Welcome to the kinder, gentler — okay, docile — United Auto Workers union. The one that is making a genteel agreement with the Big Three US automakers to extend their contract talks beyond tonight's initial deadline because, well, they have more to talk about before they sign on the dotted lline.

UAW founding icon Walter Reuther might be rolling over in his grave about today's quiescence by the once-proud institution. But a cooperative stance is what the UAW is all about these days.

For one thing, they are under a no-strike obligation when it comes to General Motors and Chrysler because of the terms of the federal bailouts; and the union's long-evolving stance of cooperation with Ford likely would have precluded a strike this fall anyway. There's also the fact that today, more than ever in its history, the fate of the UAW and its members is tied to the fates of the Big Three.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...

BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche hit Frankfurt Auto Show with luxury cars retooled for younger generation, while Maserati brings Jeep-based SUV to Frankfurt.

ConAgra sets deadline for Ralcorp.

Cracker Barrel's new CEO outlines her plan amidst shareholder battle.

Dr. Oz shakes apple juice industry to the core.

eBay hit by criminal probe over use of Craigslist information.

Heineken-sponsored private concert in Brooklyn by Kanye West released by Vevo.

Ikea dispels death of Billy (bookcase) rumors.

KFC Australia pulls campaign claiming free range chickens.

Lady Gaga releases second in series of "fashion films" on YouTube.Continue reading...

When the Frankfurt Auto Show officially opens to the international press on Tuesday before it opens to the general public later in the week, there will be lots of buzz about the huge variety of new production models and concept cars that all are meant to demonstrate essentially one thing: driving fuel-efficiently doesn't have to be boring.

New offerings especially from the home teams of Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are aimed at capturing the imagination of the industry and of future car buyers in a way that the most recent Frankfurt show — two years ago, in the teeth of the Great Recession — couldn't.Continue reading...

Post Carol Bartz ouster, Yahoo may look for next leader in advertising as site retains financial advisers and mulls sale.

President Obama is expected to seek a $300-billion jobs package in his address to Congress tomorrow night.

AT&T could cut price of buying T-Mobile if regulator demands become too onerous.

BP casts about for new growth strategy.

Bank of America executes major shakeup of leadership.

Benetton unveils sexy image overhaul.

Borders is sued over layoffs.Continue reading...

The United States Postal Service is on the brink of financial collapse, reports the New York Times.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz hosts political town hall on Tuesday.

Amazon.com tests a site redesign as founder Jeff Bezos sees spaceship misfire.

American Apparel is in talks to raise up to $160 million in financing.

Apple retains appeal without Steve Jobs, while iconic designer Jonathan Ive stays on.

Baidu launches app store.

China’s Bright Foods looks to Australia for growth.

Cisco is accused of abetting Chinese government in Falun Gong crackdown.

CW marketer Rick Haskins attracts attention with provocative campaigns.

Domino's Pizza wants to be the first fast food joint on the moon (offer only good in Japan).

Glee star Heather Morris criticized for domestic violence-themed photo shoot.

Google Doodle pays tribute to Queen's Freddy Mercury.Continue reading...

It's a given that the future human will be a cyborg. Now, the only question about our bionic future is how branded it will be. 

A recent heartwarming tale from the UK shows that, even in the realm of bionic limbs, Mercedes is maintaining its luxury brand pedigree.  

"This is not a sad story" begins teenager Matthew James' fundraising website Newhandfund.com, which chronicles the lad's campaign to petition F1 team Mercedes GP Petronas to sponsor his prosthetic hand.

But the Mercedes-Benz team did one better, and worked with Touch Bionics to give the new hand a sleek F1-like carbon fiber design. That's right, Mercedes now makes hands.Continue reading...

Joel Ewanick was recruited as General Motors from Hyundai with expectations he would become a game-changer last year, positioning his new employer for long-term global success for its remaining brands. But the GM CMO doesn't think some of the advertising agencies that are supposed to help him are up to game speed yet. And he's getting impatient.

In recent days, trade press has been rife with reports of Ewanick's dissatisfaction with both Goody Silverstein on Chevrolet and Fallon on behalf of Cadillac. Ewanick told Automotive News and Adweek that Goodby "hasn't been consistent" since its much-heralded takeover of the Chevy account after Ewanick arrived at GM last fall, and that Fallon "is still trying to find a way to the work" that will succeed for Cadillac.

No wonder Ewanick is a little edgy these days about the two brands. Chevrolet has gotten stronger since his arrival, but a huge reason for that is one single new product: the Chevrolet Cruze small car, whose appeal seems based on fuel efficiency and strong vehicle features rather than buzz-worthy advertising. Ewanick's concerns echo doubts outsiders expressed last year when he debuted the brand's new "Chevy Runs Deep" positioning. It wasn't clear exactly what that message would do for the brand.Continue reading...