Maybe the most telling thing about the story of the Three Fat Guys wine label is that the trio of Green Bay Packers linemen behind the label did it "with the help of Packers cornerback Charles Woodson, who has his own wine label, 'TwentyFour.'" Packers icon Brett Favre's wine has, of course, long been available in Cabernet, Merlot and Chardonnay varietals. ($24; "… shipping to WI address only.")

Winemaking is the new vanity undertaking for celebrities unwilling to launch their own "scent." Even thrash metal rock band Slayer has announced it will release its own wine. It is named "Reign In Blood." Yes, the wine party has come to an end. It was fun. Continue reading...

They play in the smallest market in professional sports, a town of about 100,000 people, and they’re technically a not-for-profit enterprise that is actually owned by the local American Legion post – not by some egomaniacal entrepreneur.

Their colors are a combination of hunter green and mellow yellow that remains anathema to fashionistas. The last time they won the Super Bowl was 1997. And they’re the team that gave Brett Favre his walking papers — the first time. 

But make no mistake about it: The powers that be in the National Football League, and the many brands that advertise during its games, are happy as can be that the Green Bay Packers are one of the four teams remaining this weekend with a chance to make it to Super Bowl XLV.Continue reading...

Gwen Stefani for HP, Michael Jordan for Hanes, Dr. Dre for HP, Peyton Manning for Sony, Lady Gaga for Polarioid, Lance Armstong for Radio Shack, Michael Vick for… ArTran?

A new study confirms what a lot of people on both ends of the advertising paradigm suspect: celebrity endorsements aren't worth it. My colleague Sheila Shayon earlier pondered this question — find out why the evidence is swinging in favor of taking back the swag bags and shutting down the gravy train.Continue reading...

Last year will be one both Tiger Woods and Brett Favre would just as soon forget.

The Woods debacle was voted top sports story of 2010 by the Associated Press and not for reasons any sports personality would be proud of. Tiger's troubles started but didn't end with the revelation of his marital infidelities.Continue reading...

Apple won't exhibit at CES in Las Vegas this week, where competitors (including Vizio) will unveil tablets that will take aim at the iPad; and increases Q1 orders for the iPhone in advance of Verizon launch.

Arnold Schwarzenegger leaves office after seven years as governor of California.

Australia braces for damages claims as flooding projected "to last weeks."

Bank of America sees home loan charge, buys back bad loans and mounts defense against WikiLeaks.

Best Buy aims to become a major content creator online.

Buzz Aldrin sues over use of his image on moonwalk trading card.Continue reading...

Some brands had a great year, including Ford, Old Spice and Apple. Other brands — well, not so much. But there are plenty of reasons that some of those brands that had a lousy 2010 shouldn't look forward to 2011. Brandchannel looks at ten down-on-their-luck brands that should be optimistic in the new year:

1. BP: The "small people" don't seem to have forgotten what happened on BP's watch in the Gulf of Mexico this year. But the big people seem to be forgetting quite well. At the time of writing, BP's stock was up to nearly $44 a share, considerably more than its near low of just $27 six months ago. At this rate, BP's brand will have made a full recovery by the end of 2011.Continue reading...

TD Bank acquires Chrysler Financial for $6.3 billion.

News Corp.'s bid for BSkyB cleared by EU.

Apple plans exposed by insider trading suit.

Bank of America and other Wall Street firms face increased scrutiny on executive pay.

Betty White voted entertainer of the year by AP.

Brett Favre retirement leaves muddles NFL legacy.

CBS is looking to renegotiate Katie Couric's contract.Continue reading...

Tiger Woods' "humbling return to the public eye" has been voted the #1 sports story of the year by members of the Associated Press. The AP's top 10 after the jump.Continue reading...