Brand Republic
In a UK marketing move, Toyota has replaced its long-standing partnership with Channel 4's T4 with a seven-figure advertising deal with online music platform Vevo, as it seeks to promote its Aygo model to a youthful audience.
Detroit Bureau
Chevrolet is planning a new top-of-the line model pickup truck, the High Country, as its rolls out the new 2014 Silverado lineup. The 2014 Silverado High Country is designed to compete for buyers, who will to pay for extra features and styling in their pickup trucks, according to Lloyd Biermann, the Silverado marketing manager, who noted that premium pickup trucks now account for about 30% of all light-truck sales.
Detroit Bureau
Chevrolet is planning a new top-of-the line model pickup truck, the High Country, as its rolls out the new 2014 Silverado lineup. The 2014 Silverado High Country is designed to compete for buyers, who will to pay for extra features and styling in their pickup trucks, according to Lloyd Biermann, the Silverado marketing manager, who noted that premium pickup trucks now account for about 30% of all light-truck sales.
B&T
Auto brand Citroen has tapped Havas Worldwide Sydney for its Australia business. The agency will handle advertising, strategic planning, brochures and community management for the automaker. John Startari, general manager Citroen, said Havas gives the brand the "backbone of a global network whilst adding their own innovative ideas for the local market."
Chicago Tribune
Insurance companies are offering discounts to motorists willing to plug devices into their dashboards and have their driving habits monitored. State Farm wants 5,000 volunteers to try its latest app that collects information on driving habits. The payoff is possible rate discounts if they drive safely. Bloomington, Ill.-based State Farm is beginning to test RightLane, which collects basic information about a person's driving via an Android smartphone.
Engadget
Amazon has launched its Appstore in China, one of the biggest mobile device markets. The Google Play store is available in China, but only serves up free material, whereas Amazon's Appstore has a selection of both free and paid software for users. The company launched its e-book store and e-reader apps in China last December, but product isn't in market yet.
Detroit News
Tony Stark the Iron personage drives an all-electric Audi e-tron in "Iron Man 3." That's one of many auto product integrations this summer. Chloe Moretz in "Kick-Ass 2," will drive a color-matched Ducati Panigale. Hugh Jackman's Wolverine will drive an Audi A8 Spyder in Tokyo. Roman, played by Tyrese Gibson, drives a Ford Mustang in the latest sprawn of the "Fast & Furious" franchise. The sixth iteration of the series features more than 300 vehicles.
Drugstore News
Walgreens VP merchandising, store design and experience Bryan Pugh walked Drug Store News through the company's newest flagship store in downtown Boston last week, a day before the official ribbon cutting of the 25,000-plus sq.-ft. store, including more than 17,000 sq. ft. of selling space and more than 20,000 SKUs.
Nation's Restaurant News
A traffic study by Placed Insights, "The State of Place" says restaurants accounted for nine of the 20 most-visited businesses in the United States, including McDonald's, Subway, Burger King and Starbucks, which finished at Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. McDonald's led all businesses with 49% of the population. Walmart was second.
Convenience Store News
Chevron Corp. is supporting the "Star Trek Into Darkness" film with a promotion: through June 30, visitors to Chevron ExtraMile locations can play the new Warp Speed Instant Win Game for a chance to win various entertainment and gaming prizes. The company is running it at 600-plus retail locations in California, Oregon and Washington.