The FTC has updated its guidelines: no murky mobile communications from brands. The agency said "constrained" ads on mobile platforms or social networks still have to reveal their true purposes and show realistic figures. Marketers can't use things like multiple posts, and pop-ups to hide disclaimers. In other words, when you see some flameball saying he or she just loves using this or that natural shape improver, they'd better say it's an ad.

Fresh off its strongest year ever, Audi AG is taking aim at German rival BMW AG and promising to become the world's largest luxury automotive brand. The maker is planning to invest more than $14 billion through 2015 to fund a product program that will cover the increasing breadth of the luxury segment, from the small A3 hatchback to an assortment of new crossover-vehicles, such as the planned Audi Q6, said CEO Rupert Stadler.

Well, it didn't, but still Pepsi, Coca-Cola and the like weren't exactly quivering in their boots when it looked like New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's efforts to impose a citywide soda ban on 16-ounce plus sodas might happen. Coke shares have risen nearly 5% in the last month, while Pepsi is up 6.5%. Dr. Pepper Snapple Group is up 3.4% since Feb. 13, and a half a percent in the last week.

Like Toyota and Honda, Nissan Motor Co. is doing a global realignment of its management team. More than a dozen ranking executives will be shuffled, see their duties increased - or retire. It affects marketing to supply chain management to communications, with a significant emphasis on its electric vehicle operations. As part of the changes, Simon Sproule, Nissan's global marketing chief is now director of global marketing communications for the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Jeff Kuhlman now becomes VP global communications.

L.L. Bean reported 2012 revenue of $1.521 billion, up from the previous year's total of $1.517 billion. So the privately held Freeport, Maine-based company plans to give bonuses to about 5,000 full-time and part-time employees. The bonuses will be equal to 7.5% of an employee's pay in 2012.

Yahoo decided to end its work-from-home program, and now Best Buy will stop its flexible work program, too. The "Results-Only Work Environment," launched in 2005, is gone. Best Buy says it will still accommodate employee needs for work-life balance, but rather than working wherever, whenever, they will now have to seek permission from managers. The idea is that efficiency, communication, collaboration and leadership can't happen digitally from the dining room table

Kroger Co. here said it recently began ramping up efforts to promote its digital offerings to consumers. Rodney McMullen, president and chief operating officer, said visits to the company's mobile app has increased by more than 120% with a 45% increase in traffic to kroger.com, and growth in the number of customers who have signed up for online and mobile accounts with Kroger.

Wineries are getting creative with the names of their products. You've probably seen Big House, or Red Truck. There's also Bodacious Brunette, Buxum Blonde and Angel Food. They are going after younger consumers. Event organizing company Second Glass's Wine Riot parties with DJs are an example of the trend. Patrons pay $60 each to visit booths and get unlimited pours. There's even a smartphone app. Boomers are starting to retire, while the 70 million 21- to 34-year-olds are next.

Adidas' new global "Unite All Originals" campaign uses its online Unite app as a hub for content from international artists from across disciplines, including collaborations from digital artist Geoff Lillemon, rapper Iggy Azalea, music producer Daniel Disaster, designer Stki, among others. The 90-second hero film, directed by French director SoMe, shows DJ/producer A-Trak reworking his single Landline with ambient sounds from the footage to create an exclusive new song.

Bauer Media has announced the appointment of Mark Hardy as group digital director for its London lifestyle magazine and radio brands. Having taken up the role yesterday, Hardy will hold overall responsibility for Bauer's web, social and mobile offerings; and will begin by looking to develop and enhance the presence of Bauer's existing brands and executing new digital services to further extend the company's reach and influence.