Apple is working on a line of less pricey iPhones that includes a reworking of the software lineup for the phones to meet competitive pressure from less-expensive competitors. The phone would be about half the price of the current phones, meaning carriers could sell it at prices competitive with competitors. Currently, consumers can buy the phones from carriers for $199 or so.

Burger King has tapped John Schaufelberger, who developed the Pizza Burger, to its top marketing position in Europe. He will be SVP marketing for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He was previously VP of global product and innovation. The Pizza Burger launched in the U.S. last year and is also in Japan but not in Europe.

A National Public Radio report says that the formula for Coca-Cola was found in a newspaper column from 1979 in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Nothing secret about the ingredients unless one considers that trace amounts of cocaine from "spent" coca leaves are still, apparently, part of the mix. The other stuff is standard spice-shelf fare like nutmeg, lemon oil and cinnamon, just the kinds of things a 19th century doctor would mix up with a dash to cocaine to make a drug-store elixir.

The song most of us know, "Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there," was written by a young Barry Manilow when he was writing jingles. The full song was never recorded, but rock band Weezer, approached by State Farm to record the song, said they'd give it a try. They can fill concerts but can they insure your car? You be the judge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaaHevyxvvA&feature=player_embedded

An Illinois lawmaker has introduced a bill to allow corporate sponsorship of license plates. Motorists could, theoretically, buy sponsored plates at a discount. The lawmaker, state Sen. John Mulroe, D-Chicago, said it would let the state raise revenue without raising taxes.

MillerCoors LLC said it will increase marketing spend this year and introduce new packaging for Coors Light. The company said fourth-quarter profit is up 41%. The new packaging, which the company will introduce this spring, will have a feature that indicates when the beverage has reached a "super cold" temperature.

The number of electric cars sold in California will be greater than that of the five next largest states combined. The Center for Automotive Research (CAR), based in Ann Arbor, Mich. said sales of the electrics will follow a similar pattern to those of hybrids like Toyota's Prius. A CAR study says California also has the highest density of hybrid owners, with more than 50 per 10,000 residents, compared with fewer than 26 per 10,000 in Texas or Michigan. Chevrolet has started deliveries of the Volt and Nissan its Leaf, and Ford is prepping production of an electric …

AT&T is hoping for Old Spice's level of success with a group of grizzled old guys who will shout Valentine's Day messages from a mountain top (California's Mount Baldy). Monday's webcast starts at noon eastern and will run for hours featuring live video of the characters shouting messages tweeted and entered on Facebook.

Ad executive Peter Arnell, known for koan-like marketing insights, epic weight-loss, and unwavering ability to inspire true terror within the Arnell Group rank-and-file, has been fired at his own agency and replaced by his wife. He is now apparently suing his agency and parent Omnicom for allegedly refusing to return his objects d' art.

Whole Foods Market saw first-quarter net income rise to $88.7 million because of increased retail traffic and average transactions. Sales for the quarter, which ended Jan. 16, were up 14% to $3 billion and same-store sales were up 9.1%, a four-year high. Co-CEO Walter Robb said average weekly per-store sales rose 9% to $621,000.