It’s only fitting that the world’s dominant social network will reportedly go public in the second quarter of 2012 in what could be the largest IPO by any technology or Internet company in history. Facebook hopes to raise $10 billion through a limited IPO that would value the company at an astounding $100 billion.

Of the thirteen IPOs completed at a value higher than $10 billion, three are U.S. companies according to Dealogic: Visa at $19.7 billion in 2008; General Motors at $18.1 billion in 2010; and AT&T Wireless Services Inc. at $10.6 billion in 2000. The largest U.S. Internet IPO to date was the $1.9 billion offering of Google shares in 2004, which valued Google at $23 billion.

Facebook will cross the 500-shareholder limit within the next month, triggering SEC requirement to publically disclose financial information by April. While 2011 saw promising debuts of online brands like Groupon and Pandora, maintaining those leads has underwhelmed expectations.Continue reading...

CastleVille, the latest bullet in Zynga’s arsenal, may help keep its anticipated post-Thanksgiving IPO squarely on track. The new Facebook game reached five million daily active users in its first six days, conquering CityVille's record, the most successful Zynga game to date, of 3.2 million daily active users six days after its launch, according to AppData. 

CastleVille, set as a medieval fantasy, gives players a chance to build and manage the Kingdom of their dreams. Launched in 17 languages, it poses serious competition for Electronic Arts’ The Sims Social with 6.1 million daily active users – and is growing faster than any other Zynga game at this early stage.Continue reading...

Adobe drops Flash for phones in bow to Apple.

Airbus delays A350 plane or parts shortages.

Caterpillar buys Chinese mining-machine maker.

Google chief returns to trim bloated ship.

Groupon holds on to cash, griping merchants.

J.C. Penney taps into talent from Apple.

James Murdoch insists he wasn't told about hacking evidence at News Corp.'s News of the World.Continue reading...

Michael Jackson's personal physician, Conrad Murray, found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

Republican presidential wannabe Herman Cain slapped with more charges of sexual harassment.

U.S. district judge sides with tobacco companies and finds FDA's proposed graphic cigarette packages unconstitutional.

Bank of America must pay $410 million to settle debit card overdraft class action suit.

Coca-Cola named Ad Age's marketer of the year.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg tells Charlie Rose that Steve Jobs was an advisor (but says Apple didn't attempt to buy him out).

Google's head lobbyist steps down.

National Geographic Channels names new U.S. president and CMO.

New York Times top digital exec announces retirement.

& Zynga reportedly plans post-Thanksgiving IPO, on Nov. 24.

For the return of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Mountain Dew this week broke the new commercial, above. Directed by McG of Charlie's Angels big screen fame, it was created by BBDO NY with Activision and the former military advisors who consult on Call of Duty, with sound design by Music and Strategy. (Watch behind-the-scenes footage here).

Below, watch another audiocentric spot — HTC's new spot for Rezound, its smartphone with Beats Audio by Dr. Dre — and more.Continue reading...

We will have more about Tower Heist on Monday. From the looks of it, the Madoff revenge tale offers plenty of opportunity for product placement. But what mall food court restaurant has completely unbranded packaging? (None, that's who.)

In the meantime, this weekend will also see the third installment of a trilogy responsible for one of the greatest product placements in the history of film.Continue reading...

P&G delays $1.5 billion sale of Pringles.

Facebook struggles to get advertisers to pay for exposure.

Los Angeles Dodgers are for sale, owner Frank McCourt confirms.

Apple sees new CEO Tim Cook make it his own.

Bank of America blinks and withdraws $5 debit-card fee.

Bloomberg Businessweek ad campaign pitches personality.

BMW may see profit lead evaporate as new 3 Series eats into earnings and is topped by Mercedes-Benz in U.S. October sales.Continue reading...

Amazon faces profit squeeze from rollout of Kindle Fire.

Caterpillar signals U.S. export expansion with higher profits.

Coca-Cola plans to unveil white can to promote polar-bear protection.

Groupon battles perceptions that it's still valued too high.

Kodak talks with hedge funds about rescue financing.

McDonald's launches McRib nationwide once again.

NASCAR goes to college to cultivate fans.Continue reading...