A just-launched campaign for Equinox from new agency Fallon has drawn cheers and criticism for its bold art, sexual overtones and complexity--or, some believe, ambiguity. The first wave of the three-part campaign is a print ad featuring images of scantily clad or nude men with women in Victorian clothing posing in provocative positions and the copy "Happily Ever," followed by "What's your after?" in small type. A 60-second cinema ad will play in four markets in February and September of 2008. Equinox is also relaunching its Web site in March. "We were looking to continue to evolve …

CKE, which operates the Hardee's and Carl's Jr. chains, says it will continue to promote premium-priced burgers like the Portobello Mushroom Six Dollar Burger and the $3.99 Philly Cheesesteak Thickburger as its bigger rivals battle it out over 99-cent value meals. Those items were heavily promoted in December when the chain boosted its same-store sales by 1.2% systemwide. Sales dropped at Hardee's, however, for the first time since 2006. The company blames bad weather, and says the sales results are proof that their strategy was working. Casual dining companies have seen traffic drop in recent months as more consumers …

Coors Brewing is inviting fans to submit videos making the case why they should be given a trip to the 2008 or 2009 Super Bowl. Forbidden in the video clips that contestants submit to coorsbeer.com or coorslight.com are: depictions of Santa (because he appeals to those under the legal drinking age of 21); famous people; references to football teams, players, coaches or owners; political themes; depictions of drinking while driving; drinking games; drinking beer "rapidly, excessively, involuntarily"; religious references; gambling; illegal or explicit sexual activity; any form of intoxication; any beer brands that compete with Coors or Coors …

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.--which was launched in 1918 and named after its charismatic founder--officially became Panasonic Corp. today. The move signals the importance of brand recognition amid intensifying global competition, and makes sense given that Matsushita is far better known outside Japan as Panasonic, one of its brand names. Matsushita President Fumio Ohtsubo acknowledges that it's tough to give up the Matsushita and other brand names the company has built with consumers and employees for 90 years. But he says the value of the Panasonic brand has suffered because the company stuck with the old name. Konosuke Matsushita's …

Victorinox--one of the makers of knives supplied to Swiss soldiers--has been fighting back from near obsolescence with a range of new products including luggage, kitchen knives, clothing and watches. Each is each emblazoned with the firm's logo--a white cross within a red crest. There is even a perfume, which reviewers have described as "woodsy" in scent. "At the moment this 'Swiss-made' brand is particularly cool," says Landesbanki Kepler analyst Jon Cox. He says a belief in Swiss quality--the kind of thorough workmanship that is also a characteristic of Swiss watch-making--has become a key asset for micro-engineering companies like penknife …