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CHICAGO — SymphonyIRI Group on Wednesday announced that Andrew Appel has joined the company as president and CEO.

Appel, who also joins SymphonyIRI’s board of directors, succeeds John Freeland, who moves into a new interim role as executive vice chairman and will remain on the board of directors until his retirement later in 2012.

NEW YORK — Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Pressman Toy have teamed up to bring to market new games based on "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy and the upcoming film "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."

FORT LEE, N.J. — A vast majority of shoppers continue to purchase some private-label products on a regular basis, according to research from Perception Research Services.

Among roughly 600 primary household grocery shoppers ages 18 to 64 years polled, PRS found that 86% continue to purchase private-label items on a regular basis (compared with 84% in 2010), while 38% have purchased more private-label products than they did in 2010 (32%) and across additional categories. More than half (51%) said they feel smart/savvy when they buy private-label products.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble has announced the launch of the P&G everyday mid-year resolution campaign to encourage consumers to make small pledges for themselves and their families in order to lead a more fulfilling life.

P&G everyday is a program that aims to improve the everyday lives of consumers by offering smart living tips, product savings and free samples via the website PGeveryday.com.

MATTHEWS, N.C. — Family Dollar is getting the Redbox treatment.

The discount store chain announced it inked a multiyear deal with the Coinstar subsidiary, through which Redbox kiosks will be installed at Family Dollar locations across the United States. Family Dollar customers will be able to rent new release DVDs at Redbox for $1.20 a night, Blu-ray discs for $2 a night and games for $2 a night.

NEW YORK — Gaiam announced the release of "The Layover" Season 1 on DVD under its exclusive home video license agreement with Travel Channel.

The first season follows host Anthony Bourdain through Europe, Asia and the United States as he shows viewers that vacation fun can be doubled during a layover by soaking up as much culture as he can within 24 to 48 hours of layover time to provide viewers with the most unpredictable, unique stories of places, people and their food. Bourdain also shares some top-of-the-line insider tips.

LOS ANGELES — All American Pet Co. has introduced a new line of 27% meat-first protein/energy bars just for dogs.

Nutra Bars, which come in a 4-oz. variety, offer the kilo-calories of a cup of super-premium dry dog food, providing the nutritive value of a complete meal, All American Pet Co. said.

"The convenience and nutritive value of food bars has become a part of our daily lives. Extending the convenience and nutritional value of human food bars to dogs is simply an extension of humanizing our pets," AAPT CEO Barry Schwartz said.

OAKLAND, Calif. — Clorox is boosting its namesake with a new line of liquid bleach products.

During its analyst day, held on May 31, the company unveiled plans to launch new concentrated formulas of Clorox liquid bleach products beginning in August. Benno Dorer, SVP of the company's cleaning division, said the concentrated formula will reduce the current 96-oz. bottle by 33% to 64 oz., "making it more convenient to handle while maintaining the same number of uses."