It's a tall order to replace infomercial superstar Billy Mays, who died last year, but on Thursday TeleBrands, which markets a whole roster of "get two now and I'll throw in the third for free" products -- and used Mays as a ptichman -- hit the Big Apple to hold auditions. ...Read the whole story

Key to restaurant growth will include continued stress on value, convenience, expanded menu options and sustainable practices (including locally sourced and better-for-you offerings), as well as expanded use of online/mobile/social media capabilities and marketing efforts. ...Read the whole story

Target Corp. says it is spending $1 billion in the coming year to renovate its stores, scaling back its expansion plans. Much of the remodeling focuses on expanding what it calls its P-Fresh format, adding almost all of the perishable and food items now available primarily at its Super Target stores. ...Read the whole story

Samsung is taking its customer service practice interactive with a new Internet program, Samsung Product Support TV. The live-streaming "channel" will be hosted and produced by the consumer electronics company to help people better understand and get more out of its products. ...Read the whole story

A 45-foot-long tour bus featuring colorful tropical images of Hawaii began its trip in Phoenix this week and will visit 11 additional cities. "American Idol" season three top three finisher Jasmine Trias of Oahu was at the Phoenix kickoff and will also make an appearance at the close of the tour in Los Angeles. ...Read the whole story

Sears is unleashing a series of new TV ads starring NFL quarterback Brett Favre, and while his comic timing may not quite be equal to rival Peyton Manning, he's got that deadpan thing down cold. "We haven't decided yet if we will be on the Super Bowl, but we'll be on heavily during both playoff games this weekend, as well as on post-game shows," says Sears' Karen Austin. ...Read the whole story

"Harley-Davidson is not a discretionary purchase to our [loyalists]," says CMO Mark-Hans Richer, who adds that while boomers are Harley's sweet spot, "the challenge is to think about who are those other customers we might enjoy a relationship with? It transcends age, gender and race; we are a counter-culture brand, so our strategy is to have more relationships with more people and more different kinds of people." ...Read the whole story

Top 10 DMAs in which reside adults who have stayed at a bed and breakfast in the past year: 1 San Francisco/ Oakland/ San Jose ... ...More