The backlash arrived fast and furious, mostly from prominent black voices but by no means limited to them. Both the show's creators and executives from HBO defended "Confederate," asking viewers to reserve judgment until the eventual premiere. Organizer April Reign, the woman behind last year's #OscarsSoWhite campaign, has teamed up with other organizers to get #NoConfederate trending worldwide.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nutrition advocacy group, released its annual "Xtreme Eating Award" winners - the most calorie-stuffed dishes and drinks from the country's chain restaurants. Topping the list were entrees like The Cheesecake Factory's Pasta Napoletana, which the chain describes as a meat lover's pizza in pasta form.

Target is trying new ways to connect with college students while also bringing stores closer to campuses as it opens new smaller-format locations. The retailer is testing a new service called "Shop Now, Pickup Later," a spin on the buy online pickup in store programs that many retailers, including Target, have begun offering in recent years.

Under Armour reported its second consecutive quarterly loss and announced a restructuring program that includes a 2% reduction in its global workforce (approximately 280 jobs), an increased go-to-market speed for its products, and expanded digital capabilities. The company will focus on five areas moving forward: men's training, women's, running, basketball and lifestyle.

The Las Vegas "What Happens Here, Stays Here" campaign has developed into a Hall of Fame-caliber marketing push, spanning nearly 14 years, with hundreds of television, print, internet, outdoor, and radios spots all pushing the same shtick. But its lasting impact is more substantial than helping craft the city's newfound image as a Disneyland for adults.

Arby's has gained uncommon momentum these days in a quick-serve-restaurant sector where many of its contemporaries are struggling badly. Leveraging the strategy of a new CEO and new CMO, Arby's had its best year ever in 2016, with $3.7 billion in sales, up 20% from 2013. New initiatives include the Triple Thick Brown Sugar Bacon BLT, available for a limited time only at Arby's 3,300 restaurants nationwide.

Although the U.S. color cosmetics market has seen a 2% increase so far this year, growth is sluggish across individual segments, according to new research by Mintel. Consumer desire for simplified makeup routines have affected lip, facial and eye cosmetics - each of which has grown about two percentage points more slowly this year compared with last year.

The Starbucks cafe in Ferguson, Mo., represents one of 15 that the company has committed to opening in underserved communities nationwide by the end of 2018 as part of its larger social-impact agenda, which over the past three years has grown increasingly aggressive, targeted, and sometimes controversial.

Western Union has signed a three-year sponsorship to become the Denver Nuggets' first jersey logo-patch sponsor, under a three-year plan the NBA is launching this coming season. Beyond the logo patch, Western Union branding will appear in Pepsi Center, including digital in-game signage and features during Altitude Sports television and radio broadcasts.

Starting in August, Best Buy is adding Dyson Demo Experiences - dedicated spaces that will let customers try out Dyson products. Around 90 Best Buy stores in the United States will feature the interactive sections. These store-within-a-store concepts will range in size, from 40 sq. ft. to about 400 sq. ft. There will also be an enhanced Dyson experience on BestBuy.com, according to the retailer.