Brand Obama is facing a significant challenge today as so-called Obamacare (the sweeping healthcare reform law that was introduced on March 2010) goes before the Supreme Court (ABC News is live-blogging). It's a bit of a setback as the president is also actively campaigning for re-election in November.

The Obama Campaign’s social call-to-action documentary The Road We've Traveled, available on the President’s new YouTube platform, is the jewel in the crown of the President’s social media persona.

Directed by the Academy Award winning director of An Incovenient Truth, Davis Guggenheim, it's narrated by Tom Hanks and has racked up almost 2 million views since it debuted on March 15th.Continue reading...

Higher gasoline prices are beginning to scratch their way back into the minds of American consumers, and that's not good news for brand marketers. The concern: the more that drivers have to pay at the pump, and the more they worry about their own finances and the U.S. economy as a result, the less interested they'll be in other kinds of spending.

So far, there doesn't appear to be material damage from the glimmers of $5- and even nearly $6-a-gallon gasoline in America.

J.D. Power just reported that new-vehicle retail sales in February have been "strong" month-to-date and are likely to show an overall increase of about 5 percent from year-earlier retail sales. And Nation's Restaurant News surveyed some quick-serve chains and found no damage yet in the form of consumers staying away from drive-throughs because it's too expensive to get there.Continue reading...

BP claims victory in Russian case.

Boeing rides Dreamliner on confidence into Dubai Air Show.

Burger King deems new menu items a success.

CBS includes Charlie Rose and Gayle King in revised The Early Show roster.

Citigroup to sell EMI units for $4 billion.

Facebook retreats on privacy dispute with U.S. government.

GE foresees strong growth in emerging markets.

GM raises alarms in Europe with restructuring pledge as its Buick division bets on a lush interior in new Verano compact.

Kohl's adds $30 million to holiday marketing budget.Continue reading...

Tonight's GOP debate on CNN could prove crucial for several of the Republican candidates and potential candidates in a still-roiled, still-early race for their party’s nomination to attempt to unseat President Obama in 2012.

Michelle Bachmann, the Tea Party favorite from Minnesota, will make her national debut as a 2012 contender on the stage in Manchester, NH. As the front-runner so far, Mitt Romney will be under pressure not to hurt himself. Newt Gingrich will stop in New Hampshire on Redemption Road. And former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty simply will be trying to get more traction.

Sarah Palin won’t be on the GOP-candidate stage tonight, and perhaps never. But her long “non-candidate” campaigning, and national media attention as the outspoken former governor of Alaska, leave her as a looming presence over the debate nonetheless. You can betcha that if she finally decides to leap into the fray, the post-debate dynamics will be upset.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...

Airlines raise prices for the sixth time this year.

Automakers call for electric car standards.

Best Buy woos small business owners.

BP execs receive bonuses despite Gulf of Mexico disaster.

Cadbury brings Oreo brand to India.

Calvin Klein promotes ck one relaunch with augmented reality at Macy's NYC flagship.Continue reading...