Comedian Will Ferrell's FunnyOrDie kiosk for improv clips by celebrities has signed up with Web researcher Klout.com to promote advertiser-sponsored entertainment. Dick Glover, CEO of the L.A.-based FunnyOrDie, said the company, which has shows on HBO and Comedy Central, will expand to live comedy shows before an audience of social-media users who have large followings, chosen through Klout's research. Evidently, the company wants to use social media to get ad revenue without losing its independent appearance.

The Integer Group asked a panel of 1,200 Americans what would influence their preference for one brand over another when it comes to causes the brands promote. All things being equal (same product category, price and quality) women say they are most likely to buy from companies backing cures and prevention, with social change, faith-based, animal and child welfare causes also appealing. The study found that men and women part ways when mulling products from companies that donate with every purchase: women are more likely to respond to these programs (44% vs. 38% of the overall population) while …

As expected after Smucker last week cut its prices of Folgers and Dunkin' Donuts by an average 6%, Kraft is following suit on its coffee brands. Kraft's price cut amounts to about 20 cents per pound on roast and ground coffees, and two cents per ounce on instant coffees, Kraft spokeswoman Bridget MacConnell said Tuesday. The company isn't cutting prices on its Gevalia, Maxwell House International and Tassimo coffee brands.

While it still outfits professional athletes, the brand has begun putting its iconic label on non-celebrities, including the wait staff, bus boys and valets at Nobu in the Hamptons, where diners are surrounded by the open-jawed crocodile logo. "As a consumer, you're sitting there and Lacoste is all around you," said Charlie Walk, a partner at RJW Collective, a marketing agency based in Manhattan that works with Lacoste. "But it's not in your face screaming to you that there's a branded moment here in the middle of your meal -- it's an elegantly disruptive activation." Employees at the Soho …

This year, says Motista, only 24% of consumers are planning to make their next relevant purchase with the retailers they frequent today, so retailers must establish and leverage emotional connection to retain their customers and increase sales. The research firm suggests that building deeper connections with consumers can help drive higher levels of purchase intent, response rates, online engagement and advocacy. Connected consumers are better retail consumers -- consumers who feel emotional connections to their retailers are four times more likely to shop those retailers first when relevant needs arise, as compared to consumers who are simply familiar and satisfied …

MegaMex Foods LLC, a joint venture of Hormel Foods Corp. and Herdez Del Fuerte, S.A. de C.V., has completed its acquisition of Fresherized Foods, maker of Wholly Guacamole, the leading brand of prepared guacamole in the United States. Annual sales for the company are expected to be about $140 million. "We look forward to the growth Wholly Guacamole, Wholly Salsa and Wholly Queso products will add to the MegaMex Foods portfolio of products," said Enrique Hernández-Pons Torres, chairman of the board of MegaMex Foods. "This acquisition enhances the position of MegaMex Foods as a one-stop-shop for Mexican foods."

Ford Motor Co.'s marketing efforts have jived with LG Electronics USA, a consumer electronics company, in a partnership that will wrap 200 Ford Focuses in LG logos. LG has chosen the Focus hatchback to transport a team of "brand ambassadors," merchandising experts who have been selected to work with consumer electronics and appliance retailers on educatio

According to sources reporting to AppleInsider, Apple has begun production on TV advertisements to promote the iPhone 5 that will not be ready until the first week of October. Combating rumors of the iPhone 5 release date have placed its debut at the end of September or beginning of October, with Oct. 7 being the most popular line of thinking. According to an AT&T executive, the phone company will be ramping up its operations over the next couple months.

An online ad looking for "test subjects" for an alternate-reality game has garnered 600,000 participants since May. In reality, though, it is part of the marketing plan for Wrigley's 5 gum brand, introduced in 2007 to get teens and young adults back into chewing gum. The gum maker's game, dubbed "The Human Preservation Project," claims to be recruiting players to take part in virtual experiments to save the human race by maintaining sensory experiences.

To reward loyal customers with such perks as sales and service discounts at the dealership, Mercedes-Benz USA, its financial arm, and American Express have rolled out two new co-branded credit cards that include an array of awards for the luxury automaker's clientele. It was also announced Monday that the automaker has signed on to American Express' membership rewards program.