extra texture :: marketing news + trends

From October 1-8, male and female bloggers from across the globe can submit pictures of bare and covered breasts to raise money for breast cancer causes. (more)

Miss Ugly has left the building! Yes, that’s the good news with the launch of the latest all-new Hyundai Sonata - and it’s so good company bosses think BMW and Mercedes need to watch out. (more)

The popular search-engine has already signed up a channel in the United States to provide programmes for its Google TV station and is in talks with the BBC to broadcast its shows. (more)

McDonald’s Corp.’s top management has vowed to keep coming up with new products. But the hamburger giant appears to be rethinking plans to introduce deli sandwiches. (more)

Large fast-food Mexican chains, including El Pollo Loco and Qdoba, are descending upon New England, armed with major expansion plans to challenge mom-and-pop rivals such as Anna’s Taqueria and old standbys like Taco Bell. (more)

Live from New York, it’s — three comic talents who first made a name for themselves on the internet. (more)

Restaurant coaster pagers — those clunky hunks of plastic that flash, vibrate and/or beep when your table is ready — are getting some new bells and whistles. (more)

Concerned about the environment? Eric Hudson says you can save it–one toothbrush and tongue scraper at a time. The pitch might keep his company alive. (more)

Want to raise a toast tonight but still be sharp enough for a business presentation at 7 a.m. tomorrow? A new reduced-calorie wine might be the ticket. (more)

As if being bawled at by the coach during training were not bad enough, sports stars may also end up being pushed around by their own clothing. (more)

With Rollyo, you can easily create your own custom search engines, and explore and save those created by others. (more)

After years in the shadow of sport-utility vehicles, little cars are getting more attention, thanks to consumer concern about high gas prices. (more)

Atari’s fortunes are looking up as Quantic Dream’s distinctly French adventure game Fahrenheit becomes a chart-topping hit in Europe. (more)

A pensioner was sent 12 bicycles, four boats and a luxury mobile home after a hacker spent £270,000 in one night under his name on eBay. (more)

Yamaha Motor India has spun off its sales and marketing division to form Yamaha Motor India Sales Pvt Ltd in a bid to consolidate its presence in the Indian market. (more)

Despite objections from Martha Burk, NBC said it was going ahead with plans to air an NHL commercial showing a bare-chested player being dressed by a scantily clad woman. (more)

Sony and Panasonic are among the favored brands for U.S. Hispanics, a study by Encuesta shows. (more)

College students might act like they respect professors in class, but you can find out how they really feel in online forums.(more)

A new, location-based web service is trying to make social-networking software more about socializing than simply collecting lists of buddies. (more)

Once too expensive and labor-intensive for anyone but Hollywood studios to produce, the animated feature is entering a new era. (more)

A scientist at the Medical University of South Carolina has found that magnetic resonance imaging machines also can serve as lie detectors. (more)

Two years after the National Do Not Call Registry took effect — and with more than 100 million numbers enrolled — dinner-time conversations are still being interrupted by telemarketing calls. (more)

Shrewd investment has swelled the ranks of US millionaires to nearly nine million, a survey of America’s wealthiest households has found. (more)

Soaring oil costs have not stopped consumers from trading up to higher-priced products, whether it’s plumbing, clothing or furniture, industry experts said this week. (more)

Revenue from product placements in magazine editorial copy - the stories and photographs - is expected to rise 17.5 percent to $160.9 million this year, and in newspapers by 16.9 percent to $65 million, says a report from PQ Media in Stamford, Conn. (more)

Now that he’s abandoning his central London gallery, is Charles Saatchi’s grip on the art world loosening? (more)

While France gave up control of Pondicherry in 1954, this city in southeastern India has preserved its French connection through its colonial buildings, street signs, a school and even sports. (more)

A UK heart surgeon has pioneered a new way to repair damaged hearts after being inspired by artist Leonardo da Vinci’s medical drawings. (more)

Musical training might be good for the heart, suggests a small study, which shows that it is musical tempo, rather than style, that is the greatest stress buster. (more)

Junk food high in fat, salt or sugar is to be banned in schools across England within a year, Education Secretary Ruth Kelly announced on Wednesday after a high profile campaign by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. (more)