Sojern will announce today that it has partnered with five airlines to offer online boarding passes that will be splashed with coupons, weather information and restaurant and event promotions for their destinations. The service will be offered initially by Delta. Sojern has also cut deals with Continental, United, Northwest and US Airways to offer the service within a year. A sample online boarding pass for Las Vegas listed suggestions including the Angel Park Golf Club, a David Copperfield magic performance and 10 restaurants, as well as display ads for Cirque du Soleil shows. Travelers can click on links for all …

Thanks to social networking on the Internet, people are increasingly going public with alternative uses for familiar products. Preparation H allegedly makes muscles appear more defined by shrinking nearby tissue; Hellman's mayonnaise is purportedly an effective hair conditioner. The question for marketers is whether or not to promote these off-label uses -- and if you do promote them, how not to undermine the products' established strengths. For several years, a list that details quirky uses for Bounce dryer sheets -- including tying them to belt loops as a bug repellent -- has been the subject of viral e-mails and …

Starbucks is taking the wraps off of two new Vivanno smoothies today -- Orange Mango Banana Blend and Banana Chocolate Blend -- that are part of its effort to expand into healthier fare. They will be available nationally and are billed as "nourishing blends" that can include fruit and bittersweet cocoa, whey and fiber. Both are less than 300 calories. The chain is also unveiling two icy blends exclusively at selected Starbucks in Los Angeles and Orange County. Starbucks locations selling the new drinks will be visibly "branded" out front; sales will determine whether the drink rolls out to …

Converse -- which is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a global campaign dubbed "Connectivity -- is the latest in a growing list of companies turning to music to amplify their marketing messages. Last month, it released a free download, "My Drive Thru," that was written and performed by a disparate trio of artists: Pharrell Williams, who produced the song; up-and-coming R&B artist Santogold, and Julian Casablancas, lead singer of The Strokes. The four-minute song, which was also released to radio stations, has had daily downloads in the thousands, received favorable reviews from critics and fans, and created buzz for …

Microsoft showed off a new Windows Vista-style 3D interface for the Xbox 360 Monday that will allow players to create their own character or avatar for the console. Both Microsoft and Sony are using avatars to make online gaming and socializing more appealing as they move into the next phase of development of their consoles. The new look will be made possible by a software update that will be available as a free download in the autumn. "It used to be that you had to launch hardware to bring new experiences to users, what we're going to prove is …

Studies reveal that as much as 45% of what we do every day is performed almost without thinking, usually because of subtle cues. And many of the products we use every day -- chewing gums, skin moisturizers, disinfecting wipes, air fresheners, water purifiers -- are results of manufactured habits. When anthropologist Val Curtis wanted to double the hand-washing rate in Ghana -- a West African nation where almost every home contains a soap bar but only 4% of adults regularly lather up after using the toilet -- she persuaded Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive and Unilever to join an initiative …

As critics around the world call attention to China's track record on human rights and environmental issues, Coca-Cola this week is launching the final phase of a 60-country marketing blitz for the Olympics themed "Live Olympic on the Coke Side of Life." Coke says it never considered adjusting or scaling back its program and is not concerned about negative consumer feedback. The broadest aspect of the program is the rollout of commemorative packaging in 150 countries. That, more than anything else, indicates the company's support of this year's Olympic Games, says Kevin Tressler, Coke's director-worldwide sports and entertainment marketing. …