Brands must understand that customer service is an important part of the "value equation" for consumers these days even though it might seem that price remains their most important criterion for brand satisfaction because of the continued financial struggles of so many Americans.

Apple, Cadillac, Four Seasons, JetBlue, Kohl's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Scotttrade, USAA and Wegmans are among the brands that understand the importance of people as a driver of service excellence has increased substantially these days, and that's why they were among the 50 brands named this week by J.D. Power & Associates as 2012 Customer Service Champions.Continue reading...

Major economies try to reassure investors with joint statement, but markets continue to swoon.

HP defends hasty hiring of Meg Whitman as CEO, as Whitman hits the ground running.

Chanel files sweeping Internet trademark suit in Nevada.

Boeing plans a celebration for long-delayed delivery of Dreamliner.

Alibaba gets major investment from abroad.

Apple opens fifth (and largest) China store, in Shanghai.

Borders name and IP sale to Barnes & Noble blocked by judge.Continue reading...

Best Buy faces investor skepticism of its big-box strategy amid stiffening online competition.

BP may avoid gross negligence conviction in Gulf Oil spill.

CBS drops What's Trending web TV series after Steve Jobs flub.

Cisco sets more conservative growth target.

ConocoPhillips tries to fuel more natural-gas use.

Dell sets $5-billion share buyback.

Dreamworks masters YouTube and Zynga marketing.

Facebook chases Google+ with "smart lists" feature.Continue reading...

Though Boston-headquartered Au Bon Pain dates back to the late '70s, CEO Sue Morelli is positioning the brand as contemporary, approachable and kind of chic, she explains in the above video. Their brand promise includes fresh, flavorful food, consistency, and a staff that loves what they do. Pandemic Labs, a pioneer in dedicated social media marketing (“marketing is a dialogue, not a monologue”), just landed the Au Bon Pain account.

Au Bon Pain ("the place of good bread") currently operates in 318 locations, and is considered the leader in the fast casual restaurant category, for the past three years earning Health Magazine's designation as one of America's Top 5 Healthiest Restaurant Chains.Continue reading...

Anheuser-Busch top marketer exits for AT&T.

Coca-Cola raises prices.

EA applauds US Supreme Court decision to strike down California's ban on violent videogame sales.

Foursquare secures another $50M in capital, adds Ritz-Carlton concierge check-ins.

Genentech lobbies FDA on behalf of Avastin breast cancer drug.

Google expands +1 functionality.

J&J to link up product marketing; admits unit name change won't change anything.Continue reading...

While the global economic recovery may be meager, hotels chains are anxious to move on and drive up occupancy rates. That's why two of the top chains, Marriott International and Hilton Worldwide, are pursuing new initiatives to convince upscale travelers to stay at their high-end properties.

Marriott is forming "strategic partnerships" with other brands to create "a deeper luxury guest experience." The company said it will work with Aromatherapy Associates, auction house Christie's, nutritionist Keri Glassman, international vintner Treasury Wine Estates, and Tumi, makers of travel luggage, eyewear and accessories.

In partnership with Christie's, for example, its Grosvenor House in London, a JW Marriott Hotel, is hosting a unique photographic exhibition this month — Beatles Illuminated: The Discovered Works of Mike Mitchell — which brought out celebrities such as Sienna Miller to the preview of never-before-seen photographs of the Beatles’ first hysteria-inducing trip to America in 1964.

Marriott will marshal these partners specifically to enhance its JW Marriott hotel brand, which is a notch below Marriott's ritzy Ritz-Carlton, but ranks above Marriott hotels. Mitzi Gaskins, VP of JW Marriott, admitted to the New York Times that there is "some confusion" between JW Marriott and Marriott.Continue reading...

Bing lets advertisers place ads in brand-name searches.

Borders bankruptcy shakes up book industry.

Captain Morgan searches for "Ultimate Morganette."

Chobani Greek yogurt lets fans tell its story.

eBay tops branded social media engagement leaderboard.

Ferrari 458 Italia chosen as car of the year by The Robb Report.

Google beats Apple and Sony in TNS corporate reputation ranking.Continue reading...

Wal-Mart, Tesco and Carrefours would be welcomed by shoppers in India, where such “multi-brand” foreign-owned retailers currently are restricted, a new study says. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Wal-Mart’s new president scrambles to reverse earlier decisions that hurt sales.

American Apparel's troubles increase after auditor quits and fashion retailer (which is relaunching as "preppy") receives subpoena.

Axe Music launch is promoted with "mystery concerts" across U.S., kicking off with Mary J. Blige in New York.

Burger King tests $12.99 “shareable” pizza burger at its Whopper Bar in New York.

CBS will air a companion series to last winter’s hit reality show, Undercover Boss.

EMI faces an uphill struggle despite a corporate restructuring of the U.K. music icon.Continue reading...