Recently, CNN reported that Air Canada's regional carrier Jazz has decided to remove life vests from all of its airplanes in an effort to reduce weight and thus save fuel. At a time when just about every airline is already being criticized for charging customers more for less – on everything from blankets to luggage to drinks – was it smart for Jazz to put its reputation at risk? We’re all looking for ways to save ... Read More

From Starbucked.com to Againstthewal.com, gripe sites – or Websites and blogs that solicit and publish consumer complaints directed towards a particular product or company – are popping up on the Internet with increasing frequency. But according to a piece published in The Wall Street Journal last week, companies are finally indentifying ways to fight back. Thus far, the preferred course of action has been to buy up the domain names that may one day be used ... Read More

The news media, legal eagles and Wall Street all seem to agree that the recent $100 million jury verdict in favor of Mattel, Inc., the maker of Barbie, against Bratz doll maker MGA Entertainment represents only a symbolic victory. That’s because the amount the world’s biggest toymaker won in the case is so much less than the $2 billion in damages it sought. But while the scale of Mattel’s victory remains the subject of debate, a ... Read More

Last month’s comments by Frank Quattrone at a Silicon Valley conference are of ongoing interest for market watchers and communications professionals alike. Now Entrepreneur Quattrone (formerly known as Banker Quattrone), who endured years of investigation over obstruction of justice charges (eventually dropped), argued that the enforced separation of investment banking from stock market research needs to be ended because it denies small companies access to research analysts and therefore impairs American competitiveness. Current restrictions prohibit investment banks ... Read More

Week after week the news media report on the latest medical studies that identify some new and unexpected risk to our health. Do cell phones cause brain tumors? Do overhead power lines lead to childhood leukemia? Does exposure to common chemicals increase the risk of breast cancer? We see the scary headlines, but few of us notice the inevitable follow-up stories that put these newly apprehended risks into perspective and often debunk the initial reports altogether. A ... Read More

In another sign that companies are increasingly using the Web to solicit their customers for creative ideas, Crest toothpaste is asking YouTube fans to develop the slogan for its new wintergreen ice flavor. From September 15 through October 17, consumers are invited to submit videos featuring their take on the brand in 10 words or less. The winning phrase will be used in late fall and winter television spots advertising the new flavor. And to pique ... Read More