Nearly two years after getting a green light to acquire 51% OF NBC Universal from GE, Comcast is updating its logo to reflect its new identity.

No longer 'just' America's largest cable operator and provider of video, voice and data services, it has long been in the cable and broadband programming game with brands such as E! and G4 (soon to be Esquire Channel) and its regional sports networks.

But it truly became a player in the entertainment space as the majority owner of NBC's national broadcast services, the Universal studio and related brands and assets, and now it's strutting the tail feathers it inherited as part of the NBCU deal.Continue reading...

Google homepage logo pays tribute to the opening of the XXX Olympic Games in London.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos pledges $2.5 million in support of gay marriage as Chick-Fil-A deals with firestorm created by CEO’s gay-marriage stance.

Barclays reveals new interest-rate probe and more U.S. lawsuits.

Airbus delays A350 over production problems.

Apple acquires fingerprint security firm.Continue reading...

Just when you think the final story has been written about Netflix — the story begins again.

The high-flying video subscription service, largely credited with driving Blockbuster into bankruptcy, has had business issues of its own in the past year. Now it's looking to a new partner — cable operators — who traditionally view streaming in general, and Netflix in particular, as the enemy.Continue reading...

Netflix and Starz contract renewal talks break off, ending one of Netflix's "most important" (though less so, lately) content deals.

Hostess Brands, maker of Twinkies and Wonder Bread, retains restructuring advisers.

Oracle $1.3 billion verdict against SAP overturned by judge.

Accera Inc.'s Axona milkshake raises hopes for Alzheimer's patients.

Air Australia reveals new livery.

Airbnb expands into sublets.

Amazon bargains to avoid online sales tax in California.

American Airlines disputes survey saying it had the longest call-waiting times during Hurricane Irene, hires pet detective to track missing-at-JFK passenger Jack the Cat.Continue reading...

Anthony Weiner resigns in wake of sexting scandal following pressure from his fellow Democrats.

AOL's Advertising.com regroups.

Avon censured on Fair Trade claim.

BlackBerry sales are down, while RIM's PlayBook tablet shipped 500,000 units.

Burger King launches DirecTV promotion.

Carolina Herrera hired by movie producers as wedding dress designer for Twilight's Bella Swan.

Comcast unveils next generation Xfinity TV system at US Cable Show.Continue reading...

Want to chat on the phone and IM while you watch TV?

Comcast customers will soon be able to do just that thanks to a new deal with Skype brings a Skype-on-TV feature into America’s living rooms — or at least those living rooms found in Comcast cable-subscribing households, which will soon be able to access Skype on XFINITY, as the service will be branded.

It's the first big deal for Skype in the wake of its recent acquisition by Microsoft, which acquired the European VoIP giant for $8.5 billion in cash, and plans to integrate Skype into its devices including Xbox and Kinect, Xbox Live, the Windows Phone, Lync and Outlook, as well as non-Microsoft systems.Continue reading...

ABC cancels legendary US daytime dramas All My Children and One Life to Live.

Airbnb offers country rental with Liechtenstein offer for $70K. 

American Apparel founder Dov Charney, profiled in NYT, says he refuses to be pushed aside.

Applebee's sued by parents of child served alcoholic beverage.

Best Buy expands Buy Back program.

CBS accused of greenwashing.Continue reading...

This weekend's slate of movie openings offers a little product placement for everyone.

A time traveling sci-fi mind-bender offers up donuts. A tragic tale of cyber predation is full of one glossy tech brand in particular. And then there is the kids' Easter product placement juggernaut that is Hop, and its basket of major brand "partners."  

But first, at top, check out a behind-the-scenes look at Morgan Spurlock's doc on product placement, Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, used to advertise KDF wrap graphics services.Continue reading...