Computer-chip giant Intel is shaking up the executive lineup in its marketing operation, reports Brandweek. The company announced that Eric Kim, the man behind the "Entertainment In Your Lap" campaign, has been moved out of his position co-managing the sales and marketing group. Kim was named general manager of the smaller digital home group, which focuses on emerging technologies in areas such as home entertainment. At the same time, Sean Maloney was named evp-sales and marketing, and will report to Intel chief Paul Otellini. Maloney had been co-manager of the mobility group, where he dealt with marketing the technology that …

The U.S. division of Italian clothing marketer Castelli is launching a new collection of high-end products re-establishing the brand as a leader in the cycling apparel industry. The move is being made under new ownership that has relocated the American distributorship of the brand to Portland, Oregon, reports The Oregonian. "Castelli was known for innovation and delivered a product that made a difference," says Greg Cowan, who owns a majority of the Castelli U.S. business with his wife. He acknowledged that the company "hasn't fulfilled that promise" in recent years, but said it's looking to change. "We're not living in …

Japanese automaker Toyota has discovered the wonders of video on demand, says Ad Age. The company has cut a deal with Cablevision for a VOD campaign that supports three of its brands: the Camry sedan, the RAV4 small sports utility vehicle, and the Yaris. All are highlighted in branded content on the cable provider's digital Optimum Autos interactive channel, where subscribers can watch videos about each car's 2007 model. Users can also request pricing information or product brochures with the click of a remote, since the cable operator already has subscribers' contact information. Toyota collects the requests and distributes leads …

Beverage marketer Minute Maid is introducing its first branded campaign that encompasses all products that fall under the Minute Maid banner. The effort includes new animated TV spots that show the company's products sprouting from trees and flowers and people enjoying them in a variety of ways, reports Brandweek. Spanish-language TV ads and print also supports the new effort. The campaign is targeted to women 25-54 "who understand health and happiness are found in making the most of life's everyday moments," according to a spokesman from Doner, the 60-year-old brand's ad agency. One of the campaign's key goals, in addition …

In an attempt to leverage its assets in an increasingly anti-smoking world, giant cigarette marketer Philip Morris will begin testing a new smokeless tobacco product, reports Promo. The new product, called Taboka, is a more modern version of traditional smokeless tobacco, which requires users to expectorate the product at some point. Taboka comes in a single-serve pouch, which users place between their cheek and gums and dispose of when finished. Each pouch lasts about twice as long as a cigarette. The development of Taboka would leverage Philip Morris' infrastructure--including production, merchandising, and marketing--as smoking increasingly falls out of favor. A …

Athletic gear marketer Nike is getting into the online community trend and is using soccer as the lynchpin of its efforts, reports Business Week. The company launched a new social networking site called Joga.com as part of its overall World Cup marketing strategy. Users can use it for a host of activities: blog, create fan communities around a favorite teams or player, such as Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho, organize pickup games, download videos and rant against the encroaching commercialism of the game. The program was launched during the World Cup, but it continues beyond the tournament. The site is just one …

Everyone knows about product placement--or brand integration, as some marketers like to call it. It's when a product is subtly placed into a scene in a movie or TV show, like a can of Coke on a kitchen table or a box of Kellogg's Corn Flakes that's visible when a character opens a cabinet. But now the process has gone verbal. Product mentions are being placed in the dialogue spoken by characters in scripted shows, says The Washington Post. The actors' lines essentially become commercials that can't be zapped through when using a digital video recorder. "Whereas they used to …

The runaway success of Apple Computer's iPod has spawned an accessories market some estimate at $1 billion, reports Business Week Online. The basic design of the portable music player has not changed significantly in the past year. But the desire to personalize the Apple music-player experience has resulted in third-party supplier products, ranging from high-fidelity speakers that will turn the music player into a digital boombox to a shoulder-bag holder. In fact, the iPod add-ons have gone fringe. There is a growing list of wacky accessories that range from a leather thong case (not what you think) to a dock …

The Home Depot announced it would begin selling advertising on its Web site. The Atlanta-based home-improvement retailer is hoping to entice advertisers with the promise of reaching the 4 million consumers who view the Web site each week and the more than 6 million subscribers to various homedepot.com newsletters. A number of vendors have signed on, including fixture-maker Moen.

General Motors plans to take the celebrity route to promote its Chevrolet brand with trend-setting urban youth in Seattle, New York, and Miami, reports Brandweek.The company has hired Translation Consultation and Brand Imaging, a New York firm, to match stars with its auto models Chevy HHR, Cobalt, Aveo, and Equinox. Translation has married Jay-Z with Reebok, and Beyonce with Tommy Hilfiger. The typical Chevrolet owner is age 46, and this effort is intended to court the 17- to-34-year-old male driver, officials said.