Today's Google Doodle — homepage logo reinterpretation — pays tribute to the Peter Carl Fabergé, who was born May 30, 1846, in Saint Petersburg. The Russian jeweller and goldsmith was known for producing precious metal- and gem-encrusted Fabergé eggs, only 47 of which are believed to have survived.

Today's "Google doodle" (one-day homepage logo twist) celebrates American graffiti-turned-mainstream artist Keith Haring, who would have been 54 today. Haring, who died of AIDS-related illnesses in 1990 at the age of 31, was also an outspoken activist who continues to inspire fashion, design and art, as seen in the recent pop-up homage to his iconic Pop Shop in New York, and the current Brooklyn Museum exhibition, which is up through July 8th.

Google's homepage logo today is a tribute to International Women's Day, celebrated on March 8th since the early 1900's. The Google Doodle (as they call their logo reinterpretations) is driving traffic to the official IWD website for an overview of the range of events and activities taking place around the world today, and you can also participate virtually on Facebook and Twitter (hashtags: #IWD or #IWD12).

One must-read snapshot today comes from the Worldwatch Institute: 12 innovations that are "helping women get access to credit, improve their incomes, feed their families, introduce sustainable crops to markets, and reduce rural poverty."

Google is also inviting students to submit their designs for the annual Doodle 4 Google competition. This year's theme: "If I could travel in time, I'd visit..."

And below, check out how Dove celebrated IWD in Asia.Continue reading...

Brand mascots are perennial Halloween costume favorites (count the number of Angry Birds you spot trick or treating this year!). But just when you thought there coudn't possibly be another way for commercial culture to tap into Halloween, major brands are haunting the occasion with spooktacular tie-ins, including the annual Halloween Google Doodle on the Google homepage today.

OnStar, Kraft, Progressive Insurance, Mike's Hard Lemonade, and Honda are among the legions of brands with Halloween promotions this year. It adds up to a phantasmagoric overload that makes it really difficult for any single brand, promotion or Halloween-themed marketing campaign to stand out from the rest, especially with so many Halloween messages in commercials and TV programming. But it's all in good fun, and hasn't stopped an array of brand marketers from joining the fun.Continue reading...

Trending on YouTube today, and the Google homepage, is a tribute to legendary rockstar and Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury. The occasion? It would have been his 65th birthday yesterday, but because of Labor Day, Google decided to let the doodle stay up today.

The doodle is the band onstage, and when clicked, a short video plays and the doodle comes to life. The animation shows off Mercury's stage outfits and also functions as a music video for their song, Don't Stop Me Now. But of course Google has to throw their logo in there numerous times, lighting up on stage, or on the road or in outer space, with the site's signature primary colors sprinkled in.

But that's not all Google is doing to honor Mercury's legacy.Continue reading...

The United States Postal Service is on the brink of financial collapse, reports the New York Times.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz hosts political town hall on Tuesday.

Amazon.com tests a site redesign as founder Jeff Bezos sees spaceship misfire.

American Apparel is in talks to raise up to $160 million in financing.

Apple retains appeal without Steve Jobs, while iconic designer Jonathan Ive stays on.

Baidu launches app store.

China’s Bright Foods looks to Australia for growth.

Cisco is accused of abetting Chinese government in Falun Gong crackdown.

CW marketer Rick Haskins attracts attention with provocative campaigns.

Domino's Pizza wants to be the first fast food joint on the moon (offer only good in Japan).

Glee star Heather Morris criticized for domestic violence-themed photo shoot.

Google Doodle pays tribute to Queen's Freddy Mercury.Continue reading...

Ally Financial delays $6B IPO.

AT&T brings free Wi-Fi to NYC parks.

Avaya files for $1 billion IPO.

Borders lenders force store closures.

Burger King and Pizza Hut executives put hometown pride on the line with bet on NBA Finals.

Citigroup data theft exposes nagging security issues in the financial-services industry.Continue reading...

Guitar legend Les Paul would have been 96 today, which inspired the creative whizzes at Google to outdo themselves with their homepage logo. Not only can you strum the mock guitar — in the US at least, you can record what you play, share it with a friend and even create a duet. More details on Google's latest Doodle bop on its blog, while Huffington Post offers a quick logo guitar lesson.