Every weekday, PR Daily associate editor Alan Pearcy highlights the day’s most compelling stories and amusing marginalia on the Web in this, #TheDailySpin.

Given the early praise that Tom Hooper’s film adaptation of “Les Misérable” has received—including significant Oscar buzz—it appears the critics are lining up behind the director’s vision of the iconic literary work. But his choice for the highly coveted role of “Cosette” is a curious one. Jack Nicholson? That’s how it appeared when a banner for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Stanley Kubrick exhibit lined up with this billboard for the movie. Amanda Seyfried may play the role in the movie, but I think we can all agree Jack would have given a “shining” performance.

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Speaking of Oscar contenders, let the studio campaigning begin. Reports The Daily Beast, Warner Brothers is already pushing hard for “The Dark Knight Rises” to be the potential dark horse in the race for a Best Picture nod.

Meanwhile, Reuters’ Steve Pond recounts the greatest (and not-so great) moments in Oscar campaigning, as well as noting the seven Oscar campaign managers you should know.

Although it claims the timing is strictly coincidental, Ford is looking to gain momentum from another movie with Oscar buzz, “Lincoln” as the automaker revives its fleet of vehicles bearing the same name. According to The New York Times, the company’s Lincoln brand not only has its first Super Bowl spot in the works, but also a revamped website and redesigned MKZ model. As for the timely connection to the Steven Spielberg film, Senior Marketing Executive Matt VanDyke says, “We didn’t plan it that way … But sometimes it’s better to be lucky.”

Just in time for the holidays, the Times shares a lists of 100 notable books of 2012, as well as its Book Review editors choice of the 10 best.

If you can’t find anything to read there, The Daily Beast also released its 2012 holiday books gift guide.

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For those of you going the toy route with your holiday shopping, Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood unveiled its nominees for the worst toy of the year. Potential losers/winners of this year’s TOADY (Toys Oppressive And Destructive to Young Children) include LEGO’s Friends Butterfly Beauty Shop and The 7-Eleven Slurpee Maker by Spin Master.

All isn’t lost on LEGO this holiday season, however. James Groccia, an 11-year-old from Massachusetts who lives with Asperger’s Syndrome, received his dream train set from the company after saving for nearly two years to buy it. Sadly, when James and his parents went to purchase the toy, they learned it was out of production. But James’ heartwarming letter to LEGO inspired the company to track one down for him.



As for other toys that might prove hard to track down, BuzzFeed lists eight children’s playthings from yesteryear that were banned from store shelves, including an atomic energy lab and a Cabbage Patch Kid with an unyielding hunger.

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What would the holidays be without Christmas lights? Checkout this display set to South Korean pop sensation PSY’s “Gangnam Style.” There’s a second here, as well as this home in Meridian, Idaho staging a Christmas-inspired dubstep.

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After a union strike shuttered production at Hostess, the company reveals it has over 100 interested buyers. Come on, Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Meanwhile, Bazooka is shuttering production of the tiny comic strips that the brand has wrapped around each piece of its bubble gum since 1953. NPR reports that the company hasn’t killed off its prominent character Bazooka Joe altogether; he will occasionally make appearances in new packaging that will still feature a similar insert.

For all of you gentlemen who haven’t killed off your Movember soup-strainer mustache yet, here’s a video tutorial providing the inspiration needed to take back your razors.

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And finally, be sure to wish text messaging a happy 20th anniversary. It might be an open relationship we all share, but I think it’s true love.

Is there something you think we should include in our next edition of #TheDailySpin? Tweet me @iquotesometimes with your suggestions. Thanks in advance.