The proposed merger of satellite-radio operators XM and Sirius -- if it survives the objections of its broadcast rivals and garners FCC approval -- will benefit consumers by eliminating duplicative programming and generating "cooler, more advanced products," says Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin. Consumers and their advocates are likely to worry that a combined company would mean higher prices for satellite-radio service. But satellite company executives say market forces--i.e., free, over-the-air radio--will limit the possibility of higher prices. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin released an unusually grim statement saying that the two companies will face a "high" hurdle, …

Cleveland Cavalier All-Star forward LeBron James is teaming with Microsoft to launch lebron.msn.com, a storybook-style Web site about his life designed for kids and teens. In addition to broadening his iconic image, James is hoping the innovative Web site will motivate youngsters worldwide with positive messages of encouragement and his own story of perseverance. He says the site is a space where he can "really talk with [kids]" rather than sell anything. James' interest in working with kids appealed to Microsoft, which first partnered with the 22-year-old last summer as one of the sponsors of his annual King …

A national branding campaign that encourages consumers to eat more fruits and veggetables kicks off in-store and online next month with the tagline: "Fruits & Veggies-More Matters." Sponsored by the non-profit Produce for Better Health Foundation, the campaign also features a national recipe contest that runs through May 31. Entrants submit a recipe featuring fruits or vegetables and explain how they have increased their family's produce consumption. Two grand-prize winners win a family trip to a Culinary Institute of America (CIA) campus in New York or California. San Francisco school kids will launch the campaign by judging …

Bank of America will introduce a new branding effort and tagline during the Academy Awards broadcast on Sunday night, reflecting a retreat from the "Higher Standards" slogan that was introduced in February 2003. While "Higher Standards" has been popular with consumers, it has registered even more with Bank of America workers. It quickly became a staple of product promotions, PowerPoint presentations and a rallying cry among employees. While "Higher Standards" is not expected to entirely disappear from the bank's marketing efforts, the new campaign will reflect the sensibilities of its new chief marketer, Anne Finucane, and principal …

Pizza may be their favorite food, but Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures will be appearing with McDonald's Happy Meals in a promotion for the March 23 release of a new computer-animated movie. The movie is produced by Warner Bros. Since 1996, the burger chain has exclusively partnered with Disney for most promotional efforts, but last summer, the two ended the relationship. McD's is one of several promotional partners for the film, including Kmart, Hot Topic, Wal-Mart, Toys "R" Us and Airheads. The feature film and promotions are the culmination of a revival of the property, which …

JetBlue Airways founder and CEO David G. Neeleman says he will announce tomorrow what he calls a customer bill of rights. It will financially penalize JetBlue--and reward passengers--for being stranded on a plane after a certain amount of time. Neeleman says that the cancellation of about 1,000 flights since an ice storm hit the Eastern U.S. last Wednesday was the result of a shoestring communications system, which left pilots and flight attendants in the dark, and an under-size reservation system. Saying that he is "humiliated and mortified" by the breakdown, Neeleman also admits that his company's management is …

Apple bucked the rules of the cell-phone industry by wresting away control of the development and marketing of the iPhone--the sleek device also designed to surf the Web and double as an iPod music player--from the normally powerful wireless carriers. The iPhone had been in development by Apple and Cingular for two years, but only three executives at Cingular got to see it before it was revealed to the world last month. Cingular also agreed to leave its brand off the body of the phone. In another break with standard practice, the iPhone has an exclusive retail …

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Ltd. has a very exclusive target market: People with liquid assets of at least $30 million. While it does some limited print ads, it primarily reaches them through dinner parties, personally signed letters from the CEO and custom-car features. The British super-luxury brand, owned by Germany's BMW, sells barely 800 cars a year. Retail prices for the company's Phantom cars start at $400,000. Models with many customized features can cost millions, making every sale made--or lost--an event for the carmaker. The marque's main point of contact with existing and potential customers is through its 79 …

Twenty-three state attorneys general have written to Anheuser-Busch to "strongly encourage" it to use a more effective age-verification tool on its new Bud.TV site. While Bud.TV asks for a name, Zip code and birth date to check public records and verify the user's age, the attorneys general say that any underage youth that knows basic information about an adult could plug it in to access the site. At a minimum, the AGs say visitors should have to enter their name and full address, or a driver's license number, exactly as it appears on a government-issued ID before they can …

A bill introduced in both the House and Senate yesterday would grant the Food and Drug Administration legal authority to regulate nicotine. The FDA would also gain the power to restrict tobacco advertising, require stronger warnings on cigarette packs, mandate reductions in nicotine, regulate additives and set stiff penalties for selling to minors. The FDA had previously asserted it had such power, but the Supreme Court disagreed, ruling in 2000 that Congress must specifically confer such authority. Although the White House has not supported similar legislation in the past, it's not clear what position President Bush will take …