Q&As

The Nielsen Co. is going national with the first in-store media measurement service, with data available to participating brands by yearend.

The Disabled Veterans’ Life Memorial Foundation reported it has secured $7.5 million in pledges in the first quarter to cover pre-construction and construction costs for new memorial in Washington, DC.

Direct marketing sales decreased by $3.2 million to $19.1 million at Lenox Group Inc. during the first quarter, compared to $22.4 million in direct sales in first quarter of 2006.

Guitar Center Inc., parent company of the Musician’s Friend catalog, reported yesterday that first quarter direct response sales increased 18.4% to $116.4 million, due largely to its Feb. 9 acquisition of the DM business and assets of Woodwind & Basswind, including associated Web sites.

M&M’S has put a price tag on the silent treatment: $31,000.

That’s how much the candy brand will award to the couple that can spend one month communicating only via M&M’s.

Valassis generated $361.3 million in first quarter revenue, a significant boost from the $247.6 million it realized a year ago. But $112.1 million of that came from its March 2 acquisition of shared-mail distributor Advo.

The Oregon Senate has passed legislation that would eliminate a split between its laws and the federal do-not-call list, according to the Associated Press. As a result, the state will begin enforcing the federal do-not-call list.

Kraft Foods is opening shop on Second Life today.

The company is using the popular virtual-world Web site to showcase 70 new products as part of its sales pitch to retailers at the annual industry convention, the Food Marketing Institute show, which runs May 6 though 8.

Homewood Suites by Hilton has launched an online contest giving families a chance to star in an electronic billboard in New York City’s Times Square.

Chrysler is out with a contest that offers a new car to the parents of a child born at exactly 2:03:04 on May 6.