Rumor has it that Chicago-based Groupon, which offers local deals online, is raising another round of capital with a new valuation of $1.35 billion. Last December, when the startup closed a Series B round worth $30 million, it was valued at just $250 million. It’s no wonder that the company -- backed by Accel Partners and New Enterprise Associates -- has inspired countless imitators. The company offers deep discounts on local deals on everything from spas and sky diving lessons to hotels and restaurants. Discounts range from 40%-90% of the normal price. If enough people buy into the offer, …

Ad Age is reporting that Burger King has named Michael Kappitt chief marketing officer for North America. The post is newly created for Kappitt, who had been serving as interim global CMO since Russ Klein left the company in September.

To help people see Earth Day in the DIY realm, the home-improvement retailer is hosting a chainwide “Build and Growâ€� workshop on April 17, where kids can build a “See it growâ€� planter and receive educational materials about the environment. The Earth Day event is part of its ongoing “Build and Growâ€� series offered every other week, with the free workshops aimed at kids in second through fifth grade. Once in the store, Mom and Dad can also be guided through the Mooresville, N.C.-based chain’s Top 10 green projects, from stocking up on CFL bulbs, checking your …

Subway’s latest marketing thrust combines a celebrity-focused advertising campaign with a Twitter engagement effort offering chances to win gift cards for the chain. Between April 14 and April 27, a “Tweet to Eastâ€� promotion will focus each day on a famous Subway fan, encouraging consumers to tweet @subwayfreshbuzz to weigh in on why the ‘famous fan of the day’ “is a great fitâ€� for the Subway brand. Tweeting qualifies consumers to be entered for a chance to win $10 Subway gift cards (five cards will be awarded per day). The celebrities, mostly sports figures, will also …

Even with 2009's tough financial climate, Viacom saw net earnings up 29% to $1.6 billion. The stock is not far off a 52-week high. And "Jersey Shore: Miami" looks to be a coming hit. Those factors -- and maybe having to deal with Sumner Redstone -- have helped CEO Philippe Dauman gain a five-year contract extension, through December 2016. He took over in 2006. Viacom said the majority of Dauman's compensation "continues to be in the form of performance-based awards, which are subject to the achievement of a combination of specific operational and financial targets and shareholder returns."

CNN needs a ratings lift? Larry King has Jane Fonda scheduled for his show tonight on CNN. Cancel that. The guest everyone wants to hear from -- not Tiger, Jesse, Spitzer, Edwards or Bruce -- but Larry himself. Word breaking this AM that the King of Talk is accused of having an affair with the younger sister of his wife for 13 years. King's 76, the younger sister 46.

MyNetworkTV will no longer have wrestling or a movie night when it launches its new season in the fall. Its line-up will have dramas every night but Tuesday. Here's the schedule: Monday 8:00- 9:00 p.m. --- “Law & Order: Criminal Intentâ€� 9:00- 10:00 p.m. --- “Law & Order: Criminal Intentâ€� Tuesday 8:00- 8:30 p.m. --- “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?â€� 8:30- 9:00 p.m. --- “Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?â€� 9:00- 9:30 p.m. --- “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!â€� 9:30- 10:00 p.m. --- “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!â€� Wednesday …

DirecTV and Dish Network settled a federal case, where DirecTV charged Dish with running misleading spots claiming to offer the same programming at a better price. DirecTV wrote in court papers that Dish “flooded the airways with this false advertising.� Dish countersued, alleging DirecTV was airing its own misleading advertising about HD channels. Spots in that effort featured David Spade, singer Christine Aguilera and James Lipton. The settlement applies to both the suit and countersuit. Representatives for DirecTV and Dish declined to comment on terms.

The economy may still be on the ice for some – but don’t tell the NHL that. It says sponsorship revenue for the sport is up 20% for the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The league says it has signed on seven new partners and renewed agreements with an additional five partners. New and returning sponsors including Anheuser Busch, Reebok, Bridgestone, Hershey’s – Canada, Bell Mobility – Canada, Honda, PepsiCo-Canada, Visa – Canada, and Starwood Hotels. NHL says a lot of gains have been made by pushing big events, the Stanley Cup Playoffs for one but also the wildly-successful …

Wahlstrom, the Yellow Pages, directory and search specialty unit of Interpublic’s Mediabrands, has hired Kathleen DeCaire-Aden as CEO from CEO of Publicis’ SMG Directory Marketing unit. DeCaire-Aden will be part of the Geomentum executive committee, reporting directly to Geomentum CEO, Dave Walker. Geomentum is the hyper local media and marketing division underneath Mediabrands that oversees most of its local media operations. .