eat pancakes inspires teen marathon.

Disney, looking up at the cloud, relaunches Disney.com to offer TV and film titles.Continue reading...