Mini is kicking off a GBP3m UK campaign for the launch of its new Hatch model with a poster at Liverpool Street Station. The campaign juxtaposes innovations to current models with the spirit of its classic 1959 car. Created by iris Worldwide and media agency Vizeum, the "New Original" looks at things like the radio dashboard, which new includes access to web radio, music services such as Deezer and Napster and RSS news feeds.

Herbalife, a supplement company that sells through individuals, has been accused by the likes of Peter Ackworth at Pershing Square Capital of being little more than a pyramid scheme. It is now under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, the company confirms. It did not reveal exactly why.

General Motors, dealing with inquiries into its global recall of 1.6 million vehicles for a faulty ignition switch, is offering the 1.37 million U.S. owners of recalled cars a $500 cash allowance toward the purchase or lease of a new car, and is advising dealers to offer loaners to concerned customers.

ESPN, which this June-July will have exclusive English-language broadcast coverage in the U.S. of the FIFA World Cup, said it would air a six-part documentary focusing on the U.S. Men's National Team. "Inside: U.S. Soccer's March to Brazil," from ESPN Films, is scheduled to air for five consecutive weeks beginning on May 13, with the finale to run in June.

IAB Europe is conducting a survey that aims "to learn about measurements that would help drive more long-term brand advertising investment into digital media" The online survey was created by IAB's Brand Advertising Committee, which seeks participation from "all relevant stakeholders" across Europe, with results to be presented at the Interact 2014 Conference, to be held in Paris in May.

Back in 1977, Burt Reynolds first played the character Bo "Bandit" Darville in "Smokey and the Bandit," which was followed by two sequels, and the dormant, yet popular, franchise has been given new life. A marketing effort from Mobil 1 stars driver Tony Stewart, who plays the title role in "Smoke Is the Bandit," and a bevy of other drivers in a six-part series breaking this month to support Mobil 1's alliance with Stewart-Haas Racing and to pay homage to what Stewart calls his "favorite all-time movie."

After a six-month takeover tussle with Jos. A. Bank, Men's Wearhouse has cut a deal with the retailer for $1.8 billion. The deal combines the two largest independent men's clothing retailers. Men's Wearhouse, which has 1,133 stores, will pay $65 a share in cash for Jos. A. Bank, which has 629 stores.

As average transaction prices - what buyers actually pay after factoring in incentives and options - have hit record levels, the average median-income household can no longer afford to purchase the "average-priced" new car or truck in 24 of the country's 25 largest metro areas, according to a new study by the financial website Interest.com. The exception is Washington, D.C.

U.S. same-store sales dropped 1.4% at McDonald's Corp. during February 2014, with global same-store sales declining 0.3%. Other segment same-store results for McDonald's during the month included a 0.6% increase in Europe and a 2.6% decrease in Asia-Pacific/Middle East/Africa. The company cited severe weather and challenging industry dynamics in affecting its U.S. same-store sales performance.

Target Corp. has been sued by Swatch Group SA, which accused the second-largest U.S. discount retailer of illegally selling watches that copy its own. In a lawsuit made public on Monday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, Swatch accused Target of infringing its designs for "zebra" and "multi-color" watches.