China is the second largest economy in the world and every significant brand's future is impacted by its growth (or collapse)—but who's got the time?! Here's the week's reads that will make you look like a keen China observer in case you find yourself immersed in a cultural conversation.

This week: Iron Man 3 inaccuracies... BMW... Casino frugality... Wanglaoji trademarks... Heinz baby food... Hugo Boss mini-movies... Sunning manga... China's first lady for Pehchaolin... Ashley Furniture... L’Oreal... Ad spends... Iron Man 3 product placement... and more.Continue reading...

Mistresses and mismanagement rumors are mixing to make what was supposed to be Red Cross China's rebound opportunity a undeniable PR disaster. Empty donation boxes and suggestions that the organization is holding back aid until cameras arrive are frothing up to destroy the Red Cross brand in China, possibly forever.

The emotional damage caused by the recent earthquake that destroyed the town of Ya'an in China's Sichuan Province, killing nearly 200 and injuring thousands, is compounded by the memory of the devastating quake that hit the area in 2008. But unlike for Red Cross organizations elsewhere that thrive on reputations built up from past disaster responses, Red Cross China would rather not revisit the past. 

The Red Cross has been in China since 1904, but after the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Red Cross Society of China became a pseudo-governmental aid organization operating more or less on the Party's behalf. During the 1990s, the the grip on the Red Cross was loosened but the charity still operates in tandem with the CPC.Continue reading...

A123 Systems hit with recall of batteries for electric cars.

Apple plans to make greater investment in China as CEO Tim Cook meets with Chinese officials.

AT&T and Verizon threatened by freebie services fueled by Clearwire.

BMW tabs 1.3 million cars in massive recall.

Chipotle recycles old billboards for Earth Day.

Coca-Cola supports Michigan tourism campaign.

Corona evolves beach campaign.

Enterprise Products and Enbridge plan rival pipelines to Keystone XL.

Google warms to advertising its new services.Continue reading...

Panasonic last week demonstrated its Life Innovation Container at Jumbara 2011, a demonstration event hosted by the Indonesian Red Cross.

The container — easily transportable by sea, rail and land, provides electricity to power off-grid areas and support disaster-ridden areas — proved its mettle by helping victims of Japan's earthquake and tsunami in March, when it was donated and installed at a local disaster task force at Minami-Sanrikucho, Miyagi Prefecture to aid rescue workers' communication facilities.Continue reading...

Angry Birds maker Rovio aims for IPO within 2-3 years.

Arnold Schwarzenegger scandal seen as affecting his political, not entertainment, brand.

Apple and Google askeded to FCC location tracking forum.

Clearwire taps Ericsson to take over network management.

General Mills to buy controlling stake in Yoplait.

Hershey CEO switches to Del Monte.

LinkedIn sets IPO at $45/share for $350 million.Continue reading...

One of the most shared videos on YouTube: Ryan Higa, one of the video site's most popular users (with almost 3.5 million subscribers to his channel) posted the above video on Monday to inspire people to donate to Red Cross relief efforts in Japan. It now has more than 2 million views.

Following some inappropriate jokes posted on his Twitter feed involving the disaster in Japan, Gilbert Gottfried has been fired as the voice of the Aflac duck — one of the most distinctive brand voices in the US.

"Gilbert's recent comments about the crisis in Japan were lacking in humor and certainly do not represent the thoughts and feelings of anyone at Aflac," Aflac Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Michael Zuna announced in a press release today.Continue reading...

As the extent of the devastation from Japan's earthquake and tsunami double whammy on Friday continues to unfold, social media is providing a means of information, connection, relief and action for those in the country and beyond.

As the New York Times notes, Twitter is the #1 social network in Japan. The country has an estimated 10 million users, or one out of every 10 of its citizens online, using Twitter (per ComScore) — compared to the estimated 2% of Japan’s 100 million web population that uses Facebook.

Naturally, Twitter responded with resources for users in Japan over the weekend to provide information and help communications in the earthquake’s aftermath, offering a guide with tips in Japanese and English.Continue reading...