Critics haven’t exactly welcomed JC Penney’s new approach to practically everything—from its pricing to its unsightly logo—and now the retailer is facing a new opponent in OneMillionMoms.com, a division of the American Family Association. It is calling on the department store to replace openly gay Ellen DeGeneres as its latest spokeswoman for not fitting the traditional family mold.

Kodak doesn’t care what replaces its name at the prominent Hollywood theater where the Oscars are held, so long as its brand is removed. Given its recent bankruptcy, the company says it can no longer afford the $4 million in annual fees the naming rights cost, asking a judge to allow it out of the current deal.

From Tinsel Town to the Big Apple: One marketer’s work has become the latest target of graffiti Sharpie artists around New York after the blog Gothamist asked “Mad Men” fans how they might tag transit posters teasing the show’s season five premiere. The posters drew criticism for allegedly borrowing the disturbing image from 9/11 of a man falling through the air. (via AgencySpy)

Speaking of teasing, we hope this kid is prepared for it. Phonetics might be a fundamental learning block, but watching this spelling bee contestant struggle to hear his word, well, that’s just funny. Heroine? Heroin? Huron? Hurling? Herring? Oh, heron.



Maybe the lad was simply practicing for all the years of long board meetings. The Wall Street Journal reports that more companies require that their staff stand up at those conference room gatherings, due in large part to what it says is a growing use of a new approach to software development called Agile.

Hope this former unpaid intern at Harper’s Bazaar didn’t have to stand the whole time. She’s filed a class action lawsuit against the fashion magazine’s parent company Hearst Corporation for violating federal and state wage laws when it didn’t appropriately pay her despite her often working full-time hours.

Yet another ad has been banned in the U.K. for violating Photoshop and airbrushing regulations, this time for L’Oreal Revitalift Repair skin cream and featuring what British politicians see as a “misleadingly exaggerated” Rachel Weisz.

While you might be quick to rule this demonstration of iPhone waterproofing by Liquipel equally as misleading, ABC “Nightline” anchor Bill Weir seems pretty convinced following an interview with the company’s co-founders Danny McPhail and Kevin Bacon. No, not the Bacon of “Footloose” and “Tremors” fame.



You can decide for yourself the legitimacy of that video, though the European Union seems to be having quite a bit of trouble with advertisers deciding for themselves how to interpret EU privacy laws. Thus far, only 11 of its 27 countries have adapted the organization’s directive into practice.

Brazilian Blowout, a popular hair-straightening product line, has adapted its label to better inform its consumers of the potential health hazard that exposure to its treatment might cause.

As for cause of celebration this Super Bowl weekend, enjoy this mash-up of commercials for the Big Game. Consider it our parting gift to you, dear PR Daily readers.



(Image via)