Chrysler's Dodge division has pulled an ad for the summer Dodge Tent Event in which a chimpanzee presses a detonator to cause a confetti explosion. The ad brought derision and complaints on the use of a chimp. Said Dodge in a statement out this week, "And yes, we know, chimpanzees aren't monkeys. That was one of many facts we learned..." The statement goes on to explain that when Dodge posted the ad to YouTube, it garnered thousands of hits and hundreds of comments "applauding the commercial for its wit and humor. However, there were a few negative comments about …

It's time to outfit the kiddies to go back to school and OfficeMax is partnering with Payless for a second year for a cross-promotion offering two of the essentials: school supplies and shoes. By visiting an OfficeMax or Payless retail location, shoppers will receive a coupon at checkout to use at the other respective retail store. Through Sept. 6, OfficeMax stores will print a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase at Payless that will be valid until Sept. 27. Alternatively, through Sept. 11, Payless retail stores will print a coupon for $10 off a $30 purchase at OfficeMax, …

 American Express Open is launching a new mobile platform which includes an IPhone application and a webpage optimized for viewing on cell phone screens. In addition to the iPhone app, content will also be optimized for mobile web browsers, extending access to users on Blackberry and other smartphones. Launched in 2007, the Open Forum is an online resource and networking site designed to help small business owners grow their enterprises by helping forge business connections and providing access to practical information and resources. The new app allows users to read articles, watch videos, bookmark articles for later …

Nonprofit health advocacy group The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is now targeting the "all natural" claim made on the label of some Ben & Jerry's ice cream products. CSPI sent a letter to Paul Polman, CEO of B&J parent company Unilever, urging the company to drop the brand's claim, or the organization will "take its concerns to the Food and Drug Administration and state attorneys generals." CSPI says that at least 48 out of 53 B&J flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt bearing the "all natural" claim contain alkalized coca, corn syrup, partially …

Several leading retailers turned in solid sales and earnings for the second quarter, providing more evidence not just that shoppers are buying a little more, but that stores are learning to woo them more profitably. JCPenney swung back into the black, with net income of $14 million for the second quarter, compared to its break-even results last year. Sales declined 0.1% to $3.94 billion, although on a same-store basis, they eked out a 1% gain. "Our focus on operating excellence allowed us to deliver improved profitability in the first half," Myron E. (Mike) Ullman, III, chairman and chief …

IBM reported Friday it has entered into a deal to buy marketing automation software maker Unica in a deal worth $480 million. Big Blue recently acquired Coremetrics, a deal awakening IBM's push to more closely support ad agencies and companies in online analytics. Under the terms of the deal, IBM will pay $21 per share in cash for Unica in an effort to better target marketing efforts and predict consumer behavior.

Oracle took a swipe at Google suing the Mountain View tech company over patent and copyright infringement relating to the Android mobile operating system. The complaint suggests Google infringes on seven patents, one written by James Gosling, known as the father of Java. Oracle gained the patents with the acquisition of Sun Microsystems. Oracle claims the patent "directly and repeatedly infringed Oracle's Java-related intellectual property."

American Airlines is joining with NBC Universal on a promotion that includes a sweepstakes with prizes such as tickets to a "Saturday Night Live" taping. The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline is kicking off the All Access sweepstakes, a series of promotions that highlight New York City and the TV programming available onboard. NBC Universal is American's inflight entertainment provider.  For the grand prize, American is giving away tickets to a taping of the classic late night show at the NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center. The prize package also includes coach travel to New York from any destination served …

While sales of energy drinks and shots have been adrenalized in recent years – leaping 136% between 2005 and 2009 – the category is showing signs of enervation on the new-customer front, according to Mintel. Nearly two thirds (74%) of U.S. consumers recently surveyed said that they do not consume energy drinks/shots, and 69% of non-users also say that they're not interested in trying them, Mintel reports. The research firm's Global Market Navigator shows that the drinks' market penetration remained flat, at 15% of all adults (18 and over), between 2007 and 2009.  In fact, the category added …

Ad spending on Facebook will double to $1.28 billion worldwide in 2010, according to a new forecast by eMarketer. The bulk of that amount, or about $835 million, will come from the U.S. By contrast, spending on rival social network MySpace will fall 14% to $297 million, reflecting its diminishing stature among marketers. The new estimate comes as MySpace gets set to roll out a revamped home page next week to help recapture user interest. "Brand advertisers are making Facebook a core buy," said eMarketer senior analyst Debra Aho Williamson, in a statement. "Ad spending is building quickly …