Guy in an orange shirt walks up to the camera on a dock and says, "I'm Darryl Willis. I oversee BP's claims process on the Gulf Coast. BP has got to make things right, and that's why we're here."

Who is Darryl Willis? He is VP of resources for BP, based in Houston, reports Edmund Lee, and he grew up in New Orleans. Some say he's a better spokesman for the fractured oil company than CEO Tony Hayward (who wouldn't be).

"Willis has been setting up and overseeing BP's claims offices in the affected Gulf Coast states -- a juxtaposition that some commenters on black-focused blogs said has undertones of racial perfidy," Lee writes, prefacing a Q&A with the man via phone as he was en route from Florida to New Orleans.

Meanwhile, MSNBC reports that inside the company, experts believe, there is a natural tension between public relations people who want BP to project a positive image and lawyers who don't want to be boxed into a corner.  Read the whole story...

Brent Snavely reports that Lincoln's future depends on new small, stylish cars and SUVs that broaden the brand's lineup and give Ford's only remaining luxury brand a clear identity, according to dealers and analysts.

The decision to end production of Mercury gives Ford an opportunity it didn't have before, said Erich Merkle, president of the consulting company Autoconomy.com in Grand Rapids, Mich. "It will allow them to come down in terms of size."

Ford plans to introduce seven all-new or significantly refreshed Lincoln vehicles over the next four years -- including its first-ever Lincoln in the compact segment. Ford has not said whether that compact vehicle will be a car, SUV or crossover. Read the whole story...

General Mills said it has signed a deal making its Wheaties Fuel the official cereal of the Ironman Triathlon, reports Barry Janoff.

Wheaties Fuel will support its role with the Ironman Triathlon with national TV, print and online advertising. The brand will also have such onsite activation at upcoming Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events as signage, sampling stations and a presence at the finish line "to help loved ones encourage their winners through the finish."

Wheaties Fuel joins other Ironman Triathlon marketing partners including Ford Motor Co., PowerBar, Timex and Gatorade. Media partners include NBC Universal's roster of networks. Read the whole story...

Kirk Ladendorf tells us that Dell Inc. has laid out plans to shift to more cost-competitive computer designs, cut manufacturing costs, line up longer-term sales deals with retailers and save money by shipping more products in ships rather than by air freight.

Company officials spoke at an annual briefing Thursday with financial and industry analysts, some of whom have criticized Dell's consumer operations as a drag on the company's financial performance.

"Consumer has struggled over the last 18 months, and we have been very clear that we have been disappointed in it," said Brian Gladden, Dell's chief financial officer. "That is our biggest opportunity, and we have a plan that we feel very good about in terms of getting to 2% and beyond that." Read the whole story...

Elisabetta Gucci's plan to open a global chain of hotels under her name may be blocked by the luxury goods company founded by her great-grandfather, Zainab Fattah reports.

The daughter of late fashion mogul Paolo Gucci, who designed the Italian brand's trademark stirrup, plans to open an 87-suite property in Dubai's Media World district by the end of the year, according to Lorens Ziller, managing director of her EG Hotels company. Branded EG Hotels by Elisabetta Gucci, it will showcase furniture designed by her and built by Formitalia.

The Dubai hotel will be the first of 40 to open across the world in the next 15 years, according to Ziller. Gucci's partner is Baitek International Investment, owned by Saudi Arabian investor Abdulla Al Sayegh. The website of Elisabetta Gucci, born in 1952, states that she has no connection with the fashion house. Read the whole story...

Major League Eating's growth in recent years had brought along a new fan base for competitive eating, and new sponsorships. For the annual July 4th hot dog-eating contest in Coney Island, N.Y., Pepto Bismol will be joining the Nathan's Famous in promoting the event. Read the whole story...

Read the whole story...