Google doubles size of Seattle-area campus as X Lab sparks interest, Android chief steps aside and loss of Google Reader upsets loyal users.

Time Inc. spinoff rattles employees.

Volkswagen warns of a tough year ahead and focuses on China.

Apple exec attacks Google, Android and Samsung on eve of Galaxy S4 introduction.

AMC Theaters seeing stellar results.

Amazon pares price of large-screen Kindle Fire HD.

American Express, Audi and Griffin's "get" social media, execs say.Continue reading...

GM abruptly ousts CMO Joel Ewanick over details of Manchester United sponsorship deal and future of GM's new Commonwealth agency relationship is questioned, while automaker also found to be making risky sub-prime loans.

Apple case against Samsung carries implications for its gripes against Google, as report says Apple discussed investing in Twitter.

Avon CEO is requested to meet with federal prosecutors.

Best Buy founder reportedly mounting a buyback effort.

Chili's touts lunch menu in new video campaign.

Coca-Cola reorganizes and ramps up marketing of Sprite to Millennials.Continue reading...

Pinterest, the virtual pin board at the crossroads of social and style, covered here in December when the buzz was reaching fever pitch, has burgeoned into a marketplace for consumer brands, offering a visual and demonstrable platform for engagement.

A wide range of major brands are using Pinterest to engage fans through social curation and as an online focus group to see what clicks with consumers, including:Continue reading...

Thank you, Mr. President. Once Barack Obama assented to deliver his important economic speech to the nation at 7 p.m. ET today — a not-so-politically convenient 4 p.m. on the West Coast — instead of later, the National Football League was pretty much free to pursue its further remake of opening day into a sort of mini-Super Bowl. And right up until game time at about 8:30 this evening, the league, NBC, the Green Bay Packers, the New Orleans Saints, big brand marketers and Belgioso Cheese are making the most of it.

The Today Show kicked things off this morning by hosting part of the proceedings from Green Bay's Lambeau Field, where the Super Bowl Champion Packers, the previous Super Bowl Champion Saints — and the hopes and dreams of dozens of major brand marketers — will launch the season. "Growing up and watching the NFL ... and John Facenda talking about the 'Frozen Tundra' of Lambeau Field ... this is fantastic!" exclaimed Today's Al Roker.Continue reading...

Chrysler to curb output because of Japan supply shortage.

Coca-Cola 'pips' PepsiCo with PlantBottle roll out in US to coincide with Earth Month.

Dish Network eyes Netflix in wake of acquisition of Blockbuster assets.

Fox News to end Glenn Beck’s show but retain alliance.

GE plans to build largest solar-panel plant in the world.

Google is revamping YouTube.Continue reading...

As he plunges into promotional efforts for his new book on personal branding this week, brandmeister extraordinaire Peter Arnell is turning to where he’s always gotten support: his high-profile friends.

Martha Stewart wrote the foreword for his new book, the back of which bears endorsements from celebrity friends and clients ranging from Donna Karan, whose iconic DKNY brand he worked on for many years, to Mark Wahlberg.

This week, Arnell will be talking about his very personal book on NBC's Today Show, a friendly venue where he has appeared frequently over the years (including taking Matt Lauer for a spin in the Peapod, his electric car that's still idling). It’s hardly surprising that Arnell is effectively leveraging his vast personal network to help promote his book on personal branding.

“By networking with friends and family, you can get confirmation of your strength necessary to grow, and that’s really important,” he told Brandchannel.com in an exclusive interview over the weekend. (Click here for his Brandchannel Q&A).Continue reading...

Coming out of college, you are told to wear a nice black suit to work, sport an expensive pair of heels and always be polite. Cosmetic guru Bobbi Brown followed these same rules while building her business -- that is, until about ten years ago when she realized that it just wasn’t her.

“I’d go into these meetings and there was something wrong,” she told the New York Times. “I never knew what it was.” She was uncomfortable with her image.Continue reading...