Call it a bribe. Call it a “reverse” endorsement deal. Call it an embarrassing brand Situation.

You’d think that Abercrombie & Fitch Co., a retailer notorious for bombarding young mall shoppers (and their parents) with multiple versions of its brand, would be flattered that the cast of MTV's The Jersey Shore, one of the few things more popular among A&F’s audience than A&F itself, embrace the brand’s clothing.

But it seems even a brand with questionable hiring practices, one of the more eccentric CEOs you’ll ever meet, and a reputation for sexually explicit and racist clothing has its limits. In a press release entitled “Abercrombie & Fitch Proposes a Win-Win Situation,” A&F claims that it is “deeply concerned that Mr. [Mike ‘The Situation’] Sorrentino's association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image.” So, in attempt to cease this damaging association, A&F is offering “substantial payment” to Sorrentino, as well as his hard-partying castmates, to ditch their Fitch.Continue reading...

Amazon tests new Kindle subscription model on science fiction fans.

Ann Taylor features Demi Moore in fall campaign.

Apple could double market share with iPhone 5, says analyst.

Blockbuster begs customers for a second chance.

Dish Network aims to compete with Netflix.

Disney partners with Chiquita and Fresh Express.

Facebook acquires iPad book publishing app; and sees landmark California privacy ruling.Continue reading...

In the new trailer for the upcoming fourth season of Jersey Shore, a pack of Marlboros cozies up to The Situation. Yet when we contacted Philip Morris to ask about the product placement of the pack of Marlboros, particularly when the series has blurred other brands in the past, we were told by the cigarette maker, "It's not our product."Continue reading...

With the third season of MTV's Jersey Shore now wrapped, and the fourth season in Italy not quite in sight, parodies of the show that made stars of Snooki, The Situation and JWoww and added "GTL" to the lexicon, have begun to arise.  

One recent parody burning up YouTube aired last week on Jimmy Kimmel’s late night talk show on ABC. It stars Martin Short, Martin Short, Martin Short, and Martin Short, as the comic actor spoofs each cast member in turn. The video, a mock “red band trailer,” is (of course) called Jersey Short.   

This isn’t the first video to spoof the show, or even the first to appear on Jimmy Kimmel. And to add to the fun, MTV is now parodying the series with its own knock-off.Continue reading...

The latest chapter in Brand Palin's ascendance — Sarah Palin's Dancing With the Stars contender "BPalin" (aka daughter Bristol) and her season 11 rival "Sitch" (that would be The Situation of MTV's Jersey Shore fame) have teamed up on a new public service announcement for the Candie's Foundation.

Promoting safe sex and warning against teen pregnancy, the duo play off his image as a stud and hers as a teen mom in a PSA that should come with another warning (for bad acting). The shoe brand's philanthropic arm has worked with Palin for the past year and a half, according to a press release.

Conan O'Brien's upcoming TBS show is for night owls — get it? (above)

What iWant and you will too: The Situation's new iPhone app.

GE to politician: "Get our logo out of your ad." Grocer in Texas: "Yeah, me too!"

You can pray for pancakes all you like, but not as IHOP.

Refreshing! The structure of the soft drink industry, visualized.

Google CEO Eric Schmidt must stop freaking people out.Continue reading...

* New York Fashion Week may be whetting appetites (and chopping trees) for Spring/Summer 2011, but back on earth, Kmart's busy wooing fashionistas for fall, above.

* The Kardashians are also in NYC this week pitching their K-Dash line for QVC to fashionistas, while real designers ply their wares, goody bags, sex toys?

* The memorably-named Acne denim brand, meanwhile, is launching a line seemingly targeted at transvestites and cross-dressers.

* Chanel's relaunched Soho boutique for NY's Fashion Week features a gotta-get-it Yeti look.Continue reading...

* Apple is close to a deal with Disney to rent ABC TV shows via iTunes, the Wall Street Journal reports. It's also looking to trademark several of its mobile app icons.

* Burger King reported slumping sales.

* AARP research finds brand-name drug prices increased 8% last year.

* Barnes & Noble reported a tough quarter and increased legal costs due to proxy fight with investor.

* Best Buy named Aura Oslapas its new chief design officer.Continue reading...