24/7 Wall Street, an online news and opinion operation, has published its annual list of brands that will disappear by the end of this year. The list is based on a review of each company’s financial situation, operating data, current and ongoing value of its brand, and whether the company that controls that brand can sell its assets.

Cooper Tire, a global leader in replacement tires, has recently launched “Cooper Angels,” a new campaign in China. Just like the stars of Charlie's Angels, the three beautiful Cooper Angels are tasked with a big mission.The company regards this campaign as its tactic to reinforce brand image and to make differentiation from other competitors.

On March 3, Starbucks formally announced the introduction of Chinese tea to its product line in China. The names of the teas are quite traditional, including Bi Luo Chun, Mu Dan, and Oriental Beauty. Customers were invited to enjoy a demonstration of making Starbucks tea from raw materials on site.

Recently, Colgate-Palmolive launched a new product called Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief in China, aimed at the higher-end of the toothpaste market. Different from its rivals such as Yun Nan Bai Yao, Sensodyne or Pro Health from Crest, Colgate-Palmolive positioned this product as the first toothpaste of its kind to make use of Pro-Argin, a new technology clinically proven to deliver instant and lasting relief against tooth sensitivity.

Recently Shanghai Jahwa, the largest local cosmetics enterprise has officially launched a cosmeceuticals brand “Yu Ze”, marking its entry into the medical cosmetics market. The chairman of Jahwa, Ge Wenyao, stated that brands like Avene, La Roche-Posay and Vichy occupy nearly 60% of the current cosmeceuticals market in China, making it a strategic area for Jahwa.

Following wine, toilet seat covers, first-aid kits and vomit bags, Ed Hardy recently released their branded hand sanitizer, “Ed Hardy Habit”. Ed Hardy is a street fashion clothing brand with a tattoo-themed visual identity (see our previous post here). Ed Hardy clothing is designed by Christian Audigier and inspired by the legendary tattoo artist, Don Ed Hardy, who is also known as “the godfather of modern tattoo” ¹.

Easyhome, the Chinese decoration and construction material company based in Beijing, is continuously expanding by opening stores throughout China. The special feature of the company is their “one-stop” service, which includes decoration design and materials, and construction materials and furniture. These products are all offered in large-scale shopping centers, branded retail stores, or supermarkets. The main target market is the Chinese middle-class.

While companies find their customers are spending much less money during the economic downturn, they turn to Twitter to help build their brands, promote their products or services, and keep in touch with both loyal and potential customers. This article takes a closer look at how businesses can Twitter up brand equities.