Andrew Wilson is EA's new chief executive. Wilson replaces ex-CEO John Riccitiello, who left EA in March. Wilson, who has been a publisher for 13 years, and has only been with EA Sports since 2011 has less experience than others in the business. He now heads the mothership which is turning its rudder from physical goods to digital goods. New consoles are coming, and gamers are embracing new business models such as free-to-play.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. has appointed former Applebee's executive John Schaufelberger as VP brand marketing. In the newly created position Schaufelberger will be responsible for overseeing advertising, media, national promotions, communications and in-store merchandising for the Greenwood Village, Colo.-based casual dining chain. Schaufelberger was previously VP marketing for Applebee's.

Customer traffic at U.S. restaurants in the second quarter this year increased 1% versus the quarter in 2012 largely because more people are going to QSR breakfast and fast-casual traffic. The latest data from The NPD Group/CREST counts 15.7 billion customer visits for the April-May-June quarter, returning the U.S. foodservice business to its 2009 level. In addition to the traffic increase, consumer restaurant spending rose by 3%, driven by a higher check average.

Bathroom fixture company Moen has tapped Martin Agency for a fashion statement: the company's campaign makes jewelry out of spigot accoutrements. It's not computer-generated art by any means. The company asked outre jewelry designers from around the world to make necklaces and such from faucet handles. The effort is a global TV and print campaign. The pieces will also be at home-industry shows.

Everything is infused with something these days. Rarely does one find a bar that doesn't have some kind of aquarium on the sill filled with some concoction of booze and fruit. Sons of Liberty Spirit Co. has made a pumpkin spice whiskey that hits New England shelves this fall. In the Midwest, Great Lakes Distillery has come out with its version as well. Theirs is a derivative of ever-popular pumpkin lager.

Volvo has played with Mercedes-Benz owners in recent campaigns, depicting them as snobby. The effort continues. Auto News talks to Tassos Panas, Volvo's VP marketing and product planning since January 2012. He says the message will evolve more in 2014 as Volvo tries to reassert its brand identity.

Along with its new promotional campaign, "Are You Ready?," the Brooklyn Nets are also bringing in new sponsorship. The new campaign in English, Spanish and Russian comprises billboard, print, television, kiosks, digital and social media advertisements focused on the brand's tri-state area. Securewatch 24 is the first cross-platform sponsor.

Stella, I mean, "Stella Artois" is trying to get bar staff to stop acting like Stanley Kowalski. Getting staff to use the full name is part of a marketing drive to promote the quality and craft of the beer in pubs and clubs across the UK. The "premiumisation" program includes the ritual of pouring the beer that sees bar staff use specially branded skimmers, glassware and and drip trays to emphasis the taste of the beer over its rivals.

AFC Enterprises' Popeyes QSR chain touted its growing presence from one to 14 stores in Twin Cities with a New Orleans jazz band that spontaneously played a marching tune outside the city's Nicolett Mall downtown. It marched down Hennepin Avenue, handing out Mardi Gras masks and leading revelers to a Popeyes food truck that was giving away Handcrafted Tenders. Several banners were unfurled that said, "Popeyes has arrived."

Jim Knight, former training and development director at Hard Rock International, responsible for creating programs throughout the brand's system, has ideas about how to creative service that rocks. Knight, who gave the keynote at the Retail Customer Experience Executive Summit in San Diego, said having a simple, one-sentence-long mission statement is important. If it's longer, "your people won't know it."