The television ad for Suntory mineral water looks as idealistic as it did ten years ago, featuring vistas of snow-covered mountains and a perfect Japanese family.

ECONOMIST: Gloom merchants

By the second half of the Middle Ages (1000-1500 AD) the wind and water-powered agarian revolution of the previous few centuries made Christian Europe into a rich, populous and expanding power.

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And while this segment of the population continues to hold significant water with marketers and ad agencies, brands would be wise to turn their attention to a key target audience: moms.

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Those remaining are struggling to cover the fuel rods with water, using sea water and fire hoses, an ad hoc battle that seems less likely to succeed as each day goes by.

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Kraft enlists Tracy Morgan from NBC's "30 Rock" to introduce its new Mio Fit water enhancing drops in a 30-second ad during the third quarter.

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In Tabriz and nearby Ardabil, the two major cities near the earthquake area, several local businesses, teachers and college professors had created ad hoc relief teams, separate from the government, and were sending truckloads of food, water and blankets to the area.

WSJ: Iranians Call Quake Effort Inadequate