• JCPenney Yanks Bullying Ads
    JC Penney, with the retail soap opera of the century in its boardroom, has another problem. The retailer has had to pull one of tis back-to-school ads after complaints from parents. The spot makes fun of kids being bullied and/or excluded because they're not wearing the right clothes.
  • Mercedes-Benz Shrinks Its SUV--Again
    Mercedes-Benz is the latest luxury carmaker to downsize its definition of upscale, with the announcement of a new small crossover SUV for the U.S. The GLA, scheduled to arrive as a 2015 model, will be the baby of five classes of SUVs for Mercedes in the U.S.--five inches shorter and three inches narrower than Mercedes' compact GLK crossover.
  • Work For An Audience: W+K Launches Office Window Experience
    Who says marketing can't be a spectator sport? The latest campaign from Wieden + Kennedy's London office is designed to bring attention to their next-door neighbors. "Hello Neighbour" invites nearby artists to design an installation for their heavily trafficked storefront window. This month, REAL LIFE AT WORK, inspired by Roy Lichtenstein, lets W+K employees work in a tableau worthy of "Mad Men."
  • Print Isn't Struggling In The Ivy League: HBR Circ Highest in 91 Years
    Harvard Business Review, or HBR, says overall paid circulation hit 260,315 at the end of June, the highest paid circulation in the 91-year history of the magazine. Overall paid circulation is 7.5% higher a year ago.
  • Chief DDB Chicago Creative Heads Back To London
    Ewan Paterson, chief creative at DDB Chicago, has resigned and says he is heading back to London to start his own agency. The move comes one month after the exit of the agency's CEO. No successor has been named.
  • Coke Ad Defends Fake Sweeteners
    Coca-Cola is running feisty print ads to defend its use of artificial sweeteners, in a move that suggests the company's problems aren't just with sugary soft drinks, but diet drinks, as well. The soft drink giant, facing sales pressures across its line of sugary and non-sugary colas, has plans over the next several days to run newspaper ads saying aspartame is safe.
  • After A Few Tense Hours, Chipotle Is Still Anti Antibiotics
    For a few hours Tuesday, it appeared that Chipotle Mexican Grill, a fast-food brand devoted to ethically conscious consumers, had softened its position against antibiotics in meat production. After Bloomberg News ran the story based on an email from the company, it flashed 'round the food world on tweeted wings (Salon.com called it a "burrito bombshell") the chain corrected itself: the chain's antibiotic ban still stands, although it concedes it is mulling a change.
  • Target Gives Gen Y Its Own Chocolates
    In an exclusive arrangement with Lindt, Target is devoting shelf space and endcap displays to a line of premium chocolates geared to members of Generation Y. Lindt's Hello line of chocolate, in flavors like Strawberry Cheesecake, Caramel Brownie and Cookies & Cream, and are meant to fill a niche in the market for premium chocolates geared to young consumers. Packaging features eye-catching unique taglines that read, "Hello, my name is caramel brownie. Pleased to meet you. Nice to sweet you."
  • As Drama Recedes, Penney Faces Long Recovery
    With activist investor William Ackman's departing from the J.C. Penney board, the retailer may get some relief from months-long boardroom drama. But the stock price is still falling as the magnitude of the retailer's troubles sink in.
  • Pepsi-Flavored Cheetos? Yes, In Japan
    Most people don't know that the Frito-Lay/Yum Brands universe contains simultaneously amazing and horrible flavors that are only available in Japan. Like bacon Doritos and Pepsi-flavored Cheetos.
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