Ted Marzilli

Football season is in high gear, and as usual, companies who target men are investing heavily in advertising during the NFL and NCAA games. This week, BrandIndex takes a look at the leaders and the laggards of the pack.

The reported $100 million Visa spent being a “Worldwide Olympic Partner” appears to be paying off already: the credit card company has achieved the biggest leap in consumer perception since the event began.

Apple's iPhone 7 announcement appears to have stemmed a consumer perception decline over the past several weeks, but consideration to buy Apple products has recently slipped.

Instead of raising eyebrows, promoting back to school sales in early July seems to be raising Staples' perception with parents, in both purchase consideration and ad awareness.

Taco Bell Doritos Locos -- the merger of fast food and salty snacks – appears to have boosted consumer perception of both brands, especially with regular patrons of Mexican restaurants in the US.

Target's political contributions harm its perception among Democrats and Independents. Allstate causes 'mayhem' and Wrangler weathers the Brett Favre scandal.

Retail analyst Robin Lewis may have rained on Abercrombie & Fitch's parade with its prized 18 – 34 demographic in the US.

After launching its unlimited shrimp promotion, talk of the restaurant chain reaches a new high

BrandIndex supplies Reuters' reporter Lisa Baertelin consumer insights for her special report analyzing the turnaround at Starbucks.

BrandIndex welcomes Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen to its growing client roster of premiere consumer brands.