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Kraft's Second Quarter Shows Payoff From Marketing Efforts CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- Kraft reported a stronger-than-expected second quarter this morning, thanks in part to increased marketing spending. Kraft's net revenue was up 21.4% to $11.2 billion, and net earnings were up 4% to $732 million from $707 million a year ago. Unilever Sells Detergent Brands BATAVIA, Ohio (AdAge.com) -- As expected, Unilever today announced plans to sell its North American laundry business to Vestar Capital Partners, owner of private-label detergent powerhouse Huish Detergents, creating a bigger but still decidedly lagging No. 2 to category leader Procter & Gamble Co. MySpace COO Explains Massive Music Marketing Expansion Plans NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- NewsCorp's MySpace, which was recently eclipsed by Facebook as the world's largest social network, is massively expanding its music services. In this video interview, MySpace Chief Operating Officer Amit Kapur details the new move that will make the social site more attractive to bands, fans and music-marketing companies. Stars Align With Retailers for Fall NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- For a healthy dose of celebrity, consumers need not look any further than their local shopping center. Wal-Mart Preps Next Phase of In-Store TV BATAVIA, Ohio (AdAge.com) -- Despite growing talk about and investment in shopper marketing in recent years, relatively little money has flowed into in-store media. Now, Wal-Mart Stores is looking to change that as it readies a second-generation in-store digital TV and signage network. Pick a Product: 40% of Public Decide in Store BATAVIA, Ohio (AdAge.com) -- For more than a decade, the oft-quoted statistic that consumers make 70% of brand decisions in the store boosted shopper marketing and made other advertising seem almost pointless. But an extensive new global study by OgilvyAction indicates that consumers aren't nearly as fickle as an oft-quoted figure suggests -- though they're still plenty receptive to changing their minds at the shelf. Why Apple Must Tell Its Story NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- When Steve Jobs catches a cold, Apple sneezes. And that's why the rumors and innuendo swirling about his health are particularly serious for Apple. How to Cut Through but Not Offend? Verizon, Snickers Latest to Fail Test NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Late last week, an important bit of marketing news about Mars Inc. was delivered to the world through an unusual channel: a press release from a gay-rights organization that had pressured the candy giant to pull one of its ads. Why You Seldom See Noxzema Anymore BATAVIA, Ohio (AdAge.com) -- According to people familiar with the matter, Procter & Gamble has been trying to sell Noxzema for several months. And normally sanguine marketers who have been close to the century-old brand over the years are feeling unusual pangs of nostalgia for a once-ubiquitous product they say suffered from being pigeonholed, underleveraged and never clearly defined. McCain Fights for Media Time WASHINGTON (AdAge.com) -- Barack Obama owned the media battleground last week, but rival John McCain managed to hold his own. Triarc Names Post-Merger Leaders for Wendy's CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- Triarc lifted the curtain on its post-merger vision of Wendy's today, and it looks a lot like the past. Ken C. Calwell, the former chief marketing officer for Domino's Pizza, steps into the same role at Wendy's, and J. David Karam, one of the burger chain's largest franchisees, will take over as president. PETA Fields Transvestite and Billboard Against KFC NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- In the latest move of a five-year publicity war against KFC, PETA launched a transvestite and a Manhattan billboard against the fried-chicken chain this week. Located near the heavily trafficked entrance to the Holland Tunnel, the billboard includes the image of Lady Bunny and a KFC bucket hung with the head of a dead chicken. Lady Bunny, a local celebrity, is a nightclub DJ, event promoter and emcee of the annual Wigstock festival in New York's West Village. 50 Cent Sues Taco Bell Over Value-Menu Stunt CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- Not all publicity is good publicity, at least according to 50 Cent. The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, filed a lawsuit against Taco Bell on Wednesday for using his name and likeness without permission. Mr. Jackson claims trademark dilution, false designation of sponsorship, unjust enrichment and a violation of his civil rights, among other claims. He's seeking $4 million in damages. Mars Pulls U.K. Snickers Ad Criticized as Homophobic NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Mars has pulled a Snickers spot criticized for being homophobic, according to a gay-rights group. This is the second time the marketer has come under fire for homophobic advertising for Snickers. It was also criticized for a 2007 Super Bowl ad in which two men expressed disgust after accidentally kissing. OfficeMax Looks for Another Viral Success NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- OfficeMax is out to vindicate the much-maligned penny this back-to-school season. To back the effort, a series of 11 videos show "Dave" around New York as he attempts to buy everything from a steak dinner to a used car to a diamond engagement ring with pennies. Ford Slashed Ad Spending by $200 Million DETROIT (AdAge.com) -- Ford Motor Co., which today reported a record global net loss of $8.7 billion in the second quarter, slashed spending on worldwide auto marketing in the period by $200 million to only $100 million. Carl's Jr. CEO Is More Than Happy That Sex Sells CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- Andy Puzder isn't afraid of fat. The president-CEO of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's has made a name for his chains by bragging about the caloric and fat content of products such as the Monster Thickburger and unabashedly championing meat. Mr. Puzder spoke to Advertising Age about his company's same-store sales gains, why 99-cent burgers are "garbage" and, of course, those Paris Hilton ads. What's That Smell in the Movie Theater? It's an Ad LONDON (AdAge.com) -- Popcorn, and perhaps body odor, are the scents usually associated with a trip to the movies. But in Europe, you might just smell bread, chocolate or whatever else an advertiser wants you to. 'Sex and the City' Creator Pooh-Poohs Internet as First-Run Platform NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- As Hollywood continues to buzz over the Google deal that makes top TV writer Seth MacFarlane an internet producer, Ad Age Digital Editor Abbey Klaassen caught up with "Sex and the City" creator Darren Star for his take on the debate. He doesn't see first-run TV programs migrating to the web in a similar fashion and doubts there is enough advertising money online to support the launch of high-quality, hour-long TV dramas there. He also discusses his surprising attitudes about product placement. Olympic Deal Sealed: Obama Makes $5 Million Buy WASHINGTON (AdAge.com) -- It's official. Sen. Barack Obama's campaign will be among the TV sponsors of NBC Universal's Olympics coverage. In the first significant network-TV buy for any presidential candidate in at least 12 years, the Obama campaign has taken a $5 million package of Olympics spots that includes network TV as well as cable ads.

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