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.

With the advent of the trysumers, a new wave of consumers who are willing to try just about anything, many companies are taking novel approaches to their brand and marketing strategies. First there was the flagship store, pop-up retail, and then tryvertising, but now a lot of companies are developing their own brand spaces.

How could a brand make the most of the commercial and advertising frenzy surrounding the New Years countdown in New York’s Times Square? As the official sponsor this year, NIVEA decided to ask consumers to upload a picture of themselves kissing or hugging.

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.

The Play Label of Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) recently announced a partnership with the fashion retailer Claire's to promote an upcoming series of video games to be launched this October. “CHARM GIRLS CLUB, My Fashion Mall” is the name of this new series, and it will include four different games, targeted at young girls aged 8 to 12. The launch of the new series of video games will also be supported by a website.

What could possibly connect the leading athletic products supplier in the world with the largest consumer electronics retailer in United States? A unique initiative called GreenXchange has done just that.

Nike, Best Buy, and a small group of other companies have partnered with Creative Commons to create GreenXchange, a program that aims to assist companies to share intellectual property for green product design, packaging, manufacturing, and other environmentally friendly applications.

Does that mean Nike is starting to “share” proprietary product innovation information with its many competitors? Well, not exactly.