Procter & Gamble's new Downy fabric softener with time-released scents has been recognized by The Information Resources, Inc. So have the company's Secret deodorant and Tide Pods. The organization ranked them and four other P&G products among the 10 best-selling U.S. innovations of 2013, accounting for $870 million in 2013 sales.

Stalled ships, food-born maladies, questionable plumbing. Cruise lines have had terrible PR lately, and the recession didn't help. But they are going back to TV advertising for the first time since 2008. Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and Celebrity Cruises have put $60 million into new marketing campaigns that rely mainly on TV over the past half year.

In 2013, 22 million vehicles were involved in recalls in the U.S., up about 20% from the previous year, according to federal data. This year, there's General Motors' recall notices for approximately 6.3 million vehicles, and Toyota just announced it was recalling 6.7 million, including under brands for which it handles assembly.

New product innovations are getting a boost from positive social media reviews. Helping spur a new product's success are positive endorsements delivered via Twitter and other social media. "Innovations get consumers talking and looking at other media posts to see what [others] are telling their friends about the product they tried," said Sue Viamari, editor of thought leadership for IRI. See how products benefit at the jump.

HTC had a less than stellar quarterly earnings report. But CMO Benjamin Ho is relatively optimistic, saying the company will do better in the current quarter, pointing out how last year's HTC One outsold the earlier One X despite supply issues.

Last year, Australian ads played on Kevin Rudd versus Julia Gillard. In 2012, US brands "newsjacked" poll-themed marketing and campaigns as Obama fought Romney. In India, too, some brands have built an identity around social awareness campaigns. "Many forced connections to voting, and ended up as confused messages," says branding consultant Harish Bijoor.

Taco Bell's new television ad follows on its jab at McDonald's for its breakfast push, where the QSR company found people named Ronald McDonald to tout Taco Bell. "We're just getting started with breakfast," said Chris Brandt, Taco Bell's CMO, adding that the brand wants to "boldly disrupt" the category.

General Motors has placed two senior engineers on paid leave as part of its investigation on why the company waited as much as a decade to initiate the recall of a faulty ignition switch linked to at least 31 crashes and 13 deaths. GM has also brought in NASA to determine whether it is safe for owners to continue driving the 2.6 million vehicles recalled.

Target Corp. plans to partner with 17 brands to expand its line of natural, organic and sustainable products. The "Made to Matter: Hand-picked by Target" collection will feature about 120 products from brands as diverse as Burt's Bees, Evol, Horizon Organic, Method, Seventh Generation and Kashi. Categories include groceries, baby, personal care, health care and household departments.

Walmart is the most valuable retail brand in North America, with a brand value estimated at $131.8 billion, according to Interbrand's "Best Retail Brands" report. Even with a 6% decline in brand value, it retains an enormous margin over its closest competitor Target, whose brand value is put at $27.1 billion, an 8% increase over 2013.