Military financial services company USAA (short for United Services Automobile Association) is the #1 brand for customer experience in America, according to the just-released 2011 survey ranking the top 100 brands, as selected by US consumers polled by Nunwood.

Based in San Antonio, Texas, USAA ranked first with a 8.34 CEM rating for consistently delivering on its brand promise: “For those who stood tall for this country and for their families, we stand ready to return the favor.”Continue reading...

Turning to other "airline brands under fire", Southwest is losing its mojo and needs to work on restoring its reputation.

As Kenlie Tiggeman told NBC News, the airline, once revered as a trendy alternative brand in a highly competitive industry, needs sensitivity training. Tiggeman and her mother, Joan Charpentier, were on a layover in Dallas on Easter Sunday, when a Southwest employee singled them out (along with another passenger) for their weight. 

After a very public 45 minute conversation about their weight and clothing size, they were told by an agent they were — in words Southwest is still living down — “Too fat to fly,” said Tiggeman. "I asked him what the weight restrictions were and he said that he didn't know, just that we were too heavy to fly.” 

Did Southwest learn anything from last year's Kevin Smith debacle?Continue reading...

Lee Jeans gets its Brooklyn hipster on in new Chinese campaign.

Below: Geico's biggest fan, Nestea isn't ageist, a Taco Belle, and more.Continue reading...

American Express forms venture with French luxury e-tailer, vente-privee.com.

Ashton Kutcher tipped to fill Charlie Sheen void on Two and a Half Men.

Bing continues to capture more searches as Microsoft's antitrust saga comes to an end.

BlackBerry product placement on BBC version of The Apprentice raises eyebrows.

BMW and Audi vie for luxury auto lead.

Bravo TV star Bethenny Frankel sued by former manager for a piece of her just-sold business.

Chevron criticized for corporate citizenship campaign in California.

Facebook claims no smear campaign intended by PR firm Burson-Marsteller vs. Google.Continue reading...

Apple location-data controversy grows.

Barrick Gold to buy Equinox Minerals for $7.8 billion.

BBC challenges detailed in New York Times.

Boeing locates source of Southwest jet rupture.

Dell looks beyond PC business.

Ford outlook is bright as fuel-efficient models gain.

Google looks for new ways to make mobile search pay.Continue reading...

Citi says every single major automaker is a "sell" thanks to Japan supply/disruption issues as Honda faces US slowdown as parts-strapped Toyota cancels overtime at UK plants.

Audi to offer limited-edition “halo” cars to haunt BMW.

Dancing with the Stars faces heat over dancer's Playboy cover.

Dell increases investment in cloud computing.

Expedia plans to spin off TripAdvisor.

Genentech gets help from patients in Avastin fight.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...

In the wake of cracks being found in three Southwest planes, FAA calls for cross-airline inspections of Boeing 737s.

Texas Instruments acquires National Semiconductor for $6.5 billion.

Wachovia, now part of Wells Fargo, accused of drug cartel money-laundering.

American Airlines ends spat with Expedia.

Apple goes after Color and Instagram with iPhone's social photo stream, looks to become media gatekeeper.

CBS News anchor Katie Couric is negotiating her exit, and eyeing a syndicated talkshow with Jeff Zucker.Continue reading...