Top U.S. public companies made only slight increases to executive compensation levels in 2012, as emphasis shifted further toward long-term performance incentives, according to results from The Wall Street Journal/Hay Group 2012 CEO Compensation Study, released last week. After seeing CEO pay jump a significant 11 percent in 2010, 2012 marked the second consecutive year that total compensation showed only modest increases. When it comes to company performance, the story was mixed. "Companies sought to make their pay programs more attractive to shareholders in 2012, structuring their executive compensation plans to clearly demonstrate alignment between pay and performance. In the third year of say-on-pay, many companies held pay levels nearly flat …"

Research In Motion unveiled a lower-cost BlackBerry aimed at consumers in emerging markets, stepping up its efforts to regain market share lost to Apple's iPhone and Android devices powered by Google's software. The lower-cost gadget, called the Q5, is the company's third smartphone to run the new BlackBerry 10 system. It will have a physical keyboard, something that sets RIM's devices apart from the iPhone and most Android phones. RIM (soon to be renamed BlackBerry) CEO Thorsten Heins said the "slim, sleek" device will be available in red, black, white and pink. He announced the phone this week to a packed ballroom to open RIM's annual three-day conference in Orlando …

Influencer marketing platform Traackr and contact management firm Nimble, creators of the simply insightful relationship management platform, have announced an integration of their services to enable social businesses to manage their influencer marketing programs end-to-end. The combined platform will provide users the ability to perform influencer discovery and tracking, relationship building and nurturing, as well as activating and measuring results. "Building relationships with key individuals who can impact a market, a brand and ultimately sales, has become a core skill to the modern marketer. This partnership between Nimble and Traackr creates the technology backbone for marketers to build and execute on their influencer marketing programs …"

The recent ruling by the Securities and Exchange Commission on social media usage by public companies, paired with the hacking of a Twitter account belonging to the AP, have sparked ongoing debate about the influence of social media on Wall Street. There is much speculation about social media's impact on the trustworthiness of information and its effect on investment behavior, and a recent study commissioned by Marketwired uncovered some telling facts: A generational divide is emerging, with people under 40 increasingly turning to and relying on social media to inform investment decisions. "Nearly 40% of respondents use information from social media when making investment decisions, and the number jumps to 60% …"

When members of Congress repeatedly raised concerns with the Internal Revenue Service about complaints that Tea Party groups were being harassed last year, deputy commissioner Steven T. Miller, now the acting head of the agency, took the lead in assuring lawmakers that the additional scrutiny was a legitimate part of the screening process. But he never mentioned that conservative groups were being targeted, a fact that was known to people he oversaw. President Obama said he first learned about the issue from news reports last week. "If, in fact, IRS personnel engaged in the kind of practices that had been reported … then that's outrageous …"

Results from a new study by Jumio identify why shopping cart abandonment continues to be a major issue among consumers. While the majority of smartphone and tablet owners (68%) have attempted to make a purchase on their device, two thirds (66%) failed to complete a transaction due to obstacles encountered during checkout. Though consumers favor the convenience of shopping on-the-go, a number of barriers were cited as top reasons why respondents failed to complete a purchase on their smartphone or tablet. "Businesses invest a great deal to get consumers to the point of sale in their mobile apps, but there are a lot of obstacles …"

Shoddy customer service, redundant questions, disconnected processes and long waits are causing customers to leave brands in droves, according to a new survey commissioned by Redwood Software, a provider of enterprise process automation. The results emphasize that it's the "little-big problems" that customer-facing companies should be concerned about—the things that may seem inconsequential up front, but build up over time to dramatically change the relationship a customer has with a once-favorite brand. "In a time where customer loyalty is dead, brand reputation is critical and speedy service is imperative. Process automation helps businesses achieve efficiency and cost savings, and essentially deliver customer satisfaction …"

Wrigley says it is taking a new caffeinated gum off the market temporarily as the Food and Drug Administration investigates the safety of added caffeine. The company said last week that it has stopped new sales and marketing of Alert Energy Caffeine Gum "out of respect" for the agency, which said it would investigate the health effects of added caffeine in foods just as Wrigley rolled out Alert late last month. A stick of the gum is equivalent to half a cup of coffee. The company has paused production and sales of the gum to give the agency time to regulate caffeine-added products …

