After trading in the legendary print ads that were synonymous with its brand for decades, Absolut has seen global case shipments jump 9% and has gained market share in the increasingly competitive U.S. market. The Swedish vodka brand adopted a global multimedia approach last year around the theme, "It's an Absolut world." Spots on cable TV--the brand's first major push into the medium--depicted police fending off pillow-wielding rioters in an "Absolut World." Print ads showed Times Square filled with priceless artwork and pregnant men. Tourists driving toward the Las Vegas strip last fall saw the Luxor casino's pyramid wrapped …

Customer satisfaction with online retail was even with last year at 83 points on a 100-point scale, but surpassed brick-and-mortar retailers by 12%, according to the American Customer Satisfaction Index released today by ForeSee Results of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. "Online commerce delivers convenience that is unparalleled in the offline world ... and service quality and consistency is better because there is no unknown factor of a sales associate," says Larry Freed, president and CEO of ForeSee Results. Customer satisfaction with the offline retail sector fell 0.3% to 74.2. And …

Unilever is challenging Proctor & Gamble in a category the latter practically owns--antidandruff shampoo--with a brand called Clear that was created in the developing world. A new, faster Unilever blasted it out to seven new markets in six months last year, racking up sales of $367 million. Analysts figure antidandruff formulas account for half of the annual $40 billion global shampoo market. In the Philippines--long considered P&G territory--Head & Shoulders was unchallenged in the antidandruff category until Clear launched in July 2007. Five months later, Unilever's shampoo had overtaken Head & Shoulders to grab 15.6% of the …

Chris Balsiger, who ran International Outsourcing Services for years, is facing a 27-count federal indictment that says he schemed to bilk some of the nation's largest coupon-issuers out of at least $250 million. Balsiger and others also face a civil lawsuit by Kraft Foods, PepsiCo and other coupon issuers charging racketeering and fraud. By 2001, Balsiger had built IOS into the dominant coupon clearinghouse, with market share of about 70%. It had 6,000 employees and was heading toward $200 million in annual sales, about half from coupon processing, and the other half from other outsourcing services, such as processing …

Dr. David B. Allison, the incoming president of a leading organization of obesity scientists, says that new rules requiring many New York City restaurants to post calorie information could backfire--whether by adding to the forbidden-fruit allure of high-calorie foods or by sending patrons away hungry enough that they will later gorge themselves. Most nutritionists support the theory of the city's health commissioner that forcing chain restaurants to list the calories alongside menu items will make patrons think twice about ordering calorie-laden food. The debate might be limited to nutrition experts, except for the fact that Allison was paid to …

The Air Jordan XX3--which will be unveiled at the NBA All-Star Game festivities this weekend--is at the forefront of a broader effort that is intended to please not just environmentalists and jocks but also Wall Street. It represents a systemic shake-up of the company that is supposed to result in manufacturing operations that are both carbon neutral and cheaper. The elaborately stitched Air Jordan XX3 features the near absence of chemical-based glues and an outsole made of recycled material. Carrying a suggested retail price of $185, it is part of Nike's "Considered" program--a broad plan to reduce greenhouse gases …

Jared Fogle--who has been the Subway's main pitchman since he lost 245 pounds in 1998 by eating Subway sandwiches and exercising--is hitting the road on a 12-city tour to promote a new childhood obesity-prevention plan. The Three-Point Plan offers funding for school nutrition and fitness programs and gives parents the tools to make healthy foods choices for their children. Subway plans to raise $2 million through donations and fund-raising efforts. The six-month journey--called "Tour de Pants"--will make stops at the South Beach Food and Wine Festival, NASCAR events and American Heart Association walks. People can take pictures …

US Airways says it will no longer award a minimum of 500 miles for a flight, eliminating a long-held industry practice that has allowed frequent fliers to more quickly accumulate miles for award travel even on short trips. No major carrier followed the move Thursday though several consultants say it may be only a matter of time as airlines contend with rising fuel costs and a slowing economy. US Airways decision is the latest move in what analysts say is a trend by airlines to limit and restrict frequent-flier programs--including new fees and requirements--that has made accruing miles and …