Leveraging the popularity of James Bond worldwide, Sony Ericsson is launch­ing an integrated marketing campaign for its cell phones in 42 countries highlighting the brand's appearance in the newest Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. The movie will be released in the US on November 14.

The Parent Company has engaged Oppenheimer & Co. to conduct a strategic and financial review and evaluate unsolicited inquiries from third parties interested in certain non-core assets of the company. "It is our intention to continue to pursue our goal of optimizing our efficient e-commerce and e-content business model," said Todd Edebohls, the recently appointed chairman of the board at The Parent Company, in a statement.

While financial and economic news is bad for both consumers and businesses these days, the retail sector is being hit especially hard. However, amid the sales drops and predictions for a dismal holi­day season, there are signs that a few retailers haven't been stopped dead in their tracks by the finan­cial turmoil and are moving ahead with innovative projects.

By making the new "One Price Promise" campaign the focus of its holiday marketing program, Circuit City hopes to ensure holiday shoppers know its prices are the same whether they're shopping in store, online or by phone.

InfoPrint Solutions Company, a joint venture between IBM and Ricoh, has launched a transpromo pilot for hotel chain Best Western International. The initiative will bring personalized and relevant promotional offers to Best Western Rewards members via their rewards statements.

John Paulson, the head of G2 Interactive, has been promoted to the newly created position of CEO at G2 US. Paulson, who has held management positions at DDB Worldwide, Grey Interactive and J. Walter Thompson, will be responsible for G2's 10 US offices, which offer direct, interactive, shopper, design, promotional marketing and data consulting services.

Grizzard Communications Group has been appointed agency of record by the American Red Cross' Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. The partnership with Grizzard Communications Group signifies a shift in focus of the organization's direct marketing strategies.

The agency services group of direct marketing services company Harte-Hanks has been named direct marketing agency of record for Hyundai Motor America. Harte-Hanks will focus on developing vehicle owner and prospect communications programs for the automotive manufacturer.

Media holding company WPP Group PLC has acquired British market research firm Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) for $1.93 bil­lion after a months-long pursuit.

Focusing on how it will capitalize on the transformation of print from analog to digital, HP announced partnerships with MTV, MySpace and other brands at the company's annual Imaging & Printing Conference in San Diego last week.