Apple's retail division lost a top executive once thought to be a candidate to head the unit. Apple confirmed that Jerry McDougal, vice president of retail, had resigned this month. Per sources, McDougal left because he "wanted to spend more time with his family."

Alex Bogusky, formerly of Crispin Porter & Bogusky, is pissing off big beverage for home carbonation company SodaStream. In a Super Bowl ad, Bogusky will b-slap Coca-Cola and Pepsi for all the billions of plastic bottles they spew into the environment.

Shoppers are diversifying the way they shop, with needs at the time of purchase determining whether they shop online or in store. Eighty percent of shoppers prefer the old fashioned approach to make their last non-grocery purchase, but only half are committed to returning there next time they buy. These are among the findings of a new IBM study of global consumers.

At least four major banks are lined up to provide financing Dell's move to privatization per sources. Buyout firm Silver Lake Partners, which is leading the deal, tapped Credit Suisse, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays and RBC late last year to finance a potential deal, the sources said on condition of anonymity, because details have not been made public. JPMorgan is advising Dell on a potential buyout of the $19 billion company.

China is home to the world's most socially active online population, says L2 in its Digital IQ Index report on China luxury brands. Ninety-five percent of online users in China's tier one, two, and three cities are registered on at least one social media site, while 80% use social media to learn about brands, and 40% have either read or posted a product review. "With such an engaged audience to work with, prestige brands have largely adopted social media in China," L2 says.

The Fore Atlas concept signals the maker's plans for the next-generation F-Series pickup. The Atlas concept pickup provides some clear hints about where the maker is going with the next-generation F-Series, the country's best-selling truck for more than a third of a century. The widely-rumored reveal came just a day after Chrysler won the coveted North American Truck of the Year award during the Detroit Auto Show's opening ceremonies. Meanwhile, Chevrolet had hoped to steal the show with Monday's official unveiling of the next-generation Silverado pickup.

Adidas, Foot Locker, New Era and Sky Sports are among a bevy of companies that will activate over the next week in London to support the NBA game between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons on Jan. 17 at The O2. The NBA is supporting with Internet and social media. The game will be see live in the U.S. on NBA TV.

The national retailer takes title sponsorship of the Shooting Stars competition during All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm, to be shown live on TNT, and will also activate in 2013 behind such events as the NBA Draft, Summer League and Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremonies.

Three years ago brothers Bryan and Mark Holland, co-owners of Holland advertising:interactive, decided it no longer was enough to tell clients that the company their grandfather founded had survived for nearly three-quarters of a century. The firm's longevity certainly sent a strong message. But clients needed more than a history lesson, and were more concerned with how Holland was going strengthen the return on their investment.

RadioShack Corp. announced that it is ending its relationship with Target, where it helps operate Target Mobile in 1,500 Target stores, effective April 8. The RadioShack and Target partnership provided RadioShack access to manage Target's post-paid mobility business. But RadioShack did not manage the prepaid mobility business or the wider range of accessories offered in Target stores.