SiteApps recently announced the findings of a comprehensive study of small businesses' online strategies, with more than half (54 percent) of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) saying they are concerned with technology outpacing their ability to compete. The study reveals that many are suffering from pervasive web woes—falling behind the curve when it comes to implementing available technologies and updating meager websites that could help them eclipse competitors and keep pace with big enterprises online. "Small businesses know how important their Web presence is for presenting a desirable online identity and attracting new customers, yet don't fully understand how to achieve …"

Acquiring more profitable new customers is a top priority for nearly 80% of U.S. business-to-consumer marketers, while more than a third say "qualifying prospects better" is their most important new marketing initiative for growing business this year, according to a new national survey conducted by eWayDirect. The survey also found that real-time targeting of prospects and customers is a primary tactic: Almost two thirds of respondents said they use real-time targeting to add new customers and fuel revenue growth. "Marketers clearly need to focus on finding more profitable new customers across all channels—including social and mobile—to grow their business …"

YouTube is set to announce within a few weeks a series of channels that will require payment, an anonymous source familiar with the matter told the AP this week—an action that could change the dynamic of online video, especially for brands and companies. The content on the new pay channels will be in addition to the millions of videos viewers watch for free on YouTube. It's not clear whether the paid videos will come with advertising. In a statement, YouTube said it is looking into creating a "subscription platform" that provides its partners with a way to generate revenue beyond video rentals and placing ads in and around content …

Marketers are facing more scrutiny from CEOs to deliver data that accurately measures marketing's impact on the business, with 67 percent of CEOs significantly committed to the marketing function and a growing number requesting weekly (almost 20 percent) or daily (9 percent) marketing updates, according to a new survey by voice-based marketing automation firm Ifbyphone. "The survey illustrates what industry leaders are doing today to impact revenue. And it is clear that growth hackers are championing innovative ways to measure marketing. Today's marketing leaders can take credit directly for revenue and new customers from their marketing efforts and confidently answer the CEO's tough ROI questions …"

Research shows that more and more people are using their smartphones to make purchases. According to eDigitalResearch, more than half of U.S. phone users have a smartphone, and 38% of them have made a purchase from their mobile device. eMarketer estimates that U.S. mobile commerce sales will reach $17.2 billion by in 2013, up from $3.5 billion recorded in 2010, and grow to $31 billion by 2015. "Search is a critical part of the overall shopping experience, especially on mobile sites where screen space is so limited," said Jen Morris, brand manager for U.S. Toy Company. "We knew we needed to get our mobile site up and running quickly, as we were seeing more and more customers on the mobile platform …"

Fleishman-Hillard recently unveiled the results of its signature Authenticity Gap study, exploring the gap between what consumers experience from companies and what they expect of them. The research identifies the behaviors consumers most associate with authentic companies and where organizations can make changes to improve their reputation in the minds of consumers. "We looked across the industry and saw a lot of different reputation studies out there, but none was giving the C-suite very actionable insights into what they could do to change their reputation in the minds of various stakeholders," said Marjorie Benzkofer, chair of Fleishman-Hillard's reputation management practice …

PepsiCo is once again learning the risks of celebrity partnerships after an ad for Mountain Dew was widely lambasted for portraying racial stereotypes and making light of violence toward women. The soda brand is generally marketed to younger men and sometimes attempts to have edgier ads, but the controversy over its latest spot illustrates the fine line that companies must walk when trying to be hip. But did Pepsi really think this ad was OK? The spot—which depicted a battered white woman on crutches being urged to identify a suspect out of a lineup of black men—was so over-the-top wrong, one wonders how a corporate marketing team wouldn't see the potential backlash …

Last week's building collapse in Bangladesh that killed hundreds of clothing factory workers put a spotlight on the sobering fact that people in poor countries often risk their lives working in unsafe factories to make the cheap T-shirts and underwear that Westerners covet—and conscientious consumers are now realizing that, while you can recycle your waste, grow your own food and drive a fuel-efficient car, being socially responsible isn't so easy when it comes to the clothes on your back. "Clothing is one of our more challenging practices. I don't want to travel around the world to see where my pants come from …"

The times they are a'changin', indeed. What could have been a professional-level PR crisis for the NBA and pro sports in general seems so far to be quite the opposite. When pro basketballer Jason Collins came out as a gay man earlier this week via a Sports Illustrated byline article, many communicators (especially those of a cynical nature) wondered what the PR backlash would be. Interestingly, it was the Boston Marathon bombings that made Collins decide that the time was right. "Things can change in an instant, so why not live truthfully?" …

