Survey: Wal-Mart Among Best 'Value' Brands†

YouGovPolimetrix places AIG at bottom of insurance heap

Adweek, November 4, 2008 — A recent survey by YouGovPolimetrix revealed that the slumping economy is having a significant impact on how consumers perceive brand value. Budget brands like Wal-Mart and Old Navy were ranked highest by consumers, while more upscale brands and financial services firms ranked lowest, reflecting a loss of consumer confidence.

Virgin Atlantic Poked by 'Facebook 13' Kerfuffle†

Posts on Social Network Shows Dangers of Public Oversharing

Advertising Age, November 3, 2008 — Having sacked a baker's dozen of its cabin crew for making disparaging remarks about everything from customers — "chavs" — to company jets, Virgin Atlantic is now dealing with a bit of user-generated criticism.

The saga of the "Facebook 13" began Friday, when the company said it had fired a bunch of employees who used one of the massively popular social network's groups for the purposes of deriding passengers, for questioning the jets' cleanliness and, most disturbing, for making the claim that its planes needed several engine replacements a year.