[Research] White, middle-aged people are a key target for marketers of sunless-tanning products because they are the ones who grew up when getting a tan was seen as no big health issue. In fact, the Marketing Daily/Synovate survey finds that 77% of people ages 35 to 44 equate a tan with beauty. ...Read the whole story

[Beverages] The city has ceased consumption of the beverage at all city offices and agencies, citing the environmental impact of plastic bottles and shipping. An industry group says the plastic bottles are among the most recycled in the country. Either way, observers wonder if the ban might spread, following a route carved out by San Fran's ban on plastic bags. ...Read the whole story

[Restaurants] The city wants consumers to see exactly how many calories they're getting, while the industry is arguing there's no room on the menu boards to add this information. One food strategist agrees that the new law would slow things down, making consumers unhappy. We'll see what Sunday brings. ...Read the whole story

[Technology] "A lot of people assume that the digital future is a panacea for environmental issues but it's not the case," says Billboard's deputy editor, pointing to Greenpeace's excoriation of Apple, seller of 100 million iPods. "It reflects back to the positioning of your brand. If, like Apple, your brand is known as hip, savvy and aware, your environmental practices need to be consistent with that." ...Read the whole story

[Multiculturalism] The managing director of the newly merged company sees a certain homogeneity to the Hispanic market: "We all do speak the same language, and despite the many differences in cultures, how long we've been here, the stage of life we're in, we do have an identity of being Hispanic in the U.S." There's also more evidence of Hispanic culture crossing into mainstream America, he says. ...Read the whole story

[Research] The market of products for this coveted demo will grow to more than $208 billion by 2011, according to a report from market research firm Packaged Facts. While that's an increase from 2006, it's not a huge leap. It's still noteworthy, especially since the overall teen population is expected to decline. ...Read the whole story

[Retail] Consumers spend 10% more for televisions and digital cameras they buy in stores when they research these purchases online first using a search engine, a study of 1,100 shoppers at Best Buy, Circuit City, Fry's and Target stores revealed. ...Read the whole story