With its most famous resident putting a "For Sale" sign in her front yard, the city of Malibu, California, is looking for new ways to attract tourists and boost income. 

CNBC reports that Malibu has signed a deal with Excel Corp. in order to start “licensing apparel, active wear, and even things like sunglasses, watches, and volleyballs” with the extra money going to “fund special projects.”

The city is forking over $90,000 for Excel to design a logo and find licensees.Continue reading...

Barack Obama and Mitt Romney aren't the only ones who want the votes of women this fall: Chevrolet is also pursuing women for the new Malibu, and so the brand has enlisted designer Isaac Mizrahi to get some fashion-forward attention for a vehicle that hasn't been known for being on the cutting edge of couture.

Mizrahi has designed a preppy collection (in patriotic colors of red, white and blue) of Chevy Malibu-inspired clothing, Malibu Style. It's exclusively being sold on the LivingSocial deals website, with its six pieces ranging from a bright blue totebag to an oversized watch, at prices ranging from $78 to $298.

The New York-based Mizrahi has colllaborated in the past with the likes of Target and QVC, but this collaboration aims at getting women to take a closer look at a nameplate that otherwise might not get their attention.Continue reading...

Advertising slots during this year's Academy Awards telecast on ABC have sold out. But just as last year, advertising rules apply, meaning "marketers still have to make sure certain ads featuring celebrities or celebrity voice-overs don't run near segments of the program that could feature those very same stars."

Last year, the prominent example of this rule in action was best actor nominee Jeff Bridges and his voiceover work for Oscar advertiser Hyundai (above).

This year, Bridges is the most prominent nominee to lend his talent to the, ahem, commercial sector. But he's far from the only one.

The nominees for Best Work in a Commercial Campaign (TV or Print) are:Continue reading...

Can exclusive partnerships revive a brand? Depends on your partner.

After disappointing results with fashion insiders Tim Gunn and Isaac Mizrahi, Liz Claiborne has changed course and jumped to the other end of the fashion spectrum: JC Penny and QVC.

Starting in Fall 2010, the Liz Claiborne line will be sold exclusively though JC Penney. Isaac Mizrahi-helmed collection, Liz Claiborne New York, will be sold on QVC. The brand expects to return to profits in 2010, with forecast sales of $100 million on QVC and $1 billion in Penney stores.

The agreement shifts all Liz Claiborne's sourcing, marketing and distribution and their costs to JC Penney, while they retain control of design and brand management. The partnership will shelter Claiborne Inc.'s margins from department store markdowns. Instead, the company will receive a share of royalties based on profit.Continue reading...