Call him Hugh L'Oreal. Actor and comedian Hugh Laurie is the new L'Oreal Paris Men Expert 'spokesmodel," a title he now shares with Gerard Butler and Patrick Dempsey. Cyril Chapup, the Global Brand President of L'Oreal Paris, said in a statement: "Hugh Laurie is the perfect example of a modern man — genuine, uninhibited, strong and willing to pursue his passions to the end. We are very excited that he is the spokesperson for these new liberated men!"

What a kerfuffle a year-end promo can make. L'Oreal's recent new year promo, above, sparked rumors that it was replacing global brand ambassador Aishwarya Rai, the Bollywood actress and former Miss World, with younger Indian actress/model Freida Pinto, who rose to fame in the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire.

Perish the thought, per this statement by the cosmetics giant: 

"We are shocked and surprised to read in some sections of the media/press about Ms. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan being replaced as the face of L'Oreal Paris... Ms. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan continues to be our valued spokesperson, as she has since 2000. While she remains an integral part of the L'Oreal Paris world wide Dream Team, she was unfortunately unavailable for our New Year commercial shoot due to prior commitments. She is one of the most iconic women of our times and is certainly the face of L'Oreal Paris internationally and in India for a range of products which include campaigns for Total Repair 5, Excellence Crème, Color Riche, Hydrafresh."

Other current L'Oreal celebrity endorsers include Beyonce, Diane Kruger, Jane Fonda, Rachel Weisz, Gerard Butler, Eva Longoria and Jennifer Lopez.

"The idea is that he's shooting a film, but he's an actor in a film shooting a film." That's the Blue Steel-worthy explanation in the behind-the-scenes look at Gerard Butler's latest spot for L'Oreal Men. Butler's take: "He's like the ultimate dude you want to be." See the dude in action after the jump.Continue reading...

On Friday, along with a punch-drunk look at Everlast's legacy of product placeement, we quizzed you on a few beverage placements from recent Gerard Butler films. Ready for the big reveal?Continue reading...

Last week our Product Replacement Quiz looked at brands that had boozed it up in PG-rated films. This week, we're shifting gears and focusing on British sex symbol Gerard Butler. That's right, this is madness. THIS! IS! BRANDCAMEO! But first, as always, a look at placements in films opening this weekend, and we really mean "the" films.Continue reading...

It's understandable why kids are fascinated by Silly Bandz, those still-popular brightly-colored silicon bracelets that form fun shapes, look cute stacked up and can be swapped with friends.

Adults are joining the fun, swayed by celebrity devotees such as Shaquille O'Neal to don the Power Balance wristband, a silicon bracelet that comes in somber colors, is worn one at a time, and isn't designed to be shared or traded. (Boo!)

Instead, it offers magical qualities and not one but two holograms, making claims that most Silly Bandz collectors would raise an eyebrow at.Continue reading...