John G. Smale, 84, Had Huge Impact At P&G, GM by Thom Forbes

John G. Smale, who became the seventh CEO of Procter & Gamble in 1981 and was later credited with an early save of General Motors as its activist chairman, died Saturday from complications of pulmonary fibrosis. He was 84 and a native of Listowel, Ont., who grew up in Elmhurst, Ill. ...Read the whole story

  • spirits Ultimat Vodka Facebook App Audits Your Social Life by Karlene Lukovitz

    The app employs Face.com's facial recognition API and access to the network's database of more than 2.5 million bars, restaurants and nightclubs to analyze the user's Facebook photos and Facebook Places check-ins. ...Read the whole story

  • retail Q&A: Shoppers Back Away From Private Labels by Sarah Mahoney

    As consumers continue to intensify certain types of deal-seeking behaviors, such as having precise price limits for certain brands and items, they're losing interest in others, including private labels. Pat Conroy, vice chairman, Deloitte LLP and consumer products sector leader, explains. ...Read the whole story

  • automotive Hyundai At The Grammys And Beyond by Karl Greenberg

    Hyundai has inked a three-year partnership with the Recording Academy to become its "Official Vehicle Partner." The multi-year partnership gives Hyundai the role of exclusive vehicle partner of the Grammys as well as original music projects. ...Read the whole story

  • hospitality Hospitality Loyalty Program Membership Grows by Tanya Irwin

    The share of hospitality loyalty program members increased by 13% versus one year ago, contributing to higher overall customer satisfaction scores, according to Montreal-based iPerceptions. ...Read the whole story

  • financial services Western Union Focuses On Holiday Receiving by Aaron Baar

    In three television commercials from Dallas agency Moroch Partners, the wire transfer company depicts three scenarios in which giving money to someone makes them feel more connected to the recipient's life. ...Read the whole story

  • automotive Toyota, Andrew Zimmern Take 'Appetite' South by Karl Greenberg

    Toyota is launching the third season of its Appetite for Life campaign for the Toyota Venza crossover. The program centers on webisodes featuring celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern -- who, for the past three virtual seasons has been a kind of gustatory Jack Kerouac, traveling U.S. byways in a Venza. ...Read the whole story

advice Rules Of Engagement For New Ad Order by Jonathan Gardner

In years past, exceptional/astounding/astonishing/outstanding creative pushed the advertising envelope. ...More

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