Um, I love Charlene Li, and she's one of the smartest people operating in the new media and marketing marketplace, but did anyone review her opening keynote at GroupM's "What's Next" conference in New York this morning? The reason I ask, is that Li, who is founder and head of consultancy Altimeter Group, opened with a really powerful example of a "brand completely out of control," and it just so happens to be one of parent WPP's biggest accounts: Dell Computer.

Interpublic media market intelligence unit Magna Global just released an update to its U.S. advertising outlook, and is leaving its growth estimate unchanged at 1.6% for 2011. Magna said the estimate includes the impact of any incremental ad spending related to political campaigns and the Olympics, which actually shouldn't impact 2011 since they're primarily a factor in 2012. In terms of 2012, Magna cited "persistent weakness in the U.S. economy" as a reason for downgrading its ad growth projection to 2.9% from 4.8% next year, including the effects of incremental spending from political campaigns and the Olympics. "A slowdown in …

Matt Spiegel, CEO of Omnicom's OMG Digital unit, has joined in-game advertising platform Tap.Me as CEO. Founder Joshua Hernandez will continue to serve in the role of executive vice president and chairman. Spiegel joined Omnicom Media Group six years ago when it acquired Resolution Media, the search agency he founded in 2003. Among other things, he launched Accuen, Omnicom's trading desk. Tap.Me describes its in-game ad platform as an "unobtrusive ad experience," that enables marketers' brands to become "a part of the game experience end helping players win."

Jonathan Browning, president and CEO of Volkswagen of America, Inc. and president for the Volkswagen of America brand, will give away 21 Beetles to Chicago residents on Oct. 13. The cars go to people who were lucky audience members of the “Ultimate Favorite Things” giveaway episode on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in November last year. The giveaway will be in the Orland Park area of Chicago.

Cars.com will be an advertiser in the Super Bowl for the fifth consecutive year with one 30-second commercial during the third quarter. Part of its "Confidence" campaign will tout the company's vehicle and dealership reviews, comparison tools and pricing guides. DDB Chicago, the site's advertising agency of record, will develop the spots.  

Bob Iger will step down as CEO of Walt Disney Co. in March 2015, the company announced. Iger, who succeeded long-time Disney chief Michael Eisner in October 2005, will stay on as executive chairman of the company though June 30, 2016.

Volkswagen of America, Inc. has extended its partnership with NHL team the New York Rangers. The sponsorship for the 2011-2012 season includes in-arena activation at Madison Square Garden, online and on-air activation. The Herndon, VA-based company will again have the in-arena fan contest, the "Shoot. Score. Drive." Challenge, dangling 10 different Volkswagen vehicles throughout the season, including the new Passat.   At ten select games one fan will have the opportunity to take a shot from the far blue line for the chance to win a two-year lease on a Volkswagen vehicle. Volkswagen will highlight and offer fans the …

French dairy company Groupe Bel has selected Omnicom's OMD to handle the bulk of its $200 million global media assignment, after a formal review, the client has confirmed. Publicis Groupe's ZenithOptimedia also retained its assignment covering the Middle East and North Africa. OMD retained the U.S. and Canada and won the majority of Europe, which had been handled by Aegis Group's Carat. OMD also retained the UK business. Also pitching the account was WPP's Mindshare. According to sources it was OMD's Chicago office that led the agency's pitch. The Chicago office has handled the client's U.S. business …

Consumers ignored the scary headlines and handwringing and went clothes shopping anyway in September, creating solid sales gains for the nation's biggest retailers. Spurred by chillier weather and a strong back-to-school season, chains like Macy's, Target, and Kohl's say they are encouraged by people willing to shop when they see products (and prices) that appeal to them. Overall, chain-store sales rose 5.5% according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. And luxury sales climbed 10.4%. "Sales, although receiving a lift from fuel, still posted a very healthy gain for the month of September," Michael P. Niemira, VP/chief economist for …

A wonderful tribute to customer service. This is what it's all about, folks!