[Automotive] The effort is more of a true brand campaign than the carmaker has had in a long time, a company spokesperson says, because it gets back to the essence of Subaru's brand values. And it precedes product support that will be out in the last half of the year. ...Read the whole story

[Packaged Goods] Yesterday's announcement via press release was heavy on the environmental benefit, which may be the focus of future marketing around the shift, although the company also will have to spend big bucks to convince consumers that they are getting as much for their money as they had been. ...Read the whole story

[Beauty] A recent report on ethnic beauty products finds that after a few years of so-so growth, these mass skincare products aimed at the ethnic market are poised for takeoff. And marketers are becoming increasingly adept at both developing ethnic-specific products, as well as marketing mainstream brands to ethnic audiences. ...Read the whole story

[Research] The financial sector has begun addressing mature single women, but there's little sign of movement within other categories, notes Laura Ries, principal in the branding consultancy Ries & Ries. "Many marketing plans are still being developed by 50-plus, married men who have a stereotypical view of singles as lonely people desperate to get married." ...Read the whole story

[Pharmaceuticals] Despite the future blockbuster status of several drugs, the increased cost-consciousness in many markets combined with the impending arrival of multiple lower-priced emerging therapies will result in only modest annual growth in the asthma market from 2006 to 2011, and a small decline in its growth between 2011 and 2016. ...Read the whole story

[Major Appliances] The new campaign, its largest to date, extends brand imagery with a TV ad spotlighting the energy efficiency and quietness of its appliances. The ads put Bosch appliances in different locations in nature, emphasizing how they help preserve nature and don't disturb it either, when they are operating. Tagline: "Invented for life." ...Read the whole story

[Research] Immigration is no longer the main driver of growth in the U.S. Hispanic market. It's been surpassed by natural growth of the in-country population, according to a report from the Mercanti Group, an investment-banking firm that tracks Hispanic marketing issues. In the future, the trend will have major implications for advertisers trying to reach Hispanics with tailored marketing programs, including choice of language and media for delivery of ad messages. ...Read the whole story