Reuters
Nestle Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe says CEOs shouldn't use shareholder money for philanthropy. Rather, companies should try to actually profit from doing good, a trend dubbed "creating shared value." Brabeck-Letmathe spoke on the concept at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Tuesday.
NYSportsJournalism.com
The United Football League is heading into its third pro season. Its head coaches include NFL alumni, few as eccentric as Jerry Glanville, who is head coach and GM of the Hartford Colonials. He was former head coach of the NFL's Houston Oilers and the Atlanta Falcons, as well as TV sports analyst for HBO, CBS and Fox. He is also his own brand, with his own Web site, YouTube channel and Twitter account. He talks about everything from Elvis to Lady Gaga in a wide-ranging Q&A with NYSportsJournalism executive editor Barry Janoff.
The New York Times
Kenny G was in Audi's Super Bowl ad putting prisoners to sleep with his soprano sax. He also appears in an ad for a Washington State credit union promoting a new debit card with the UW logo. Others in the ad: Bill Gates, Sr., father of the founder of Microsoft; Richard Karn, star of "Home Improvement," and travel journalist Rick Steves. Other credit unions, responding to consumer distaste for big banks, are doing similar ad programs.
Boston.com
Boston ad shop Mullen has hired Kristen Cavallo as chief strategy officer. She was formerly SVP of planning and development at The Martin Agency and has also worked at Boston-based Arnold Worldwide. Mullen's client roster includes JetBlue, Timberland, GM and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Chicago Breaking News
Kraft is getting risqué with a hilarious spoof on Macbeth featuring Second City players whose "Sassy Gay Friend" character shows up to counsel Lady Macbeth as she mulls murdering the king. The effort promotes Kraft's MiO water-flavoring additive.
Supermarket Guru
Pork prices are way up and, so far, retailers have swallowed most of the hike, passing about 3% of it to consumers. The National Pork Board's new campaign, "Pork: Be Inspired," might be well timed. It targets "creative, flavor-seeking home cooks who already prepare, eat and love pork."
Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
Lady Gaga decided not to allow Target Corp. to sell a version of her new album because she felt the retailer was not doing enough to help gay and lesbian causes. Now Target has signed Grammy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson to a deal to sell a deluxe version of her new album, "I Remember Me."
Domain-B
Diageo may be looking to make a $2 billion bid on tequila brand Jose Cuervo. Diageo already has distribution rights over the brand. The paper said the Beckmann family, which owns Cuervo, may ask Barclay's Capital to manage a sale of Jose Cuervo.
Bloomberg
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service alleged H&R Block made false and disparaging claims that it found errors in two-thirds of Jackson Hewitt returns. Now a U.S. District Judge in Manhattan says the firm can seek further evidence on the issues, meaning H&R Block loses its bit to get Jackson Hewitt's lawsuit dismissed.
New York Sports Journalism
Adidas, which is launching its largest-ever campaign, has signed deals with NFL prospects defensive back Prince Amukamara of Nebraska, running back DeMarco Murray of Oklahoma, wide receiver Titus Young of Boise State, tight end Kyle Rudolph of Notre Dame and wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan of Troy, all top picks. The players will not officially be part of the league until the NFL draft, which is scheduled for April 28-30.
Current players with Adidas deals are Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs, C.J. Spiller of the Buffalo Bills, Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints, Mario Williams of …