In the News: Gap, Mercedes, News Corp.

Amazon's competition heats up.

CBS touts upscale viewership early in new U.S. TV season.

EA Sports’ viral campaign features NBA star Steve Nash.

Eebee takes on baby video market.

Gap ditches its classic square logo.

GE is buying Dresser for $3 billion.

Google adds New York state to roster of education partners.

Honda launches social-media campaign to drive people to its new documentary series.

HP focuses on making “connections” to consumers.

Interflora sends glum Twitter users surprise bouquets.

J&J reaches $2.4 billion deal for Crucell.

Liverpool's soccer club is being sold to Boston Red Sox owners.

McDonald's opens its 300th Ronald McDonald House.

Mercedes extends loans to recent college grads.

Motorola open to Microsoft partnership despite suit.

NBC Universal invests in Invidi’s addressable-advertising system.

News Corp. is preparing a digital news aggregation platform.

Nissan prepares Smart-branded small car for Penske.

SAP launches "Run Better" global brand marketing campaign.

Smirnoff creates its own reality-TV show.

Tesco expands into mortgage business, plans "massive" acceleration of U.S. stores.

Time Warner finds ally in Google for Web TV.

Toyota offers Lexus rebates to spur brand's sales.

Tribune Company woes detailed in today's NYT.

Volkswagen expands output to China of a new sedan for the U.S. market.

Wellstream rejects GE takeover offer.

Yahoo buys ad-tech startup Dapper.

& Retail brands' holiday sales hinge on discounts.