In his new ad for Ciroc vodka, Sean Combs evokes The Chairman of the Board. But Combs the businessman, like The Donald, has built his brand on a variety of platforms (minus real estate): film, TV, music, clothing and fragrances.

Facebook is set to introduce Sponsored Story ads into users' news feeds, a move that will give brands' advertising more visibility on the social network. The extension, which integrates friends' names, images and activity -- such as when they have "liked" a brand's Facebook page -- into ads is understood to start appearing in users' news feeds early next year.

Sprint is in the business of wireless telecommunications, but it uses race cars, basketballs, ski slopes and footballs to help its messages reach consumers. This week, Sprint unveiled a four-year deal making it the official wireless service provider for the NBA. Earlier this month, the company extended its partnership with NASCAR through the 2016. Steve Gaffney, vice-president of corporate marketing for Sprint, discusses the company's 24/7 strategy to embrace sports marketing.

I have to run this one because I was almost run over by an Alpha male in a 6-Series blasting GnR's "Mr. Brownstone" yesterday. This article about a faux leaked document is a pretty hilarious (and possibly spot on) take on the BMW owner psychographic. The "official document" finds BMW drivers get dealer incentives for "failing to use turn signals, cutting off other drivers, tailgating, flipping the bird and other affronts to road civility have become indelibly associated with the Bavarian Marque."

If you're a hit on YouTube when vying to be the Republican nominee for President, it's possible you're getting mileage from parodies. Texas Gov. Rick Perry's gaffes and well-documented memory lapses made him a hit on social media lately, but his recent ad, "Strong" may put him in the realm of funny cat videos.

True Value has named Blake Fohl as its new VP marketing and chief customer officer. In his new role, Fohl will lead brand strategy; segmentation; national, local and regional marketing; trade shows; and research and analytics. In addition, he is responsible for a wide range of programs and initiatives, including True Value's customer loyalty program, True Value Rewards, True Value's circular program and retail customer experience metrics.

Simple.com, a new online service, formerly BankSimple, opened last month to its first small batch of early customers. The web interface for a number of FDIC-insured traditional banks means to get rid of all the things people hate about banks.

China may overtake Germany as the world's second-largest market for luxury cars behind the U.S. this year, fueled by demand for category leaders BMW and Audi.

AFC Enterprises has promoted Richard Lynch from chief marketing officer to chief global brand officer at its Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen subsidiary.

Iowa, which wants to become the healthiest state in the nation, is putting out a "healthy holiday tips and recipes" message via Des Moines-based supermarket chain Hy-Vee on behalf of the Healthiest State Initiative. The effort aims to help Iowa - currently the 19th healthiest state - take the top spot by 2016.