extra texture :: marketing news + trends

Coca-Cola Co. launches its first fruit-flavored malt drink in Nairobi that will be targeted at young adults. (more)

BlackBerry smart phone has more than twice the rate of malfunctions in its first year of ownership compared with Apple’s iPhone. (more)

Nintendo unveiling limited edition DS bundles. (more)

Nissan drops out of auto shows. (more)

The world’s first bacon-flavoured chocolate bar is proving an unlikely success with British consumers. (more)

NY public toilets feature TVs, tuxedoed attendants. (more)

Unhappy couples staying together as economy makes divorcing too costly. (more)

New tobacco product alarms some health officials. (more)

Even Santa can’t find work this year. (more)

Shopping malls are running on empty. (more)

Random House to digitize thousands of books. (more)

Work stacking up for shoe-repair shops. (more)

Retail stores hiring fewer elves this holiday season. (more)

7-Eleven expanding its line of private-label items. (more)

Cemetery energizes town with solar panels on graves. (more)

‘Shelf Plus 10′ percent promotion translates into legal trouble for Nash Finch. (more)

Microsoft tries luring the eyes with a prize. (more)

Microsoft sales chief on downturn strategy. (more)

It’s known as your “neighborhood grill” but Applebee’s Restaurant is accused of being not such a good neighbor. (more)

Dunkin’ Donuts opens first shop in mainland China. (more)

Obama testing ways to use Internet to govern. (more)

Batman to be killed off after 70 years. (more)

Dolphins have a kick that would make Michael Phelps jealous — 212 pounds worth. (more)

The Vatican’s newspaper has finally forgiven John Lennon for declaring that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ.(more)

Beyond manbags: pantyhose for men. (more)

Who said bras are only for women? (more)

When a diaper isn’t just a diaper. (more)