[Automotive] While loyalty toward large vehicles has slipped, loyalty toward small cars and crossovers has gained. And gasoline prices have had minimal impact on mid-sized crossover vehicles, reflecting both the proliferation of vehicles in that segment and also the fact that crossovers garner higher mileage. ...Read the whole story

[Pharmaceuticals] "We're picking up a trend where more consumers are looking to be able to compare one medicine to another," says the magazine publisher. Since 2005, the percentage of people who compare drugs online has risen 15 points, to 61%. ...Read the whole story

[Food] Consumers are aware of the importance of digestive health, but they underestimate how much fiber they need. Three years ago, a Datamonitor survey found that more people were familiar with the term "evening primrose" than were aware of "probiotic." That's likely to change now that marketers are on to the trend. ...Read the whole story

[Automotive] The company always wanted the tour to be interactive and, in the past, consumers could vote for bands and submit feedback. But this is a big departure in terms of user-generated content, Honda says, because now it is linked with social networking sites. ...Read the whole story

[Retail] In the quarter ahead, it will spend more on public advertising for sales and special promotions, especially TV, and less on private marketing efforts like direct mail. "We need to bring more customers in to try the Macy's store," says Federated's CFO. ...Read the whole story

[Research] This is the Me generation and, says Heather Stern, Focalyst's director of marketing, "Boomers are most loyal when companies give customized service, a natural reflection of boomers' desire for personalized attention and rewarding brand experiences." ...Read the whole story