Amazon expands into original programming for web and TV, while Senate bill may close Virginia's "Amazon loophole."

Angry Birds lands on Facebook.

Apple shares close above $500, breaking more records, while brand announces iPad 3 release for March 7, testing "iPad Mini" tablet with smaller screen.

Burt's Bees launches spinoff aimed at Gen Y.

Chipotle steals buzz at Grammy's with Willie Nelson/Coldplay commercial.

Ford may have last laugh over Chevrolet with Super Bowl truck ad.

Google sees Motorola Mobility acquisition approved by EU and US.Continue reading...

ABC handles product placement delicately for Modern Family.

American Ethanol sponsors NASCAR drivers.

Apache makes $3-billion acquisition in U.S. oil business.

Apple raises "made-in-America" questions about iPhone manufacturing.

BlackBerry future questioned as RIM's new CEO takes the reins.

Carnival CEO lies low during crisis as his company mishandles communications with survivors of shipwreck.

Cisco tests LinkedIn marketing campaign.

Facebook wants to become a bigger news player.

Fisker battles problems across the EV company.Continue reading...

The chips are down for Sears, as they have been so often over the last few decades. Its latest round of closings of its Sears and Kmart stores, announced shortly after Christmas, may be the first ring of a death knell that could attend what used to be America's biggest retailer and the namesake of the building that originally was known as Sears Tower, in Chicago.

But Sears continues to go down fighting. In the past, it continually has attempted to offset its failing relevance as a retailer of soft goods and concentrate on areas and brands where Americans continue to rely on Sears, including Kenmore appliances and Craftsman tools.

The latest tactic: taking advantage of Sears' underappreciated but significant role as an outlet for fitness equipment. Few know that the retailer is America's no. 1 seller of fitness equipment, so it's stepping up its attention to the sector through branded content, community and conversation.Continue reading...

Adidas taps Katy Perry for new campaign.

AFL-CIO launches image campaign.

Airbus posts record sales.

American Airlines stops flying to India, sacks 150 workers.

AOL leads companies testing crowdsourcing.

Apple expands iTunes Match, reportedly preps interactive textbooks for the iPad, while pre-earnings valuations vary.

BASF halts its genetically modified products in Europe, including its Amflora potato.

Beats Electronics breaks up with Monster.

Beyonce accused of skin-lightening in album promotion, gives first post-baby interview.

BlackBerry-maker RIM criticized by analysts for PlayBook incompatability.

BMW recalls 89,000 Mini vehicles.

Burberry quarterly profits jump 22%.

Carnival faces heat in wake of Italy shipwreck, its worst accident in 40 years, as environmental fears mount and cruise industry is rocked.

M&M's will introduce a sixth candy character — Ms. Brown — in its Super Bowl commercial, while Kia plans 60-second commercial with Adriana Lima and Motley Crue, in keeping with trend to longer Super Bowl spots.Continue reading...

Apple suspends iPhone 4S sales in China after riot breaks out at Beijing launch.

Delta eyes bid for American Airlines, AFP says, and so do others.

MetLife cuts 4,300 jobs as company exits mortgage business.

BMW and Daimler plan to raise U.S. output.

Bank of America ponders retreat from some regions of U.S.

Best Buy sees fallout from holiday delivery foul-up.

CBS talks with David Letterman about a new contract.

CVS Caremark settles deceptive-pricing charges.

Chipotle plans to open second ShopHouse Asian restaurant.

Coca-Cola expands social marketing to Tumblr.Continue reading...

Archer-Daniels-Midland to cut 1,000 jobs.

Arby's hires ex-Burger King marketer as CMO.

Bank of America and other U.S. banks struggle with customer service on Twitter.

Bing passes Yahoo for the first time.

CBS sees Ashton Kutcher consider return to Two and a Half Men.

Chrysler nudges up Jeep Wrangler output.

Coca-Cola finds fungicide in orange juice.

Continental could add extra fuel tanks to deal with unscheduled stops.

Downton Abbey frenzy in America creates marketing hook for book industry.Continue reading...

Yahoo close to naming new CEO. Update: it's confirmed — PayPal president Scott Thompson has been hired.

Microsoft sues UK retailer for selling fake Windows CDs.

Sears tries to overcome struggles with new marketing talent.

Apple challenged by iPhone clones in China ahead of iPhone 4S arrival next week.

Dollar General announces major expansion plans for 2012.

FedEx and UPS are benefiting from online sales practices.

Florida citrus growers brace for freeze.

Ford plans to unveil SUV in India.Continue reading...

As we watch for innovative holiday campaigns this season, the Sears Cheer Tree caught our eye. It's an online interactive mosaic built with user submitted photos of their favorite holiday decorating style tips and traditions. In return for sharing, consumers can unlock special holiday shopping deals secreted within the mosaic. 

The campaign was designed by Attention, working with Hashtag Art, which organizes user-generated content by tags to create a visual mosaic, or as they put it: “consumers BECOME the advertisement.” Hashtagart’s proprietary technology and suite of apps leverage consumers to spread a brand's message. 

The app begins as a blank canvas, and contributors tweet or Facebook-post a message and their profile image instantly generates a tile for the mosaic.Continue reading...