With American consumers still hesitant to spend on restaurant meals, the biggest QSR chains keep trying new tactics in what has become a bruising battle for shares of a stagnant U.S. market.

No. 3 Wendy's has just rolled out a new campaign that will spread its new logo and brand design to everything from product packaging to its stores to crew uniforms. No. 2 Burger King has switched ad agencies (after the plastic-faced King creeped everyone out) and is debuting a set of light-hearted new TV commercials that also emphasize new products. Last but not least, No. 1 McDonald's is attempting to reinvigorate a new-product pipeline that generated mostly disappointments last year.

Wendy's said its new logo will begin appearing on Monday in advertising, on product packaging and crew uniforms, in new restaurant signage and menu boards and in digital assets. "Wendy's brand transformation is re-energizing all of our touch points with consumers," said Emil Brolick, CEO, in a press release. "We're transforming our brand — from bold restaurant designs to innovative food that consumers want, to improved customer service."Continue reading...

It’s complicated, the whole issue of personal privacy in an era of social media transparency, and the fact that the first female astronaut, Sally Ride, who this week died at age 61 from pancreatic cancer, came out publically in her obituary, listing her partner of 27 years, Tam O'Shaughnessy first, as a survivor, is stirring the pot of comment and prejudice.

"Could she have helped the cause? Maybe," says Fred Sainz, VP of communications for the Human Rights Campaign. "For her not to have shared an incredibly important aspect of her life — being in a committed long-term relationship with a woman — meant many Americans did not get to see a dimension of her life that would have helped them understand us (gay people) and our contributions to society.

Ride was open in her personal life, "She just didn't want to go public with it during her lifetime. And that's a big difference," said Sainz. "There's no question that Sally Ride could have been fired if she'd come out while she worked for NASA.”Continue reading...

AT&T posts $4-billion quarterly profit and sells 3.7 million iPhones (click here for highlights).

Amazon pursues careful state-sales-tax strategy.

Apple and Samsung gear up for "patent trial of the century" as Samsung's Galaxy Tab 7.7 is banned in EU.

Apple is expected to beat estimates in today's earnings conference call, if not a blowout.

BMW invests in EV-charging network.

Billabong gets lower takeover offer.

Capital One deceptive-marketing fine "unlikely" to change its strategy.Continue reading...

Facebook I.P.O. raises regulatory concerns, as regulators review Morgan Stanley's pre-Facebook IPO actions and the social network's share price drops 18% below IPO price and shareholders worry. NASDAQ is also being sued by an irate investor, while Facebook, its bankers and CEO Mark Zuckerberg are also being sued. One hot commodity: Zuckerberg's post-IPO secret wedding to Priscilla Chan sees Claire Pettibone-designed wedding dress "go viral."

Apple's iPad played a key role in the largest debt restructuring in history, with 100 iPads saving Greece $140 billion. European banks were less prepared for the Greek economic crisis.

SAP to acquire Ariba for $4.3 billion in push into cloud.

Alcatel-Lucent technology made the Internet five times faster.

Amazon's massive cloud business raises questions.

FOX's American Idol lost nearly a quarter of its still-huge audience this season.Continue reading...

Amazon opens Black Friday deals site early, while Walmart offers sneak peak at Black Friday specials on Facebook and its Sams Club unit enhances the holiday-shopping experience.

Apple acknowledges iPhone battery problem.

Sony predicts $1-billion loss.

AOL posts loss despite ad gains.

Diamond Foods punished by investors for accounting delay in purchase of Pringle's from P&G.

Ford launches licensed-products website.

GlaxoSmithKline settles with U.S. over investigations.Continue reading...

It seems the Old Spice Guy ads just will not go gently. We're already looked at numerous parodies and copycats. We've found Old Spice inspiration in the new Dairy Queen campaign. And the pitiful clones. Pity the clones.

Now, the upcoming Shrek spin-off film Puss in Boots has gone the Old Spice route, with "the cat your cat could be like" parody above. Puss isn't the only children's film getting into the parody game.Continue reading...

Airbus says Mideast unrest could wipe out up to 40% of orders.

Alfa Romeo delays planned return to US.

BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion plots a rebound.

BP flounders in Russia.

CBS prepares to part ways with Katie Couric, as Couric and Matt Lauer explore reteaming for a daytime syndicated talk show.

Charlie Sheen gets two standing ovations in NYC Sunday after bombing Friday.

Christian Louboutin sues Yves Saint Laurent for allegedly violating trademark red sole.Continue reading...

A continuation of the brand's Open Happiness campaign, this clip of Coca-Cola's Happiness Truck dispensing balls, surfboards, frisbees — and, of course, Coke — on the streets of Rio de Janeiro is trending today on YouTube.

Check out a companion video showing a Happiness Truck in the Philippines below, plus other trending/shared videos on YouTube today from Corning, Old Navy, Miracle Whip and an Apple fan.Continue reading...