Nike, 2K, BodyArmor, Apple, American Express, ESPN, the NBA and the Los Angeles Lakers were among the brands, fans and organizations that activated for what has been unofficially declared "Mamba Day," April 13, the day of Kobe Bryant's final game in the NBA. Bryant's on-court achievements have led to a bevy of marketing deals throughout his career, and his current partners stepped up to honor him.

Online dating website Match.com is under fire for British subway posters that seem to criticize people with red hair and freckles. The ads, spotted in London's Underground, show a close-up photo of hazel eyes set below red bangs and a sprinkle of freckles. "If you don't like your imperfections, someone else will," the tagline reads. Public response was swift on social media, with many labeling the posters as "bullying."

Weight Watchers has changed a lot since a Queens housewife started the company after a neighbor assumed she was pregnant (she wasn't). The company now preaches body acceptance before dieting, and there's no better proof than the upcoming issue of "Weight Watchers." The issue features a photo section of members of varying ages and body types who agreed to pose with minimal clothing or in some cases, nude.

Nas and Hennessy V.S. have reunited. The rapper narrates the fourth installment of the brand's Wild Rabbit ad campaign "The Piccards." Nas tells the story of the Piccard family, whose real-life pursuits personify that mantra. The film debuted April 12 on Hennessy's digital channels as part of the company's cross-platform rollout across television, mobile and desktop. The broadcast spots begin airing April 16.

Small dairy farmer Travis Pyykkonen conjures up a wholesome vision of the future for his business. In one corner, Pyykkonen imagines a milk bar where customers could add blackberry-basil or banana-almond butter to fresh milk pasteurized on site. Over by some derelict filing cabinets, he sees a case for yogurt parfaits and house-made ice creams. "What do we call ourselves?" he asked. "A microdairy. Like a microbrewery."

JCPenney has entered an era in which it can stop trying to reverse the mistakes of the chain's past and build toward the future. The latest such step: the upcoming launch of a plus-size collection called Boutique+ that will showcase the talents of in-house designers along with "Project Runway"'s latest winner, Ashley Neil Tipton. The 24 year old is the first plus-size designer to win the reality TV fashion competition.

The Marine Corps' next campaign will show more female Marines in the fleet and at war. The decision to feature more information about the military occupation specialties female Marines serve in follows the January announcement that the Pentagon would open all combat arms jobs to women, creating new career opportunities for some troops.

Jessica Simpson stars in a new series of commercials for Budget Rental Car.The campaign, which will be featured on cable television and online, has Simpson promoting the company's special limited-time discount offers. "Jessica Simpson embodies the joyful, exuberant entrepreneurial spirit of our customers and is a great fit for the brand," says Avis Budget Group's CMO Scott Deaver.

A new digital and social campaign called "My Jeep Story" featuring music superstar Ciara is augmenting the other broad strokes being made by Jeep as the brand celebrates its 75th anniversary, including a Super Bowl ad. By engaging Jeep brand fans across all the key social media and digital platforms, executives are trying to expand the brand in fresh ways.

Grey Goose has announced plans for a collection of summer experiences that will launch from May 2016. The brand aims to inspire consumers to trade up to the category this summer. A global experiential campaign titled "Grey Goose Boulangerie Bleue" will include 20 pop-ups worldwide which will "transport" consumers to the French Riviera via a secret entrance through a traditional French bakery.