ABC's Desperate Housewives renew contracts with eight-figure salaries. 

Amazon launches $25 cheaper ad-supported Kindle.

NFL players, owners ordered to start federal mediation.

Donald Trump goes on the warpath against New York media.

BP gives Florida $30 million for advertising.

Costco undercuts cheapest gas prices but stocks $1M diamond ring.

David Beckham says he will collaborate on a kids clothing line with pal Snoop Dogg.

Experian says 30% of searches came from Bing last month.Continue reading...

When is a sports car not a sports car? When it’s a minivan – sort of.

In a new advertising campaign for its slow-selling 911, Porsche Cars North America is repositioning the $78,000-to-$143,000 sports car as an “everyday” vehicle.

Think the 911 is only good for its fantasy-fulfillment chops? Think again.Continue reading...

Nikkei slips as another earthquake hit Japan Sunday, as Tepco head pressured to quit after costing shareholders $26 billion; fear of radiation and shortages drives panic buying of Japanese goods; auto industry suffers as Toyota, Honda and others stand to lose billions in revenue; and Wal-Mart reopens 12 quake-hit stores.

Google to launch in-app billing for Android; woos celebs to create themed channels on YouTube; and works on mobile payments as near field communications battle looms. CEO Larry Page, meanwhile, is working on cutting red tape and fostering internal communications.

BlackBerry-maker RIM is in "slow-motion decline," says WSJ, while acquires mobile tool developer.

Facebook is reportedly in talks to hire former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs; and updates Questions in boost for brands.Continue reading...

Apple's Steve Jobs re-elected to Disney board despite health concerns.

Bank of America cautioned by the Federal Reserve.

Coca-Cola wraps up Maroon 5 24-hour crowdsourcing experiment.

Firefox 4 downloads eclipse Internet Explorer 9.

Groupon CEO disputes ComScore traffic figures. 

Gucci sponsors Grammy's music preservation program.Continue reading...

US announces Japan evacuation plan as more "heroic workers" battle radiation crisis.

Acura extends cross-promotion deal with W Hotels.

Amazon pressured to pay state sales taxes from brick-and-mortar retailers including Wal-Mart and Target.

Citi tops list of banks that received federal aid.

Coca-Cola sees Diet Coke overtake Diet Pepsi for the first time.

GE, eBay and Aflac ranked among the world’s “most ethical” companies.

Groupon said to discuss IPO with valuation of up to $25 billion.Continue reading...

When it comes to climate change, consider the conversion of Admiral David Titley, Chief Oceanographer and Navigator of the US Navy. The former climate skeptic is now a climate crusader, convinced that this issue is the greatest challenge of the 21st century.

According to one estimate, about two-thirds of Interbrand's latest ranking of the top 100 best global brands could step up on the climate change front.

The research firm's new "Cool Brands versus Hot Brands" report (here's a .pdf) assesses the world's leading brands on their current and long-term policies around sustainability, carbon emissions, and specifically climate change.

An estimated 69% lack adequate policies, management systems and reporting, according to the analysis by EIRIS, which is short for Experts in Responsible Investment Solutions.Continue reading...

Academy Awards aims to capture TV/Twitter audience.

Adidas invites fans to name matchball at London 2012 Olympics.

Aldi takes a bite out of the Big Apple. 

Apple may bring out new Macbook Pro line this week.

BBC scraps BBC America newscast, looks to expand US distribution for BBC World  News channel.

BMW to unveil new model.Continue reading...

A modern update of 1992's Single White Female, psychological thriller The Roommate emerged as the cinematic victor of Super Bowl weekend. The film, #1 in North America with $15.6 million at the North American box office, is packed with brands — but very few stand out.

But this being a Sony Pictures production, we did not want of Sony products. And in the end, the most interesting plot twist of The Roommate is the ironic anti-Facebook Facebook-like site created for the film.Continue reading...