[Automotive] The Ford unit will sponsor Virgin America's in-flight entertainment system, Red, and will pitch its vehicles and dealer network to Virgin America passengers on the system, which shows pay-per-view movies, satellite TV, games, song playlists and other entertainment. ...Read the whole story

[Retail] "This is kind of a no-brainer for Wal-Mart," says Vikram Sehgal, research director at Jupiter Research. About 52% of those in Jupiter's survey have either written a review themselves or contributed some kind of feedback, he says, adding that customers who use online reviews are also more likely to be younger, as well as more affluent--two audiences Wal-Mart has been courting. ...Read the whole story

[Telecommunications] At Los Angeles International Airport, officials gave Samsung Telecommunications America space to display its latest cellular phones for travelers to ogle while waiting for flights. Marketing efforts also include Samsung signage that sits at the top of each pole. And carriers received pamphlets promoting the service. ...Read the whole story

[Food] Second-quarter profit was down by 96%, but Hershey plans to significantly increase ad spend in the second half of the year as it begins an alliance with Starbucks to develop and market a premium line of coffee-flavored chocolates. ...Read the whole story

[Packaged Goods] The new ads, from Cramer-Krasselt, carry the tagline "Beautiful under the harshest conditions," and tout the dishes as both break-resistant and fashionable. In the ads, the plates are displayed in harsh environments like a coral reef, a sand desert, a bed of rocks and buried beneath thorns in a rose bush. ...Read the whole story

[Technology] Companies are ready to invest more than just time to build standards and best practices. Worldwide spending on mobile ads could reach $13.9 billion in 2011, up from $1.5 billion last year, estimates eMarketer. The research firm forecasts the U.S. will contribute $4.8 billion in 2011, up from $421 million in 2006. ...Read the whole story