Ads "now play second fiddle to where they're presented," write Carat CEO David Verklin and the late Bernice Kanner in "Watch This, Listen Up, Click Here: Inside the 300 Billion Dollar Business Behind the Media You Constantly Consume" (John Wiley & Sons, $24.95). Rumors of the impending demise or serious wounding of the advertising industry by warp-speed advances in communications technology are greatly exaggerated, the authors say. But that doesn't mean that there won't be change. Hyperlocalism and personalization will be emphasized, as well as increased targeting of viewers and tracking of return on investment. Ads positioned …

Throwing up a white flag on its U.S. laundry business--once a key battleground with global archrival Procter & Gamble--Unilever says it is exploring divesting the business as part of a plan to jettison underperforming brands. Key brands affected are All and Snuggle; others involved include Wisk and Surf. CEO Patrick Cescau says the company also would consider joint ventures or licensing deals. The divestitures are part of a stepped-up restructuring effort in which Unilever will reduce its global headcount by about 20,000 over the next four years. It remains a major player in laundry products in Western Europe …

Amazon.com has invited a small group of its customers in Mercer Island, Wash., to participate in a pilot program that allows them to go online to order perishable groceries, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and milk to be delivered the following day. Dubbed Amazon Fresh, the company will store the groceries at a local refrigerated warehouse and deliver them in "temperature-controlled totes" using its own trucks. Amazon plans to offer the service in other Seattle neighborhoods and could expand beyond that "when we're ready," says spokesman Craig Berman. Amazon also has been offering a gourmet-food-delivery service since …

Take-Two Interactive says it is pushing back the sale of Grand Theft Auto IV from October into the second quarter of next year because it is not finished. The delay is likely to have ripple effects on the industry during its crucial holiday selling season. Demand for the highly popular video game was expected to drive sales of the consoles for which it was designed--Sony's PlayStation 3 and Microsoft's Xbox 360. Wall Street analysts have been disappointed by the sales of those consoles, particularly relative to the cheaper and less sophisticated Wii from Nintendo. Some game industry analysts …

With names such as "Fit n' Fruitful," "Heart Defender" and "Acai Super-Antioxidant," Jamba Juice is attempting to take the guesswork out of some of its menu offerings. It has unveiled five smoothies as part of the "Jamba Functionals" group that are tailored to meet individual's health and lifestyle needs. Gym bunnies, for example, can get their daily protein boost by ordering the "Protein Berry Workout," while a customer who went overboard with the cholesterol the night before might choose a "Heart Defender" smoothie. Initial promotion of the new smoothie options will include "cup-talkers"--circular cards that fit over …

The Swiss army needs a fresh batch of 65,000 pocket knives that are as closely associated with the country as the Matterhorn. Because of the high value of the contract, it looks like the tendering process must be opened to companies worldwide and China--which has been producing pirate copies of the knife for years. China is thought to have the best chance of winning it. The issue has become one of the hottest political topics of the summer in the land of cuckoo clocks and muesli, with far-right politicians saying that national pride is at stake. "If the Swiss …

Google has invested hundreds of millions in a cell phone project--developing prototype handsets, making overtures to operators, such as T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, and talking over technical specifications with phone manufacturers--in expectations of launching devices customized to its products. The plans are a double-edged sword for wireless operators. Google's powerful brand and its popular Web services--including its search engine, email and a new mobile Web browser--could help operators sign up more subscribers to data packages. However, operators have been wary about losing control over the mobile-ad market. The long-rumored Google phones are still in the planning …

A push into higher-end consumer electronics is boosting Wal-Mart's sales and roiling competitors. By relying on well-known brands and lower prices, the retailer's estimated $22.6 billion in sales at its super-centers and discount stores in 2006 trailed market leader Best Buy ($31 billion), but was well ahead of No. 3 Circuit City ($11.9 billion). Analysts expect significant gains this year. Two factors have helped propel Wal-Mart's electronics surge. First is Wal-Mart's remodeling of its electronics departments, offering snazzier in-store displays and big-name brands, such as Nintendo and Samsung. Second: Prices have fallen so steeply for previously big-ticket …

Cerberus is expected to close on its acquisition of Chrysler from DaimlerChrysler as soon as Friday, and big changes are in store. They include the possibility of an expanded alliance with Korean automaker Hyundai and a deal to build cars in Russia. CEO Tom LaSorda will continue to lead Chrysler's executive team, but analysts expect Cerberus executive Wolfgang Bernhard, Chrysler's former COO and now its co-chair, to drive most of the changes on the product side. A charismatic leader, Bernhard has swept through the organization like a whirlwind--poring over product plans, brainstorming with executives, checking on even routine events …

Procter & Gamble's Gillette division and retailer The Art of Shaving are launching Gillette's Fusion Chrome Collection, a premium assortment of shaving instruments "for the true shaving connoisseur" on Oct. 1. The collection consists of two razors--manual and powered versions (the latter has a built-in spotlight)--a coordinating shaving brush and two shaving stands. Suggested retail pricing for power razor will be $150; $125 for the manual razor. The shaving brush and shaving stands will be sold for $75 and $100. The line will be available at all Art of Shaving shops (27 nationwide), theartofshaving.com, upscale retailers and …