Xtra

10/14

McDonald's is temporarily dropping its globally recognized Golden Arches logo in ads in the U.K in an attempt to change customer's perceptions. The two-week campaign is called “Change” and carries the tag line “McDonald's. But not as you know it.” The ads show healthy meals such as fruits and salads.

Shell Oil Products U.S. is giving away 35 2005 Chrysler Crossfires and $1,000 worth of Shell V-Power premium gasoline in a fall sweepstakes promotion to drive traffic to its gasoline stations and generate applications for the Shell MasterCard.

Starbucks Corp.'s president and CEO Orin Smith, 62, plans to retire March 31, 2005. Jim Donald, 50, the company's president of North America, will succeed him.

10/13

McDonald's, Budweiser, The Coca-Cola Co., Eastman Kodak Co., Reebok and The Walt Disney Co. have signed as marketing partners of the NBA China Games 2004, scheduled for Oct. 14 and 17.

McDonald's Corp. launched its latest edition of Monopoly this week, with Best Buy and Hasbro returning as partners. The Monopoly Best Chance Game 2.0 adds an online overlay for the first time.

This month at Pizza Hut, customers can play games from Patch Products before, during or after they eat. Malarky and Buzzword games will be touted on table tents at Pizza Huts' 1,300 dine-in locations across the country. The tents include 25 Malarky and 25 Buzzword cards for play.

10/12

Miller Brewing Co. has struck a $100 million deal to reach Hispanics via commercials and sponsorships on Spanish-language broadcaster Univision Communications, Inc., a major step in its efforts to reach the Latino market.

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. reached a $1.5 million settlement last week with attorneys general in three states over a cigarette promotion in which some marketing for its KOOL brand has been curtailed. AGs from New York, Illinois and Maryland had charged that Brown & Williamson — which merged with RJR last August — targeted young people with its KOOL Mixx campaign. The company admitted no wrongdoing.

As grim predictions suggest that Delta Air Lines is likely to file for bankruptcy protection within weeks, the airline last week selected Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide to create a long-term advertising and branding campaign.

Bud has a new friend. B-to-the-E is the latest Anheuser-Busch product, one that infuses beer with caffeine.

10/7

Sara Lee Corp. plans to sell as many as 60 of its household products brands to fund more aggressive marketing for its bigger brands. Products likely to get more marketing funds are the Ambi Pur air care line; Radox bath and shower products in Europe; and Sanex personal care.

Ford Motor Co. has signed a deal to give away family vehicles on ABC TV's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition show.