[Trends] "Many brands are now just placeholders," says Robert Passikoff, founder of Brand Keys and creator of the index. "It's nice to be number one, but people don't perceive any differences between number one and number two in many cases. People know the brand names, but they don't know what the brands stand for." ...Read the whole story

[Food] Kraft Salad Dressings will be seen in a whole new way with a new attractive bottle, clear labels that show more of the dressing, easy-open flip-top cap, and even convenient on-the-go, single-serve packets. "What began as a single initiative to contemporize the Kraft Salad Dressing packaging quickly transformed into a top-to-bottom reinvention of an entire product line," says a Kraft spokesperson. ...Read the whole story

[Packaged Goods] According to NPD, connected Web toys are a growth segment of the toy market. "Connected Web play toys, which marry a physical toy with ongoing digital play opportunities via the Internet, is a relatively new phenomenon that we've seen emerge within the toy industry," says Anita Frazier, an industry analyst with The NPD Group. "Thanks in large part to the popular Webkinz brand, this type of play is expanding into new categories and across many properties." ...Read the whole story

[Retail] But the company says the economy continues to be challenging for its shoppers. "The price leadership strategy we put in place at the beginning of the year was exactly the right strategy for our customers around the world in a tough economic environment," the company says. ...Read the whole story

[Strategy] "People are using more coupons, looking for ways to save, tips, e-newsletters, online offers," says Prospectiv's Jere Doyle. "Seventy-nine percent are dining out less frequently so they're looking for healthy meal ideas." ...Read the whole story

I'm not surprised. Even for me, the ads are engaging. They are entertaining, and it makes you happy to see the kids have fun. It's ... ...More