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The number of both overpaid and underpaid chief executive officers from 38 listed companies in Greater Cincinnati area has increased to 12 in both groups, while median shareholder returns declined to 29 percent over 2007. Median pay for CEOs amounted to $1.5 million as more companies use stock options as incentives. A table of CEOs with their compensation and performance ranking is included.

Procter & Gamble Co. has improved its product distribution through its Central de Abastos facility in Mexico. The company pays independent contractors to deliver its products. P&G has increased its sales throught its program 'reinvent' which it launched after its acquisition of Gillette in 2005.

The annual analysis of executive compensation in 37 publicly traded companies in Cincinnati, Ohio showed that 12 chief executive officers had double-digit pay cuts, while total median pay and median shareholder return declined by 5% and 9%, respectively. A list of underpaid, fairly paid and overpaid CEOs is presented.

The credit crunch which originated from the U.S. subprime lending market has spread to other markets , and businesses in the Greater Cincinnati Area are no exception . Various local businesses such as real estate investors, retailers and global companies have either benefited or suffered from the credit crucnch, and their experiences are discussed.

Tata Consultancy Services is searching for a location in Cincinati to build an office campus. West Chester and Miami township are among the locations that are competing to be chosen as the company's location.

CINCINNATI -- Kroger Co. here is gearing for its upcoming merger with Fred Meyer Inc., Portland, Ore., through extensive planning in areas ranging from merchandising to human resources, top executives [...]

CINCINNATI -- Federated Department Stores' aggressive Internet and catalog strategy could account for 15 to 20 percent of the corporation's total revenues in three to seven years, but department stores [...]

YourEncore has almost 6,000 retired scientists and researchers who work together in helping Procter & Gamble (P&G) and other companies in addressing various project needs. Operating as an online innovation community, YourEncore is a result of P&G's Connect + Develop program. YourEncore also plans on expanding its international network.

Joe Lachenman expanded the operations of Wild Joe's Beef Jerky, widening its reach to 50 locations in Cincinnati and increasing sales to a projected $350,000 in 2009. He decided to expand the company after contracting an illness that nearly caused his death.

Procter & Gamble (P&G) Co. has revised the way it works with marketing, design, and public relation firms. Creative discussions will be managed by only two representatives, the franchise leader and the brand agency leader, in order for P&G to simplify operations as it grows larger and more global. How the new approach will affect the company's marketing is also discussed.

Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. is under contract to buy the 225-unit apartment building called Metropole Apartments. 21c Museum Hotel is said to be the lead candidate for the space. Advocates of some residents of the low-income rental complex say may do not want to leave and that forcing them to leave will make some homeless.

Procter & Gamble Co. is looking at ways to turn the millions of hits that its web sites attract into added sales. This could be as basic as including a 'shop now' option to tracking all emerging e-tailers.

Chicago, Illinois-based investor Walnut Capital has acquired a majority stake in FlatTop Grill on August 19, 2009. Walnut will combine FlatTop Grill and Stir Crazy Restaurant, which it also acquired three years prior, under a single parent company named Flat Out Crazy. The two restaurants will remain separate, they will differ but will complement each other.

Procter & Gamble Co. has launched an advertising campaign that uses a webcam and three-dimensional techniques, called 'augmented technology,' to promote its Always Infinity feminine care products for younger women. The technique shows the consumers' image in the ads.

The residential real estate in Greater Cincinnati region and the rest of Ohio has shown improvement against the country in 2009 . A decrease in f oreclosure numbers are observed with a total of 11,144 foreclosures in the Tri-State region.

Procter & Gamble Co. used Vocalpoint.com, its word-of-mouth website, to collect feedback from mothers regarding its new Bounces Dryer Bar. The marketing message for the product highlights its uniqueness, so the company needed feedback to ensure that the message they would send out is correct. The role of Vocalpoint in the company's product promotions is discussed.

Delta Air Lines Inc. revealed that it will discontinue its daily direct flights from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport to London and Frankfurt at the end of August 2009. Reports show that the reduction in overseas flights among carriers in the United States is translating to fewer nonstop flights and longer layover times.

