Q&As

Ballard Designs Introduces Outdoor Living The premier issue of Ballard Designs’ spin-off title Outdoor Living is subtitled “Living Without Walls.” The catalog explains this concept of expanding living spaces outside, even creating “an outdoor version of …

Nestlé USA and Hershey Corp. are readying new candies for summer—some with familiar brand names, and some new. Nestlé bows Donutz candy on May 23 with a tie-in to Warner Bros.’ Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, opening July 15. The in-pack sweeps …

Bacardi Silver has partnered with Turner Broadcasting System and reruns of the sizzling hit series Sex and the City to drive brand awareness and sales. The Turn on TBS, Turn on the Flavor campaign kicks off May 16 with plenty of in-store promotions and …

American Airlines and Blockbuster have partnered for a sweepstakes that offers consumers a $10,000 travel gift certificate and a digital video camera. Consumers can enter the Feature Presentation sweepstakes by completing an entry form at AA.com/promo. …

Verizon has signed on as the presenting sponsor of Dave Matthews Band Island Getaway, which will be held July 30-31 on Randall’s Island, New York. The two-day concert will include Dave Matthews Band along with Black Eyed Peas, Barenaked Ladies, Robert …

When the U.S. Postal Service

Nate McKelvey says he has hold of a smoking gun

Tastes and lifestyles are changing constantly. Long-time dinnerware maker Pfaltzgraff had a good hold on what it calls the “collector” market, but it was having trouble reaching young singles and newlyweds. Traditional styles weren’t drawing those attractive lifetime-customers-in-the-making, and conventional marketing channels weren’t reaching them. To do that, Pfaltzgraff has taken the leap with what amounts to an entire new product line: plates, cups, bowls and serving ware that customers can personalize for themselves over the Web, then buy online in single items or whole sets.

After 28 years, ‘The Force’ still has strong ties to Burger King Corp., which this week will launch its first global promotion surrounding the release of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Starting today, U.S. consumers can collect 31 Star Wars …

McDonald’s is using a small, green fork and a $1 off coupon to entice consumers to try the QSR’s new fruit and walnut premium salad, which debuted nationwide this week. Consumers who order a menu item that requires the use of a fork (think hotcakes or a …