The Glendora, Calif.-based National Hot Rod Racing Association (NHRA) has hired Matt Artin, an eight-year veteran in media planning, advertising and promotions, to be director of advertising and promotions. Artin, who was previously senior marketing manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, will work in partnership with national event track owners and operators on all advertising and promotions for the 23-race NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. His primary and day-to-day focus will be to increase ticket sales at national events through creative and innovative strategies designed to reach the core as well as a broader fan base.

A federal judge blocked Clorox from airing a TV ad for Fresh Step cat litter because the spot appears to impugn rival Church & Dwight's Arm & Hammer brand of cat litter. District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan on Wednesday said Church & Dwight showed a high likelihood of "irreparable harm" from Clorox's ad. Rakoff issued a preliminary injunction to halt the ad, which began airing last February, while litigation continues.

If you didn't know the auto business, you'd be excused for thinking Hamtramck is a Scandinavian veal dish. But it's actually an auto manufacturing hub near Detroit where General Motors makes its Volt electric car. If the town gets lucky, everyone will soon know about it as Chevrolet is mulling making the town central to a new ad for the Volt to air during the Super Bowl on Feb. 5.

Ford Motor Co. is setting up a new research lab in California's Silicon Valley near Stanford University, part of the automaker's strategy to make cars as much "platforms" as transportation machines. The new facility, expected to have 15 Ford staffers, will be a locus for collaborative development of high-tech safety systems, advanced infotainment systems and the like. It will also be involved in forging partnerships. That would include both Microsoft (which was involved in Ford's Sync system) and startups.

PepsiCo has denied reports that it is looking to cut around 4,000 jobs and reduce pension contributions in a bid to boost earnings. The New York Post had reported that the company is considering making "a modest number" of job cuts at its Purchase, N.Y., headquarters.

Deron Williams is the best player on the now New Jersey but soon to be Brooklyn Nets and one of the top point guards in the NBA. Which is why, despite the team's 1-5 record this season (and cumulative 37-133 over the past two-plus seasons), companies value his endorsement.

Even if you don't drive on Bridgestone tires, it is hard to ignore them at this time of year. The company was title sponsor of the NHL's outdoor Winter Classic played in Philadelphia Jan. 2, and on Feb. 5 will be the title sponsor of the Super Bowl XLVI halftime show with Madonna.

A study by Socialbakers presents the pieces of content on candidates' pages that had the most activity in the month of December.

Global marketing agency Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide has named Lauren Crampsie worldwide CMO, effective immediately. She will report directly to Miles Young, Ogilvy & Mather's worldwide CEO.

Gap's athletic brand, Athleta, is launching a national campaign with the tag "Power to the She." The campaign is via Minneapolis-based Peterson Milla Hooks (PMH). By mid-January, the brand will operate 10 stores, and it has plans for 50 stores by the end of 2013.