The days of paying a premium or waiting months for delivery to own Toyota's environmentally friendly Prius are over. Now Toyota is offering low-interest loans and lease incentives to boost the vehicle's U.S. sales by at least 50%. The boxy Prius, which runs on both a gasoline-powered engine and an electric motor, has won praise for its low emissions, advanced technology and high-fuel economy. It was the first mass-produced hybrid automobile, and it has become a favorite for environmentalists. But there is increased competition in the overall hybrid market, says Global Insight analyst Rebecca Lindland. "Also, when you …

New Internet services are allowing marketers to select scenes from commercial films and customize campaigns with a few clicks of the mouse and little human interaction, often for a low flat fee. In some cases, the sites also offer ad-placement services that advertisers can use to more tightly focus their mark. National advertisers, mainly in the retail, real estate and auto industries, are using the systems to make their messages more relevant on the local level. They can automatically add names of local sales agents or dealership addresses, and they can change the content of the ad to …

Marketers say that the most surprising media innovation in 2006 was the rush to advertise in the Second Life virtual community, with 77% of those polled by the American Advertising Federation admitting they didn't see that trend coming. The second biggest surprise was the rise of YouTube. Third was the popularization of "mash-ups," or Web content that originated with more than one source. Marketers now earmark on average 15% of their media budgets for nontraditional outlets, according to the survey of about 1,000 ad industry leaders. 73% of those responding said they now allocate up to 20% …

Design teams at Kohl's department store and the licensing unit of publisher Lagardère Active Media will jointly develop European-inspired fashions that will be stocked at 300 Kohl's stores this spring and will be sold chain-wide by 2008. The garb includes jeans, Capri pants, shorts, skirts, dresses, woven and knit tops, and jackets aimed at 25- to 35-year-olds. The agreement follows exclusive deals that the retailer has signed with designer Vera Wang to produce mid-price clothing and Food Network to sell its branded kitchenware. Prices for the new Elle line will generally be in the middle range of what …

In a carefully worded statement posted to Apple's Web site yesterday, CEO Steve Jobs recast his company's role in the long-standing debate over copyright protection software by putting the onus for lifting copying restrictions squarely on the music industry. In the final paragraph of the essay--"Thoughts On Music"--Jobs said that convincing music labels, like Viviendi-Universal, EMI and Sony-BMG, to allow their music to be sold online without digital rights management (DRM) technology would "create a truly interoperable music marketplace"--one that Apple would embrace "wholeheartedly." Apple has come under increasing pressure from governments in Europe and consumers around the …

New CEO Alan Mulally advocated for Ford's formal announcement today that it is changing the name of its slow-selling Ford Five Hundred to Taurus. The nameplate switch won't make the Five Hundred a great car, but it shows that the new kid in town understands and respects Ford's history better than the Blue Oval lifers who preceded him. Mulally is already asking his executives to tell him why the company doesn't make some other corrections, including: Why don't we try to build the hotshot concept cars people love at our auto show displays? hy does Jaguar chase low-profit, low-image …

In less than two years, Webkinz--huggable, plush toys with elaborate virtual lives--have become must-have items for tech-savvy 'tweeners. They spotlight how children's play is changing, moving effortlessly between the real world and the Web. Webkinz combines classic stuffed animals with popular online trends, such as social networking and instant messaging. Other toys and Web sites have made similar efforts. Each stuffed animal comes with an identification number that gives children access to the Webkinz site. There, owners discover their pets' online personalities. They also can buy clothes for their pets using virtual money, and decorate their pets' …

Burger King--which is on a mission to make its food look, sound and taste hipper--will introduce Hold'ems next month. These are basically warm wraps, but Burger King has grown too savvy to call them that. They'll be served in what Burger King execs call "holsters"--sleek containers that fit into car cup holders. New CEO John Chidsey--who calls himself Chief Whopper Flipper--says Burger King is laser-focused on its key customer: the "superfan." That's BK's term for mostly 18- to 35-year-old males who gobble fast food at the devil-may-care clip of nine to 16 times a month. While they're just 18% …

Eastman Kodak Co. is unveiling a long-awaited line of inkjet printers today that turns the traditional razor-and-blade pricing model of the industry on its head. Printer makers derive most of their profits from ink, which is priced at more per ounce than perfume or caviar. The Kodak printers--primarily intended for home rather than business use--will be priced at $150 to $300. The prices are each about $50 more than comparable multifunction devices now on the market. But the Kodak printers will use a $10 black-ink cartridge and a $15 color-ink cartridge--about half the prevailing ink prices. …

The Miami Heat's budding superstar Dwyane Wade--D-Wade--is changing the marketing landscape in ways other top athletes can learn from. He isn't simply endorsing products. He's partnering with major brands to design items other than sports equipment and apparel. Brand managers love Wade's wholesome appeal. Modest and low-key, he's hip without the aura of urban menace. The D Wade Sidekick--a limited edition T-Mobile device he co-designed--will debut with much fanfare on Feb. 17, the weekend of the NBA All-Star Game. Following his suggestions, the texting device/cell phone will-feature his logo and name in block letters, and include a …