JCPenney seeks to raise $1 billion as Martha Stewart loses a round in JCP-Macy's case.

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg launches FWD.us with Silicon Valley heavyhitters on immigration reform.

Apple agrees to settle suit on iPhone and iPad warranties.

Argos plans digital "store of the future" to fight Amazon.

Bibigo Korean food brand partners with Psy.

Bitcoin finds Winklevoss twins rise in digital money as crash continues.

BlackBerry looks to apps and China for growth.

Burger King CEO leaves to take top job at H.J. Heinz.

Douwe Egberts goes to JAB for $9.8 billion.

Eli Lilly plans to lay off 30 percent of sales reps in major restructuring.Continue reading...

Deutsche Telekom raises bid for MetroPCS.

The Masters begins at Augusta National today with Tiger Woods again among the favorites.

Toyota and other Japanese automakers recall 3.4 million vehicles over Takata airbag.

Applebee's led first-quarter social media engagement by restaurants.

Barnes & Noble rebrands self-publishing platform PubIt! as Nook Press as it continues to invest in future of Nook brand.

Justin Bieber backs a debit card for teens, from parents.

ConocoPhillips suspends Arctic drilling plan.

Daimler says worsening Europe puts its 2013 profit outlook in doubt.

Dell plans to double sales outlets in China.Continue reading...

Chrysler recalls more than 214,000 vehicles.

JCPenney acting CMO Sergio Zyman canvasses adland for marketing help as Macy's/Martha Stewart trial rolls on.

GM returns to Facebook advertising with mobile test for Chevy Sonic as it provokes unionists in Korea with talk about pullout, and Facebook widens data targeting for advertisers.

Aereo finds broadcasters circling the wagons against its streaming model.

Apple and Yahoo discuss deeper iPhone partnership, WSJ says.

Beech-Nut teams with Goya to launch Hispanic baby food line.

Behr launches social media program to market paint.

Cablevision Systems gives more responsibilities to wife of CEO.

Cannes Lions Festival adds jury on Branded Content and Entertainment.

Chili's begins marketing pizza nationwide.

Facebook has yet to monetize billion-dollar Instagram acquisition.

Fiat becomes more reliant on US and Asia for growth.

Fisker Automotive prepares to file under Chapter 11 soon.

Frontier Airlines may be on the block, WSJ says.Continue reading...

Aereo TV streaming service from Barry Diller faces showdown with News Corp.'s Rupert Murdoch, who threatens to take FOX cable-only, as Intel cooks up its vision of future of TV.

Apple, which can now trademark iPad mini in U.S. and captured 74% of mobile app revenue in Q1, reportedly will release new iPhone 5S in "at least" two screen sizes.

Billabong in talks to sell out for $300 million.

Airbus juggles order book to meet record demand for A320neo Jet.

AT&T joins Boeing in backing U.S. cyber bill facing privacy fight.

Audi promotes in-vehicle Wi-Fi in new TV campaign.Continue reading...

• Liver, Chianti, fava beans and Volkswagen (above).

• Juiceopolis!

• The creepiest Ivory soap ads ever.Continue reading...

Unphased by doping claims, Radio Shack rolls out new Lance Armstrong spot (above).

J&J faces Congressional hearing today over children's medicine recall as new questions arise.

Coca-Cola's FIFA World Cup trophy tour winds down, attracts record crowds.

Ford adds stock quotes, horoscopes and movies to in-car Sync app.

Pepsi's new brand challenge: think small.Continue reading...

Executives from BP, Halliburton and Transocean defend themselves as hearing begins in Washington. Meanwhile, BP faces boycott as it prepares a second dome and considers stuffing uncapped oil well with golf balls and tires.

Paid brand blogging and "sponsored conversations" are on the rise.

P&G prepares branding campaign for London 2012 Olympic Games.

Claire's hit by recall of children's jewelry.

Coca-Cola China launches eco-friendly bottles for Ice Dew water brand.

Disney launches women's website with Teri Hatcher.Continue reading...

The news media and blogosphere are exploding today with takes on Phil Mickelson’s third victory at The Masters golf tournament yesterday, just one short of the four green jackets held by the ignominious Tiger Woods.

Indeed, it makes for compelling drama. There’s a White Hat golfer (though he wore black yesterday, actually) whose wife and mother are suffering from breast cancer. And stirringly, he overcame, among others, the ultimate Black Hat whose estranged spouse – understandably – didn’t show up at the tournament to support her man.

But the bigger question for Mickelson, Woods and brand sponsors today is this: Does Mickelson’s continued ascension and Woods’ self-imposed morass suggest it’s time for brand marketers to take a closer look at the former as they continue to evaluate prospects for revival of the latter? Will Mickelson rise further if Tiger continues to fade? The two always have been rivals to some extent, but Woods has never really had to look over his shoulder at any single competitor.Continue reading...