Macy's longtime CEO Terry Lundgren, who spearheaded a landmark acquisition that created a powerhouse national department store chain, will step down early next year, the company announced Thursday as it struggles to reinvent itself amid online competition and changing consumer habits.

The NFL, ESPN, Cabela's Sporting Goods, In-N-Out Burger, Pizza Hut and Dunkin' Donuts are patting themselves on the back after having topped their respective categories in the "2016 EquiTrend Study" from The Harris Poll, which has released its entire list of leading brands as named by consumers.

A new study reveals men are less likely to use a condom if the woman they're with is attractive. Apparently, the condom challenge to promote safe sex was a bust, as evidenced by a map of the most sexually transmitted disease-ridden cities in the U.S.

The company created an entire rap album for its Hamburger Helper brand in April, with tracks named "Watch the Stove" and "Feed the Streets" after initially joking about it around the time rapper Drake announced his imminent album launch. It's a ballsy move for a traditional food company and one indicative of changing attitudes to stereotypes in marketing.

Volkswagen AG has agreed to pay more than $10 billion to settle claims from U.S. owners of diesel-powered vehicles affected by the automaker's emissions-cheating scandal. The deal affects 500,000 owners of diesel-powered vehicles with two-liter engines that contain software capable of duping government emissions tests.

More so than other Americans, San Francisco residents interact with their smartphones more than they do with other human beings on any given day. Half admitted to using their phone to escape social interaction and nearly a third said they feel anxious when they don't have access to their phones.

Banks offer free airline tickets and hotel stays through their rewards programs. Earning up to 1.5% cash back on purchases is a standard perk of credit card companies. Now, one local bank is offering a debit card that takes 1% of all purchases and directs it toward paying down college debt.

A campaign for Stoli Vodka from The Martin Agency encourages men to get over their fear of being judged and drink things that taste good. Despite Roger Sterling's penchant for Stolichnaya on "Mad Men," there's apparently a perception among Millennials that vodka, particularly flavored varieties, aren't "manly."

Marketers and brands are finding a fertile ground in both film and food festivals as witnessed by an anticipated record $878M in sponsorship spend for 2016, according to research firm IEG. Leading companies in spend include Anheuser-Busch, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Marriott and Starwood Hotels.

MetLife, which uses the lovable "Peanuts" pooch as its mascot, is thinking about phasing out America's most famous beagle from its marketing efforts. MetLife's licensing deal with United Media, which owns the rights to Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" gang, runs through 2020.