Hong Kong native Jackie Chan seems to have never met a product he wouldn't endorse, David Pierson reports from Beijing with help from Nicole Liu and Tommy Yang. On TV ads and billboards, he hawks everything from electric bikes to anti-virus software to frozen dumplings. But his wanton ways sometimes land him in the soup. After it was reported that an anti-hair-loss shampoo he promoted allegedly contained carcinogens, social networks and media in China lit up with chatter about the "Jackie Chan curse." There was an auto repair school that became enmeshed in a diploma scandal. A maker …

An Indian government agency is taking a martial posture against what it calls "yoga theft" after several U.S. companies said they wanted to copyright or patent their versions of the ancient practice that has its roots in South Asia, Emily Wax and Ayesha Manocha report from New Delhi. The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library has gathered yogis from nine schools and 200 scientists to scan ancient texts and document more than 900 yoga postures. Next month, it will release a video catalogue of 250 of the most popular ones, from sun salutation to downward-facing dog. "Yoga is …

Procter & Gamble is getting set to market two new additions to a brand that, after Tide detergent, may be its best known, David Holthaus reports. Ads for Crest Pro-Health Clinical Gum Protection and Crest Pro-Health For Me -- the 41st and 42nd current versions of the toothpaste -- will break Sept. 1 for the top-selling product. "This product is clinically proven to reduce gingivitis in four weeks," says Dr. Robert Gerlach, a P&G dentist and senior researcher who led a study of 984 Cincinnatians that found that half of them suffered from some degree of gingivitis, or …

When United and Continental announced their betrothal in April, they unveil a new family crest that is to replace the giant Saul Bass-designed "U" -- or "tulip" -- that has been United's logo for nearly 40 years, Julie Johnsson reports. Continental's globe logo and blue-and-gold color scheme will be stamped on all jets operated by the new United. In response, some upset United stalwarts have launched "Save the Tulip" campaigns on Facebook and Twitter. "Someone needs to make a stand for good communications and good branding," says United frequent flier Timothy Jasionowski. "The tulip is an iconic part …

Natalie Zmuda reports that Pepsi Max, which has been on and off the "diet" kick in its labeling since its launch in the U.S. in 2007, is re-starting a third time with a "crystal-clear" positioning that drops the word diet from its messaging altogether: "Zero calories, maximum taste." "Not having diet on the can, the challenge is on us to communicate that it also has zero calories," says Lauren Hobart, CMO of sparkling brands at PepsiCo. The word "diet," she points out, "focuses on what's not in the product vs. what's in the product," which admittedly is not …

Organic food comes with real health benefits and significant costs, says the magazine, which has put together a package looking at both sides of the debate.

Looks like an interesting rebranding is in progress as the controversial wide receiver tells Cincinnati Bengals fans: "With my 'me against the world' mentality as a young man, I've learned that life can be more challenging but I've matured." In short, he promises to be a team player with his new "extended family."

Sources tell Andy Pasztor that the Federal Aviation Administration is going to propose a penalty of $25 million or more against American Airlines for maintenance lapses that prompted widespread flight cancellations in the spring of 2008. Looks like it's time for the crises communications team to get in gear to get across American's contention that any FAA action is unwarranted and that, as it says in a statement, the company "has always maintained its aircraft to the highest standards." Pasztor writes that American believes that the quality of its maintenance exceeds work that other carriers generally …