Chief Marketer Staff

• McDonald’s Replaces Kobe Bryant with Yao Ming

  McDonald’s Corp. has signed a multi-year global partnership with NBA star Yao Ming. Ming replaces NBA player Kobe Bryant, whose three-year contract with

• Vermont Teddy Bear Bullish in Second Quarter

  The Vermont Teddy Bear Co., Shelburne, VT, generated second-quarter revenue of $13.4 million, up from $9.3 million a year ago. The company

• ComScore Media Metrix Ranks Top Internet Properties for January

  During January 2004, the total U.S. Internet population was 152.4 million users, who spent an average of 28.9 hours online, up 5% from December. Tax,

• Industry Ponders Next Step After Court Says DNC List is Constitutional

  The United States Court of Appeals ruled that the federal do-not-call list is a valid commercial speech regulation, and refused to support a challenge

• eBay Courts Small Business

  eBay targets small-business owners who sell—and buy—goods online with a Dream Big, Save Big sweepstakes and some expert advice. The sweeps runs Feb. 19 through April 15. Weekly drawings award gift certificates redeemable at eBay’s small-business site …

• Simon’s Kidgits Club Holds Book Blast

  Eighty-seven Simon malls will feature the first annual Kidgits Club Book Blast event on Feb. 28 to encourage kids to read. The event is part of Simon

• Campbell Soup Forms North America Unit

  Campbell Soup Co. last week announced plans to form a $5 billion North America division that includes Campbell, Pepperidge Farm and Godiva brands. The

• Guerrilla Marketing Goes Mainstream: AMA Conference

  Guerilla marketing will spread beyond jaded young adults as marketers target Baby Boomers, African-Americans and other audiences this year. That’s one

• List and Database News

  First Choice Investors This file contains 199,579 active direct-mail-sold investors with current accounts at discount brokerage firms. Selections: Age,

• TPG Acquires Remainder of Czech DM Firm

  Dutch mail company TPG NV has acquired the remaining 40% of shares it did not already own in direct marketing company Dimar group in the Czech Republic