Chief Marketer Staff

• Search for Small Businesses Part1

  Search for Small Businesses Aug 24, 2006 12:47 PM , By Brian Quinton Search engine marketing is big — and getting bigger. Just check Google’s latest price-earnings report to see how popular putting sponsored ads next to search results has grown. That …

• ‘Smooth Transition’ For McDonald’s New President

  McDonald’s Corp. says the company will have a smooth transition following the abrupt departure of President and COO Mike Roberts this week. The QSR has named Ralph Alvarez, former president of McDonald’s North America, to replace Roberts, effective immediately.

• Agencies

  MTV Builds New York Buzz Around VMA Show

  MTV is taking over New York, wrapping the city with a host of promotions and events around the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards (VMA). The promotions mark the award show’s return to New York City after a two-year hiatus.

• Agencies

  Russell Athletic Sports Mobile Tour

  Sporting goods company Russell Athletic took off running with a mobile tour last week that will give sports fans the opportunity to win prizes, play interactive games, learn about the company’s history and view its new products.

• BK Names Robinson European President

  In other QSR news, Burger King Corp. has named Peter Robinson as president of its Europe, Middle East and Africa operations, effective immediately. Robinson will be based in the company’s headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, and will report to Burger King Corporation CEO John W. Chidsey.

• Consumers’ Digital Camera Brand Loyalty Falls: Study

  Consumers bogged down by a slew of digital camera choices aren’t particularly loyal to any one brand, a study conducted by market research company J.D. Power and Associates revealed.

• News Briefs

  FORD MOTOR CO.: began offering…EMPIRE RACING: has signed Eric Mower and Associates, as…

• Agencies

  Neiman Marcus to Launch Closeout Site

  Neiman Marcus Group is getting ready to go slumming. The luxury merchant is planning to open a standalone closeout Web site to liquidate past-season and end-of-season clearance merchandise more efficiently, the company said in documents filed recently with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

• Coldwater Creek Income Skyrockets

  Coldwater Creek Inc. posted net income of $12 million for the second quarter, a 93.7% improvement over net income of $6.2 million during the same period last year.

• Agencies

  Williams-Sonoma Earnings, Revenue Rise

  Williams-Sonoma Inc. reported net earnings of $35.6 million for the second quarter, up 15.4% over $30.8 million for the same quarter during the prior year.