CHICAGO – The Word of Mouth Marketing Association has launched the Brands Council in order to provide brand companies and nonprofit organizations with intimate, real-time education, networking and guidance for effective and ethical use of word of mouth and social media marketing. The purpose of the Brands Council, according toMORE HERE

SAN RAMON, Calif. -Yes, we can still trust the man who wears the star. Chevron, owner of Texaco, is not letting its Texaco brand lapse, as so many other energy companies have done in mergers. (At right, a vintage Texaco pump from Glen Allen, Virginia, where it is owned byMORE HERE

The movement to save Duck Head khakis grows after Goody’s goes. You can read about the history of Duck Head on BrandlandUSA, and follow the Save Duck Head Twitter account for the latest news. History of Duck Head Save Duck Head TwitterMORE HERE

NEW YORK — AdweekMedia’s WHAT TEENS WANT Conference, now in its 11th year, will take place on June 24 and 25, 2009 at New York City’s Time & Life Building. This year’s Conference will focus on Marketing to Super-Communicators, allowing marketers to gain insight on the future of teen trendsMORE HERE

Students Using SRA/McGraw-Hill's Reading Mastery Score Highest in Florida Reading Achievement Study BrandlandUSA.com is the website of business and travel writer and editor Garland Pollard. Contact him about freelance writing and editing; his personal website is at GarlandPollard.comMORE HERE

PORT WASHINGTON – Systemax Inc. (NYSE: SYX) said that it will purchase selected assets of Circuit City’s e-commerce business for $6.5 million in cash plus a share of future revenue generated utilizing those assets over a 30 month period. This is smart. Please read our old on the issue fromMORE HERE

YORK, Pa.-We watch carefully the fate of Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: BONT), which owns some great old legacy department store names that include: Carson Pirie Scott, Bon-Ton Bergner’s Boston Store Elder-Beerman Herberger’s Younkers Parisian It’s not a “bon” scene at Bon Ton, as their stock is less than $2 aMORE HERE

RICHMOND – I am a bit partial to the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. They saved Jamestown Island, began the effort to save Williamsburg and have saved hundreds of historic houses across the state with their many affiliate groups. They have been a strong and potent advocate forMORE HERE