[Strategy] "Given that virtually everything that's happened to the flying experience since 9/11 has been negative, the airline industry, in particular, is in dire need of this new model of addressing the end consumer," observes Michael Megalli of Group 1066. "Boeing is helping its airline customers to appeal to their customers in a meaningful way. They recognized that in the world of B2B2C, product innovation has as much to do with marketing as it does with breakthrough engineering." ...Read the whole story

[Technology] "This type of application targets the 13- to-24-year-old market because these are the people whose thumbs get itchy if they can't do something with their cell phone," says James McQuivey, vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research. "If this model works, it will rely entirely on the advertiser exploring how much the medium can do." ...Read the whole story

[Automotive] This year, the company will, for the first time, launch a series of events specifically for women. Harley-Davidson will have a booth serving as kiosk for women-centric activities being held at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, August 4-11, as well as a "women's day," which will feature women-only demos, seminars and special guests. ...Read the whole story

[Retail] The beleaguered company hopes the ads--which feature "Mr. Bluelight," an animated wink at Kmart's long history of blue-light specials--will encourage shopping moms to "cross the aisle from school supplies to apparel." The campaign includes 14 TV spots, 10 local radio spots and online efforts. ...Read the whole story

[Research] MTV/Microsoft observed kids' growing number of technology-connected friendships--all with an eye to observing how those relationships can influence brands. Kids 8-14 will have an average of 11 online and face-to-face friends--a number that will quickly rise. Young adults 14-24 have an average of 53 online and face-to-face friends. ...Read the whole story