With such endorsers as Dwyane Wade, Serena Williams, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, David Wright and Sergio Garcia - who also are equity partners and active participants in R&D with products that reach athletes and consumers on a regular basis - alliances with the NBA and MLB and products in more than 20K retail locations, Mission Athleticare has earned a place as the most innovative, impactful and authentic company of 2012. And as president Josh Shaw relates, there is more to come.

Samsung has confirmed that its ATIV Tab won't be sold or distributed in the US. The company's decision is based in part upon feedback from retail partners, which suggested that such a product would be only modestly successful in the marketplace. Samsung also pointed to the lack of education about Windows RT, and suggested that it would require too much of an investment to properly inform consumers of the differences between it and Windows 8.

A study of the most effective advertisers in the restaurant industry by Ace Metrix revealed that "America's love affair with casual dining" continued in 2012, the advertising research firm's executive vice president of marketing, Jonathan Symonds, said. Olive Garden had the highest average score of any brand in any category, followed by LongHorn Steakhouse, Ruby Tuesday, Applebee's and Outback Steakhouse.

Walgreens has told shareholders that it will continue to push the envelope of traditional drugstore retailing. Going forward, the company said it is focused on three areas of opportunity: Delivering a complete "Well Experience" by transforming the customer experience; transforming the role community pharmacy plays in health care; and creating an unprecedented and efficient global platform through its strategic partnership with Alliance Boots GmbH.

Sonic Drive-In says it is shifting its media-buying strategy to give its brand-now operating in 43 states-a more national profile. Non-TV media spending will be slashed to 7% of its budget, compared with 17% in 2012. The Oklahoma City-based chain says that represents primarily a minimizing of outdoor advertising, not digital spending. This year, Sonic will put 67% of media dollars into national cable TV, up from 48%, while local TV spending drops to 26% from 35%.

Sonic Drive-In says it is shifting its media-buying strategy to give its brand-now operating in 43 states-a more national profile. Non-TV media spending will be slashed to 7% of its budget, compared with 17% in 2012. The Oklahoma City-based chain says that represents primarily a minimizing of outdoor advertising, not digital spending. This year, Sonic will put 67% of media dollars into national cable TV, up from 48%, while local TV spending drops to 26% from 35%.

General Motors put up a projection of the Corvette cross flags emblem on the Russell Industrial Center in Detroit on Thursday in anticipation of Sunday night's unveiling of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. The seventh generation of the Corvette will be unveiled at the Russell Industrial Center.

Food costs for a family of four increased more than $2,000 above expectations in 2012, according to a recent study by FarmEcon, an agricultural and food industry consultancy. Using data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, "Food Costs Are Eating American Family Budgets" found the trend of steadily cheaper food since World War II has reversed in recent years. While food prices gradually decreased from 1950 to 2005, costs for consumers went up each year starting in 2006.

One of the hedge fund managers, William Ackman, claims that the company, Herbalife, is a house of cards - "the best-managed pyramid scheme in the history of the world" - and its stock is worth nothing. His rival and friend, Daniel S. Loeb, takes the opposite stance, arguing that Herbalife will not only survive, but thrive.

While marketers have long targeted online radio listeners based on their zip code or gender, interest-based marketing is in the offing. A deal between radio service Triton Digital and data provider eXelate, will make radio ads more specific. According to Triton Digital COO, Mike Agovino, radio ads represent a $17 billion industry but one that relies on out-dated metrics and that offers little accountability to ad buyers.