Consumer Reports did an in-depth review of engine oil some 15-20 years ago. This is the only lab-quality un-biased and extensive review that I'm aware of. They used a fleet of NY taxi cabs with 4.3 GM engines. The engines were rebuilt with new bearing shells that were precisely weighed and inspected. They tested various brands of oil at 6,000 mile change intervals, both conventional and synthetic. They even ran two engines with 12,000 mile intervals. In the end, they came to the conclusion that no one brand did any better than the other. Even the 12K engines showed no difference in bearing wear. The used oils did not show excessive metal buildup or any indication of accelerated wear.
The summed up the entire article by suggesting any brand of oil with the API sunburst (and appropriate application) works just as well as the other. 6000mi change intervals are more than adequate. The only time I would go more frequently - towing or repeated short trips where the engine never reaches full operating temperature. The oil change interval on long-haul class 8 DD15's is now 50,000miles on conventional oil. Yes, that's 4 zero's! These engines work harder and run way hotter than anything with 4 wheels.
Modern marketing has nothing to do with value. If you can convince your customers to pay $10 instead of $5 just with a label and name change, that's considered good business. Promotions all around! Never mind you're screwing over the average Joe.