Consumer products-maker Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) is exploring the possibility of closing its site in Symmes Township, Ohio. P&G has been operating there for 15 years and the lease for the facility is nearing its expiration date. The move is expected to be finalized by early 2010 and will affect around 650 workers.

Cincinnati-based companies Macy's Inc. and Kroger Co. are both facing problems due to underfinanced pension plans. Retail supermarket chain Kroger has an estimated $550 million shortfall while department store giant Macy's has an estimated $1 billion. According to experts, Macy's and Kroger's pension troubles will take years to resolve and may affect their profitability.

Phillips Edison & Co. pre-empted the recession by paying down its debt, leasing parking lots for Christmas tree sales, and signing leases with emerging discounters. Their approach to the recession has given them the biggest leasing pipeline in their history.

Automobile dealers in Cincinnati are expecting an increased demand for cars before autumn. The dealers believe that cars, which average 9.4 years old, will soon be replaced. Other factors that are expected to increase demand include the likely normalization of inventories.

A survey of small business owners reveal that 86 percent say the economic crisis has affected their operations and that 46 percent are concerned about the long-term survival of their business. Small business owners in Cincinnati, Ohio have had to change their plans in light of the tumbling economy.

Procter & Gamble Co. (P&G) is looking to strengthen its portfolio, with the company stating that it could consider acquisitions and divestitures when opportunities come. P&G has sold off 18 businesses and acquired five since 2005. The company also has stable financial status, earning almost $5.7 billion for the first six months of its fiscal year ending December 2008.

Directors and executives from nine of the biggest companies in Greater Cincinnati have bought nearly $2 million in shares of own firm's stock since February 2009. This trend shows that executives and directors have confidence while others are trading at record-lows. Examples of stock acquisitions made by top-ranking executives are given.

Macy's Inc. has yet to release data on their annual earnings but has already said that their 2008 sales have fallen by $1.4 billion from the previous year. The company is set to winnow its remaining four divisions into one. This comes at a time when around 43 percent of consumers say they plan to cut spending.

Domestic flight departures at the Cincinnati/Kentucky International Airport (CVG) have declined by 30% since 2007, the largest drop among major U.S. hubs. The airport is being encouraged to reduce air fare to improve air traffic, but is expected to handle recession trends better than other hubs. The net reduction of 30 CVG gates' operation is discussed.

United States-based businesses are now using the online social networking site Facebook as a marketing tool. The network has the potential to reach thousands of people a week. Facebook has created a special location called Facebook Pages for brands and celebrities.

Hamilton County Recorder's Office revealed that new liens, totaling $11.3 million, were filed against Kenwood Towne Place on January 9, 2009. The $175 million development which includes a nine-story office tower is being developed by Bear Creek Capital. The project's financing problems are discussed.

United States retailers have been adversely affected by credit card fees in view of the economic downturn. The economy has also been pushing consumers to pick and choose their purchases. Retailers have to pay banks a fee for the associated costs of accepting credit cards.

Procter & Gamble chief operating officer Bob McDonald says that the company does not intend to fail due to global volatility and change. Included in the consumer products manufacturer's long-term plans is to expand globally, particularly into emerging economies such as Romania and India. The challenges facing Procter & Gamble are also discussed.

Procter & Gamble Co. plans to build 19 production plants up to 2012, with 18 of the facilities to be constructed in developing nations. The company is effectively building its future supply network as it aims to reach 4.5 billion consumers by 2010.

The value of United States-based Macy's assets are greater than that of the company. Macy's merchandise inventory has totaled $6.9 billion while its market capitalization has been pegged at $2.9 billion. Comments from analysts are also presented.

Martin and Marilyn Wade bought two additional properties near Walnut Street in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. The couple began purchasing buildings along the street in September 2007. Community supporters are hoping that the old brick buildings be turned into attractive apartments.

Procter & Gamble Co. chief operating officer Bob McDonald has led the company in improving the distribution of its products in other countries. McDonald says distribution involves understanding lifestyles and what shoppers value in advertising. The company saw the need to customize many products from country to country.

