WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today confirmed David Kappos as the new Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S Patent and Trademark Office. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke issued the following statement: “We are grateful to the Senate for its swift confirmation of David KapposMORE HERE

Stop in for a drink after you leave N.O.B. Norfolk. It’s right near the pier in Ocean View. BrandlandUSA.com is the website of business and travel writer and editor Garland Pollard. Visit his personal website at GarlandPollard.comMORE HERE

Two name changes-or more correctly, modifications-have received attention in the media and branding worlds recently. Pizza Hut has announced that its boxes and select locations will carry the name “The Hut,” and RadioShack plans to unveil new creative for “The Shack,” its shorter, catchier moniker. These name shortenings are proofMORE HERE

And remember, it is “fancy” people who buy and recommend stock purchases for others. It is “fancy” people who decide on environmental regulations. It is the “fancy” public television watching bureaucrats that make the government regulations. MORE HERE

BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN – Kellogg’s is doing a bit of Andy Warhol (or Peter Max) with a new Pop Tart promotion. Kellogg’s hired artist Burton Morris to design five, special-edition Pop-Tarts boxes that are on shelves now. It’s part of a full Pop Art program, which includes tips from MorrisMORE HERE

PLEASANTVILLE – So I am reading Peter Canning’s biography of Dewitt and Lila Acheson Wallace, American Dreamers, and seeing how the Wallaces affected so many lives positively, not only with what they accomplished in their philanthropy, but how their philosophy helped shape America at a critical time. I also wasMORE HERE

  What is is there to tye-dye with? BrandlandUSA.com is the website of business and travel writer and editor Garland Pollard. Visit his personal website at GarlandPollard.comMORE HERE

Last weekend, the teens were in the yard getting ready for church camp. They had to get a LOOK together. And what did they decide to do? Head on over to the store (I forgot to ask which one) and buy a bunch of packs of Rit Dye to doMORE HERE

On day one, the meaning of a new brand name can be found in the dictionary (assuming it’s a real word). For a fleeting moment, “Amazon” was a river, “Apple” was a fruit, and “Kindle” conjured fuel for fire. But if early, literal meanings remain over time, the managers ofMORE HERE