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This article discusses the superhero film genre and the opportunities it raises for licensing merchandise. The article states that superhero movies are continuing to do well in the box office, and attributes that to people's positive perceptions of characters. Also, the article states that superhero films are doing well because the technology like CGI has become so advanced. Superhero movies like "Iron Man," "The Incredible Hulk," and "Spider-man" are referenced.

The article profiles Sara Tervo, a marketing executive at Victoria's Secret who developed a successful marketing campaign for Pink, the company's line of sleepwear designed for teenage girls. A discussion of success which was seen with the campaign and a $1 billion profit that the company saw as a result of the campaign is presented.

The article discusses the decision telecommunications company AT&T made becoming aligned with the Apple Corp. Ltd. iPhone after Verizon passed on the offer. According to Roger Entner, senior vice-president of Nielsen IAG in Boston, Massachusetts, AT&T made a good business decision, and is second only to BlackBerry in the pocket computer market. With the price drop for the iPhone, AT&T's revenues should increase.

The article discusses the state of the health and beauty industry in 2008. Topics include consumer spending on health and beauty products, the slowing U.S. economy in 2008, and sales of anti-aging products. Commentary is provided by Clayton Daley, chief financial officer of Proctor & Gamble. Also discussed is the use of beauty products by young girls.

The article discusses findings from a recent study by the Natural Marketing Institute and The Nielson Company that indicates 2008 demand growth for organic food in spite of a sluggish economy. Small organic brands, in particular, are experiencing sales increases, like Ian's Natural Foods, Inc. However, once a large company gives an organic alternative, the smaller ones may suffer. The article cites Annie's Homegrown foods, whose organic pasta line is competing with similar organic products from Kraft.

The article reports on an increase in the number of large retail stores, including Macy's and Wal-Mart, that are developing in store partnerships with smaller companies, such as Starbucks and Sephora. The partnerships have been developed in an effort to provide added convenience for consumers who are seeking to make fewer trips each day.

The article discusses online advertising. Marketing research company eMarketer stated that advertisers will spend over $1.3 billion in 2008 on online advertising. The article also discusses how certain websites are partnering with relevant companies, such as television program "The Dog Whisperer's" website containing advertising for pet supply company Petco. The author states that the cost per thousand (CPM) rate for online advertising ranges from $40 to $70.

The article focuses on the results of a survey that was released in May of 2008 by the Food Marketing Institute. The survey found that in 2008 U.S. consumers are spending less time and money at casual dining restaurants such as Applebee's and TGI Fridays, are spending more money on convenience foods at supermarkets, and are doing more cooking at home. Convenience foods that have seen a rise in popularity are discussed.

The article reports on addressable advertising on television, focusing on the proximity of the commencement of such advertising techniques. Addressable advertising, the article indicates, is when advertisers have the ability to target television advertisements by household, such that different advertisements will be seen by viewers of different demographics. The challenges, motivating factors, available research, and obstacles facing potential users of addressable advertising are all discussed.

The article presents an overview of the opportunities which exist for marketers on smaller specialized Internet social websites which focus on hobbies such as bird watching. A discussion of an increase in the number of adults and teenagers in the U.S. that use online social networks which is expected by 2011 is discussed. INSET: UP AND COMING.

This article reports that green company Seventh Generation will begin a customer loyalty program in 2008. The Seventh Generation Nation program will offer rewards points to customers that can be used for special eco-friendly offers. The article also discusses green rewards initiatives from companies like Colloquy, Continental Airlines, and Wells Fargo and notes the successes and failures of their loyalty programs.

This article focuses on the company Johnson & Johnson. The article explains that the company held a "Camp Baby" conference and invited 56 mothers/bloggers to attend the event all-expenses-paid. Johnson & Johnson's goal for the conference was to create a bond between the company and mothers for marketing purposes.

The article reports on an increase in the number of corporations worldwide, including Procter & Gamble, that have become involved with the use of an interactive advertising strategy called engagement marketing. A discussion of success which Procter & Gamble saw with an engagement marketing campaign, and of the advantages of using engagement marketing, is presented.

The article examines whether there has been an over saturation of green marketing programs being launched. It is reported that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission decided to review its green guidlines a year early after noticing an increase of green programs being launched in the marketplace. The guidlines are aimed at determining whether such green programs are truly benefiting the environment, which means marketers are going to have to be more mindful about their green claims.