Starbucks announced the expansion of its Starbucks Card Mobile payment test to nearly 300 company-operated stores in New York City, and Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island. This builds on the successful launch of Starbucks Card Mobile App for select BlackBerry® smartphones, iPhone® and iPod® touch, and the Starbucks mobile payment test which started in fall 2009. Now, Starbucks next mobile move will offer customers in the New York City area an enhanced Starbucks Experience, including the ease and convenience of paying for their favorite Starbucks® beverage with their mobile phone.

Procter & Gamble is turning online reading into a socially worthy deed. Expanding its “Give Health Clean Water Blogivation” campaign, which started in August and is focused on providing clean water, vaccines and education to children in need, the global producer encourages website owners from around the world the world to embed a special widget designed to ‘convert’ users’ clicks into drinking water for deprived communities in developing countries.

Nikon Foundation kicked off a contest, focused on fashion and career opportunities for younger generation of people behind the lens. The recognized leader in the photo equipment industry and celebrated fashion and celebrity photographer John Wright are on the lookout for a person, who would become a paid assistant of the photographer for as long as three month.

The documentary “Latinos Living the American Dream” produced and directed by Eva Longoria Parker in partnership with the Pepsi YO SUMO initiative premiered yesterday, October 21, at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater in LA. The documentary highlights the accomplishments and impact that Hispanics have in shaping the landscape of the United States. The feature is a culmination of Pepsi’s YO SUMO (I Add Up/I Count) movement which encourages Latinos to go beyond being counted and show how they add value to this country, in the year of the Census.

One of the oldest denim brands in the world, Lee Cooper, is launching a competition for its die-hard fans who love it when their clothes have an exclusive touch. The global 102-year old brand, which now is selling its lines in 85 countries, is encouraging consumers to wear-down their pair of jeans until it acquires exclusive pattern, and then show it to public for a chance to receive nice money. This October, Lee Cooper Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand divisions have teamed up to launch a limited edition Lee Cooper Dry Denim collection, which will be the ‘platform’ for the contest.

Some brands are striving to unite people, and some of them encourage consumers to keep away from each other. MINI, the brand of small urban cars, is inviting its fans to search for virtual automobiles in Stockholm while keeping as far possible from the people around. The goal of the new promotional game dubbed “Getaway Stockholm” is to spot the virtual cars and do not let it slip out of your ‘hands’ right into those of your ‘enemies.’ The only thing participants can do to keep the virtual auto is to run away from the location where they’ve found it. The fastest and nimblest participant of the unique project will get one MINI Countryman as the grand prize.

On October 20, Starbucks launched the Starbucks Digital Network, in partnership with Yahoo! in nearly 6,800 U.S. venues of the chain. Serving up a collection of hand-picked premium news, entertainment and lifestyle content along with local insights and events, the Starbucks Digital Network, is powered by free Wi-Fi and available only in the chain’s stores. Developed for screens big and small, customers with Wi-Fi enabled laptops, tablets or smartphones can visit the network while in line or while enjoying their favorite beverage in the café.