Two of the most compelling stories these days have to do with an athlete long-considered the best golfer in the world and an automaker that became the world’s No. 1 in 2008 (and is ranked Japan's No. 1 global brand for 2010): Tiger Woods and Toyota.

Once at the top of their games, both entities (brands) now are teetering on the brink of graveyard death. Barring miraculous overnight one-eighties, they're destined to remain there for a long time. The question is how long -- if ever -- it will take them to regain solid footing and escape burial in graves they dug for themselves. (more...)