The Air Transportation Association reported that airlines will experience an increase in their expenditures for jet fuel in 2008 estimated at $61 billion, compared to $41 billion in 2007. Carriers stand to lose $11 for every passenger flown. The reasons cited for the financial constraints are high fuel prices, weak U.S. dollar and poor economy.

American Airlines will charge $15 for the first bag each passenger checks. The first-bag fee is among several fees airlines have charged since January 2008 to off-set rising fuel costs. Various fees charged by other airlines are also discussed.

Macy's Inc. is reestablishing an office in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that will handle its regional merchandising. The department store chain chose Pittsburgh as one of the locations of four merchandising offices, beating the city of Cincinnati in Ohio. The move is part of Macy's reorganization, which was announced in February 2008.

The completion of the merger of Northwest Airlines Corp. and Delta Air Lines Inc. would mean a smaller hub at the Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport. However, this could also mean an increase in origination and destination travel. O&D travelers contribute five to six times more to the economy.

Macy's Inc. has decided not to build one of its four regional merchandising offices in Cincinnati. The company chose to build a regional office, which is part of a companywide reorganization, in Pittsburgh, a more centrally positioned city. Macy's other reorganization plans are presented.

Restaurants in Cincinnati are closing some of their stores due to growing costs of fuel, eggs and meat. The establishments are also affected by lower consumer spending that was brought by unemployment, higher grocery prices and foreclosures. The economic problems in Cincinnati are also compared to those in other cities.

An overview of A.G. Lafley's book entitled 'The Game-Changer', is presented. Lafley, Procter & Gamble Co.'s chief executive officer, documented his philosophy and strategy in his book. His work also includes Procter & Gamble's hands-on initiatives such as mock-up grocery stores and personal interviews with homeowners.

Procter & Gamble was able to develop a pant-style diaper called Pampers First Pants by creating a virtual, three-dimensional baby. The company was able to reduce the number of real mock-ups that it had to make by putting the diapers on the virtual baby first. Specifics about product designs were not revealed by the company.

The 2007 sales of the retail industry are the slowest since the year 2003, driving retail stores to reconsider their expansion plans for 2008. A number of retail projects have been delayed, cancelled or altered, including Newport Pavilion, Rivers Crossing, Wal-Mart Supercenters, Legacy Place and Millworks. The impacts of retail slowdown on development projects are analyzed further.

Blue Ash-based Bear Creek Capital and Chattanooga, Tennessee-based CBL & Associates Properties had abandoned their plan to build a mixed-use project in South Lebanon. The construction of the proposed $475 million open-air mall was cancelled when real estate developer CBL failed to secure retailers.

Delta Air Lines is under negotitaions with Northwest Airlines and UAL Corp. for a proposed merger. The deal will have a negative impact on Cincinnati as a hub regardless whether it goes to UAL or Northwest. The impacts of the planned merger on Cincinnati's labor market and airport traffic are discussed.

Powers Agency has acquired Dan Pinger Public Relations Inc. after three years in planning. The new company is to be called 'Pinger PR at Powers'. Details of the deal and the new company are discussed.

Retailer Macy's online division Macys.com are projecting sales at $1billion in 2007, compared to $620 million in 2006. Macy's is heavily in its online business, earmarking $230 million since 2006 and building two distribution centers in Tennessee and Arizona. Macy's new online features and products and the growth of online retail sector are discussed.

Procter & Gamble Co. is increasing the prices of its products as a means to offset the rising costs of gas, plastics and raw materials. The price increase will be somewhere between 3% to 12%, depending on the product.

A new Italian bistro, Via Vite, opened at the Fountain Square on October 12, 2007. The owner of the restaurant is Nicola Pietoso, who also owns the critically-acclaimed Nicola's, and whose son Christian, a chef, will manage Via Vite's kitchen. The significance of having Fountain Square as location for Via Vite is explained.

Consumer goods companies have funded a research project called Pioneering Research for an In-Store Metric (PRISM). The study is being made to determine consumer behavior through monitoring foot traffic and tracking purchases via infrared sensors. The scope of the research project, and the benefits it can reap for manufacturers are discussed.