“The amount spent on cigarette advertising and promotion by the five largest cigarette companies in the United States declined from $13.11 billion in 2005 to $12.49 billion in 2006, according to a report released today by the Federal Trade Commission. The largest spending category – spending on price discounts – fell from $9.78 billion in 2005 to $9.21 billion in 2006, but still accounted for nearly 74 percent of all marketing expenditures.”
Archive for the ‘Industry News’ Category
Big tobacco spent $12 billion in advertising
August 17, 2009Housing discrimination rampant on the Internet?
August 13, 2009“In a report released [Tuesday], the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) documents how thousands of illegal housing advertisements appear with impunity on the Internet every day. “FOR RENT: NO KIDS! How Internet Advertisements Perpetuate Discrimination” calls upon Congress to stop the flood of discriminatory housing advertisements on the Internet by amending the Communications Decency Act of 1996.”
Calorie labelling may end up in healthcare reform
July 30, 2009“The disclosure of calories on chain restaurant menus is no longer just a question of local policy; it is now–due in no small part to Margo’s efforts–a part of the pending health care reform legislation. If health care passes, so does menu labeling! What’s remarkable to me is how quickly the policy has progressed in just a couple years — from a mere proposal among public health advocates, to a controversial regulation in a single city, to a measure that’s been adopted by local governments nationwide, to a component of one of the most important pieces of federal legislation in a generation.”
Rochester’s Charter cable renewal raises questions
July 9, 2009Commenters point out that the notion of a “non-exclusive” franchise mentioned below is a bit Orwellian. How realistic is it for Charter competitor to enter the Rochester market?
“Rochester’s non-exclusive franchise agreement with Charter Communications to provide cable TV service in the city remains in effect despite the company’s declaration of bankruptcy in March.
The city council voted 7-0 on Monday to continue its arrangement with Charter, which has five years to go under a 15-year franchise agreement with the city.
The company is reorganizing following the bankruptcy declaration. The city’s decision has no implications for local channel offerings, public access or franchise fees, said City Attorney Terry Adkins.
A common misapprehension regarding Rochester’s single cable company is that it is a monopoly with exclusive rights in this market. Not true, Adkins said. Federal law would prohibit that sort of arrangement. Any competitor can offer cable service here.
“As long as they can meet the qualifications by being able to provide the service, we must allow them,” Adkins said.”
Retail outlet closures surge
July 6, 2009“The International Council of Shopping Centers said 6,913 retail stores — of all types — announced closures last year, compared with 4,603 in 2007.”
Soda being regulated by FDA?
June 17, 2009I saw a link to the Examiner but no article appeared and I haven’t seen another news source report.
People eliminating cable tv
May 29, 2009Given the abuses and monopolistic tendencies of the cable industry, I think this is good news:
“Some 900,000 U.S. homes didn’t pay for TV and relied solely on Web TV last year, according to estimates from consulting firm Parks Associates, which projects that the number will grow this year. And 8% of adults now view television shows online at least once a week, up from 6% who did so in 2008, according to a survey by the Leichtman Research Group. The same survey found that 8% of adults who watch video online now watch TV less often.
Overall, while the number of households paying for cable rose 2% last year, pay-TV growth has slowed considerably. In the last three months of 2008, pay-TV penetration grew by only 0.7%, or 220,000 homes, its lowest rate on record, according to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.”
Restaurant association forecasts sales uptick
April 16, 2009“The NRA forecast predicts a national growth in sales of 2.5 percent over 2008, the numbers translate to an inflation-adjusted decline of 1 percent. However, NRA points out the restaurant industry remains a cornerstone of the economy, representing 4 percent of the gross domestic product and employing 9 percent of the workforce.”
Environmental building cause of pollution
April 12, 2009
Workers in Vancouver, Washington were investigating the presence of sewage in Burnt Bridge Creek, near Vancouver Lake and discovered that the source of the problem was the building housing Washington State’s Department of Ecology. According to investigators, the building’s sewer line is connected to a storm drain rather than the municipal sewer main, causing sewage to be directed to the creek.
Brian Carlson, Vancouver’s public works director, told The Colombian: “The only thing that’s supposed to be in the storm water pipe is rainwater.”
He added: “The irony is not lost on us.”
Reading Tea Leaves by Randy Wilson 