Mercedes-Benz U.S.A. (MBUSA), which for four years has had its name on the Superdome in New Orleans, has nabbed rights to the big football venue in its new hometown.

I've been out of touch with the auto business for the past three weeks, so I don't know who's doing what with whom; what brands are up, and which are down, who is partnering with whom for what and why. Things change so fast in the business that I'm now at a major disadvantage.

According to a 2014 survey, 70% of people who come from affluent households (total annual income >$200,000) own a smartphone. ExactTarget research indicates that 75% of smartphone users engage with social media on a daily basis.