Phil Mickelson, who is ranked second to Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour, will be featured in a Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts campaign that plays up the brand's status as a convention destination. Crowne Plaza already uses the tagline "The Place to Meet." Its latest promotion will have Mickelson holding meetings with people from around the country who are vying to appear with him in one of six national television spots. The center of the promotion is a Web site--ameetingwithphil.com--where fans can submit a story or video in one of six categories: people who look like Mickelson; spectators …

Miller Brewing's Gen Y marketing for Sparks--a citrus-flavored malt drink laced with caffeine--is unlike anything it has done before. The Miller name is generally not connected with the efforts, there are no TV spots or radio jingles, and you won't see it promoted at sporting events. Instead, Miller is using a chaotically designed Web site (www.sparks.com), giveaways of Sparks at house parties and other gatherings, and the sponsorship of events such as art shows, where beer is usually not part of the scene. Miller's sales tactics for Sparks are similar to those used by other companies that …

Because it takes years for a vehicle to go from a drawing to reality, General Motors has only recently seen the full impact of Bob Lutz's touch. Lutz--a former Marine captain and aviator who has been in the auto business since 1963--joined General Motors Corp. as vice chairman of product development in 2001. At the time, the rational left-brained engineers and planners would develop the chassis, engine and transmission, and marketing would have its say. Only then would the more creative right-brained designers be called in to fit a skin on the outside--so late in the process …

A growing number of retailers are promoting the Hispanic tradition of celebrating Three Kings Day on Jan. 6 as a way to extend the holiday buying season and connect with Hispanic customers. El Día de los Reyes--also known as the Epiphany--celebrates the day in Christian tradition when the three wise men visited the baby Jesus. Wal-Mart, which began promoting the tradition in a big way last year, is expanding. This year, the three kings are visiting Wal-Marts in the Southwest, and more than 300 Wal-Marts have displays and products geared to the celebration. Kmart, meanwhile, is sponsoring the …