Consumer goods group Reckitt Benckiser is buying SSL International, the maker of Durex (DUrability, Reliability and EXcellence) condoms and Scholl sandals maker, for $3.8 billion, Paul Sandle reports. Reckitt CEO Bart Becht expects the deal to increase the group's health and personal care net revenues by more than 36%. "Durex, in the sexual well-being category, is the global No. 1 condom brand and Scholl is the market leader in the foot care category in many of the markets where it is present," he says. Counterbidders such as Johnson & Johnson or GlaxoSmithKline could step in but analysts suggest that's …

Ian Sherr reports that Apple is trying to leverage the appeal of its iPhone and iPad devices to target the small business market that has largely remained in the PC camp for computers and servers over the years. It's primarily going after local businesses that it can reach through one of its nearly 300 retail stores, according to sources familiar with the company's strategy. As further evidence of the thrust, Sherr cites job postings for engineers on the Apple site that read: "Thousands of businesses run on Apple products. Many more would like to, and that's where you …

I could no more resist a story about rising ice cream sales that leads with the line "the Benito Belly Buster is back" than I can resist the guilty pleasure itself. Stephen Gandel reports that national ice cream sales were up 20% in May over 2009, leading to what some might call irresponsible exuberance on the part of the Royal Scoop Homemade Ice Cream shop in Benito Spring, Fla. It has revived its $34.99 ice cream platter containing 15 scoops, six toppings, three bananas and a mound of whip cream after a five-year hiatus. "It doesn't …

Blimpie is introducing what it calls "The Lighter Stuff," a six-item line "encouraging healthy, active lifestyles," Barry Janoff reports. Chris "Beanie" Wells, a second-year running back with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, will star in a national marketing campaign for the new menu items. The campaign includes a social media aspect with destinations on Facebook and Twitter. "Being a professional athlete, nutritious, wholesome meals are an important part of my daily routine," Wells says. "Now with The Lighter Stuff menu, Blimpie has made it even easier and tastier for me to stay on point with my health and fitness …

Profits were up 16% in Coca-Cola's second quarter and analysts credit advertising tied to the World Cup to a 5% volume growth in sales (2% in North America). Last quarter, sales dipped 1%. Duane D. Stanford reports that Coca-Cola used the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament in South Africa to stage its largest marketing campaign ever, covering 160 countries. It plans to finish its purchase of the North American assets of its largest bottler in October, which should improve distribution and boost profits. Coca-Cola, meanwhile, says it is reviewing its relationship with digital …

Playing the contrarian in the swarm of buzzing social marketers, Jonathan Salem Baskin says he'd choose effective interruption over pointless engagement anytime and wonders why you wouldn't, too. First of all, says the global brand strategist, no one wakes up in the morning hating ads. Granted, most ads are dishonest or useless, but that doesn't mean they have to be. Second, "permission marketing" is pure "babblespeak" [one wonders: like "babblespeak" itself?]. There are plenty of good reasons why consumers want to know things they may not have asked about. Think about delivering relevance, immediacy and meaning …

It's decidedly not your father's LensCrafters: It has a wind tunnel, a concierge and it's shaped like an eyeball. Luxottica's Eye Hub, a 16,000-square-foot store in Australia, is an experiment in interactive merchandising, Stephanie Clifford tells us -- sort of a cross between Disneyland and an Apple store. The space is designed to make buying eyewear more of an event than a chore and hopefully will entice customers from discount chains and online shopping. Luxottica will also use the store as a live research and development lab and will replicate elements that catch on with consumers in its …