• retail In Dollar Dust-Up, Marketing To Poor Gets New Focus by Sarah Mahoney

  As the economic recovery breathes new life into luxury marketing, it's easy to overlook shifting demographics among poorer consumers. Yet "the dollar channel continues to grow because it's so well aligned to the needs of the core, low-income shopper," says Mike Paglia, Kantar Media director of retail insights. ...Read the whole story

• automotive Hyundai Has New Recipe For NCAA Sponsorship by Karl Greenberg

  Hyundai is returning for its fourth year as NCAA college football sponsor with an integrated campaign touting the brand's car lineup. The campaign -- comprising TV, print, radio, digital, and social media -- also brings in YouTube and social food network Tastemade, adding spice to an experiential component at each of the schools it sponsors. ...Read the whole story

• technology Fitbit Holds Lead Among Fitness Wearables by Aaron Baar

  "Fitbit has been around for the last seven, eight years. It's not an overnight success," Harry Wang, director of health and mobile research at Parks, tells "Marketing Daily." "The consumer needs to be aware of what's out there. The timing was right for them." ...Read the whole story

• restaurants Subway Spoofs Fitness Crazes by Karlene Lukovitz

  In the television spot launching on Labor Day, a young man tells his meal partner (they're eating at Subway) that he's currently doing "Crop Fit," a hardcore fitness program "based on 19th Century farming practices." ...Read the whole story

• automotive Nissan Brings Back Heisman House by Karl Greenberg

  Central to the effort, via TBWA\Chiat\Day and ESPN's shop CreativeWorks, are six 45-second videos about 11 former Heisman winners living in the fictive house, with humorous setups around age differences and various well-known player proclivities. ...Read the whole story

• financial services Aflac Ties Effort To College Football by Tanya Gazdik Irwin

  Aflac is kicking off the college football season with a TV spot, an online sweepstakes and a partnership with 1991 Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard. In addition to the spot, Aflac also is partnering with Howard to launch an integrated marketing campaign. ...Read the whole story

Verily, we live in a Golden Age of TV -- terrestrial, cable, streaming, telepathic, whatever. Unless you are devoted to the major networks, or stuff yourself on so-called reality TV, if you are seeking cultural treasure ...More

• Why Animals Are So Good At Telling Stories by Reid Tatoris

  When it comes to discussing tough or otherwise boring topics, consumers are intensely attracted to the entertainment that animals proffer. ...More