Super-powered coffees and energy drinks have made caffeine all the rage, and now food companies are looking for new ways to cash in—and they're betting that snacks like potato chips, jelly beans and gum with a caffeinated kick could be just the answer. Now, the Food and Drug Administration is closely watching the marketing of these foods and wants to know more about their safety. Already investigating the safety of energy drinks and energy shots, prompted by consumer reports of illness and death, the FDA said this week it will look at the foods' effects on children in response to a caffeinated gum newly introduced by Wrigley …

Reebok ended its relationship with rapper and sponsor Rick Ross on the heels of heavy criticism of his song lyrics that are considered by some to be pro-rape. The sneaker brand said in a statement last week that "Reebok holds our partners to a high standard and we expect them to live up to the values of our brand. Unfortunately, Rick Ross has failed to do so." Ross formally apologized for the distasteful lyrics in a tweet two weeks ago. It came the same day that women's group UltraViolet protested outside of one Reebok's stores in Manhattan. "We are thrilled to hear that Reebok is joining the fight against rape culture and dropping Rick Ross. This is a huge victory for women," the group said of the decision. Ross said his lyrics were misinterpreted …

Root Inc., a strategy execution consulting company, recently announced the results of a survey conducted by Kelton titled America's Workforce: A Revealing Account of What U.S. Employees Really Think About Today's Workplace. The study, which analyzed the responses of more than 1,000 U.S.-based employees, uncovers where employees would like to see change from the companies they work for and the leaders who manage them. Seven key themes surfaced in the survey including leadership competencies, manager/employee relationships, communication of strategy, change initiatives, teamwork and accountability, process improvements, and employee training. "Many surveys tell us there's something wrong -- we know that American workers are unhappy or not engaged, and leaders know they need make adjustments to keep the very best talent …"

Business4Better (B4B), a non-commercial community partnership movement produced by UBM, recently released a research report that defines major trends in the way mid-sized companies approach corporate social responsibility (CSR), including plans for community engagement, employee volunteerism and metrics of success. It explores both challenges and opportunities that mid-sized companies regularly face in implementing their CSR programs. "Most mid-size companies have a business-with-a-purpose mindset," said Joshua Dome, general manager of Business4Better. "We conducted this research to understand the gaps and opportunities, with the ultimate goal of creating action plans for executives trying to infuse social good as part of the way they do business." The Business4Better research report reveals mid-sized companies' desires to help people and nonprofits in their local communities …

The year 2013 will be a turning point year as CEOs and senior executives, by a ratio of more than four to one, plan to increase IT investment in 2013, rather than cut it, according to a recent survey by Gartner, Inc. The 2013 Gartner CEO and Senior Executive Survey found that, as macro uncertainties abate, 78 percent of CEOs now feel able to plan their 2013 and 2014 investments and growth. "This is the year when business leadership teams must commit to investing bravely and deeply to redevelop the technology and information capability of their firms. After more than a decade of modest investment and sorting out the basics, it's time to think ahead. Business leaders tell us they recognize the need to invest in e-commerce, mobile, cloud, social …"

This spring, as the tech industry is soaring out of the Great Recession, plans are in the works for a flurry of massive, perk-laden headquarters. Apple's ring-shaped, gleaming "Spaceship Headquarters" will include a world-class auditorium and an orchard for engineers to wander. Google's new Bay View campus will feature walkways angled to force accidental encounters. Facebook, while putting final touches on a Disney-inspired campus including a Main Street with a barbecue shack, sushi house and bike shop, is already planning an even larger, more exciting new campus — indicating that, more than ever before, Silicon Valley firms want their workers at work. "We're seeing the mature technology companies trying to energize their work environments, getting rid of cube farms and investing in facilities to compete for talent …"

Tom McHale, an All-Ivy athlete who played in 87 NFL games from 1987 to 1995, died of an overdose in 2008 after battling depression and a painkiller addiction. An autopsy later showed he suffered from traumatic brain injuries. His wife Lisa said it helps that more players now go public with their neurological problems, and wishes her husband had lived long enough to learn more about the links between concussions and long-term brain injuries. A lot has been learned since 2008 — and now thousands of former players are suing the NFL over concussions. In Philadelphia this week, lawyers for the NFL and for more than 4,200 former players argued over whether the complaints belong in federal court or, as the NFL believes, in arbitration …