For six weeks, the Chrysler Group and General Motors have been discussing the possibility that G.M. would produce a big S.U.V. like the Tahoe for Chrysler to sell in the United States and other markets, according to people with direct knowledge of the talks. Chrysler, whose lineup is weighted heavily toward S.U.V.'s, pickups and minivans, has talked about building a large S.U.V. for more than 20 years. But it has not been able to find a way to justify the expense of developing one. G.M. builds the Tahoe, as well as a sister vehicle, the G.M.C. Yukon. "It's …

The guerilla marketing devices for Aqua Teen Hunger Force that created havoc in Boston on Jan. 31 were never intended to scare people and were designed to highlight the show's character, says Sam Ewen, founder of Interference Inc., the New York marketing agency hired to create and execute the program. In an exclusive interview, Ewen says that the signs were always intended to go on at night and go off during the day. He also says that a "making of" video posted on YouTube was not part of a multi-layer marketing campaign that would unfold over time. Instead, …

Under Armour has reached a sponsorship agreement with the Chicago Cubs that includes displaying its logo on two doors on the hallowed ivy-covered outfield wall at Wrigley Field. It will also have signage rights behind home plate. Financial terms of the two-year deal were not announced. Baseball diehards--particularly Wrigley Field denizens--will almost certainly decry the ad creep taking place. But baseball historians will note that stadiums regularly featured advertising on outfield walls during the heyday of the game, including the famous "Hit Sign, Win Suit" ad at Ebbets Field, former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, in the 1940s and …

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 …

A new Volkswagen commercial features a guy threatening to jump off a ledge -- until learns three vehicles are available for under $17,000 -- is under fire from at least five mental health groups. They are demanding that the automaker yank the ad from the airwaves. A VW spokesman says it's willing to discuss the issue, but sees no reason to pull the spot. "Controversy is not something VW has shied away from in its marketing," says Keith Price. The VW ad, "Jumper," first aired Monday during NBC's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. It also …

R. J. Reynolds is introducing a new variety of Camel cigarettes that is targeted to women smokers. Called Camel No. 9, it will come in both regular and menthol flavors. The brand signals its intended buyers with subtle cues, like its colors, such as hot-pink fuchsia and a minty-green teal, its "Light and Luscious" slogan and the flowers that surround the packs in magazine ads. R. J. Reynolds sells two other brands, Capri and Misty, aimed at women. A tiny competitor, the Vector Group, sells Eve, and the principal rival to Reynolds, the Altria Group, pioneered the …

The first 500 people to post videos of themselves on YouTube quoting memorable movies lines from "Gone With the Wind," "The Wizard of Oz," etc. will receive a one-month membership to Netflix. Also on the site (Youtube.com/group/netflixoscarquotes), Netflix has posted video clips of comics--including Gilbert Gottfried and Jimmy Kimmel--quoting famous movie lines. Netflix is running the campaign with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to promote the 79th Academy Awards telecast on Feb. 25. As of mid-day Wednesday, about 180 videos were submitted for the promotion. As part of the campaign, Netflix has retooled …

Johnson & Johnson's Centocor unit will unveil a documentary in theaters next week titled InnerState that follows patients with Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. It is hoped the movie will trigger patients with these conditions to ask their doctors about Remicade, a treatment for inflammatory disorders involving the immune system. But in addition to being unadvertised, InnerState does not mention Centocor or Remicade, a rep for the company says. According to a preview posted on YouTube, the movie follows three patients--a singer and a racecar driver among them--and describes how they came to terms with …

Tests are showing that radio-activated tags that Wal-Mart has pushed its suppliers to use to chop labor and inventory costs aren't resulting in the desired savings. Some suppliers that invested in the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology are grumbling. Manufacturers and retailers have long wanted an efficient way to track individual items from production to sale, and RFID seemed ideal for the task. It was to replace the 25-year-old bar-code technology printed on labels for everything from tubes of toothpaste to diamond rings. To some Wal-Mart suppliers, achieving a return on their investment comes second to keeping …

Russell Stover candy--long a favorite of the geriatric set--is attempting to update its image with more-sophisticated lines (Urban, Private Reserve), upscale flavors (vanillabean brûlée), trendy packaging (red, alligator-skin-clad hearts) and a new marketing push. Although the marketer--which also owns the Whitman's brand--dominates the box-chocolate category, Russell Stover sales fell 4% last year to $93 million, and Whitman's sales dropped 12% to $41 million. Meanwhile, Lindt and Ghirardelli -- each with less than $5 million in sales in the segment -- skyrocketed 87% and 244% respectively, according to Information Resources Inc. Russell Stover will use extensive TV advertising to …