From the Wall Street Journal | Europe’s highest court has ruled that Anheuser-BuschInBev cannot get a trademark for the Budweiser brand across the continent.
Filed under: Advertising/Marketing
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Guy who saved Comcast via Twitter leaves for Citi
Goodbye, Comcast Twitter guy.
Frank Eliason, the social-media apostle who responded to tens of thousands of online Comcast Corp. customer complaints in the last two years, is leaving the cable company to help banking giant Citigroup Inc. connect with customers online. Get the full story »
Colgate sues to use “nurdle” on toothpaste
In a battle between two big toothpaste makers, Colgate-Palmolive Co. sued GlaxoSmithKline Plc Thursday, seeking a court order that its use of the “Triple Action” tagline and a three-stripe “nurdle” does not infringe the latter’s trademarks.
Colgate said it is concerned that Glaxo, which makes Aquafresh toothpaste, might sue over its use of the nurdle, given that the British company recently filed a trademark application that covers its design. Get the full story »
Procter & Gamble to sponsor next 5 Olympics
Procter & Gamble Co. said it will sponsor the next five Olympic Games, through 2020.
The deal, announced with the International Olympic Committee, starts with the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Financial terms were not disclosed. Get the full story »
Playboy launches ’safe-for-work’ site
Looking to expand viewership among those who might court a lawsuit if they fired up the regular Playboy.com site at work, Playboy Enterprises Inc. today announced something called TheSmokingJacket.com, which the company bills as a “new safe-for-work men’s entertainment destination that provides guys with smart and sexy distractions throughout the day.”
Safe for work means no nudity, but plenty of Playboy-style hormonal prurience. One of the lead stories on the site: “How to Get Laid at Work.” Another: “7 Signs That You’ve given Up on Getting Laid.” Playboy founder Hugh Hefner greets viewers to the site in a weird little 21-second video of him sitting on a couch in, yes, his trademark smoking jacket.
“Next to the mansion it’s the best hang out on the planet,” Hefner says of the new site. Get the full story »
Groupon founder: Company not considering IPO
From Bloomberg | In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Andrew Mason, chief executive officer of Groupon Inc., discussed his company’s business strategy and the prospects for an initial public offering, as well as possible partnerships with media companies — “something where they can maybe replace one of their traditional boring display ads [on the web] with a Groupon that’s relevant to their users.”
Cleveland sour grapes become LeBron bitter beer
A Cleveland brewery is re-releasing a bitter beer inspired by LeBron James’ decision to leave the Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.
Great Lakes Brewing Co. says 30 gallons of “Quitness” ale sold out in three hours Wednesday at the company’s downtown brewpub. Get the full story »
Aon Manchester United jersey unveiled in Chicago
Aon CEO Greg Case shakes hands with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson after they unveiled the teams new uniform in Chicago. (AP)
The new Manchester United home jersey featuring the logo of Chicago-based Aon Corp. was revealed last night at an event at Chicago’s Niketown store on Michigan Avenue.
“The Manchester United shirt is an iconic image in the world of sport, and we are honored to appear on it,” said Greg Case, president and chief executive officer of Aon. “Starting today millions of people worldwide will begin to know yet another leading team: Aon.” Get the full story »
July 15 at 6:10 a.m.
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Filed under: Advertising/Marketing, Airlines, Airplanes, Tourism, Travel Just so ‘you know,’ Orbitz launches new ads
The new Orbitz TV commercial. (Orbitz)
Chicago-based Internet travel agency Orbitz Worldwide Inc. today launches a major new advertising campaign touting the information and services consumers can expect when they arrive at their hotels.
The new campaign, developed with New York ad agency BBDO, features a branded tagline, “When You Orbitz, You Know.” Financial terms of the campaign were not disclosed. Get the full story »
Nestle to drop claims Boost can prevent colds
A Nestle SA subsidiary has agreed to drop advertising claims that its children’s drink Boost Kid Essentials prevents colds and flu, the Federal Trade Commission said Wednesday.
The FTC, which pursues deceptive advertising, took issue with claims that BOOST prevented colds and flu by strengthening the immune system, focusing on advertisements for a drink sold with a straw embedded with probiotic bacteria. Get the full story »
July 13 at 1:08 p.m.
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Filed under: Advertising/Marketing, Consumer electronics, Consumer news, Media, Retail Kmart goes after gamers with reviews on shelves
Kmart is launching a new program where online reviews of video games will be displayed on store shelves, an initiative aimed at building ties between the chain’s online and in-store gaming fans.
Kmart, owned by Sears Holding Corp., announced the feature on its KmartGamer blog and in a live chat with gaming enthusiasts via Twitter. Get the full story »
Kleenex turns to fruity boxes for summer sales
Kleenex is hoping to bolster summer sales with packages that resemble wedges of fruit and look more at home on a picnic table than a nightstand.
The A-frame packages, featuring fruits including watermelon, oranges and limes, have been rolled out to all major retailers this summer.
“This keeps the category relevant during this time of year,” said Craig Smith, brand director of Kleenex, a Kimberly-Clark brand. Smith said that with the fruit packaging test run last summer, “we saw close to 100 percent incrementality,” meaning sales of the novelty box did not cannibalize sales of standard Kleenex boxes. Get the full story »
Berk new CEO of Hilco Consumer Capital
Mitchell C. Berk has been named chief executive of Hilco Consumer Capital LLC, a brand management firm with Polaroid, Sharper Image and Halston among its clients.
Berk takes over from interim CEO Eric Kaup, who is general counsel for parent, Northbrook-based Hilco Trading. Get the full story »
