Kellog's Special K has launched an app for the iPhone and Android phones extending the brand's weight-management, "Special K Challenge" platform to mobile devices. Created with ad agency Leo Burnett and U.S. mobile media agency MediaMob, the new myPlan app allows users to track their weight loss goals on the go. The free app is available in the iTunes App Store and Android Market and will be promoted through localized events, social media, online, search and mobile channels. Read more here.

Nearly  half of U.S. smartphone owners say they already use, or plan to soon start using, their devices for shopping, according to a new survey by ABI Research. More than half (53%) said they intended to use their smartphones for banking, while 17% of regular phone users plan to use mobile banking services. "These findings are part of a larger picture which quantifies smartphone users' consistently higher use of a wide range of activities and features, from mobile browsing through multimedia to navigation," according to primary research director Janet Wise. The results were based on a survey of 2,000 …

Depreciation is the largest auto expense; Kelley Blue Book is suggesting two sporty machines that it forecasts will depreciate less than others, reports USA Today's "Drive On" columnist James R. Healey.

Starbucks garnered a media-buy purchase equivalent of $67.8 million in free brand exposure through online news media, social media and Twitter between September and November 2010, placing it at the top of online media impact value rankings in the first Fast Food Industry Media Value Report from media measurement technology firm General Sentiment. Other leaders in impact/media value for the quarter included McDonald's ($32.2 million), Burger King ($25.8 million) and Chipotle Mexican Grill ($17 million).

Pinnacle Foods' 60-year-old Duncan Hines brand is using four commercial-quality, YouTube-posted videos to drive sales of its new Amazing Glazes line during the holidays. The brand partnered with digital entertainment studio Filmaka to hire the directors for the videos, asking each to create his own interpretation of the "passion, creativity and fun" inspired by baking with the glazes.  One video will be released on YouTube.com/AmazingGlazes each week during December, with promotions and links to the videos featured on the brand's main Web site (duncanhines.com) and its Facebook and Twitter presences.   The first video, "Hip Hop Cupcakes," has generated …

Mobile app analytics firm Flurry has raised a $15 million third-round of venture financing led by Menlo Ventures and including existing investors Draper Fisher Jurvetson, InterWest, First Round Capital and Union Square Ventures. That brings its total raised to date to about $25.5 million. Flurry said it will use the funds to expand its analytics and AppCircle network for cross-promoting applications across the top mobile platforms including iOS and Android. The San Francisco-based company will also ramp up sales and marketing efforts and the development of new in-app advertising services. Flurry became the focus of Apple CEO …

Summer's Eve feminine hygiene products has embarked on a multi-market "listening tour" to gain insight into women's understanding of the role hygiene plays in their lives, both practically and emotionally. The effort, which involves conducting focus groups and holding conversations with diverse women nationwide, comes on the heels of a proprietary quantitative study of how women think and feel about their bodies. The results show more than 40% of women misidentify the vagina on an anatomical diagram. Findings from the tour will be used in resetting brand communication to better relate to today's woman's needs. Earlier this year, parent …

Marriott International's SpringHill Suites is turning two of its properties into art galleries for a night with a program that supports local artists. Columbia, S.C.'s "ArtNight SpringHill Suites" event was Dec. 3 and Chicago hosts one on Dec. 7. Partnering with local galleries, the hotels feature original pieces including sculptures, paintings and drawings while providing a space for artists and guests to interact. SpringHill Suites plans to expand the event to multiple cities next year, says Callette Nielsen, vice president and global brand manager, SpringHill Suites by Marriott. "We have already gotten several inquiries from our properties around …

Despite a gangbusters Cyber Monday, looks like consumer enthusiasm for online holiday shopping is fading a little, according to the latest tracking results from comScore. The Reston, Va.-based digital measurement company attributes the hangover to the heavy discounting and promotional activity leading up to Cyber Monday, which got people shopping earlier than usual. That slowdown was to be expected, Andrew Lipsman, comScore's senior director of industry analysis, tells Marketing Daily. "Our forecasted holiday growth of 11% accounts for an expected slowdown," he says. "The heavy promotional activity early in the season pulled demand forward a bit, so we did …

In an effort to reach small-town America with its antiterrorism efforts, the Department of Homeland Security says it is hooking up with Walmart, bringing its "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign to hundreds of Walmart stores across the country. A video message, featuring Secretary Janet Napolitano, will play at select checkout locations, asking Walmart shoppers to contact local law enforcement if they see suspicious activity. "Homeland security starts with hometown security, and each of us plays a critical role in keeping our country and communities safe," says Secretary Janet Napolitano, in the White House's release. "This partnership will …